Reptiles & Amphibians
Though both tetrapod (four-footed, mostly) and exothermic (cold-blooded), reptiles and amphibians form two distinct groups with defining characteristics. This station contains live specimens. Particular care must be exercised when handling live specimens.
Reptiles have smooth, dry, scaly skin. Baby reptiles are born from eggs with leathery shells, and can be oviparous (eggs are laid, and then babies hatch from the egg) or viviparous (eggs form internally and hatch internally, and then emerge from the mother as if there were no eggs at all). Baby reptiles are born resembling the body plan of their parents.
Amphibians have no scales, and engage in some respiration through their damp skin. Amphibians usually spend some of their time in water and some on land as adults, and they spend all of their time in water as young. Amphibians are born from jelly-like eggs, and the babies are born with a very different body plan than their parents. Throughout the amphibian's life cycle, it undergoes metamorphosis to arrive at its adult stage.
Reptiles have smooth, dry, scaly skin. Baby reptiles are born from eggs with leathery shells, and can be oviparous (eggs are laid, and then babies hatch from the egg) or viviparous (eggs form internally and hatch internally, and then emerge from the mother as if there were no eggs at all). Baby reptiles are born resembling the body plan of their parents.
Amphibians have no scales, and engage in some respiration through their damp skin. Amphibians usually spend some of their time in water and some on land as adults, and they spend all of their time in water as young. Amphibians are born from jelly-like eggs, and the babies are born with a very different body plan than their parents. Throughout the amphibian's life cycle, it undergoes metamorphosis to arrive at its adult stage.
Rough-skinned Newt
Taricha granulosa
The Rough-skinned newt is known for the toxin it produces to avoid predators. Though many newts are toxic, the Rough-skinned Newt and its close relatives are extremely potent. Usually ingestion is necessary to be affected, but occasionally skin irritation can occur.
The common garter snake possesses a resistance to the toxin in the form of a misshapen protein. Normally the toxin binds to a tube-shaped protein, which then functions as a sodium channel in the nerve cells to cause paralysis and death. Several garter snake populations have a genetic disposition to that same protein being configured to resist the binding of the toxin. Garter snakes with this particular resistance are the only known animals that can eat a Rough-skinned Newt and survive.
The Rough-skinned Newts in this station are temporary visitors, and are caught from the pond every few days.
Taricha granulosa
The Rough-skinned newt is known for the toxin it produces to avoid predators. Though many newts are toxic, the Rough-skinned Newt and its close relatives are extremely potent. Usually ingestion is necessary to be affected, but occasionally skin irritation can occur.
The common garter snake possesses a resistance to the toxin in the form of a misshapen protein. Normally the toxin binds to a tube-shaped protein, which then functions as a sodium channel in the nerve cells to cause paralysis and death. Several garter snake populations have a genetic disposition to that same protein being configured to resist the binding of the toxin. Garter snakes with this particular resistance are the only known animals that can eat a Rough-skinned Newt and survive.
The Rough-skinned Newts in this station are temporary visitors, and are caught from the pond every few days.
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Rubber Boa
Charina bottae Rubber Boas are extremely docile and slow-moving snakes, which makes them ideal for handling with reluctant children (or student leaders!) Rubber Boas never bite or strike as a defense mechanism, although they may excrete musk if they feel threatened. Rubber Boas eat a variety of small animals, but they prefer nestling rodents (a.k.a. baby mice) and will eat the entire litter while fending off the mother with their blunt tail. Most wild Rubber Boas have extensive scarring on their tail because of this. Since they neither bite, nor move quickly, Rubber Boas' best defense against predators is their reclusive nature. They hide, burrow, and emerge primarily at night. The current Rubber Boa in this station is McGonagall. Her predecessor was named Salazar, after Salazar Slytherin from the Harry Potter book series, so McGonagall is named for Professor Minerva McGonagall from the same series. |
Northern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria principis The Northern Alligator Lizard is so called because of its resemblance to an alligator. Alligator lizards are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. They eat a variety of small invertebrates. Northern Alligator Lizards can lose their tails when threatened, and like some other lizards, the lost tail will grow back. Lizards with this adaptation have a central area of their tail with bones that break easily and muscles that pull apart easily. The blood vessels in this region constrict to stop the bleeding when this occurs. The Northern Alligator Lizard in this station is named Neil, after Armstrong, Gaiman, DeGrasse Tyson, and Patrick Harris. |
