Glass Lizard (aka Scheltopusik)

The scheltopusik is often overlooked as a snake, but is a great transition species for people afraid of snakes. Their sandy brown coloration and diamond shaped scales are excellent camouflage. They can be hissy and roll in hand, but can also mellow out and relax in hand. Like other reptiles, it needs a specific heat gradient and UVB.

Radiated Tortoise

Astrochelys radiata Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae Radiated tortoises are the closest living relative of the Ploughshare tortoises, the most endangered tortoises in the world. Overview This striking species gives the perfect opportunity to talk about the unique biodiversity of Madagascar and the plight of endangered species across the globe. Radiated tortoises are personable and allow…

Reptiles

Reptiles Crocodilians American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinesis) Cuban Crocodile Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) Spectacled Caiman Lizards Agamid Lizards Asian Water Dragon Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii) Uromastyx/Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx spp.) Monitors Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) Water Monitor White-throated Monitor (Varanus albigularis) Skinks African Gold Skink (aka Schneider’s Skink) (Eumeces schneideri) Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides) Prehensile-tailed Skink (Corucia zebrata) Shingleback…

Mammals

SAG & TAG Pages Felid TAG Small Carnivore TAG Dusty Lombardi, Small Carnivore TAG Chair. Rodent, Insectivore, Lagomorph TAG  Rebecca Young, Rodent, Insectivore, Lagomorph TAG Chair Carnivores Felines Domestic Cat Cheetah Clouded Leopard Serval Canines Domestic Dog Fennec Fox Red Fox Wolf Raccoons, Civets, and Relatives Binturong Central American Cacomistle Ring-tailed Cacomistle White-nosed Coati Kinkajou…

Blue Tongued Skink

Tiliqua scincoides Order: Squamata Family: Scincidae There are 3 subspecies of Tiliqua scincoides, Australian blue-tongued skink [1] T. s. chimaerea, Tanimbar blue-tongued skink, T. s. intermedia, northern blue-tongued skink, T. s. scincoides, eastern blue-tongued skink Natural History Information Range and Habitat These skinks are crepuscular, and well adapted to borrowing and terrestrial habitats. They are…

Chuckwalla, Common

Chuckwalla are commonly used as ambassador animals in zoos. They are a hardy, generally docile and food-motivated lizard. As juveniles they may exhibit more active behavior during handling, but calm quickly with consistent handling. With their high food motivation as well as alert and curious demeanor, they are a great candidate for training and have been taught to station and target. Their unique physiological adaptations for their environment give an excellent educational topic in addition to some implications for their care. A desert species, they need low humidity and high heat/UV access in their habitat. Overall a versatile, excellent species for consideration as an animal ambassador.

Hermit Crab

Hermit Crab Latin Name Coenobita spp. Order: Decapoda Family: Note relevant information about latin name, close relatives, etc. Overview They are a nice way to be able to draw correlations to ocean invertebrates, since we don’t have any fish or other ocean or purely aquatic species in our collection. Easy to handle and not hard…

Tiger Salamander

Ambystoma tigrinum Ambystoma californiensis – CA tiger salamander Ambystoma mavortium – Barred tiger salamander Order: Caudata Family: Amby is Greek for “a cup”; stoma is Greek for “a mouth”; tigri is Latin and means “tiger” or “striped like a tiger” Note relevant information about latin name, close relatives, etc: Natural History Information Both California and…

Desert Millipede

Orthoporus ornatus Order: Husbandry Information Housing Requirements 10-20 gallon fish tank, depending on how many you keep together. Provide soil or coconut bedding for digging as they spent the majority of their time buried. Artificial plants and a few rocks were provided. Diet Requirements Chopped produce (lettuce, apple, banana, etc) They were also occasionally offered…

Guinea Pig

Guinea Pig Latin Name Cavia porcellus Order: Rodentia Family:  Overview A common pet, Guinea pigs are familiar to most guests. They’re surprised, however, how trainable they are. They are easily presented in hand, on tables, or even trained to do A-Bs across stages (which is always a hit!). This is also a great, entry-level animal…