Download Gila Monster - Lake Superior Zoo

Gila Monster
Heloderma suspectum
Range: Mojave, Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts of the
southwestern US.
Habitat: Desert and semiarid regions of gravelly and
sandy soils with some shrubs. The Gila Monsters can be
found under rocks or in burrows. They are a solitary
animal.
Diet: The Gila Monster is a carnivore feeing at night on
small mammals, birds or eggs.
Lifespan: Up to 20 years in the wild and 30 in captivity.
Description: They are a stout-nosed lizard that grows between 18-24 inches long. They are black
with orange, pink, red or yellow blotches, bars and spots with bands that extend down the tail. It has
small, bead like scales covering their whole body.
Breeding: Gila Monsters mate throughout the summer months. The female will lay between 3-5
eggs in sandy soils, burrows or under rocks during fall or winter.
Behavior/Adaptations: Gila Monsters are one of only two venomous lizards. Their teeth have two
grooves that release the venom. The toxin is not injected like that of a snake, but ground into their
prey when bitten and eaten. Fat is stored in the tail and abdomen that helps the Gila Monster
survive the winter months. They do not have very good eyesight, so they track their prey by flicking
their forked tongue out to pick up scent particles in the air.
Predators: One defense mechanism to scare off predators is to open its mouth wide and hiss.
Humans are known to hunt them for their meat and their feathers.
Conservation: They are listed as vulnerable.
Interesting Facts: The Gila Monster is named for the Gila River Basin of the southwest. It is often
feared in local folklore as being the lizard that spits venom, leaps several feet while swiping at the air
to attack, and killing people with gusts of poisonous breath. It is the largest lizard native to the US.
In 2005, the FDA approved a drug for the management of type 2 diabetes based on a protein from
the Gila monster’s saliva. The drug is sometimes referred to as “lizard spit.”
“Gila” is pronounced “Hee-lah.”
Information taken from the following sources:
http://desertusa.net/sep97/du_gilamonster.html
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-gila_monster.html
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Leopard Gecko
Eublepharis macularius
Range: Pakistan, Afghanistan, western India
Habitat: Semi-arid grasslands, rocky desert
Diet: In the wild: insects, spiders, eggs, small lizards,
birds. At the zoo: crickets, mealworms.
Lifespan: In captivity: 20-30 years
Description: Wild Leopard Geckos have small, granular scales covered with a varied pattern of dark
spots and bands on a tan/light brown background. The head and eyes are large. These geckos have
elliptically shaped pupils and prominent eyelids. Unlike several other geckos, Leopard Geckos have
the ability to close their eyes. The tail is relatively thick and is also covered with spots/markings.
Leopard Geckos differ from many other geckos in that they do not have clinging toe pads. Several
unusual color morphs are now available including the “jungle phase” and the “high yellow” due to
demand in the pet trade. They reach 5-7” in length.
Breeding: In the wild, mating occurs during the rainy season. Females have the ability to store a
male’s sperm the reproductive tract for upwards of 15 months. Females lay up to 5 clutches of 1-2
eggs and can use stored sperm to fertilize all of them. Incubation lasts roughly 55 days and may alter
due to environmental changes.
Behavior/Adaptations: Leopard Geckos have the ability to drop or autotomize their tails. A muscle
spasm causes the tail to release at a specialized fracture point in the tail vertebrae. A new tale begins
to re-grow within a few weeks, but the bones are replaced with calcified cartilage. If a fracture point
remains intact in the vertebrae, a gecko may autotomize its tail more than once. Leopard Geckos are
a relatively docile species and have a mild temperament. They are also less vocal than other species
of gecko. Leopards shed their skin and consume the shed to retain any nutrients in the old skin.
Predators: Mammals, birds, other reptiles
Conservation: Leopard geckos are currently not threatened or endangered in the wild and are bred
extensively in captivity for the pet trade. Their natural habitat is currently not under threat from
human encroachment, due to its inhospitable surroundings. However, the Leopard Gecko is a good
representative for lizards that are threatened due to the pet trade or habitat loss.
Interesting Facts:
 Leopard geckos have vision that is similar to a cat, and can better than any other lizard.
 The genus name, Eublepharis, means “good eyelid.”
Information taken from the following sources:
http://www.zoo.org/factsheets/leopard_gecko/leopardGecko.html
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Leopardgecko.cfm
http://www.adambouskila.com/wp-content/uploads/leopard-gecko2.jpg
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Mexican Red Rump
Tarantula
Brachypelma vagans
Range: Native to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala,
Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.
Habitat: Primarily lives in open areas such as
forest clearings, back gardens, and has been
found in citrus groves.
Diet: Insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, moths, beetles, cockroaches, and occasionally rodents.
Lifespan: In the wild, males can live to be between 3-10 years and females can live to be 15-20
years old. In captivity, males usually live less than 2 years while females can live to be 20 or more
years (the average is 12 years).
Description: Mexican Red Rump Tarantulas grow to be 7-8 inches in length. They are mostly black
with red hairs on their abdomen. Like all spiders, they have 2 body parts, the cephalothorax (head
and thorax) and the abdomen. Their 8 legs, 8 eyes, and 2 venomous fangs are attached to the
cephalothorax while the spinnerets are attached to the abdomen. The individual hairs found on their
body may be sensitive to motion, heat, cold, and other environmental triggers. Hairs near the mouth
are capable of sensing chemicals that give the spider a basic type of sense of smell and taste.
Breeding: Male tarantulas reach sexual maturity at 7-8 years of age while females reach maturity
after 9-10 years. The male develops mating hooks called tibial spurs and swollen tips on both
pedipalps which contain a chamber where sperm is stored as well as a syringe-like instrument used
to insert semen into the female. The female leaves chemical signals called pheromones in the silk
that lines her burrow where the male can find her. The male begins a courtship display and the
female responds with a display of her own, usually by tapping her feet on the ground. She then turns
to face the male and opens her fangs, exposing the genital opening at the bottom of her abdomen.
The male uses his first set of legs (mating hooks) to grab the female’s fangs, pushing her upwards
allowing him to release his sperm and fertilizing the female. The male must then leave quickly, avoid
becoming prey for the female.
The female can lay up to 300 eggs in egg sacs. Once hatched, the spiderlings initially stay with the
female and eventually disperse after several weeks to build their own burrows.
Behavior/Adaptations: Mexican Red Rump Tarantulas are nocturnal hunters and finds a shelter to
web itself into at dawn. Their digestive system is designed to process liquid food only. Their venom
interferes with the prey’s nervous system (neurotoxin) or by breaking down the body’s tissues
(cytotoxin). To digest its prey, it vomits a mixture of digestive enzymes onto its food, breaking the
tissue down into a liquid that can then be sucked up through the spider’s mouthparts.
Predators: Large mammals, reptiles, other tarantulas, hunting wasps, and they are sometimes
parasitized by nematodes or roundworms.
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Interesting Facts:
 Hairs on the abdomen have been modified to serve as a defense weapons. They possess
sharp tips with microscopic barbs. When threatened, the tarantula will use its back legs to
kick off a cloud of hairs at its attacker.
 In most tarantula species, the female will live for twenty years or more, but the male may
survive only the few years required to reach maturity. Once the male has mated with a
female, it usually will die of natural causes or the female may eat him.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://www.arkive.org/mexican-redrump-tarantula/brachypelma-vagans/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachypelma_vagans
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Gromphadorhina portentosa
Range: Only on the island of Madagascar
Habitat: Floor of tropical forests, often found near rotting logs,
river banks, or under forest debris
Diet: In the wild: plant and animal matter. At the zoo: fruits,
vegetables, dog food. MHC prefer plant matter, but will pick at
carrion if there is no other food available.
Lifespan: Up to 2 years in captivity
Description: Flightless species of cockroach that can reach almost 3 inches in length. Bodies are
divided into three segments, like all insects. However, when viewed from above, the body appears to
be one solid piece. Hissing cockroaches are a dark shade of brown. Males and females are sexually
dimorphic. Males have protrusions or “horns” on the front of their body, while females are smooth.
The horns are used during breeding/territory defense.
Breeding: Mating can occur throughout the entire year. After eggs are fertilized by the male, they
are stored inside a yellowish-colored egg case called the ootheca. This case is stored either inside the
body of the female. The female can produce anywhere from 30-60 nymphs. The nymphs molt 6
times over the course of 7-10 months before reaching maturity.
Behavior/Adaptations: Cockroaches are extremely durable, primitive insects. Some species are
capable of surviving exposure to radioactivity that would be lethal to humans, while others can
survive for up to a week without a head. The hissing cockroach has special holes in the side of its
body called spiracles. These spiracles are used for respiration and mating/territory displays. When
threatened, the cockroach flattens its abdomen, forcing air out through the holes, which creates the
hissing sound. The noise may startle a predator long enough to give the cockroach time to escape.
Predators: Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, other insects including a parasite called the
cockroach mite
Conservation: While not threatened, cockroaches are still stereotyped as a pest animal when out of
roughly 3500 species, less than 30 are ever bothersome to humans! These insects are integral to the
survival of their environments. Hissing cockroaches are often referred to as the “garbage men” or
“recyclers” of the forest floor. They devour plant life that would otherwise suffocate the forest floor.
Interesting Facts:
When they shed their exoskeletons, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches will eat it for the nutrients.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://www.zoo.org/factsheets/hiss_cockroach/cockroach.html
http://agweb.okstate.edu/fourh/aitc/lessons/extras/cockroach.pdf
http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef014.asp
http://www.avivadirectory.com/trivia/155-fun-facts-about-the-madagascar-hissing-cockroach/
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Walking Stick
Baculum extradentatum
Range: Vietnam and surrounding areas of Southeast Asia
Habitat: Tropical forest
Diet: Herbivores, walking sticks eat leaves from trees and
shrubs
Lifespan: 8 months-1 year
Description: This species of walking stick is 4-5 inches long. Brownish in color, with six legs, these
insects are almost completely camouflaged when they sit still on trees and foliage. They have small
antennae that project from their oval shaped heads, and very long, spindly legs to give them more of
a stick-like appearance. Walking sticks also have small hooks on the end of each leg to aide in
climbing up vertical surfaces.
Breeding: Walking sticks reproduce through parthenogenesis which means the females reproduce
asexually. As a result males are rare and can be identified by their wings and small size. Females can
lay hundreds of small eggs that hatch in 3-4 months. It takes another 4 months for the nymphs to
mature. While still young, nymphs have the ability to re-grow legs that may be lost due to attacks
from predators. Once they reach adulthood, the walking sticks will survive roughly another 4 months
before the end of their life cycle.
Behavior/Adaptations: In addition to limb regeneration, and camouflage, the walking stick may sit
completely motionless for hours to blend in as much as possible. They can also be seen rocking back
and forth to imitate a stick in the wind.
Predators: Birds and small mammals
Conservation: Non-threatened. This species of walking stick is plentiful in its natural range and also
prevalent in captivity.
Interesting Facts:
 There are over 2000 known species of walking sticks!
 The Vietnamese walking stick is also known as the devil horn walking stick because of the
small antennae visible on its head.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://www.lazoo.org/animals/invertebrates/vietwalkingstick/
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/arthropods/vietnamese-walking-stick/
http://www.lincolnzoo.org/animals/Vietnamesewalkingstick.php
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
Range: Southern Canada to Florida and
throughout West Texas.
Habitat: Freshwater, soft, mud-bottomed
ponds and lakes with dense vegetation.
Diet: The Snapping Turtle eats anything
that crosses it path; insects, amphibians,
snakes, plants, snails, small mammals,
birds. They do not have teeth but a bony
ridge that runs the length of their mouth.
Lifespan: 30 years in the wild and up to 50 in captivity.
Description: Snapping Turtles are the largest of the freshwater turtles in the US. They have a dull,
rough carapace with a “sinister” looking head. Their mouth comes to a point at the mouth and nose
region.
Breeding: Breeding season lasts from April to November. Females can deposit as many as 83 eggs
in their nest. The nest sites are some distance from water and usually in high human traffic areas
such as roads or back yards.
Behavior/Adaptations: Snapping Turtles are bold and aggressive fighters. They defend
themselves by striking at enemies or predators. They are fast when striking, comparable to the speed
of a rattlesnake. They tend to stalk their prey and attack from beneath the water surface. They tend
to bury themselves in the lake or pond bottom and can stay there for hours, poking the extreme tip
of their nose out to breathe.
Predators: Humans have been known to hunt and kill these animals for their meat and shells.
Conservation: Snapping Turtles are very common and have no conservation status.
The Zoo’s Snapping Turtle: Nester is a male and hatched in June of 1999.
Interesting Facts: Snapping Turtles get their name because they will snap when approached or
feeling threatened. They can maneuver their head far back over their shell. Handling them by the tail
can hurt the animal. The Snapping Turtle pulls its head into its shell by curving its neck vertically, in
an S-shape.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/teachers-parents/animal.asp?mc_id=597
http://www.critterzone.com/magazineresource/common-snapping-turtle-Chelydra-serpentina.htm
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta
Range: Most of the United States excluding the southwest; also found
throughout southern Canada
Habitat: Painted turtles prefer slow moving, permanent waters but
they will not hesitate to move over land or spend time in ditches,
creeks, streams, and ponds. They prefer areas with large amounts of
aquatic vegetation and places to bask in the sun.
Diet: Omnivorous, diet includes aquatic plants, insects, crustaceans,
snails, small fish, leeches, tadpoles, and carrion.
Lifespan: Between 35-40 years, however most individuals will not live that long
Description: Small turtle, usually averaging 6 inches in length, with the female being slightly larger
than the male. The carapace is most often a dark green color with red, orange, and yellow visible
around the edges. The plastron is not hinged, and can be a variety of colors including yellow, orange,
and cream. The skin of both males and females is green and covered with yellow markings.
Breeding: Courtship occurs at any time during the active season of the year. Males will swim
backwards in front of a potential mate and vibrate his front claws on the females chin and head.
Receptive females will respond by touching the male’s forelegs with her claws. Females dig a nest
cavity and lay between 3 and 20 eggs. Like many reptiles, incubation length and sex of the babies is
dependent upon humidity and temperature. Colder temperatures produce mostly males.
Behavior/Adaptations: Painted turtles are highly resistant to cold temperatures. They have been
seen swimming under the ice on warm winter days or basking when there is still snow on the ground.
The dark green color of the shell hides the turtle in murky water and protects it from predators.
Other than egg laying and basking, almost all other daily activities take place underwater.
Predators: Skunks and raccoons have been known to predate on adult painted turtles. Smaller,
juvenile turtles are killed by water birds, bullfrogs, fish, and snakes. Painted turtles frequently get run
over by cars while they are attempting to get to a nesting site or while building nests on the side of
the road.
Conservation: Painted turtles are a common species in North America and are currently not listed
as threatened. However, many turtles die annually due to encounters with vehicles. They are also
susceptible to pollutants, which make them an important indicator species for local watersheds.
Interesting Facts:
 There are four sub-species of painted turtle, two of which are found in the Great Lakes region.
 Hatchlings are usually only 1 inch in length!
Information taken from the following sources:
Harding, James. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan
Press, 1997
Walls, Jerry. Cooters, Sliders & Painted Turtles. New Jersey: T.H.F. Publications, 1996
http://www.torontozoo.com/animals/details.asp?AnimalId=483
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Red-eared Slider
Trachemys scripta elegans
Range: Native range is through Eastern United States
down to Mexico. Isolated populations outside of the natural
range are usually attributed to human introduction.
Habitat: Sliders will live in almost any permanent body of
water with enough aquatic vegetation and basking areas.
This includes ponds, swamps, lakes, reservoirs, ditches,
and slow sections of streams or rivers.
Diet: Omnivorous, snails, insects, crustaceans, aquatic plants, seeds, fish
Lifespan: Have been known to live over 40 years in captivity
Description: Red-eared slider is a medium sized aquatic turtle with a predominately olive colored
carapace with yellow stripes. The skin is also a dark olive or brown with a varying degree of yellow
striping, which is usually more visible on the head. Sliders of a shorter snout and received their name
from the bright red stripe of color located behind the eyes. Males have very long front claws that are
used while courting females. The plastron of the slider is usually a yellowish color with a dark spot in
each scute. This species is sometimes confused with the painted turtle.
Breeding: Red-eared sliders share similar courtship and breeding rituals with the painted turtle.
Males court females by touching the side of a female with their long claws. If the female is receptive,
she will produce a clutch of between 2 to 30 oval shaped eggs. Temperature during incubation will
determine the sex of the offspring. Mortality rates are high among turtle nests and hatchlings, with
70-100% mortality occurring on an annual basis. Hatchlings that do survive take 2-8 years to fully
mature.
Behavior/Adaptations: These turtles are referred to as sliders because of the way they quickly
slide into the water from basking locations when disturbed. Like many aquatic turtles, they spend
most of their day basking in the sun. Red-eared sliders are most active around dawn and dusk, when
they will forage for food underwater. Sliders have a lower tolerance for cold than the painted turtle.
When water temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, sliders become inactive and will go
dormant between October and April. They will usually spend the winter buried in the mud or in
abandoned tunnels.
Predators: Skunks, raccoons, and other predators will often eat eggs and hatchlings. Adult sliders
are most vulnerable to predation while traveling on land. Like other turtle species, red-eared slider
mortality has increased due to encounters with humans.
Conservation: Red-eared sliders are a common species of turtle. However, they have been greatly
damaged in their natural range due to encounters with humans. This species has been extremely
popular in the pet trade, and mature turtles are often taken from the wild to supplement breeding
stock at turtle farms. They are also shipped overseas for the pet and food markets. Turtles are also
killed because of the myth that they compete directly with commercial fishermen. Many red-eared
sliders are also killed by cars annually. Because sliders have been released in places outside of their
natural range, there are established populations all over the world. These populations could become
competition with naturally occurring animals in those areas.
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Interesting Facts:
 Sliders can stay underwater for 2 to 3 hours before they become stressed
 It is illegal to sell a turtle with a carapace less than 4 inches in length as a pet in the United
States. However, large numbers of hatchlings are shipped to other parts of the world for sale.
Information taken from the following sources:
Harding, James. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan
Press, 1997
Walls, Jerry. Cooters, Sliders & Painted Turtles. New Jersey: T.H.F. Publications, 1996
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Box Turtle
(Three-toed and Eastern) Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina triunguis and Terrapene carolina
carolina
Range: The fours species of box turtles in the United States
cover most of the eastern half of the country, ranging from
southern Maine down to Florida and west to Texas and Missouri.
Eastern Box Turtle
Habitat: Often found near streams and ponds, box turtles like to inhabit woodlands, grassy
marshes, and pasture areas.
Diet: Omnivorous, primary carnivorous during the first 5 years of life for growth purposes, they eat
insects, amphibians, other small reptiles, worms, eggs, and fish. As they age, diet includes mostly
plant matter. Adults eat flowers, fungi, roots, and berries but they rarely eat green leaves.
Lifespan: Average 30-40 years, but it may be possible for box turtles to live over 100 years
Description: Relatively small turtle that reaches about 7”, with a high-domed upper shell (carapace)
and a hinged lower shell (plastron). Depending on the
species, color can be highly variable. Some turtles are olive
brown colored while others have dark shells with striking
yellow patterns. Males generally have reddish-orange eyes,
while females have tan or brown eyes. Box turtles do not
have fully webbed feet like other turtles, or elephantine feet
like tortoises. Their feet appear to be a cross between the
two shapes.
Breeding: Male box turtles have a slightly concave plastron
to facilitate mating, while females have a most flat or
Three-toed Box Turtle
convex plastron. Having a slightly sunken lower shell allows
the males to balance on the females while fertilizing. However, males sometimes fall over during
mating and get trapped on their backs. Females lay between 3-8 eggs which they bury in sandy
areas. It usually takes 3 months for the young to hatch.
Behavior/Adaptations: The most obvious and important adaptation of the box turtle is the shell.
The hinge in the plastron allows the turtle to completely close its shell. By pulling in all of its limbs
and head, the turtle and shut its shell tight. Because of this, the adult box turtle does not have many
natural predators because it is so difficult to get the shell open! Box turtles have also been known to
eat toxic plants. The toxins can linger in their bodies, making them dangerous for other animals to
eat.
Predators: Adults do not have many natural predators because of their amazing shells; however,
young box turtles have a high mortality rate and are threatened by other reptiles, birds, and
mammals. Box turtles are also run over my lawn mowers, hit by cars, and removed from the wild for
the pet trade.
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Conservation: Box turtles are near threatened because of habitat reduction and the pet trade. The
turtles are very slow growing and slow reproducing. With the addition of injuries caused by run-ins
with humans, box turtles may move to threatened status in the United States in the future.
Interesting Facts:
 There are actually 6 species of box turtles. 4 of the species exist in the United States and the
other two can be found in Mexico.
 The shell of the box turtle has amazing regenerative abilities, which help them survive and
recover from injury.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Easternboxturtle.cfm
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/reptiles/three-toed-box-turtle/
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/research/Contribute/box%20turtle/boxinfo.html
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii
Range: Mojave and Sonoran deserts in the
southwestern United States
Habitat: Sandy, gravel areas with available shade
and desert vegetation
Diet: Herbivore, cacti, grasses, and other available
vegetation. Rarely drinks water, getting most of the
moisture they need from their food.
Lifespan: 50 to 80 years in the wild, can be longer in captivity
Description: Desert tortoises can weigh between 8 to 20 pounds and have a relatively high-domed
shell. Both the shell and the skill are a dark, olive green. The plastron has a protrusion sticking out
from the front which is larger in males than in females. Desert tortoises have very large, elephantine
feet that are perfect for walking over sand and gravely conditions. The scales on the front limbs are
very large and stick out away from the legs. The thick scales and shell add an important layer of
protection from the elements and predators.
Breeding: Females do not reach mature breeding age until they are between 15-20 years of age.
When competing for a female, males will often fight and try to flip each other over using their long
shell protrusion. Females lay a small clutch of 4 to 6 eggs. Young tortoises are independent once they
hatch.
Behavior/Adaptations: Desert tortoises live in an extremely harsh climate and are able to survive
ground temperatures of 140 degrees. They do this by digging burrows where they are protected from
the heat and the cold. To deal with a lack of water during most of the year, desert tortoises are able
to store excess water in their bladders. They also dig holes that fill with water during heavy rainfall
and drink from the puddle to replenish water supplies.
Predators: Bobcats, coyotes, foxes, badgers, ravens, humans
Conservation: Federally listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Desert
Tortoise population has decreased by 90% since the 1950’s. Desert tortoises are slow to mature and
reproduce, and their already low numbers are shrinking rapidly because of interactions with humans.
Tortoises are frequently run over by cars, shot, removed from the wild, or crushed in their burrows
by vehicles.
The Zoo’s Desert Tortoise: Ozzie is a male and hatched in 1981.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/desert_tortoise.php
http://www.lazoo.org/animals/reptiles/deserttortoise/
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Ball Python
Python regius
Range: Western and central Africa
Habitat: Open forest areas and savannahs
Diet: Small mammals or birds
Lifespan: Over 20 years in captivity
Description: Relatively small python, usually averaging between 3 to 4
feet in length. The entire body is covered with a dark blotches on top of
a brown or greenish background. Color can vary greatly between individuals. The body of the ball
python is well-muscled and appears rather stocky in comparison to snakes of the same length. This
species also had a very prominent head, like most pythons. Snakes are ectothermic (“cold-blooded”)
and rely on external heat source and food to maintain body temperature.
Breeding: Female ball pythons lay 4 to 10 eggs in an abandoned burrow or under some sort of
ground cover. Unlike most snakes, which leave the eggs to hatch on their own, the female will coil
her body around her nest and guard her eggs. If the temperature around the eggs starts to get to
too cold, the female will vibrate her body and can actually raise the temperature around the eggs.
This requires a lot of energy and the female may not reproduce for a few years after this effort.
Behavior/Adaptations: Ball pythons get their common name from their habit of curling up into a
tight ball and hiding their heads when threatened. Like other pythons, the ball python has several
rows of sharp teeth, but does not produce venom. Prey is killed through constriction and swallowed
whole.
Ball pythons are well adapted to life on the ground and in the trees. They are excellent climbers, and
they are also strong swimmers.
Predators: May be preyed upon by frogs, birds, other snakes, and mammals when young. Adult
pythons are threatened by birds of prey, other snakes, and humans.
Conservation: The ball python is by far the most popular snake in the pet trade because of its
docile nature and long life. This species is listed in the CITES Appendix II because of the pet and skin
trade. While this species is not currently threatened with extinction, the populations of many python
species are in decline because of habitat loss, use of their skin in garments, and the pet trade.
Interesting Facts:
 The ball python has special temperature sensitive pits located on either side of its nose that
help it locate prey. This helps the python hunt in areas with thick foliage and at night.
 Snakes have a special tube in the bottom of their mouths that stays open while swallowing
prey to prevent choking.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-python.html
http://www.oregonzoo.org/Cards/Ed_Program/ball_python.htm
http://www.brandywinezoo.org/ball_python.html
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttata guttata
Range: Eastern United States from New Jersey to
Florida and west to Louisiana and Kentucky
Habitat: Wooded areas, meadows, abandoned
structures, rocky hillsides
Diet: Mostly mice and rats, will also eat birds, bats, and small reptiles
Lifespan: 12 to 25 years
Description: Corn Snakes are long and slender, averaging between 24 and 27 inches from head to
tail. They are usually a reddish orange color with darker blotches on the back. The belly is covered
with a black and white checker board type pattern. Young corn snakes usually lack the brilliant
coloration displayed by the adults. As with many snakes that are popular in the pet trade, corn
snakes now come in many different color variations. Corn snakes also have a very narrow shaped
head.
Breeding: Female corn snakes lay a clutch of 10 to 30 eggs in late spring/early summer. Eggs are
usually deposited in an area where the temperature and humidity will remain high enough for the
young to successfully hatch. This could include a pile of rotting plant matter, or an old log. Once the
baby corn snakes hatch, they are independent and receive no care or protection from their mother.
Behavior/Adaptations: Corn snakes share similar adaptations with most other snakes. They are
unable to thermal regulate, so they rely upon external sources of heat to maintain an appropriate
body temperature. They also require moisture to successfully shed their skin. If the skin is too dry
before a shed, a corn snake can take a swim to alleviate the problem. Corn snakes are also referred
to as ‘rat snakes’, because their preferred prey is rodents. Like other rat snakes, corn snakes are not
venomous, and kill their prey through constriction.
Predators: Birds of prey, other snakes, raccoons, skunks
Conservation: The corn snake is not a threatened species, but it is listed in the state of Florida as a
species of special concern because of increased habitat loss. Corn snakes are also a popular pet
breed and are often removed from the wild for the pet trade.
Interesting Facts:
 Corn snakes are semi-arboreal and will climb trees to go after eggs and birds.
 The name ‘corn snake’ may have originated because of the belly pattern that resembles the
pattern on Indian corn. Another possible conclusion is that these snakes are often located
around corn cribs because of the higher population of rodents in the area.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/reptiles/corn-snake*/
http://www.lazoo.org/animals/reptiles/cornsnake/index.html
http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animalbytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/reptilia/squamata/eastern-cornsnake.htm
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Cornsnake.cfm
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Bull Snake
Pituophis catenifer sayi
Range: Throughout North America as well as parts
of Canada and Mexico.
Habitat: Bull Snakes prefer rocky outcroppings,
Diet: Rodents such as mice, gophers, and ground
squirrels; ground-nesting birds; and eggs.
Lifespan: 10 – 25 years.
Description: Bull Snakes are large and heavy-bodied, and can grow from 2 to 6 feet in length. They
have a tan body with brown or black blotches on their back.
Breeding: Female bull snakes lay a clutch of 3 to 24 eggs in late June or July (sometimes earlier in
warmer parts of their range). Eggs are laid in a nest excavated by the female under a rock or a log.
The eggs will hatch in about 56-100 days. Once the baby corn snakes hatch, they are independent
and receive no care or protection from their mother.
Behavior/Adaptations: Bull snakes share similar adaptations with most other snakes. They are
unable to thermal regulate, so they rely upon external sources of heat to maintain an appropriate
body temperature. They also require moisture to successfully shed their skin. If the skin is too dry
before a shed, a bull snake can take a swim to alleviate the problem. Like many snakes, bull snakes
are not venomous, and kill their prey through constriction.
Predators: Birds of prey and small carnivores.
Conservation: The bull snake is considered a species of special concern in Minnesota due to habitat
loss and degradation from agriculture and urban sprawl.
Interesting Facts:
 Due to its coloration, many bull snakes are mistaken for rattlesnakes and killed.
 Bull snakes capitalize on their similarities to rattlesnakes by making a ‘rattle’ sound by
exhaling through a bisected glottis.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_snake
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rsg/profile.html?action=elementDetail&selectedElement=ARADB26020
http://www3.northern.edu/natsource/REPTILES/Bullsn1.htm
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Western Hognose Snake
Heterodon nasicus
Range: Southern Canada down to Northern
Mexico. Isolated populations located in various
states including Minnesota.
Habitat: Prefer scrubby brush or prairie with
loose soil or sand for burrowing
Diet: Toads are the primary food source in
the wild, mice, frogs, lizards, eggs
Lifespan: 15-18 years in captivity, usually less in the wild
Description: Smaller snake averaging 20 inches in length. Scales on the upper side of the body are
brown and olive green, while the underside is mostly white with some black near the end of the tail.
The most prominent feature of this snake is the upturned nose, which is used for burrowing and
digging in search of food.
Breeding: Breeding season begins in June and continues through August. A female will often mate
with several males to ensure that her eggs are fertilized. The female will lay anywhere from 4-25
eggs and buries them in the sand. Once she has finished laying her eggs, the female performs no
other parental tasks and the young are on their own. They take approximately 52-64 days to hatch.
The young are totally independent upon hatching.
Behavior/Adaptations: The Western Hognose uses its upturned nose to search for toads in the
dirt and sand. Because toads make up a majority of their diet, the snake has developed a few
specialized ways of counteracting toad predator defense. Enlarged back teeth help the snake
puncture and swallow any toads that try to puff up while being swallowed. The hognose also has a
mild venom that while not dangerous to humans, is more than enough to subdue a toad. The
Western Hognose has an enlarge adrenal gland, which prevents the toxin found in toad skin from
slowing down the snake’s heart rate.
To protect itself from predators, the hognose can flatten out its head to appear more threatening and
take deep breaths to appear larger in size. They will often strike at objects, but usually with a closed
mouth. As a last resort, the hognose will flip over on its back and play dead.
Predators: Birds of prey, snakes, foxes
Conservation: Currently not listed as a threatened species overall, but they have been greatly
reduced in population in some of their native states due to habitat loss. The Western Hognose is
relatively common in the southern part of its range.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://www.eol.org/pages/793277
http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_hognose_snake.php
http://www.lihs.org/files/caresheets/Heterodon.htm
http://www.fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal/wildlife/reptilesAmphibians/images
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Milk Snake
Milk Snake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Coral Snake
Range: Milk Snakes have one
of the widest geographical
distributions of any snake. They
can be found anywhere east of
the Rockies, from Central
America to southern Canada.
Habitat: Because this species has a wide range, these snakes can be found in forested areas, open
prairies, wetlands, and rocky/mountainous slopes.
Diet: Small mammals, birds, bird eggs, insects, amphibians, and lizards.
Lifespan: Milk Snakes can live between 15-20 years in captivity, less than that in the wild.
Description: Milk Snakes are long and slender, averaging between 2 to 5 feet from head to tail.
There are many different color variations of the Milk Snake, the most well-known possibly being the
red, black, and yellow color morph.
Breeding: Milk Snakes reach sexual maturity at 2 years old. Mating is in the late spring and early
summer. Females will lay about 10 eggs in warm and humid areas and eggs will take between 28-38
days to hatch.
Behavior/Adaptations: Milk snakes share similar adaptations with most other snakes. They are
unable to thermal regulate, so they rely upon external sources of heat to maintain an appropriate
body temperature. They also require moisture to successfully shed their skin. If the skin is too dry
before a shed, a milk snake can take a swim to alleviate the problem. Milk snakes are related to king
snakes. Like other king snakes, milk snakes are not venomous, and kill their prey through
constriction.
Predators: Birds of prey, other snakes, raccoons, skunks
Conservation: The milk snake is not a threatened species and is a popular pet breed and is often
removed from the wild for the pet trade.
Interesting Facts: One of the color morphs of the Milk Snakes are a mimic of the venomous coral
snake. While coral snakes’ colors have the red touching the yellow, the milk snake colors have the
red touching the black. A good way to remember this is by the saying “Red touches yellow, you’re a
dead fellow. Red touches black, you’re OK Jack.” Being a mimic of the venomous coral snake aids in
their survival by tricking their predators into thinking they are actually venomous and a danger to
eat.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/milk-snake.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_snake
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org
Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma tigrinum
Range: Alaska and much of Canada and
throughout the United States
Habitat: Juveniles still in tadpole form must
live in aquatic habitats such as ponds or lakes.
Adults lead a terrestrial existence living in
forests, grasslands, or marshy areas.
Diet: The larvae will eat small crustaceans and insect larvae and adults will eat worms, snails,
insects, and slugs.
Lifespan: Adults have reached ages of 16 years in captivity.
Description: Tiger Salamanders can reach lengths of 6 – 12 inches. The adults are thick-bodied and
black-ish in color with yellow blotches or spots. The tadpoles have a yellowish green or olive body
with the dark blotches and a stripe along each side and a whitish belly.
Breeding: They migrate to breeding ponds in late winter or early spring, usually after a warm rain
that thaws out the ground’s surface. Males will usually arrive before females, possibly due to the fact
that they live closer to the ponds during the winter months. Mating happens at night and males will
nudge and bump other salamanders. Once a male has found a female, he will nudge her away from
other males. The males walks under the female’s chin, leading her forward and then she nudges his
tail and vent area to stimulate the male to deposit a spermatophore. The female moves her body so
that the spermatophore contacts her vent and she can take it into her cloaca. 24-48 hours after
courtship, the females lay the eggs at night and attach them to twigs, grass stems and leaves that
have decayed on the bottom floor of the pond. Each mass can contain up to 100 eggs. A female can
produce between 100 and 1000 eggs per season.
Behavior/Adaptations: Tiger Salamanders live underground for most of the year in burrows they
have dug for themselves. This allows them to escape the temperature extremes on the surface and
may explain why they have such a wide variety of habitat types.
Predators: Badgers, snakes, bobcats, and owls.
Conservation: Populations in the southeastern U.S. have been affected by deforestation and loss of
wetland habitats and appear to be declining in many areas. Being amphibians, salamanders are bio
indicators for their habitats they live in. They absorb water and air through their skins and are very
sensitive to any pollutants in its environment.
Information taken from the following sources:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Ambystoma_tigrinum/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_salamander
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/salamanders/tiger.html
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org