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…

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…

Western Pond Turtle

Order: Testudines Family: Emydidae Actinemys marmorata (Northwestern pond turtle) and Actinemys pallida (Southwestern pond turtle) Natural History Information Range and Habitat Historically found from southern British Columbia to northern Baja California, Western pond turtles once dominated freshwater systems throughout the west coast of North America (Germano and Bury 2001). Marshes, wetland sloughs, lakes and ponds…

Spotted (Black) Pond Turtle

Geoclemys hamiltonii Order: Testudines Family: Geoemydinae Natural History Information Range and Habitat Spotted pond turtles are found in large, deep rivers in northern India, Assam, southern Pakistan and Bangladesh. Longevity Spotted pond turtles can live 15 to 20 years or more if cared for properly. Ecosystem Role   Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Life Cycle Natural…

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.

Common Box Turtle

Terrapene carolina Order: Testudines Family: Emydidae Natural History Information Range and Habitat Longevity Ecosystem Role Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Life Cycle Natural History Relevant Information Temperature, Humidity, Light Cycles Temperature: 70-90 F Humidity: 60-80% Lighting: need at least 5% UVA/UVB lighting Substrate Sphagnum moss and vermiculite Social Housing/Colony Management Other General Housing Requirements or Management…

Diamondback Terrapin

Malaclemys terrapin Order: Testudines Family: Emydidae Natural History Information Range and Habitat Diamondback terrapins occur along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Cape Cod to Texas, and also the Florida Keys. They live in brackish (half salt/half fresh) water, coastal marshes, tidal flats, coves, estuaries, and lagoons behind barrier beaches. Longevity Average lifespan for this…

Dumeril’s Ground Boa

Acrantophis dumerili Order: Squamata Family: Boidae Natural History Information Range and Habitat Dumeril’s ground boas are found in the dry forests in southwest Madagascar. It has also been found living in very degraded habitats, often close to villages. Longevity Dumeril’s ground boas live approximately 20 to 30 years. Ecosystem Role They are important for population…

Boa Constrictor

Boa constrictor Order: Squamata Family: Boidae Related species: Boa constrictor constrictor (red-tailed boa), Boa imperator (Columbian boa) There is some debate as to whether Boa imperator (the Central American population) is a subspecies of Boa constrictor or it’s own species. See ITIS, CABI, and Wikipedia. Natural History Information Range and Habitat Boa constrictors are found…

American Alligator

Latin Name Alligator mississippiensisOrder: Crocodilia Family: Alligatoridae Natural History Information Range and Habitat American alligators are found in the southeastern United States: Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. They’re found in swamps, ponds, lakes, sluggish rivers, and marshes. Longevity Ecosystem Role As predators at the top of the…