Hooked up with my buddy, who's a venomous keeper, at St Louis Zoo.
Heather and I got a behind the scenes tour, of the reptile house today.
I took 156 pictures. haha! Not as many as I thought, as I spent most of the time talking, picking Matts brain and talking about conservation efforts, for alot of animals.
My friend, Matt, gets to take care of some animals, that are highly endangered...and even some species, where they are probably less than a few thousand left in the wild. Awesome, awesome stuff! Some of the frogs he showed us, today, aren't even left in the wild...
I'll post some of the highlights and also a link to the photobucket file. I really don't think we have the bandwidth, for me to post all 156 pics. lol
Caiman Lizard
Very nice Emerald Tree Boa
King Cobra
This Komodo was awesome. When we first walked up, he was at the back of the enlosure, basking. He took quick notice of us and the moment we started walking away, he hopped up and started talking towards us. He'd stop and stare and when we'd take a step back, he'd run up to a us a little more. lol
Alot of these, I don't remember what they were. Hopefully Matt can fill in blanks. lol
Armenian Vipers
This female Green was one big *****! AT LEAST 15' - 17' and 165lb+. Matt said they'd had her on quarentine for a while and recently put her on display. She was found in Guayana, in a food market...she was gonna be eaten!! Luckily, she was saved and has a great new home. Just as we were talking about, I saw her start moving her mouth and jumped in, when she started yawning. No doubt, her open mouth was 18" wide...
Green Mamba
Monster Frilled Dragons
Australian Shinglebacked Skinks
My ABSOLUTELY favorite Viper. Mt Mang Pitviper. I had never seen one in person...almost ****, when I realized what they were. AND...they had tiny babies.
These Golden frogs (can't remember the name) are ones that are no longer in the wild. Even though I'm not a frog guy, I'd be completely honored to be able to work with this species, every day, knowing they're no longer out there.
Female King Cobra (a daughter of the big I posted already)
Phillipine Pit Viper
Alot of these next Vipers, I can't remember the names of. I only remember that I wish I could stuck them all in my pockets and taken them home with me. Most of them were babies (under 10" long)
This guy just wanted a kiss, from Matt. lol
antivenom fridge
This was the door, to the enclosure of the 13' King Cobra. Notice, on the left, the alarm panel...in the event that you're bitten, you better be good at smacking that red button. lol
Can't remember the name of this species of Tortoise, but they are the smallest species of Tortoise in the world. This little guy was a fully grown adult. lol!
Heather and I got a behind the scenes tour, of the reptile house today.
I took 156 pictures. haha! Not as many as I thought, as I spent most of the time talking, picking Matts brain and talking about conservation efforts, for alot of animals.
My friend, Matt, gets to take care of some animals, that are highly endangered...and even some species, where they are probably less than a few thousand left in the wild. Awesome, awesome stuff! Some of the frogs he showed us, today, aren't even left in the wild...
I'll post some of the highlights and also a link to the photobucket file. I really don't think we have the bandwidth, for me to post all 156 pics. lol
Caiman Lizard
Very nice Emerald Tree Boa
King Cobra
This Komodo was awesome. When we first walked up, he was at the back of the enlosure, basking. He took quick notice of us and the moment we started walking away, he hopped up and started talking towards us. He'd stop and stare and when we'd take a step back, he'd run up to a us a little more. lol
Alot of these, I don't remember what they were. Hopefully Matt can fill in blanks. lol
Armenian Vipers
This female Green was one big *****! AT LEAST 15' - 17' and 165lb+. Matt said they'd had her on quarentine for a while and recently put her on display. She was found in Guayana, in a food market...she was gonna be eaten!! Luckily, she was saved and has a great new home. Just as we were talking about, I saw her start moving her mouth and jumped in, when she started yawning. No doubt, her open mouth was 18" wide...
Green Mamba
Monster Frilled Dragons
Australian Shinglebacked Skinks
My ABSOLUTELY favorite Viper. Mt Mang Pitviper. I had never seen one in person...almost ****, when I realized what they were. AND...they had tiny babies.
These Golden frogs (can't remember the name) are ones that are no longer in the wild. Even though I'm not a frog guy, I'd be completely honored to be able to work with this species, every day, knowing they're no longer out there.
Female King Cobra (a daughter of the big I posted already)
Phillipine Pit Viper
Alot of these next Vipers, I can't remember the names of. I only remember that I wish I could stuck them all in my pockets and taken them home with me. Most of them were babies (under 10" long)
This guy just wanted a kiss, from Matt. lol
antivenom fridge
This was the door, to the enclosure of the 13' King Cobra. Notice, on the left, the alarm panel...in the event that you're bitten, you better be good at smacking that red button. lol
Can't remember the name of this species of Tortoise, but they are the smallest species of Tortoise in the world. This little guy was a fully grown adult. lol!
