Look what's in our backyard!

School's out and spring is here! That means it's time to start searching for reptiles that are native to Idaho. These pictures were taken last Sunday on the Idaho Herpetological Society's annual trip to Fossil Butte, Idaho. I work very closely with animals found all over the world...so sometimes I forget about what's in my own backyard. Idaho has an amazing collection of reptiles and amphibians including this Great Basin Rattlesnake pictured above.

Look at this cute little horned lizard also known as the "horny toad." These small lizards can be found in Southern Idaho in a variety of different habitats including parries, grasslands, and deserts.

This is a Mojave Black-collared Lizard. Collards are one of the largest lizards in Idaho reaching lengths of up to 13 inches. Their diet mainly includes insects and other lizards. They also eat flowers and leaves.

This is a Great Basin Rattlesnake, a subspecies of the Western Rattlesnake. Unfortunately many people confuse these snakes with the harmless Gopher Snake. If you encounter a rattlesnake out in the wild LEAVE IT ALONE! They are more scared of you than you are of them.

Thanks Nancy for sharing all of your great pictures!

What is this?

I love receiving your e-mails, feedback, and questions! This was sent to me by Christina who wrote: "Found this guy in my front yard and made the mistake of picking him up and carrying him to the field without knowing what he was. Corbin, can you name this snake?"      Easy...It's a Gopher Snake! You can tell the difference between a harmless Gopher Snake and a venomous rattlesnake by their head shape. Gophers have slender more pointed head and lack rattles.

Thanks Christina for the picture!

Tsavo Maneaters

When I was younger one of my favorite movies was "The Ghost and the Darkness." If you are not familiar with the story it documents the true accounts of two male lions that supposedly killed and ate 135 construction workers during the building of the Kenya-Uganda Railway in1898. At the end of "The Ghost and the Darkness" it states that if you want to visit the lions today you can at the Chicago Field Museum. This is a picture I took from my phone during my trip to the museum back in November. It was so surreal seeing this lions up-close. Not only are these the real skins of the Tsavo lions but they also had the skulls off to the side on exhibit as well. I really recommend EVERYONE to see this exhibit at least once in their lifetime. For more info on the lions please visit the museum website http://corbinmaxey.com/http://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit_sites/tsavo/default.htm

Pics...Pics...AND more Pics!

I want to share with you some pictures that were taken of the animals enjoying the sunshine yesterday. It's so exciting to them outdoors in their exhibits!!! Above is Junior our Nile Monitor lizard just relaxing in his newly renovated outdoor exhibit.

This is Sydney our gorgeous Woma Python enjoying a stroll through the fresh green grass. Although as simple as it seems this is considered enrichment for these pythons. The snakes pick up new sights and smells which stimulates their minds positively.

Look how cute Missouri our Three Toed Box Turtle looks outside her burrow!!! Missouri loves the outdoors and especially looks forward to thunderstorms.

This is one of my favorite pics of Neiko our Ball Python. Not only can they move around well on the ground they can also get around quite well in trees! In the wild Ball Pythons have been documented climbing trees to get to baby birds.

Does this pet fit you???

Last week I told you I would be focusing my blog entries this week on what pet best fits your needs. I am doing this in response to the over-whelming e-mails/letters I receive on a monthly basis concerning pet ownership. Please remember that for any pet DO YOUR RESEARCH before you attaining a new animal!!! Today's spotlight animal is the Bearded Dragon from Australia.

If you

·         Have children (ages 6 and up)

·         Have moderate space available

·         Can devote daily interaction (30 minutes a day)

·         Feed LIVE crickets and mealworms (along with dark leafy greens)

·         Are ready for a “personable” pet

Then the Bearded Dragon just might be for you. Often considered the best beginner reptile pet the Bearded Dragon is about as personable as a reptile can get! They reach lengths for up to 24 inches and live over 10 years. They are GREAT when it comes to children because of their calm dispositions. They can tolerate frequent handling and enjoy daily interactions. An adult can live comfortably in a 55 gallon aquarium. They also require specialized heating/lighting. Visit this link for more information about Bearded Dragon care. http://corbinmaxey.com/http://www.beardeddragon.org/

*** I would recommend only captive bred animals. I would also look into checking out your local herpetological society’s rescue/adoption network before purchasing an animal.