It's Reptile Awareness Day!

Reptiles get a bad rap, but they need love too. And today is the day to show your love. It’s Reptile Awareness Day. Zookeepers from the Essex County Turtleback Zoo brought in a few friends to show our Tamsen Fadal that these creatures are truly amazing.

Located on 20 acres in the beautiful South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, NJ, Essex County Turtle Back Zoo exhibits species from five continents. Naturalistic exhibits located throughout the zoo’s landscaped grounds offer the perfect recreational and educational experience. Turtle Back Zoo is committed to fostering excellence in wildlife education and conservation, so that present and future generations are inspired to understand, appreciate and protect the fragile interdependence of all living things

American Alligator- One of two alligator species in the world. The other is smaller and found in China.
- Record size for alligators is 5.5m (18’). Largest crocodilian (based on a skull) is 7.46m (24.3’) for a saltwater crocodile.
- 23 species found in warmer habitats world wide
- Alligators have broader snouts and the 4th tooth on the lower jaw fits into a groove and is not visible when the mouth is closed. Crocodiles have a more slender snout and the 4th tooth is exposed when the mouth is closed
- Some dig nests, others (like the alligator) build a nest of vegetation - Sex of alligator babies is determined by the incubation temperature between days 7-21. Temperatures below 30C (78F) produce all females; above 34C (93F) produces all male. Temps in between produce both sexes
- Females of many species are excellent mothers and will protect nests and young
- Threatened by habitat destruction and the skin trade
- Long lived. Reports up to 100 years

Red Eared Slider (water turtle)
- Found in the SE US. Invasive species now found throughout NJ
- Commonly sold as pets in the early 70s. Adult females grow to ~12”
- It has been illegal to sell turtles under 4” in the US since 1975
- 288 species found in temperate and tropical regions of the world. Identified by the shell.
- Smallest is the cape tortoise 10cm (<4”). Largest is the leatherback sea turtle 300cm (10’) and 900 kg (1984 lbs)
- Herbivorous (tortoises), omnivorous (box turtles); carnivorous (many aquatic turtles).
- Many species are threatened by the Asian food markets where they are considered a socially significant food item. ½ of Asian turtle species are endangered and species from around the world are being imported to fill the gap. In a single year, >7,000,000 pounds of turtles were imported and consumed in Hong Kong alone.

Blue Tongue Skink
- BT skinks are found in Australia.
- Blue tongue is used to frighten predators.
- Tongues in other species are used to catch prey (chameleons), as a sensing organ (monitors); to clean their eyes (some gecko species).
- 4000+ species of lizards are found on all continents except Antarctica.
- Some, like leopard geckos are good pets; others like green iguanas can grow to 6’ and are too large for most homes.
- Komodo dragons are considered the largest lizard and can grow to 10’ and 200 lbs, although longer crocodile monitors have been reported

Boa Constrictor
- Mexico – Argentina
- Max length 4.2 meters (13.8 ft) largest snake – reticulated python 10.1 m (33 ft)
- Snakes are feared because they are “different” no limbs, no eyelids, no fur/feathers, have an elongated face (wolf-like, predatory)
- Between 200-400 vertebrae & pairs of ribs
- Ectothermic – they do not produce a body temperature, therefore have a much lower food requirement. Many snakes feed once every week or two.
- Some are born alive others hatch from eggs
- All snakes are carnivorous in some fashion. Able to swallow large prey by “unhinging” their upper & lower jaws. The jaws move independently.
- Tongue is a sensing organ used to detect odor particles
- ~3000 species of snakes on all continents except Antarctica
- ~450 species of venomous snakes (only 19%) of all snakes

For more on the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and get involved reptile awareness causes, visit www.turtlebackzoo.com.