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Category: Reptiles

Red-Footed Tortoise (Ambassador Animal)

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Red-Footed Tortoise

(Geochelone carbonaria)

Koopa is the name of our female red-footed tortoise. She loves to eat grapes!

Animal Facts

Red-footed tortoises can reach up to about 20 pounds, with males being a little heavier than females.
They can live up to 50 years!
Red feet help males attract females – the brighter the color, the more impressive a mate!
While habitat loss is increasingly a problem for these animals, overhunting is the most common cause of population decrease.
Tortoises are hunted for food and for their shells.

Diet

The forest habitat provides the red-foot with an abundance of fallen fruits such as wild plum. It also eats wild mushrooms, vines, grasses, succulents and carrion, and is attracted to yellow and red flowers.

Status in The Wild

  • Not Evaluated

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

The red-footed tortoise is found throughout extreme southern Central America, and central and northern South America

This includes the countries of Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. Red-foots are commonly found in relatively-dry grassland and forests areas. They can also be found in humid forest habitat. Red-foots are protected under Appendix II of the CITES, meaning they may not be exported from its home country without a permit. In every country in its range, the biggest threat to the survival of the red-footed tortoise is hunting by man.

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Spotted Turtle (Ambassador Animal)

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Spotted Turtle

(Clemmys guttata)

Seneca Park Zoo is home to two spotted turtles that are a part of the Zoo’s ambassador animal program.

Animal Facts

The average adult shell of a spotted turtle is 3 to 5 inches in length.
When the female spotted turtle is ready to lay her eggs, she will dig her nest in well-drained soil in a marshy pasture in full sunlight. There, she will lay three to five eggs and cover them with soil and grass. The incubation period takes approximately 70 to 83 days.
Spotted turtles are shy creatures. If disturbed in the water, they will dive down and bury themselves in the mud. If disturbed on land, they will retract into their shells for protection.
Spotted turtles are creatures of habit. They have their own favorite basking sites that they return to day after day.
The spotted turtle only eats underwater because it cannot swallow its food out of water. When spotted turtles hunt on land, they will bring their catch back into the water for consumption.

Diet

Spotted turtles are omnivores. They eat algae, water lily seeds, worms, slugs, grass, mollusks and amphibian eggs.

Status in The Wild

  • Endangered

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

These turtles are native to New York State and the Midwest.

In these areas, fragmentation and loss of wetland habitats has resulted in the population decline of the spotted turtle. The loss of this animal is also attributed to them being used in the pet trade industry.

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Western Rat Snake (Ambassador Animal)

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Western Rat Snake

(Pantherophis obsoletus)

Seneca Park Zoo is home to one western rat snake, a male named Pugsly. The rat snakes are a part of the Zoo’s ambassador animal program.

Animal Facts

Snake scales are made out of a protein called keratin, the same stuff that makes up human fingernails.
The western rat snake is one of the longest snakes found in North America, reaching lengths of 8 feet or more.
When threatened, rat snakes may shake their tail to mimic a rattlesnake, a more dangerous venomous snake.

Diet

The western rat snake is an opportunistic feeder, meaning it will go after a wide range of available prey including mice, rats, other snakes, lizards, bird eggs, songbirds, squirrels, and frogs. These snakes can go for more than a week without food.

Status in The Wild

  • Least Concern

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

The western rat snake has one of the largest distributions of all common rat snakes. They can be found in northern New York down through Georgia, and west across Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Similarly, they can also be found in a wide range of habitats, from sea level to high elevations, such as the Appalachian Mountains, to rocky hillsides and flat farmlands.

The western rat snake is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of moderate habitat modification, and presumed large population. However, they occasionally become victims of roadkill and also get killed by humans when mistaken for venomous snakes.

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Madagascar Tree Boa (Ambassador Animal)

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Madagascar Tree Boa

(Sanzinia madagascariensis)

There is one male Madagascar tree boa at Seneca Park Zoo. He was born in 2007 and came to the Zoo in 2015.

Animal Facts

While they provide some protection for the skin, the major role of scales is to prevent water loss – they provide a water-tight covering preventing dehydration for ectothermic animals that depend on basking in the sun for their body heat.
Though referred to as a tree boa, this snake is more commonly found on the ground. It’s designation as a tree boa perhaps stems from the fact that it is more arboreal than the other boas found on Madagascar.
The offspring of tree boas are a brilliant scarlet color, with darker markings, presumably as a mimicry warning coloration against predators and also as camouflage amongst the brightly colored treetop flowers.

Diet

Madagascar tree boas feed primarily on birds, bats and small, ground-dwelling mammals.

Status in The Wild

  • Least Concern

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

This snake is found solely on the island of Madagascar and on the small nearby island of Nosy Be. It can be found throughout the islands’ forested habitats, primarily where water is nearby.

Though very common throughout Madagascar, these snakes are still considered at risk. Their habitat is being lost through deforestation and mining. It is believed that only 15% of Madagascar’s original forested areas remain. Listed as CITES Appendix I, which means that it is threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade except when the purpose of the import is not commercial, (example: scientific research). Though sales are prohibited, there is still a problem with illegal pet trade.

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Dumeril’s Ground Boa (Ambassador Animal)

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Dumeril's Ground Boa

(Acrantophis dumerili)

The Zoo is home to two Dumeril’s ground boas, a female named Ursula and her male offspring, Triton. Ursala’s habitat can be found inside the Creatures of the River’s Edge building. Triton was born at the Zoo in August 2018 and is currently a part of the Zoo’s ambassador animal collection.

Animal Facts

Six to eight months after mating, females give birth to a litter anywhere from around 6 up to nearly 30 babies, each measuring 12 to 18 inches.
Dumeril’s have some interesting behavior differences from most other boa species, particularly their style of ambush hunting.
Heavy-bodied snake, terrestrial, solitary, crepuscular and nocturnal, kill by constriction.
Live bearers, “eggs” develop within female’s body
Pattern makes good camouflage in leaf litter on forest floor.

Diet

Small animals such as birds, lizards and frogs.

Status in The Wild

  • Least Concern

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

The Dumeril’s ground boa is found along the western coast and southwestern regions of Madagascar. The preferred habitat of this reptile is a semi-arid forested area with low amounts of rainfall.

Listed as CITES Appendix I, which puts strict limits on its exportation from Madagascar. Their numbers are declining due to habitat destruction in order to create agricultural areas or grazing for livestock; they are killed due to fear and superstition. Their skins are sold in the markets of Madagascar as well as other countries. They are also exported to be sold in the pet trade.

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Great Plated Lizard

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Great Plated Lizard

(Gerrhosaurus major)

There is one great plated lizard here at the Zoo, a male born in 2016. He came to the Zoo in 2017 from Brookfield Zoo. Great plated lizards have a short head, large eyes and a tail that is usually twice the length of its body. The legs appear delicate because they are smaller than other lizards, such as iguanas. This reptile has rough scales on its head.

Animal Facts

The great plated lizard is diurnal, meaning it is awake during the day and would prefer to use its tail in defense rather than biting when threatened.
They can live up to 20 years and grow up to two feet long.
When threatened, they run into rocky crevices, which makes them almost invulnerable to predators.
Males are larger than females and have a more brightly-colored throat.
Females lay 2-4 large eggs that take 3-4 months to hatch

Diet

Young lizards will eat fruits, leaves and other vegetation as well as insects, spiders and other small invertebrates. In conservation care, older animals will eat small mice/rodents and commercial canned dog food.

Status in The Wild

  • Not Evaluated

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

Ranges from eastern Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. Lives on rocky hills where sparse vegetation grows. They will hide in the cracks of the hills or between rocks.

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Henkel’s Leaf-Tailed Gecko

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Henkel's Leaf-Tailed Gecko

(Uroplatus henkeli)

Seneca Park Zoo is home to six leaf-tailed geckos. Their habitats can be found inside the Creatures of the River’s Edge building; 3 reside in their on habitat while 3 are in the giant Madagascar Green Gecko habitat.

Animal Facts

Leaf-tailed geckos use their superb coloration, fringed skin, and leaf-like tail to blend into their surroundings.
They usually hide with their tail up, like a leaf.
If threatened, this gecko can drop its tail, leaving it behind to distract the predator. A new, slightly different tail will grow back.
Solitary except for the breeding season
Arboreal; nocturnal, sleep all day in a head down position; no eyelids, licks eyes to keep them clean

Diet

Carnivorous. Eats primarily insects and arachnids, but may also eat some snails.

Status in The Wild

  • Vulnerable

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

Inhabits lower levels of trees in dense, low-altitude rainforest in four separated areas in Western and Northern Madagascar.

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Pancake Tortoise (Ambassador Animal)

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Pancake Tortoise

(Malacochersus tornieri)

Seneca Park Zoo is home to three Pancake tortoises, one male and two female. A male and a female reside inside the Animals of the Savanna building, while the second female serves as a program animal.

Animal Facts

Unlike most tortoises that sport a heavy domed shell, the Pancake tortoise relies on its speed and flattened shape to outrun and hide from its predators.
The average size of an Pancake tortoise is six to seven inches long and one inch thick.
To lock itself into a protective crevice, the Pancake tortoise will take in a large quantity of air to expand its flexible shell to fit the space between the rocks.
Pancake tortoises have one or two clutches of eggs per year, of one to four eggs each clutch.
They are excellent climbers and active at dawn and dusk; spend day in rock crevices and spend very little time away from their hiding place.

Diet

Pancake tortoises are strictly herbivorous. They eat dry grasses, fallen fruits and available vegetation.

Status in natural range

  • Critically Endangered

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

These tortoises inhabit isolated locations in eastern Africa, from Kenya to Tanzania. The habitat they prefer is areas of small hills with rocky outcropping in arid thornbrush.

Pancake tortoises are popular in the pet trade, which has made them considerably vulnerable in the wild. Habitat loss in Africa combined with a slow reproductive rate make this species’ recovery difficult.

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African Bush Viper

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African Bush Viper

(Atheris squamigera)

Seneca Park Zoo’s African bush viper resides inside the Animals of the Savanna building, in the micro-habitat tree.

Animal Facts

African bush vipers are ambush predators, and commonly strike their prey while hanging upside down from a tree limb.
There is no antivenom for this species of snake.
African bush vipers are commonly called “green vipers”, however they can be found in variations of red, orange, gray, yellow, black, blue, olive, and brown. They may also change color throughout their lifespan.
They are viviparous, meaning they give live birth.
They are nocturnal which means they sleep during the day and are awake at night which is also when they hunt.

Diet

African bush vipers are carnivorous, and primarily eat small rodents. They may also eat birds, frogs, and small reptiles when available.

Status in The Wild

  • Not Evaluated

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

African bush vipers are mainly arboreal and prefer tropical rainforests in West and Central Africa. They are typically found far from human settlements.

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