On the road again

Today I am on my way to San Francisco! I have never been so I’m SO excited to visit. When most people think about visiting San Francisco images of the Golden Gate Bridge, walking down Fisherman’s Wharf, and riding the famous trolley pop into mind. Not me! As an animal person I have thoughts about what the zoo is like, or how many California Sea Lions I can spot in the cool waters? I brought my camera so I promise to post new pictures daily. We have 12 hours of driving ahead of us, which sounds like a lot, …but compared to our long journeys for Meridian, Idaho to Manhattan, I choose not to complain! As for the animals, they are back at home in Meridian at the reserve. Don’t worry…they are in great hands! While I am gone I have my animal assistant staff making sure everyone is happy and healthy! Wish us luck on the long drive! Make sure to check back in often as I post new pictures of our trip.

What's all the shed about?

  

Buddy looking better then ever after a shed!

As a snake owner, one of the many things I look forward to is when one of my snakes sheds its skin. Once all the old skin is sloughed off you can truly admire your snakes beauty. “Buddy” our 11 foot Burmese Python just finished shedding this morning (with a little bit of my help)! In captivity, sometimes snakes have trouble shedding their skins in one whole piece. This mainly has to do with humidity levels in their environment. “Buddy” just had a little shed left around his head, so I did what anyone else would do…I soaked him in warm water! In just a short amount of time ALL of his skin came right off!

A lot of people ask me how often snakes shed their skins. It really depends on a variety of different factors including how old the snake is, and how much it is fed…etc. “Buddy” happens to shed right after a big meal. I can tell a snake getting ready for a shed when its colors turn dull and their eyes turn bluish-grey. When any of our snakes are in shed they are temporally removed from our shows and left to rest to reduce stress. So what do I do with all of the old skins? They make great decorations around the reptile house! 

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.