I'm not a fan of this Reptile House at all, with some of the terrariums being downright scandalous. This one for a Chuckwalla is a prime example. The AZA turns a blind eye...or the standards are perilously low.
@snowleopard File a complaint with the AZA then. You say they turn a blind eye but there is absolutely nothing about these habitats that violates any regulation or standard by the AZA. Next time you're in CO, I'd love to talk with you personally and maybe even with the specific keepers of this building. This area is run by reptile professionals and the enclosures are improving every year. It is unprofessional to post these sort of criticisms on this forum without consulting the zoo themselves.
@Echobeast Meeting criteria doesn't always mean it's great for the animal. This lizard has no climbing area, no enrichment, no secure place to hide given how wide the opening to the jug is.
@TinoPup Agreed. Given the normal Chuckwalla exhibits I am used to seeing this is small for a rather active lizard and does not allow any climbing or privacy.
Zoos can keep reptiles like private keepers do in bins with little space, yet they should not aim for the bare minimum and the bare minimum may often do little to educate visitors.
@Echobeast Criticism forces changes to be made. For example, enough criticism over elephant exhibits in the past few decades has resulted in a widespread overhaul of elephant enclosures in American zoos.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is certainly a great facility in many ways, and I've praised it quite often over the years, but a lot of the terrariums in the Reptile House are absolutely awful. Abject, deplorable tanks with almost zero enrichment, little natural substrate and many are far too tiny for their inhabitants. I cannot see how anyone can defend the Chuckwalla enclosure in the photo. There's not even a tree branch for height. Ugh. The tank is a gaudy disaster.
Been there several times. Indeed seeing a snake on glass beads is strange concept. From what I read about principle of the exhibits here is to educate public of beauty of reptiles. Though the man made elements would be further from consideration of meeting actual needs of reptile species (hiding, camouflage, climbing)
