Winter 2021

Download Winter 2021 (01-11-2021) newsletter This issue includes: AASAG Committee Updates AASAG Communications Committee Update: 2020 Ambassador Animal Collections Survey Results AASAG Best Practices Initiative Update AASAG Professional Development and Research Initiatives Update Articles Socially Distanced Guest Engagement in the Time of COVID-19 SHOW AND TAIL: To Every Animal, There is a Season (Barn Owl)…

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…

Leopard Tortoise

Stigmochelys pardalis Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae Natural History Information Longevity Leopard tortoises live between 50 and 100 years in the wild. Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Life Cycle Natural History Relevant Information Leopard tortoises readily drink standing water. A shallow water dish may be provided, but check it daily, and clean it as required. The size…

Red Footed Tortoise

Geochelone carbonaria Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae Natural History Information Range and Habitat This tortoise is native to central and northern South America, from Panama to northern Argentina, and on several Caribbean islands. Preferred habitats include drier forest areas, grasslands, savannas, or rainforest belts adjoining more open habitats. Longevity Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Life Cycle Natural…

Ornate Box Turtle

Terrapene ornata ornate Order: Testudines Family: Emydidae Natural History Information Range and Habitat Common box turtles can be found throughout the eastern United States and Mexico. They can live in a wide variety of habitats, from wooded swamps to dry, grassy fields. They are most abundant and healthy in moist forested areas with plenty of…

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…

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…

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…

Spring-Summer 2018

Download Spring-Summer 2018 (06-27-2018) News from the Ambassador Animal SAG Trending Topics in Ambassador Animals Trending Topics: Domestic Dogs and Cats as Ambassador Animals: A Look at Eight Facilities Ambassadors in Action: A Slow but Steady Race Against Extinction: Training Radiated Tortoises to Inspire Public Participation in Conservation Efforts Show and Tail: Housing Ambassador Animals on…