Scooter loves variety!

I took this picture of Scooter this morning enjoying his breakfast!

Here at the reserve we make sure that all of our animals are happy, healthy, and eating the most nutritious foods available. We always want to enrich the lives of our animals in any possible way we can. You might not know this, but we can enrich an animal’s life by just changing what it eats. It’s as simple as that! Every morning I dish out a freshly chopped mix of dark leafy greens and vegetables to our herbivorous residents. This includes “Irwin” and “Banzai” (Solomon Island Skinks), “Spike” (Bearded Dragon), “Missouri” (Three Toed Box Turtle), and “Scooter” (Green Iguana). It’s always important to make sure that you also sprinkle vitamins and supplements on your reptile’s diet. We recommend and use Rep-Cal vitamins and supplements. They are fairly inexpensive and will keep your reptile pet happy and healthy!

Chinese Alligator

Pic I took of a Chinese Alligator during my visit to the Saint Louis Zoo

A lot of people do not know there are actually two species of Alligator: the American Alligator and the lesser-known Chinese Alligator. I have been fortunate enough to have been working with alligators since I was 13 years old. Matter of fact, “Soni” our 5 foot American Alligator keeps me quite busy! I have always been fascinated with the lesser-known Chinese Alligator. These mysterious smaller versions of their cousins in America grow to be 4-5 feet long. Once abundant in China they are now restricted to a few small ponds near the lower Yangtze River. They are considered critically endangered and are close to extinction within 15 years. Luckily, there has been captive breeding in China and the United States which is help saving the species from vanishing.

 

For more information about the Chinese Alligator visit this link: http://corbinmaxey.com/http://www.stlzoo.org/animals/abouttheanimals/reptiles/alligatorsandcrocodiles/chinesealligator.htm

Back in the day

Take a look of this picture I found while cleaning out my office the other day! I could not tell you my exact age but to my guess probably around 6 or 7 years old. I am holding two young Burmese Pythons. At the time, these snakes were extremely popular and sold by the thousands in the pet trade. I remember getting these 2 beauties from a local breeder. I was always so excited to be around wildlife. I remember when most kids my age were out playing with race cars or action figures…I was out in the mountains observing all types of different creatures from ants to rubber boas. I look back now on my childhood and realize that if I never lived in Robbie Creek, Idaho I do not think that I would have such an intense passion for all wildlife. All those years of isolation from the “city” shaped who I am toady and who I dream to be in the future.

Striped Hyenas!

I have just gotten word that our good friends at Zoo Boise will be welcoming two new Striped Hyenas to their collection of animals! I was so excited once I found out this news. Hyenas in general are some of the most misunderstood animals in the world. Luckily through research, new information has been discovered about these creatures and has shed light on the species. I have learned that Striped Hyenas are smaller than their much larger and “well known” cousins the Spotted Hyenas (whom you probably have seen in National Geographic Documentaries). Still, Striped Hyenas are an amazing species and I am so happy that we will be welcoming them soon into the valley. The zoo is now currently re-designing their old Big Horn Sheep Exhibit to make way for the new arrivals. It is slated to open in April.

For more information about the Striped Hyena visit this link: http://corbinmaxey.com/http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-striped_hyena.html

The big poo!

"Ariena" before the show

Yesterday, while filming “LIVE with The Reptile Guy” episode #6 titled “The Big Squeeze”, one of our animal guests had a “little” accident! “Arieana”, a 17 foot 230-pound Reticulated Python decided to “poo” ALL over the stage during the segment. Now when a large snake like this decides to “go”, they go! The stench from it nearly passed out the members of our live studio audience. What’s worse is that the set people were not too happy. After the show we all shuffled outside and literally took the whole stage, piece by piece, out for a good cleaning. What a show! In the end most people, including some members of the crew, stated that it was the best show yet! I personally thought it made for great television. Not because of her “pooing” all over me and the stage, but because it showed people that these exotic snakes are still wild animals. They do not make good pets and only an experienced herpetologist should keep them.