Zoochat Challenge North America 2023

I think I would be kicked out of Texas if I did not choose Team Lizard :p Good thing I find them more interesting anyways. Not that I won't be keeping track of primates for fun as well!

With that, I had a very successful first visit of the year yesterday -- Only two no-show lizards!


Fort Worth Zoo (Fort Worth, TX) -- 07 January 2023:
  1. Chinese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus)

  2. Dabb uromastyx (Uromastyx acanthinura)

  3. Decary’s leaf chameleon (Brookesia decaryi)

  4. Dwarf shield-tailed agama (Xenagama taylori)

  5. Fiji banded iguana (Brachylophus bulabula)

  6. Frilled lizard (Chlymydosaurus kingii)

  7. Giant leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus giganteus)

  8. Giant Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma grandis)

  9. Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum)

  10. Grand Cayman blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi)

  11. Haitian giant anole (Anolis ricordii)

  12. Haitian giant galliwasp (Celestus warreni)

  13. Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

  14. Mossy leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)

  15. New Caledonia giant gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus)

  16. Northern caiman lizard (Dracaena guianensis)

  17. Philippine sailfin dragon (Hydrosaurus pustulatus)

  18. Philippine tree skink (Lamprolepis smaragdina)

  19. Plumed basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)

  20. Quince monitor (Varanus melinus)

  21. Reisinger’s tree monitor (Varanus reisingeri)

  22. San Esteban chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius)

  23. Southern banded knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus wheeleri)

  24. Terrestrial arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia graminea)

  25. Utila Island spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura bakeri)
 
Coelacanth18 said:
So does Fort Worth have two species of Uromastyx and you both happened to only see different ones, or is one of these IDs wrong?
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Fort Worth only has one species of Uromastyx. @nczoofan has given the species listed on the sign; however, a lot of the signage in MOLA still uses a lot of outdated taxonomy and/or identification. Fort Worth’s animals are U. acanthinura.
 
I wasn't sure which one to pick (primates or lizards) until fate had it and I've seen a bunch of monkeys already this year (I'm keeping a side lizard count because of a few facilities I plan on visiting this year.

1/3/23
Jax Zoo
1. Bonobo
2. W. Lowland Gorilla
3. E. Colobus
4. Coquerals Sifaka
5. Ringtail Lemur
6. Mongoose Lemur
7. Siamang
8. Black Howler
9. Squirrel Monkey

1/4/23
Busch Gardens
10. Chimpanzee
11. Red Ruffed Lemur
12. Bornean Orangutan
13. N. White Cheek Gibbon

FL International Teaching Zoo
14. Cotton Top Tamarin
15. Patas Monkey

1/5/23
Lowry Park Zoo of Tampa (whatever it's called now a days)
16. Hamadryas Baboon
17. Mandrill
18. Angolan Colobus
19. Collard Lemur
20. Schmidts Guenon
21. Golden Lion Tamarin
22. Bolivian Titi

1/8/23
Suncoast Primate Sanctuary
23. Olive Baboon
24. White Face Capuchin
25. Tufted Capuchin
26. Black Handed Spider Monkey
27. Common Brown Lemur
28. Tonkean Macaque
29. Assam Macaque
30. Javan (Crab eater) Macaque
31. Pig Tail Macaque
32. Rhesus Macaque
33. Japanese Macaque
 
I've seen a few lists without them now, so I just want to make sure @Coelacanth18, scientific names are still being required in this years Zoo Chat Challenge, correct?
I know it's a common issue with new players (I'm not blaming or criticizing anyone- I made this same mistake my first year playing) to omit scientific names so if they are still being required, it might be nice to remind everyone so from now on everyone's lists include them. There may also be some confusion over this since global is not requiring them this year.

@PSO wow, that Suncoast Primate Sanctuary seems to have a rather impressive collection of macaque species! I've never heard of it before, but I'm assuming it's a legitimate sanctuary with former lab animals, etc.?
 
I can add scientific names, just missed that part

@Neil chace it's a family run primate facility NW of Tampa. Originally it was a chimpanzee breeding facility that started in the 50's. When the original owner got to old to run it she willed it to her daughter and has been a place for primates that needed new housing. Majority of macaques came from various labs and studies. Some are either unwanted pets, retired performers or confiscated from FWC
 
PSO said:
I can add scientific names, just missed that part

@Neil chace it's a family run primate facility NW of Tampa. Originally it was a chimpanzee breeding facility that started in the 50's. When the original owner got to old to run it she willed it to her daughter and has been a place for primates that needed new housing. Majority of macaques came from various labs and studies. Some are either unwanted pets, retired performers or confiscated from FWC
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I would hardly call that a facility. It is a prison from me looks at it. No amount of points that I would get from this place could ever wash away the sins from even contributing them the entrance fee regardless.
 
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PSO said:
@Neil chace it's a family run primate facility NW of Tampa. Originally it was a chimpanzee breeding facility that started in the 50's. When the original owner got to old to run it she willed it to her daughter and has been a place for primates that needed new housing. Majority of macaques came from various labs and studies. Some are either unwanted pets, retired performers or confiscated from FWC
Click to expand...

Is it any better than in the past? When I was a volunteer with the primates in the late 90s at ZT/LPZ we tried to donate enrichment to them and they refused it. I have, honestly, always had a poor view of the place.
 
re: Scientific Names
Technically required per the rules, but I'm flexible with it - especially with recognizing that some zoos don't provide them.

For primates I don't foresee having to be too strict about it because there's not many species to mix up; however, if I need a Latin name and you can't provide one it might not get counted.

For lizards it's more important. There are too many interchangeable common names and similar species; if I'm not given Latin I will probably need clarifications on most updates.
 
Good news: I found out why I wasn't able to bold, add spoilers etc. and can now make pretty lists. I just got back from the Prospect Park Zoo and have some wonderful additions to contribute.

Prospect Park Zoo 1/12

1. Common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) – Central Park Zoo 1/7
2. Oriente anole (Anolis smalwoodi) – Central Park Zoo 1/7
3. Solomon Island prehensile-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata) – Central Park Zoo 1/7
4. Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) – Central Park Zoo 1/7
5. Chinese crocodile skink (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) – Prospect Park Zoo 1/12
6. Green iguana (Iguana iguana) – Prospect Park Zoo 1/12
7. Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus henkeli) – Prospect Park Zoo 1/12
 
Leaf Productions said:
I would hardly call that a facility. It is a prison from me looks at it. No amount of points that I would get from this place could ever wash away the sins from even contributing them the entrance fee regardless.
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It's certainly up to everyone where their line is for visiting poor collections, and looking at a few photos I wouldn't visit Suncoast myself. Having said that, the implicit criticism of PSO and hint that they shouldn't count is out of line.
 
@CGSwans I very much appreciate your comment. People are quick to have there opinion but do nothing after that. Used to it at this point.
 
Kudu21 said:
I think I would be kicked out of Texas if I did not choose Team Lizard :p Good thing I find them more interesting anyways. Not that I won't be keeping track of primates for fun as well!

With that, I had a very successful first visit of the year yesterday -- Only two no-show lizards!


Fort Worth Zoo (Fort Worth, TX) -- 07 January 2023:
  1. Chinese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus)
  2. Dabb uromastyx (Uromastyx acanthinura)
  3. Decary’s leaf chameleon (Brookesia decaryi)
  4. Dwarf shield-tailed agama (Xenagama taylori)
  5. Fiji banded iguana (Brachylophus bulabula)
  6. Frilled lizard (Chlymydosaurus kingii)
  7. Giant leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus giganteus)
  8. Giant Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma grandis)
  9. Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum)
  10. Grand Cayman blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi)
  11. Haitian giant anole (Anolis ricordii)
  12. Haitian giant galliwasp (Celestus warreni)
  13. Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
  14. Mossy leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)
  15. New Caledonia giant gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus)
  16. Northern caiman lizard (Dracaena guianensis)
  17. Philippine sailfin dragon (Hydrosaurus pustulatus)
  18. Philippine tree skink (Lamprolepis smaragdina)
  19. Plumed basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)
  20. Quince monitor (Varanus melinus)
  21. Reisinger’s tree monitor (Varanus reisingeri)
  22. San Esteban chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius)
  23. Southern banded knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus wheeleri)
  24. Terrestrial arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia graminea)
  25. Utila Island spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura bakeri)
Click to expand...
Upon further investigation, I was able to confirm that the Cyclura iguana on exhibit at For Worth is not, in fact, a Grand Cayman blue iguana ( C. lewisi) but is rather an Anegada rock iguana (C. pinguis). The Cyclura I saw today, however, was a genuine Grand Cayman blue.

Cameron Park Zoo (Waco, TX) -- 14 January 2023:
26. Crocodile monitor (Varanus salvadorii)
27. Emerald tree monitor (Varanus prasinus)
28. Grand Cayman blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi)
29. Green anole (Anolis carolinensis)
30. Prehensile-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata)
31. Spiny-tailed monitor (Varanus acanthurus)
 
Thank you @Kudu21 for the information. I have made those adjustments to my initial list and will repost below. I also added the leaf tailed gecko species at the Fort Worth Zoo that I was in the process of identifying.

I also visited the San Antonio Zoo yesterday. My visit was brief as I got carried away at one of the city's great museums, but still got a whole bunch of species to add.

Fort Worth Zoo (1/1):
1. Anegada rock iguana (Cyclura pinguis)
2. Northern Caiman Lizard (Dracaena guianensis)
3. Plumed Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons
4. Fiji-Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus)
5. Frill-Neck Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)
6. Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum)
7. New Caledonia Giant Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus)
8. Chinese Crocodile Lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus)
9. Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
10. Emerald Tree Skink (Lamprolepis smaragdina)
11. Mexican Alligator Lizard (Abronia graminea)
12. Utila Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura bakeri)
13. Haitian giant galliwasp (Caribicus warren)
14. Reisinger’s Tree Monitor (Varanus reisingeri)
15. San Esteban Chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius)
16. Haitan Green Anole (Anolis ricordii)
17. Southern Banded Knob-Tailed Gecko (Nephrurus wheeleri)
18. Dabb uromastyx (Uromastyx acanthinura)
19. Giant leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus giganteus)
20. Mossy leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)

Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science (1/5):
21. Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)

San Antonio Zoo:
22. East African Spiny Tailed Lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum)
23. Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi)
24. Pygmy spiny-tailed skink (Egrenia depressa)
25. Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)
26. Ornate mastigure (Uromastyx Ornata)
27. Henkel's Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus henkeli)
28. Shield-Tailed Agama (Xenagama taylori)
29. Spiny-Neck Monitor (Varanus spinulosus)
30. Giant Day Gecko (Phelsuma grandis)
31. Giant Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma asio)
32. Psychedelic Rock Gecko (Cnemaspis psychedelica)
33. Sierra alligator lizard (Barisia ciliaris)
34. Eastern Pilbara Spiny Tailed Skink (Egernia epsisolus)
35. Knob-scaled lizard (Xenosaurus grandis)
36. Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus)
37. Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti)
38. Carpet Chameleon (Furcifer lateralis)
 
Third zoo of the year today, and the first where I saw primates!

Rosamond Gifford Zoo:
1. Black-and-White Colobus- Colobus guereza
2. Siamang- Symphalangus syndactylus
3. Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur- Varecia variagata
4. Golden Lion Tamarin- Leontopithecus rosalia
5. Moholi Bushbaby- Galago moholi

Unfortunately, the Patas Monkeys were a no-show today. Luckily it should be easy enough for me to return here later this year and see the species.
 
Everyone's scores have been updated.

Coelacanth18 said:
Lizards
California Living Museum (Jan 8)
1. Common Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater)
2. Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
3. Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata)
4. Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum)
Click to expand...

My new update. No primates again, so I'm sticking with lizards.

Lizards
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Jan 13)
5. San Esteban Chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius)
6. Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus)

And that's it! I didn't see the Madrean Alligator Lizard, and although the museum has their spiny-tailed iguana signed I don't feel confident enough about the ID to personally count it. Saw plenty of snakes though :rolleyes:
 
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ZooElephantsMan said:
I’ve never done the Zoochat Challenge before, but I decided that I will try it out this year. I plan to play pretty casually since this is my first time, and I’m gonna be aiming for primates. Today I saw two relatively common species, but it will be interesting to see how my list continues to develop throughout the next twelve months.

Stone Zoo, Stoneham, MA (1/08/23)
  1. Black and White Colobus Monkey (colobus guereza)
  2. Cotton-Top Tamarin (saguinus oedipus)
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Today we had uncharacteristically warm weather in New England, and I was able to take advantage of it with a trip to the Buttonwood Park Zoo! This zoo had been on my to-visit list for a while, and I really enjoyed going. I might write a review/trip report in the next week or so.

Buttonwood Park Zoo, New Bedford, MA (1/18/23)

3. Bolivian grey titi (Callicebus donacophilus)
4. Western pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea)
5. Goeldi's marmoset (Callimico goeldii)
6. Nancy Ma's night monkey (Aotus nancymaae)
7. Golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas)
 
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Neil chace said:
Third zoo of the year today, and the first where I saw primates!

Rosamond Gifford Zoo:
1. Black-and-White Colobus- Colobus guereza
2. Siamang- Symphalangus syndactylus
3. Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur- Varecia variagata
4. Golden Lion Tamarin- Leontopithecus rosalia
5. Moholi Bushbaby- Galago moholi

Unfortunately, the Patas Monkeys were a no-show today. Luckily it should be easy enough for me to return here later this year and see the species.
Click to expand...
Four zoos and it's still January... this might be a record for me.

Buffalo Zoo:
6. Western Lowland Gorilla- Gorilla gorilla gorilla
7. Japanese Macaque- Macaca fuscata fuscata
8. Black-Capped Squirrel Monkey- Samiri boliviensis
9. Pale-Faced Saki- Pithecia pithecia
10. Brown Capuchin- Cebus apella
 
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