Animals of the Wildlife Discovery Center Ackie Monitor Scientific name: Varanus acanthurus Range: Northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and eastern Queensland Habitat: Arid areas with rocky ledges and outcrops Size: Up to 27 inches Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: These monitors are also known as the spiny- tailed monitor, the Ackies dwarf monitor, and the ridge- tailed monitor. African Dwarf Crocodile Scientific Name: Osteolaemus tetraspis Range: West and Central Africa, from Senegal to the Democratic republic of Congo. Habitat: Small streams in closed canopy rainforest and dense swamps, to savanna pools and coastal lagoons. Size: Up to 6.5 feet. Conservation Status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Vulnerable Fun Fact: While they spend most of their day in the water, on sunny days they may be found basking on logs. African dwarf crocodiles are also capable of climbing and can sometimes be found on the lower branches of trees. Aldabra Tortoise Scientific name: Geochelone gigantea Range: islands of Aldabra Habitat: rough and rocky islands with limited vegetation Size: up to 3 feet long and weigh over 650 pounds Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Vulnerable Fun Fact: The Aldabra tortoise is the second largest living tortoise species in the world. Alligator Snapping Turtle Scientific Name: Macrochelys temminckii Range: Southeastern United States. Habitat: Rivers, canals, and lakes Size: Males average 26 inches in shell length and weigh about 175 pounds, though some have exceeded 220 pounds. Females usually weigh around 50 pounds. Conservation Status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Vulnerable Fun Fact: The alligator snapping turtle catches prey by opening its mouth to reveal a lure- a pink worm like tongue- which draws attention from the prey. They also have a bite force of 1,000 pounds, strong enough to snap through bone. Amazon Milk Frog Scientific name: Trachycephalus resinifictrix Range: Northern South America in Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela Habitat: Tropical rainforest canopy, close to slowly moving water Size: 2- 4 inches Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: They are one of the largest frogs in South America. They are called milk frogs because of the poison they can secrete when they feel threatened. This helps them avoid predators and keep them hydrated. American Alligator Scientific name: Alligator mississippiensis Range: Southeast United States Habitat: freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetland areas Size: up to 15 feet Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: Alligators are generally a very docile species in captivity American Toad Scientific name: Anaxyrus americanus Range: Eastern United States and Canada Habitat: Forests in burrows, logs, ground litter, and rocks. Size: 2- 3.5 inches Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: This species is divided into 3 subspecies; the Eastern American Toad, the Dwarf American Toad, and the Hudson Bay Toad. This toad can be found in every southeastern state except Florida. Angolan Python Scientific name: Python anchietae Range: southwest Africa Habitat: scrubland, rocky outcrops Size: 6 feet Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): least concern Fun Fact: These snakes are rare in captivity since their natural habitat is still covered with landmines from the Angolan Civil War. Anthill Python Scientific name: Antaresia perthensis Range: Pilbara region of Western Australia, and occasionally northwestern Queensland Habitat: Arid, flat land with very little rain, and sparse vegetation Size: Up to 19.5 inches Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: They are also known as the Pygmy Python since they are the smallest python in the Pythonidae family, and can even live in termite mounds. Arctic Fox Scientific name: Vulpes lagopus Range: Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, but it is common through the Arctic tundra Habitat: Tundra, pack ice, and boreal forests Size: 6.5-17 pounds Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: This fox is very well-adapted to living in some of the coldest places on Earth, but they do not start shivering until the temperature reaches -94 oF. It is also the only land mammal that is native to Iceland. Argentine Black and White Tegu Scientific Name: Salvator merianae Range: South Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, North Argentina, and North Uruguay Habitat: They can be found in meadows and open forests. Size: Up to 4 feet Conservation Status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: Black and white tegus are excellent swimmers, they can stay underwater for long periods of time. Asian Water Monitor Scientific Name: Varanus salvator Range: South to Southeast Asia, from Sri Lanka and India to Indochina, and the Malay Peninsula Habitat: They can be found in wetlands, forests, and scrubland areas close to water. Size: On average Asian water monitors are between 5 to 7 feet long, and weigh 43 pounds Conservation Status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: Asian water monitors are the second heaviest species of lizard in the world after the Komodo dragon. Bald Eagle Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus Range: Canada, the United States, and Mexico Habitat: Bald Eagles nest in forested areas typically adjacent to large bodies of water. They prefer to perch atop tall coniferous trees. Size: They have a wingspan up to 7.5 feet, and weigh up to 14 pounds Conservation Status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: A bald eagle’s vision is six times sharper than humans. They are able to spot a rabbit or fish from over a mile away. Ball Python Scientific name: Python regius Range: central and west Africa Habitat: dry forest savanna, thorn scrub Size: 3-6 feet, females are usually larger Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): least concern Fun Fact: Ball pythons are also known as royal pythons as they are thought of as sacred animals by several African cultures. Barred Owl Scientific name: Strix varia Range: Most of the Eastern United States and southern Canada Habitat: Woodlands, wooded swamps, and wooded river bottoms. They prefer thick woods with some clearings, and are common in deciduous and coniferous forests. Size: 16- 25 inches Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: They are partially responsible for the declining population of the Northern Spotted Owl. Bearded Dragon Scientific name: Pogona vitticeps Range: Australia Habitat: deserts, subtropical woodlands, savannas, scrublands Size: 18-22 inches Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): least concern Fun Fact: Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet reptiles. They are usually gentle, inquisitive, and active during the day. Black Ratsnake Scientific name: Pantherophis obsoletus Range: Central North America west of the Mississippi River, from eastern Iowa to westward eastern Texas, north to Oklahoma and eastern Kansas Habitat: Can range from rocky hillsides to flat farmlands, and even in trees. They prefer heavily wooded areas Size: 3.5 to 6 feet Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: These snakes are great climbers, and can also swim. They also have been known to hibernate in dens with copperheads and timber rattlesnakes. Black Tail Rattlesnake Scientific name: Crotalus molossus Range: Southwestern United States and Mexico Habitat: Desert scrub, woodlands, conifer forests, and in hilly or mountainous land Size: 30- 42 inches Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Least Concern Fun Fact: It is thought to be one of the most calm and curious of all rattlesnakes, and bites are quite rare. Blanding’s Turtle Scientific Name: Emydoidea blandingii Range: Northeast Canada and the Northeast United States Habitat: They are semi-aquatic, living mostly in shallow wetland habitats where aquatic vegetation is abundant. Size: They average between 6 to 10 inches long and weigh 2 to 3 pounds Conservation Status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): Endangered Fun Fact: Blanding’s turtles survive the winter by burying themselves in the mud at the bottom of a pond and entering a state of dormancy somewhat like hibernation. Blue Tongue Skink Scientific name: Tiliqua scincoides Range: Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania Habitat: semi-desert, mixed woodland, and scrubland areas Size: 18-24 inches Conservation status by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature): least concern Fun Fact: When threatened, blue tongue skinks will puff up and stick out their blue tongue in order to make predators think that they are toxic, even though they are not. Boa Constrictor Scientific name: Boa constrictor Range: Throughout South America, though the exact range depends on the subspecies. Habitat: Tropical rainforests to semidesert country. They prefer to live in the rainforest and areas with high humidity and temperature. Size: From