Honolulu Zoo, part three: behind the scenes.

[urbpan]

I was watching a keeper at her job and asked her a dumb question, but one that showed that I was in the business. (I actually wanted to know the answer to the question: "Are you removing toxic plants, or cutting browse?" I wasn't just trying to show that I was cool guy who knows zoo jargon.) She explained what she was doing (cutting browse--though I never learned what the climbing ground cover she was cutting actually was) and asked if I worked in the field. Quite unexpectedly, Becky--a herp keeper--offered to give my dad and I a tour behind the scenes in the reptile area! Here's what we saw:


A Suriname toad, a bizarre looking amphibian with an even more bizarre form of reproduction. I'll let you google it--it gives some people the creeps just imagining it.


A pancake tortoise!


and its cage mate, a lizard of a species I've totally forgotten. Handsome devil, though!


Spectacularly beautiful baby star tortoises.


A huge Bufo marinus (Neotropical toad, marine toad, cane toad, etc.) These were introduced to Hawaii to help control sugar cane pests, but they aren't the huge problem they are in Australia. This individual found herself into one of the enclosures so the zoo decided to keep her. Then she developed some health problems and is recovering nicely from two major abdominal surgeries. She's easily bigger than my outstretched hand (damn, should have put something for scale in this picture!)


And my favorite. Favorite at the zoo, favorite all-time reptile, and the reason when I'm asked "If money were no object where's the one place on earth you would visit?" I always say "Komodo." Isn't she gorgeous?!

After we stood there for a while talking about her and admiring her, she decided to come a little closer. And me with open-toed shoes! All together this was a real highlight! The Honolulu Zoo is great--definitely the best I've been to. The people of Hawaii are lucky.

Thanks so much, Becky!

Comments

[vampyrusgirl.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, I love Surinam toads and their weird back-explosion birthing! The aquarium used to have one, but I don't think he's there anymore. I often contact zoos ahead of time to aks for a behind-the-scenes tour, but not always. I did that for when we went to the Dublin zoo, and it was awesome! Sometimes I just want to go as a visitor, but I also have no problem playing the 'in the field' card sometimes, either. :)

[grace-batmonkey.livejournal.com]

I *would* be seething with jealousy, but you do such a great job of documenting and kindly sharing your special treatment that I can't find it in myself to even feel light envy :)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the extra-keen Komodo footage. My gods, what fascinating critters!

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

the surinam toad isn't quite as spectacular when babies aren't exploding out of it.

i like the pancake tortoise the best.

[interfecta.livejournal.com]

That remark was deliberately calculated to incite curiosity, sir.

I applaud you.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

also, i love that everyone gets to eat hibiscus flowers.

[signsoflife.livejournal.com]

I've been to Rinca. The dragons kind of lie there. We actually had a job convincing our guide NOT to hit the poor things with his stick.

[bellelvsbeast.livejournal.com]

I love Komodos too!!! Absolutely hands down my favorite lizards...that's why I want to get a monitor, their slightly smaller cousins...they look so similar and are legal to own...I am going to build a huge backyard enclosure for it! :) Dan says he's ok with it, as long as I get a better paying job. AWESOME...;) I am jealous you saw a Komodo, I haven't seen one since I was in 5th grade and went to the Wash. D.C. zoo...sad I think the Oakland Zoo near me has some! :) I should go soon...
That's SO COOL you got a behind the scenes tour...so lucky...;)
Those star tortoises are gorgeous...
That lizard looks like some sort of skink, but I am not expert...:P

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

don't feed them after midnite!

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[jilder.livejournal.com]

Surinam toads were the main reason I wanted to become a herpetologist as a kid. Cane toads are the main reason I didn't - I might have hissed a little at the monitor when I scrolled to her. She's a very dark colour, I note. Is that a Hawaiian adaptation? Ours over here tend to be fawn and lighter browns.

[hannah-jane.livejournal.com]

Interesting stuff. I'd like to add you if you don't mind. :)

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Not at all! Nice to have another zookeeper and birder reading. :)