Animal Information Natural Treasures Reptiles (Non-Snakes)

1 Animal Information Natural Treasures Reptiles (Non-Snakes) Table of Contents Red-footed Tortoise…………….………………………………………………………..2 Argentine Black and white Tegu.………………….………………………..……..4 Madagascar Giant Day Gecko.……………………………………….……..………5 Henkel’s Leaf-Tailed Gecko……………………………………………………………6 Panther Chameleon………………………………………………………………………8 Prehensile-tailed Skink………………………………………….……………………..10 Chuckwalla………………………………………………………….……………………….12 Crevice Spiny Lizard……………………………………………………………………..14 Gila Monster……………………………………………..………………………………...15 Dwarf Caiman………….…………………………………………………………………..17 Spotted Turtle……………………………………………………………………………..19 Mexican Beaded Lizard………………………………………………………………..21 Collared Lizard………………………………………………………………………....…23 Red-footed Tortoise Geocheloidis carbonaria 2 John Ball Zoo Habitat – Depending on whether they can be found either in the Natural Treasures Building or outside in the children’s zoo area across from the Budgie Aviary. Individual Animals: 1 Male, 1 Female Male – Morty (Smooth shell) o Age unknown . Records date back to 1985 o Arrived October 11, 2007 o Weight: 8.5lbs Female - Ethel o Age unknown o Arrived June 02, 2011 o Weight: 9.5-10lbs Life Expectancy Insufficient data Statistics Carapace Length – 1.6 feet for males, females tend to be smaller Diet – Frugivore – an animal that mainly eats fruit Wild – Fruit during the wet season and flowers during the dry season o Some soil and fungi Zoo – Salad mix (greens, fruits, veggies) hard boiled eggs, and fish o Fed twice a week Predators Other than humans, there is no information available concerning predators. Habitat Tropical, terrestrial Rainforests and savanna areas. It prefers heavily forested, humid habitats but avoids muddy areas due to low burrowing capacity of these habitats. Region Throughout the South American mainland and North of Argentina. Red-footed Tortoise 3 Geocheloidis carbonaria Reproduction – Polygynous (having more than one female as a mate at a time). Sexual maturity is reached around 5 years of age. Males compete for mates, and typically move their heads in a bobbing motion prior to wrestling. The turtle that flips his competitor on his back gains access to the female and an opportunity to mate. Males attract potential mates and ward off competitors by producing sounds that are similar to a series of “clucks.” Mating occurs from June through September. Females typically lay 2-15 eggs in a clutch and can produce several clutches a year. Incubation lasts from 117-158 days Hatchlings are immediately independent. Behavior Diurnal Avoid moving great distances. Conservation Concerns Habitat loss and over hunting pose a serious threat throughout its geographic range. Without current population estimates, it is difficult to predict the potential conservation and management needs for this species. Conservation Ask Be mindful of wildlife and the environment as you make every day purchasing decisions. o Action – When you make purchases, support green companies/eco-labels o Action – Choose your pets responsibly Argentine Black and White Tegu 4 Salvator merianea John Ball Zoo Habitat – located in the Natural Treasures building Individual Animals: 1 Male – Arnold Born between October 2007 and April 2008 o Location unknown Arrived July 09, 2010 o From a public donor Life Expectancy Wild – Not enough data Under Managed Care – 12-20 years Statistics Length – up to 60 inches Weight – 8-15 pounds Males tend to be bigger, with large prominent jowl muscles Diet – Omnivore Wild – The species feeds on a wide range of animals and fruit and may play an important role in seed dispersal. Predators – Not enough data, but there is human predation Habitat – Forest clearings, secondary forest, disturbed habitats including edges of roads and agricultural areas. It is referred to as a habitat generalist. Region – Brazil, eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and in northern and central Argentina. Introduced into Florida as a result of the pet trade. Reproduction Breeding season is September – December A female can lay 35 eggs in one clutch Adaptations Tolerates cooler temperatures compared to other reptiles Partially warm blooded demonstrating temperature control during the reproductive season. Behavior – Active in the daytime (Diurnal) Conservation Concerns – This animal is popular in the pet trade and is also hunted for its skin Conservation Ask Be mindful of wildlife and the environment as you make every day purchasing decisions o Actions – Choose your pets responsibly Madagascar Giant Day Gecko 5 Phelsuma grandis John Ball Zoo Habitat – Located in the Natural Treasures building. Individual Animals: 1 Male, 1 Female Female has calcium deposits located on both sides of neck. Both estimated birth at 2010-2011 o Location unknown Both arrived February 11, 2015 Life Expectancy Wild – unknown Under Managed Care – 6 years, sometime longer Statistics – Length: 3.9-9.8 inches Diet – Insects, fruit, and nectar Predators – limited data on specific predators. Habitat – Rainforest areas and grasslands Region – Northeast and northwest of Madagascar. A population is also found on the island of Mauritius that may have been introduced as opposed to native. Reproduction Females lay a clutch of eggs consisting of 2 eggs several times per year. Incubation lasts 47 to 82 days. The hatchlings are immediately self-sufficient. Sexually mature is reached within one to two years. Adaptations Some individuals develop calcium sacs on their necks. Can drop last portion of the tail to distract predators. Behavior – Diurnal, Arboreal Typically found clinging to vertical surfaces. Once they shed they will eat their own skin. Male geckos can change colors when they are stressed or if they are ill. Conservation Concerns This animal is collected for the pet trade. Conservation Ask Be mindful of wildlife and the environment as you make every day purchasing decisions o Choose your pets responsibly Henkel’s Leaf-Tailed Gecko 6 Uroplatus henkeli John Ball Zoo Habitat – Located in the Natural Treasures building Individual Animals: 2 Males Male o Born January 11, 2018 . At Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens o Arrived October 19, 2018 . From Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens Male o Born March 19, 2018 . At Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens o Arrived October 19, 2018 . From Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens Life Expectancy Wild – 2-5 years Average at AZA institutions: 4.9 year Oldest recorded at AZA institutions: 12.4 years Statistics – Length – up to 10 inches Diet – Insects Predators – Rats, snakes, and birds of prey such as owls and eagles. Habitat Rainforest that has remained undisturbed for a long enough to reach a mature condition. Region Endemic to Madagascar occurring in the extreme north and northwest of the island. Reproduction The female lays 2 spherical eggs on the forest floor generally under fallen leaves, beneath a piece of wood, or amongst dead leaves still attached to a plant. Incubation lasts over 90 days. Adaptations Henkel’s flat-tailed gecko have feet equipped with large toe pads providing impressive adhesion when climbing. Fringe of skin edging the head and body enables the gecko to blend into tree trunks by breaking up the outline of the body and preventing any shadows from forming. Henkel’s Leaf-Tailed Gecko 7 Uroplatus henkeli The Geckos’ coloration and flattened tail resembling a dead leaf, makes them great at camouflaging into their forest surroundings. Behavior – Nocturnal, Arboreal It can confuse its predators by voluntarily shedding its tail. Daylight hours are spent resting head downwards on trees. Has the ability to frighten predators by opening its mouth wide and revealing the bright red cavity inside. Conservation Concerns This animal is collected for the pet trade. Loss of habitat due to human activities including logging and the expansion of agricultural activities. Conservation Ask Be mindful of wildlife and the environment as you make every day purchasing decisions o Actions – When you make purchases, support green companies/eco labels o Actions – Choose your pets responsibly Panther Chameleon 8 Furcifer pardalis John Ball Zoo Habitat – Located in the Natural Treasures building. Individual Animals: 2 Males Both Males o Estimated hatch: September 2018 . At Florida Chameleons o Arrived: December 14, 2018 . From Florida Chameleons Life Expectancy Wild: Maximum 2 years Under managed care: up 5 years Statistics Length – Males: 9 inches; Females: 5 inches Diet – Insectivore Wild – terrestrial invertebrates and plant material (rare). Predators Birds and snakes. Habitat Lowland, dry deciduous forests close to thin belts of trees bordering rivers and roads. Region Northeast and east coast of Madagascar. Reproduction – Polygynous: more than one female as a mate at a time. Sexual maturity is reached at 6 months. Males display bright colors and a series of jerking or bobbing head movements while advancing on a female. Breeding occurs between January and May. Gestation: 3-6 weeks The females excavate burrows by digging with their front feet and then backing into them to deposit 10 to 46 eggs. Young are independent at birth. Adaptations Ability to rotate and focus their eyes separately to observe two different objects simultaneously o This allows them a full 360-degree arc of vision around their body while staying completely still and camouflaged. Panther chameleons lack a vomeronasal organ, an auxiliary olfactory sense organ that is found in many animals. Panther Chameleon Furcifer pardalis 9 They do not have an outer or a middle

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