Goodbye Leno

Tonight, Friday May 29th is the very last episode of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." The animals and I have visited Jay on numerous occasions and have had the opportunity to have worked with some of the best producers in the country. Not only that but we have been able to spread our message about conservation, education, and responsible pet ownership to millions of people.

Don't you just love my "Best Buy" looking uniform? This is Jay and me right after I graduated High School during my second appearance on the show. This time the animals and I were featured with Sam Jackson! He LOVED feeding Scooter a banana.

I had to bring out this infamous image of Jay and me during my first appearance on the show at 14 years old! All I can say is that I had a "hunger" for knowledge. Since my very first  appearance on the show  so many doors have been opened for me and have given me opportunities that I dreamed of as a little kid. Thanks Jay and those on the show who have helped make my dream a reality.

See ya at 10!

Welcome to Miami!

This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit Miami. Miami welcomed me with giant palm trees, blue water, and this famous "Welcome to Miami Beach" sign. The animals were left back at the reserve in Meridian, Idaho as I  needed some serious R&R! Not to worry the animals are watched and taken care of 24/7 by my Animal Assistant.

The beaches were absolutely beautiful! Here I am pictured with my cousin who really showed me the "ropes" around South Beach. Some of the things included laying out in the sun, swimming in the ocean, and to never forget your sun glasses!

You can take the boy from the animals but not the animals from the boy! One of my favorite things to do in the morning was to go outside and watch the habits of the little anole lizards found all over South Beach. Watching them for hours I realized that each little lizard had his/her own territory and basking spot.

I looked like such a tourist taking pictures of the ocean! I can't help it. When you were born in raised in such a dry place like Idaho you really appreciate seeing things like water.

This picture explains it all. The true beauty of the beach. So relaxing and peaceful. My life can be such a world-wind at times. With constant appearances, daily animal care, and traveling I sometimes forget to stop and take a moment to relax and take in nature's true beauty.

Out of Africa

You know I love it when you send me your photos of animals. If they are good enough you can even expect me to post them on my blog! These pictures were sent to me from Robert who was visiting Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde, Arizona. Pictured above is an African Lioness. These powerful predators are the largest of the African Cats. A fun fact is that lions sleep nearly 18-20 hours a day!

Check out this big male lion! Notice how big and beautiful his mane is. Most people don't realize that not all male lions have large manes like this. Some don't have manes at all! It depends on the region where the lions are found in Africa.

At Out of Africa there is a good chance that you will be able to get a close-up encounter with some of Africa's most famous residents including giraffes!

Out of Africa is not just home to African Wildlife...It also is home to tigers, bears, and other species found outside of the "safari continent." One of park's number one attractions includes the "Big Cat Feeding." This gives guests the opportunity to watch the park's large felines indulge!

This is a Southern White Rhino. Unfortunately these species out in the wild are disappearing due to habitat destruction and illegal poaching. Check out those horns! Rhino horns are made out of Keratin (small little compressed hairs). Keratin is also what makes up our fingernails!

My little lawn mower!

Check out my little "lawn mower!" I took this picture of Tank our male Sulcata Tortoise yesterday in the tortoise yard. I couldn't help but watch him for nearly an hour as he seriously munched away on some grass. What I found to be so funny is that he would stay in one place eat away the grass to nearly the dirt then leave behind him a perfectly trimmed grass line (similar to a golfer's green)!

Check out his trail! I can always tell where he has been in the yard at any given day!

This is a completely normal behavior for Sulcata Tortoises. In the wild these animals will graze in the early morning, head back to a burrow or shelter to beat the extreme heat of the afternoon, then return to grazing on various grasses, shrubs, and flowers near the evening.

Retics

Some of my ALL-TIME favorite reptiles to work with are the big snakes. Ever since I was a little kid I always had a fascination with large boas and pythons. Matter of fact one of my very first snakes I rescued was a 13-foot Burmese Python! Unfortunately a lot of people buy large boas and pythons when they are babies and do not realize how large their pet snake will soon get. Above I am holding Aeriana a 17-foot Reticulated Python that was featured on "LIVE with The Reptile Guy." It took three people to just handle her. It's amazing to think that Aeriana started out as a 31 inch baby and soon would grow up to be the longest snake species in the world!

Reticulated Pythons also are known to have testy personalities. The same snake that I am hold above is the same one that is pictured ready to strike! You never know what's going to happen when you work with Reticulated Pythons or any wild animal for that matter. Make sure that you leave keeping Reticulated Pythons up to experienced hobbyists.

Thanks Drew for the great pic!