By corbin on 3/30/2009 9:18 AM

You know spring is in the air when you see rattlesnakes doing this!

The most common species of rattlesnake to "dance" is the Western Diamondback!

I found a great article online explaining this behavior. Apparently seeing rattlesnakes "dance" is a common thing for some folks. Check this link out for more info http://ag.arizona.edu/BTA/whatsnew/snakedance.html

By corbin on 3/29/2009 6:53 AM

Sydney our Woma Python

When you are on the road for sometime, It really makes you miss the things back a home. That's why I was so excited to hear from my animal assistant and get this pic sent to me this morning of Sydney our Woma Python. What a beautiful snake! These medium sized pythons (7-8 feet) are found in Australia. They are closely related to the Black Headed Python and what separates them apart is their orange colored head. What's also unique is that the Woma Python does not have heat sensing pits like most pythons! So how does it find its food? By using their tongues of course! *****Today is a VERY busy day for my animal assistant, who is charge of making sure all of the animal exhibits are clean, the animals fed, and the preparation for our BRAND-NEW animal! I'll give you a hint...our new animal is from Mexico, has red knees, and can live to be over 20 years old. Any guesses?

By corbin on 3/28/2009 10:02 PM

We drove today in big sky country! Every time I visit Wyoming it offers something different for me. I usually remember it as cold, windy, and snowy...but today was different. It truly was the first time I noticed just how beautiful the state really was. I tried taking as many pictures as I could. It was so cool watching the sun set over the snow-caped hills. Great way to end the day!

By corbin on 3/28/2009 8:26 AM

Our time in Missouri is coming to an end. There was only one more thing that I wanted to do before we took off on the open road...Put my feet in the Mississippi River! Woohoo! This is one of the most famous rivers in the whole entire world. It is the the second longest in the US at 2,320 miles long! I feel honored to have put my feet in its murky waters. As for wildlife, I did not spot a thing! Wish us luck on the road...

PS: A new animals is about to join our Animal Ambassador Team. More details coming soon....

By corbin on 3/27/2009 8:34 AM

I visited the beautiful St. Louis Arch! I've actually been up to the very top before so this time I decided to admire it from below. And what a perfect day? Hardly a cloud in the sky. This monument is what St. Louis is famous for.

By corbin on 3/26/2009 7:43 AM

Yes. There is actually a place called Frankenstein in Missouri and my GREAT grandmother lives there! What a place. We had to stop at this sign because once you get to the to town (population maybe 4) there is no more signs!

On our two hour drive to the country we spotted a few White-Tailed Deer and some wild turkeys. A little too early in the year to spot baby turtles. Bummer.

 

By corbin on 3/26/2009 7:35 AM

Hey everyone,

I found this article in the Washington Post about two rare Clouded Leopards that were born! Check it out! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/24/AR2009032403517.html?g=1

By corbin on 3/24/2009 8:30 PM

This multi-species exhibit houses desert iguanas, spiny lizards, and Gila Monsters! Zoos all over the country are transforming their exhibits to house multiple species...just how they would live out in the wild.

The largest venomous snake in the world (at 17 feet) ...the King Cobra! Their diet consists mainly of other venomous snakes. They are even one of the very few reptiles that protects their young!

This is a False Gharial from India. They have hundreds of needle-sharp teeth for catching fish. This guy was having his pool drained for cleaning (and by the looks of it) is not too happy about it!

By corbin on 3/24/2009 8:13 PM

Here I am in deep thought with "Grandpa" the Chimpanzee

 

The zoo has a large troop of these primates which are housed in an amazing exhibit full of grassy hills, tall trees, and towering waterfalls. We were lucky enough to see a scattered feeding (where the keeper above throws various fruits and veggies in the exhibit).

By corbin on 3/24/2009 7:58 PM

Look at this gorgeous girl! She is an Asian Elephant part of the zoo's River's Edge exhibit. I have never seen an elephant so close to visitors. Notice how the Asian Elephant has much smaller ears compared to the African Elephant. Unfortunately these elephants out in the wild are disappearing fast due to loss of habitat and poaching.