Our Reptile Shows are still going full swing, but a few of us are taking a break. It’s that time of year again, where reptile keepers and educators migrate to possible warmer weather and adventure. We will be back on our regular blogging schedule after January 12. Look for creature features (meet some of our amazing animals,) animal training videos, how-tos, class projects, nature journals, and more!
Have a SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSStupendous New Year!
Are reptile pets for Christmas a good or bad idea? For most people, a pet reptile is probably not the greatest idea for a variety of reasons.
1. Reptiles require specialized care that changes with the species being kept. For instance, green iguanas require huge (4′X4′X6′) enclosures that can be heated to 80-100 degrees F with high humidity, good ventilation, and full spectrum lighting. Iguanas also need a specialized diet of calcium rich leafy greens and other vegetables fed to them every day. A red-eared slider turtle will need a 75-150 gallon aquarium with clean water, a dry basking area, and full spectrum lighting. Many people don’t think of the space and cost of housing a pet reptile until it is too late.
2. Reptiles will never become a companion like a dog or cat will. Dogs and cats are part of the family. They liked to be petted, played with, and cuddled. Even the friendliest reptile pet will not ever play with you, go for a walk with you, or want to cuddle with you. Some reptiles will even become ill with stress if they are interacted with too frequently. So many reptiles become unwanted simply because they are seen as objects that require time and money as opposed to loved members of the family.
More great information to consider before getting ANY pet at Christmas, or any other time, can be found at Orlando Sentinel – Pets as presents: Think long-term
You have many options for budding herpetologists on your Christmas list. There are some very cool reptile toys out there that I would have LOVED to get at Christmas. Remote control cobras, anatomically correct rubber reptiles, plush and wooden reptiles and more can be found at many zoo gift stores, nature specialty stores, and science related stores. Books featuring cold blooded critters are also a huge hit with reptile loving children.
A reptile is a vertebrate animal, they have a bony skeleton just like you and me, breathe through lungs, are covered in scales, are ectothermic, and typically lay eggs.
Uromastyx basking in the sun
Reptiles are ectothermic (exothermic) meaning, “outside temperature.” This means the animal’s internal temperature changes with that of the environment. If it is 73 degrees outside, the inside of the snake is 73 degrees. Mammals are homothermic, meaning same temperature all the time. Humans are typically 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit all of the time.
Reptile bodies cannot function when it is too cold or too hot. They rely on their surroundings to maintain their body’s preferred temperature. A cold lizard will bask on a rock in the sun, then move to the shade after he becomes too hot.
There are over 8,000 kinds of reptiles split into four groups.
Scientists do not separate lizards and snakes into two groups, but list them under the group “squamata.” Snakes are considered specialized versions of lizards. Why must the scientists be confusing?
All snakes are legless, but some lizards are legless too!
All snakes have no ears, but some lizards lack ears as well.
All snakes have no eyelids, but some lizards also have no eyelids.
Snakes have forked tongues, but so do many lizards.
Confused yet? Don’t worry, from now on we will discuss snakes and lizards as separate groups. Whew! (and you were worried)
Inside a box turtle
There are over 300 different kinds of turtles. Sea turtles fly gracefully through the warm oceans of the world with giant flippers, tortoises lumber across the land with strong elephant like legs, and terrapins paddle with webbed feet in freshwater habitats.
A turtle’s ribs and backbone together form the turtle’s hard shell. It is covered in skin just like your bones are, a turtle’s shell is inside its body.
Sea turtles can hold their breath for over an hour by using the powers of their amazing heart. The heart blocks off blood to the lungs and allows the blood to travel to only parts of the body needing oxygen while under water!
The giant galapagos tortoise, aldabra tortoise, and african spurred tortoise can live to be over 170 years old!
With beautiful smiles and big strong tails, crocodilians number over 20 different species including crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. Gharials have very long, narrow snouts studded with sharp teeth.
crocodile
Crocodiles and alligators are a bit more difficult to tell apart. Alligators typically have broader snouts and straight rows of ridges down their backs. Crocodiles have narrower snouts and irregular rows of ridges on their back. When a crocodile’s mouth is closed, its fourth tooth on the lower jaw fits into a notch on the outside of the upper jaw.
There are only two different kinds of alligators; the american alligator and the very endangered chinese alligator.
Crocodilians are very shy creatures feeding on insects, snails, shellfish, frogs, turtles, fish, mammals, and birds. They rarely want to be near any human. We taste terrible!
Osteoderms on a gators back
The eyes and nostrils are located on top of their head to allow the animal to see and breathe above the water’s surface. They are covered in bony armor to protect them from both their prey and predators. It’s almost like having two skeletons!
We still have much to learn from crocodiles. We have found they are immune to some diseases, heal quickly, are intelligent, and are wonderful parents. Alligators even help other animals survive during droughts by digging water holes with their huge body. Sadly, most crocodilian species are in danger of becoming extinct!
World's smallest lizard
Lizards are the most diverse group of reptiles. They come in a huge variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Lizards are split into two clades or groups, the Iguania and Scleroglossa (meaning hard tongue.) Some lizards can grow over 10 feet long like the komodo dragon and Salvadores monitor lizard. Others, like the Jaragua lizard are able to curl up on a dime.
A typical lizard has external ears, four legs, claws, eyes with eyelids, and tails. Scientists have found that lizards can see color, and some can even see in the ultraviolet wavelengths. Excellent eyesight allows the creatures to snatch bugs out of the air and to see spectacular mating displays.
Frilled lizard
A lizards sense of smell and taste is very actute. Monitor lizards even have a forked tongue like a snake to enhance smelling ability.
Lizards have found remarkable ways to survive. Many are covered in spines, some can stick to trees, most are able to lose their tails, others change colors, a few glide out of trees, and one species can even run across water!
What scientists have learned from lizards has been astounding. They are an amazing group of animals.
No other animal has been both revered and reviled more than the snake. They are the most widely feared and misunderstood animal on the planet. Very few kinds of snakes are able to harm people.
These slender reptiles have no legs, ears, or eyelids. Snakes are dry, not slimy as scales are made of keratin, the same thing your hair and fingernails are made of.
Madagascan Hognose snake sticking out his tongue
A snake’s forked tongue cannot sting or hurt you. A snake that is constantly flicking out it’s tongue is simply interested in its surroundings “sniffing’ like a dog. Chemicals or “scents” stick to the tongue as it waves it around. Then the scent laden tongue is stuck into the neuron studded Jacobson’s organ, a small hole in the roof of the mouth, sending instant messages about what it smells to its brain.
Central American Rattlesnake see his heatpits?
Remarkable organs known as heat sensing pits light up the night for some lucky snakes. Rattlesnakes, vipers, copperheads, boas, and pythons are able to distinguish in vivid detail differences in temperature allowing them to navigate and catch prey in complete darkness.
All snakes are carnivores. To catch prey, a snake must either bite it with fangs and inject venom, or use its body to subdue the animal using strong muscles. Swallowing the food is a challenge for an animal with no arms or legs! Their jaws are not strong enough to chew their food. Tiny curved teeth hook on to the food item, and allow it to only go in one direction, down the throat!
A snake’s head may appear too small to swallow many food items. Jaws of these animals have a hinge allowing them to open wide. The lower jaw includes two jaw bones connected in the middle with a streatchy ligament, so the mouth can open wide sideways as well. One side of the jaw holds the prey while the other side of the jaw slides forward, walking the food further into their mouth.
The largest snakes in the world are the anaconda and reticulated python, both able to grow over 30 feet long and weighing several hundred pounds. Jewels of this blue planet, snakes come in every color of the rainbow rivaling tropical fish and birds in their beauty.
Tuatara
A living fossil, the tuatara is an unusual reptile unchanged since the days of the dinosaurs. Although they look much like lizards, tuatara have different skulls, teeth, and pelvic bones. Living only in New Zealand in protected islands, these reptiles prefer lower temperatures than other reptiles. Tuataras live for a long time, probably over 100 years!
Unfortunately, they are highly endangered due to humans, habitat destruction, and introduced predators.
“AHHHHHHHHH! Gross, or EEEEEEK,” are probably the most common responses to our guest today. Meet the roach. Labeled as one of the most undesirable animals to be found in the kitchen, this insect sure has one bad rap. Pest control companies have convinced everyone that roaches can make you sick. While, I would not be thrilled to have an infestation in my kitchen, this is simply not true. “Although cockroaches carry disease organisms, they are not known to transmit it to humans.” Clay Kirby of the University of Main.pmo.umext.maine.edu/factsht/roach.htm
Heather our Keeper and George the Roach
I have even had a few keepers refuse to even touch the creepy crawlies. Of course, the little guys with their cute little antennas eventually would wriggle into their hearts. (Figuratively! Sheesh, you people are gross.)
There are over 4,000 species of roaches scientifically discovered. There are probably just as many left undiscovered on the planet. Less than one percent of all these species are known to dwell in human domiciles, the rest want nothing to do with us. http://blattodea-culture-group.org/content/cockroaches-amazing-diversity
Roaches are important decomposers in the ecosystem. They are able to eat tougher things than worms and many other decomposers, turning dead plants into rich, dark soil. Without the roaches, plants would have a tough time getting the nutrients they need from the soil.
Our own Malagasy Hissing Roaches are one of the most fun group of animals to watch. They are more like little goats than bugs. The males would constantly play king of the cardboard mountain, pushing rivals back with the shiny black “horns” on their exoskeleton. Each night, a new battle would begin. Hordes of roaches would crawl out from their hiding places in a fury of hissing and head-butting in attempt to dethrone the king. One tenacious little bugger would perpetually guard the food dish. Only the tiny fingernail sized nymph could sneak under his radar unnoticed for a bite to eat. We ended up scattering their veggies all over the cage after that.
One night working late I heard a strange scuffling noise coming from the roach enclosure. Looking in I noticed a large male wriggle his body around in a sort of dance. For a minute I thought he had watched too many episodes of Seinfeld with Elaine dancing at a party. Then I noticed a few females watching him with interest a few inches away. Either he was making a huge fool of himself, or these guys get on the dance floor to woo a cute girl.
After the wooing, these roaches make wonderful mothers. Hissing roaches lay a perfect stack of long oval, bright yellow eggs like a line of jewel cases for cds sitting all in a row. She then sucks the eggs back into her abdomen for safe keeping. Some roaches even care for their soft little nymphs until they molt a few times and their shells harden. Good girl!
Find out more about the shy bug that cannot bite, hisses like a snake for defense, and tastes delicious! (Don’t take my word for it, ask the lemurs.)
Matt is an African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata). He visits us for summer camp and enjoys mowing the lawn, eating delicious veggis from the garden, and visiting with the neighbor’s dog through the fence.
Matt must have had too many conversations with the chocolate lab next door. Could this be defined as an identity crises?
video management, video solution, video streamingSulcatas grow quickly, eat constantly, and leave copious amounts of poo in their wake. An adult Sulcata can easily weight over 100 pounds! The largest African Spurred tortoise on record lived at the Giza Zoological Gardens weighing in at 232 pounds!
These tortoises are very difficult to care for. They require constant warm dry temperatures, a very secure enclosure, eat a large variety of food, and are constantly getting into trouble destroying their surroundings. We fondly call them little reptilian tanks.
I love watching Matt explore the wonderful outdoors and being the silly clown that he is.
Like any pet, caring for a reptile or amphibian requires time, money, and love. In addition to the requirements of a dog or cat, reptiles have special needs.
Reptiles and amphibians spend most of their time sleeping, they do not like to be touched or petted, and will not catch a frisbee. We receive calls daily about reptile pets that are no longer wanted by their owners. While reptiles are kept in a domestic setting they are still wild animals.
Giant Green Iguana
Please research extensively how to properly care for any animal before looking for one. Proper enclosures go well beyond a simple terrarium and a waterbowl. Expect to pay far more for everything you need to care for the animal than the animal itself.
Consider rescuing a reptile before purchasing one. Shelters and rescue agencies regularly receive unwanted reptile pets, and often have all their animals checked by a veterinarian before putting them up for adoption.
A great resource for reptile information online is: kingsnake.com
Join your local Herpetology Organization to meet others interested in reptiles. Many hold fun meetings and exciting field trips.
Eeek! What is that snake in my backyard? We receive several calls a year from frantic and fascinated homeowners alike from the District and surrounding areas of Virginia and Maryland wanting to know what kind of snake is in their backyard
Here is a little guide to help you out. Remember, all snakes are harmless if you leave them alone.
All snakes are able to flatten their head and shake their tail when scared.
(Disclaimer: Leave all snakes you find alone, they belong in the great outdoors; this includes your backyard. This guide is not intended to be the end all and be all of snake identification guides. All snakes can be born with different patterns and colors than what is typical for the species. As with ALL wild animals: Respect, watch, and admire from afar.)
ALL snakes listed are non-venomous unless otherwise noted.
1. Northern Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi) – a small, brown snake (15 inches) with darker paired spots down its back.
brownsnake
2. Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus) – A small gray snake (up to 20 inches) with orange to yellow belly and a yellow or orange ring around its neck.
Ring-necked snake
3. Garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) – A greenish or brown snake covered in checkered spots, and a yellow to white line down its back. Grows up to 48 inches long.
Gartersnake
4. Black Ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta) – A large and harmless black snake that can grow up to 80 inches long (6.5 feet). The body is shaped like a loaf of bread. Belly is black and white checkered becoming gray near the tail. Baby or juvenile black rat snakes are often confused with other snakes as they are gray or brown with black blotches on the body. They are wonderful at taking care of rats and mice.
ratsnake
Baby Black Ratsnake
5. Northern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) – A large shiny black snake that can grow to six feet. These guys will slither away very quickly. The young look very much like the baby black ratsnake.
Racer
6. Wormsnake (Carphophis amoneus) – A small shiny brown snake with a pink belly. They look very much like a large worm, growing to 15 inches. They think earthworms are delicious.
Wormsnake
7. Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) – A large gray to brown snake with darker blotches on its back. They are non-venomous, that is they have no poison. Watersnakes live in and around water snacking on fish. Note: there are NO cottonmouths or water moccasins in the DC area.
Watersnake
8. Red Bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) – A small grayish brown to black snake with a red belly. They sometimes have black stripes down the back and light blotches on its neck.
9. Mole Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) – It may look like a cornsnake, but its a kingnake! This gorgeous gray to brown snake with orange spots or blotches grows to 47 inches.
Kinsnake
10. Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) – VENOMOUS (Poisonous)* This is the only venomous snake found in the DC metro and surrounding counties. Copperheads, like all snakes, will leave you alone if you leave them alone. This beautiful snake has eyes like a cat so it can hunt at night. Copperheads can be pinkish, tan, brown, and even a light rust color. Nearly every snake in the area has been mis-identified as a copperhead, although uncommon in the area treat all snakes with respect. This snake provides humans with a very valuable rodent control service.
Copperhead
Remember: Treat all snakes with respect. Leave them alone as they belong where you found them just like the birds and butterflies living in your backyard. Experts sometimes have trouble identifying snakes as all animals can be born all black (melanistic), patternless, or albino.
Find out more and join Virginia Herpetological Society
Visit your local nature center
Sources:
Pinder, MJ and JC Mitchell, “A Guide to the Snakes of Virginia.” 2002 Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Conant, Roger, “A Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Eastern & Central North America” (Peterson Field Guide Series)
Lonesome George, the last tortoise of his kind may not have babies after all. The single survivor of the Pinta Island Galapagos giant tortoises, Lonesome George has been an icon for conservation the world over. The big tortoise was paired with two female tortoises, and successfully mated with them for the first time in over 35 years just a few months ago. (The females are of another subspecies of the Galapagos Tortoise, but are of a close genetic match to the Pinta Island subspecies.)
Unfortunately, most of the eggs produced by this encounter are likely infertile. There is still hope for 20% of the eggs. Researchers are keeping the eggs in incubators covered in religious symbols, waiting for a miracle. I myself am crossing my fingers. At 90 years old, the tortoise is still in his prime, but with several decades of failure I am a bit guarded. Scientists have tried many means to get George interested in breeding and have even tried artificial insemination. All of it with no luck.
The largest land tortoises in the world, Galapagos Tortoises can weigh over 500 pounds and live well over 100 years. Since their discovery, only 11 of the 14 known subspecies of the tortoise survive today. The big reptiles were used as a food source and ballasts on pirate, whaling, and trader ships in the past. More recently, introduced rats and goats have been destroying food sources and eating the eggs of the highly endangered tortoise.
It is clear that humans are likely solely responsible for the tortoises declining numbers. Lonesome George provides hope that humans may use their knowlege to do something good. It is unlikely the researchers in the Galapagos will give up with this latest disappointment. They had over 36 years of set-backs, there is still hope.
Tell us what you think! Will successful breeding of Lonesome George with the hybrid females be considered a success for the species, or simply the creation of another hybrid?
Learn more about Galapagos Tortoises from the San Diego Zoo at:
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-galapagos_tortoise.html
News Source: Associated Press US News:
http://usnews.feedroom.com/?fr_story=d68d6e925ab13a8451aa8ec0faa9c6b5f5a1346a&rf=bm
Even though sea snakes spend their entire lives swimming in salt water, they need to drink the good stuff, fresh.
A new study from the University of Florida has shown that even when the sea snakes are dehydrated, they will only drink fresh water (water with less that 20% salt content.)
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081106153629.htm
While the study only used a few species of snakes, it was well done. It is possible that more ocean-going reptiles may take advantage of fresh water as well.
This completely changes the way scientists think the 60 or so species of sea snakes deal with their watery world. Sea snakes were once thought to filter out the salt from the water by using special internal glands.
Why is this an important finding? Many species of sea snakes may be disappearing due to rising temperatures and lack of rainfall. Either the snakes must crawl onto land and drink fresh water there or they must drink fresh rainfall falling on the ocean.
Wait, these guys drink rainfall in the middle of the ocean? It just so happens that when rain falls on the surface of the ocean, it sits there for a period of time without mixing. Fresh water is slightly lighter than salty water, this is known as the Ghyben-Herzberg lens. Sea snakes may then drink from the pool of fresh water formed on top of the ocean.
Some species of sea snakes may become extinct due to droughts!
Sea snakes are amazing serpents related to cobras and coral snakes, the elapids. While they have potent venom, sea snakes are reluctant to bite. Like all snakes, the venom is used to catch their food, not for defense as many people think. How easy would it be for you to catch a slippery swimming eel with your mouth and try and swallow the wriggling thing in the vast ocean?
Sea snake venom is potent so that the prey may become paralyzed quickly for the snake to catch and swallow. Fisherman the world over have often taken sea snakes out of nets with their bare hands without being bitten. The snakes are probably just happy to be back in the water. I of course, would have second thoughts before scaring the living daylights out of an animal with powers like that of an elapid.
I sure hope the rains return to the homes of the many species of facinating sea snakes.
Imagine a blond, brunette, and a red-head visit a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. A horror story, adventure, or comedy?
A friend at a local zoo invited us down to his place in the woods for a few days of reptiles and fun on thousands of acres of protected forest.
So, we packed the car with tons of goodies and headed down early in the morning. Our directions were to: “drive down a road until you think no one could possibly live there, then drive a few more miles.”
We turned on a dirt road with his address on the mailbox, and quickly ended up on a dirt road with the word “SNAKES” spray painted on a board lying on the side of the road. I guess we got the right place. Boy, did we! A few minutes up the road we encountered another sign stating the land is protected preserve. Not far from that were some tin on the side of the road for reptiles to hide under.
No reptile fan would ever in their right mind pass up the opportunity to look under tin. We got out of the car fire drill style and ran to the tin. Notin’ Honey. Our real surprise was waiting for us at the end of the road. What a beaut!
Notice this gorgeous log cabin is run by solar panels? That’s right kids, this baby is completely off the grid! It comes with all the amenities;
Did I mention it was off the grid?
We did not hang around the house for long, it was time to look for reptiles! We walked outside laughing and talking, but that did not last for long. Serious herping was happening. The first thing you notice about being in the middle of nowhere is the absolute silence pierced only by the song of a bird, an insect, or a rustle in the grass next to the solar panel. Was that a flash of green I just saw? What the … ? Aren’t those guys supposed to occur in Florida?
I was dazzled, we were in the most northern range of the Carolina Anole! He was gorgeous. We hadn’t even left the front yard. I drooled in anticipation.
Things were gettting serious. Serious relaxation that is.
I have a very exciting job with rooms full of children in sugar induced frenzies and wild life. I love my job. I love the noise, the screaming children, zombied parents and teachers with glazed eyes and stumbling walk, the tortoise with the occasional gas…
my brain needed a bit less stimulus to munch on for a while.
Mark, our gracious host, and I wandered with snake hooks. There were timber rattlesnakes and copperheads around. Mark even mentioned how two rattlesnakes like to sit in the bushes near the bird feeder waiting for rabbits and chipmunks to come in for breakfast. We hoped there would be some use for the hooks today. (We use them to gently scooped up and guide venomous snakes away from us if we find one along the path.)
I was enjoying stories of otters and hawks along our flower scented walk when we found our first group of tin. All of us excitedly began to peak under them. We took turns lifting up a piece while the rest of us squinted in anticipation. Nothing in the first group. We walked up a small hill and soon found a prize.
A gorgeous representative of its species!
The snake is pretty too.
That is Jennifer holding an eastern kingsnake with our host, Mark looking on. This kingsnake is something I would call an intergrade. That is; a mix two subspecies. The snake has characteristics of both the Florida kingsnake and the eastern kingsnake. See the chains of yellow up his side?
Mark tells us that many of animals found in this part of North Carolina are a mix of the northern and southern versions of the species. They are the best of both worlds. How cool!
If you look closely, you may be able to see that this kingsnake is missing its entire tail! It is likely that a hawk or some other animal got a hold of it and bit it off. The snake got away, but not without missing a few parts. Poor guy!
Look at the left side of the picture. That is his tail not his head!
In a little wetland area, we met a cute little critter of the slimy variety. Isn’t he a cutie
Flowers were blooming everywhere. We walked over footbridges, across streams, meadows, and through grass. After crossing the same stream several times, we all stopped. “What smells like strawberry banana smoothie?” A native plant with tiny flowers all over it? Boy, do we have some fascinating plants in the States.
“Quick Caroline!”
“I see it!”
“I think it just ran under that log.”
He found a much better hiding place. 
“Is it okay to come out now?”
“Time for me to make my getaway while no one is looking.”
That was one cute skink.
We decided to walk to Mark’s closest neighbors place to check out a yurt they were building next to some very nice ponds. I have never heard of a yurt before. I found out that it was a round house with a domed ceiling and a hole in the top for a chimney, or in this case, a skylight.
I was amazed at the amount of space the building had.
This building was to be completely off the grid as well. Three cheers for green living!
Past the house in progress and up the hill was the one thing that all hikers in the south fear! Watch what happens when I lightly tap the sandy area with my snake hook
video management, video solution, video streaming Fire Ants
Stay away from that ant mound. They look small, but they are fast and fierce!
Next, it was time to check out an old barn in the middle of a field that fell down. Boards were everywhere. For the first time for all of us, we found the elusive cornsnake!
Why is this snake considered hard to find. Believe it or not, its people! One of the reasons for the snakes declining population is collection for the pet trade. There are many people who like snakes, but please Leave them in the Wild where they Belong! The main reason these snakes are disappearing is likely just the presence of people. We are building houses where animals used to live, and bulldozing over and killing thousands of animals. Cornsnakes do not occur in the Washington DC area because of this. Check your field guide however, and it will list the snake as occurring in the region. Sad. Hopefully little guys like this wild animal will make a comeback and continue doing its job eating mice!
We had a wonderful day herping. Now it was time to light a fire and cook some fajitas. I think Caroline was so excited about finding the corn snake she fell asleep on the couch first. Gradually we all staggered up the blue spiral staircase into our warm and cozy beds.
What an adventure!
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