Masterplan of my "absolute" zoo

[Haliaeetus]

Sorry @CrashMegaraptor, no Tarantulas yet, maybe in the 2022 version of the Zoo...

we've now finished the invertebrates section of the Vivarium, and we discover the following section, dedicated to many species of European amphibians and reptiles (20-28).
For now the amphibians are much more numerous, but the arrival of new species of reptiles could happen in the next years.
All these species are displayed in the purpose to breed, and reintroduce (at least partly) the offspring in the wild.

The Zoo supports conservation programs of native herps and amphibians in France, as in Brenne and Val de Loire.

First there are numerous aquaterraria for common and rarer species of amphibians, with small ponds and zones with organic matters in decomposition, stumps and other hides ; in consequence some of the animals could be quite difficult to see.

The displayed species are :

• 20) Alpine Newt Ichthyosaura alpestris (3.4)
• 21) Palmate Newt Lissotriton helveticus (1.0)
• 22) Spanish Spadefoot Toad Pelobates cultripes (4.2)
• 23) European Green Toad Bufotes viridis (2.3)
• 24) Common Midwife Toad Alytes obstetricans (1.0)
• 25) Southern Spectacled Salamander Salamandrina terdigitata (2.4)
• 26) Fire Salamander Salamandra salamandra (2.0)
• 27) Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita (3.1)

Palmate Newt :

(Credits : Merintia)

Newt enclosure :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

European Green Toad :

(Credits : Ituri)

Toad enclosure :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Common Midwife Toad :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

Fire Salamander :

(Credits : TheoV)

Fire Salamander enclosure :

(Credits : KevinB)

Natterjack Toad :

(Credits : DesertRhino150)

Natterjack Toad enclosure :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

The last terrarium (28) is much drier and rocky, with some grass and succulents. It looks like the Natterjack Terrarium but it's longer.
It's the home of Asp Vipers Vipera aspis (1.2). These snakes have already bred successfully in the Zoo, they are for now the only European reptiles to be displayed in this part of the Vivarium (a few Mediterranean species can be seen later).

Asp Viper :

(Credits : TeaLovingDave)

The building of a larger, outdoor exhibit for them is planned (let's wait the 2022 version to see if it will be realized...).

Then the path brings us to the second part of the Amphibian exhibit, dedicated this time to extra-European (mainly tropical) species. Some of them are threatened and are part of breeding programs.
This complex (29-38) is composed of 10 larger terraria or aquaterraria, with rich vegetation and many hides, creating ambiances of forests, swamps, lakes or streams in function of the species displayed. The decoration makes a jungle exotic ambiance.

The displayed species are :

• 29) Golden Mantella Mantella aurantiaca (16.45)
• 30) Axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum (37.50)
• 31) Sao Tomé Caecilian Schistometopum thomense (5.1)
• 32) Surinam Toad Pipa pipa (3.4)
• 33) Paradoxical Frog Pseudis paradoxa (4.5)
• 34) Rose's Ghost Frog Heleophryne rosei (3.2) ; this species is particularly rare in nature and zoos, endemic to the Cape Region in South Africa and listed as CR by the IUCN, these individuals have been sent by a South African research station ;
• 35) Gold-spotted Marsupial Frog Gastrotheca aureomaculata (7.10)
• 36) Japanese Giant Salamander Andrias japonicus (5.0)
• 37) Banded Bull Frog Kaloula pulchra (5.6)
• 38) White-lipped Frog Amnirana albolabris (4.1)

The high numbers of Mantellas and Axolotls are explained by numerous births during 2020 year : 56 Golden Mantellas (14.42) and 60 Axolotls (30.30). They are being transfered to other zoos and facilities during this year.

I add that the Zoo supports conservation programs in favour of the threatened amphibians and ecosystems of Eastern Madagascar and Cape Province in South Africa.
Information about the ecological specificities of these biozones and threats they endure are explained in this section.

Golden Mantella :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Golden Mantella exhibit :

(Credits : gulogulogulo)

Axolotl :

(Credits : Escher Nicholls)

Axolotl enclosure :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

Surinam Toad :

(Credits : Dormitator)

Surinam Toad exhibit :

(Credits : gulogulogulo)

Japanese Giant Salamander :

(Credits : FunkyGibbon)

Japanese Giant Salamander exhibit :

(Credits : bisonblake)

Banded Bull Frog :

(Credits : Peter)

Banded Bull Frog enclosure :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

That's all for the amphibians.

In the next days I'll describe you the sections properly dedicated to the many reptile species of the Zoo.

Now I let you comment your impressions about the sections described here, the amphibian collection, the projects.

See you later !

 

[CrashMegaraptor]

No no no, no tarantulas is a GOOD thing! That's why I commend you.

 

[Haliaeetus]

No no no, no tarantulas is a GOOD thing! That's why I commend you.

I love tarantulas. And cockroaches too !!!
I hope they will find a home in the next version of my zoo

 

[CrashMegaraptor]

I love tarantulas. And cockroaches too !!!
I hope they will find a home in the next version of my zoo

Yeah, well, I don't like tarantulas. XD Hence why I'm happy they're not there.

 

[Bengal Tiger]

I love tarantulas. And cockroaches too !!!
I hope they will find a home in the next version of my zoo

I hope so too

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

now we come into the most spectacular part of the Vivarium, with several units of terraria and aquaterraria displaying reptiles of various tropical and subtropical ecosystems.

It begins with a sector planted with orchids, bromeliads, ferns and other rainforest plants, that create a tropical atmosphere. There are also snake moults hanging from the ceilings.

Several terraria (39-45) display here some species of forest reptiles.

It begins with two terraria, the smallest of the unit but 2 m high and furnished with rich scrub vegetation for lizards of the Mediterranean and Southern United States.

The species displayed are :

• 39) Mediterranean Chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon (0.2)
• 40) Green Anole Anolis carolinensis (1.7)

7 Green Anoles have hatched in 2020, they can be seen in the nursery, before their departure to other facilities.

Mediterranean Chameleon :

(Credits : devilfish)

Green Anole :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

The next exhibit (41) is a very large, circular, terrarium, with a lot of vegetation, stumps and even a cave to provide a hide for its dwellers.
Several large terraria of this shape exist in the Vivarium, dedicated to the largest species of snakes and lizards, we'll discover then.

This one is the lair of Reticulated Python Malayopython reticulatus (2.2).
The two pairs of pythons displayed here have already bred in the past.
In spite of their enormous size, they can be very hard to find in their habitat.

Reticulated Python :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Three terraria (42-44) mix vegetation, stumps, rocky zones, artificial streams and mulch, and display minor species of snakes and lizards :

• 42) Malagasy Tree Boa Sanzinia madagascariensis (1.2)
• 43) Borneo Earless Monitor Lanthanotus borneensis (1.0)
• 44) Red-tailed Ratsnake Gonyostoma oxycephalum (2.2)

The Earless Monitor is the hardest species to see, while it's easy to find the shiny green Ratsnakes. The Tree Boas aren't difficult to find but they're frequently asleep in their hides.

Malagasy Tree Boa terrarium :

(Credits : red river hog)

Malagasy Tree Boa :

(Credits : KevinB)

Borneo Earless Monitor :

(Credits : RatioTile)

Red-tailed Ratsnake exhibit :

(Credits : gulogulogulo)

Red-tailed Ratsnake :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

The last terrarium of the unit (45) is very large and circular, on the model of the Reticulated Python exhibit previously described but with more rocks and a small pond.

Here we can find Amethystine Python Simalia amethistina (2.1) from North-Eastern Australia.

Amethystine Python exhibit :

(Credits : KevinB)

Amethystine Python :

(Credits : KevinB)

(to follow)

 

[Haliaeetus]

The next unit of exhibits (46-54) are dedicated to aquatic species. The ambiance changes and looks more refreshing with still a lot of vegetation (with more mosses, ferns and Gunnera), but also a stream that crosses many terraria and even saltwater pools, I'll describe their utility then.

It begins with a row of aquaterraria (46-50) dedicated to many species of turtles from different parts of the world. As these exhibits are naturally lighted with skylights, it's frequent to see them sunbathing in summer months, in near-natural ambiances. When the days are darker, the natural light is completed by artificial lights (sunbathing lights type). The ground is mostly covered with sand, with some small mulch areas, trunks, stumps and even reedbeds and lotuses.
The reptiles can also be seen in water with submarine vision.

For now we can see here the following species :

• 46) Indian Roofed Turtle Pangshura tecta (2.3)
• 47) Nile Softshelled Turtle Trionyx triunguis (1.2)
• 48) Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta (0.3)
• 49) Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina (2.1)
• 50) Helmeted Turtle Pelomedusa subrufa (4.2)

Indian Roofed Turtle :

(Credits : jayjds2)

Nile Softshelled Turtles exhibit :

(Credits : animalman0341)

Nile Softshell Turtle :

(Credits : TheGerenuk)

Painted Turtle :

(Credits : CheeseChameleon1945)

Snapping Turtles aquaterrarium and pool :

(Credits : Antoine)

Common Snapping Turtle :

(Credits : Elephantelephant)

Helmeted Turtles pool :

(Credits : Antoine)

Helmeted Turtle :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

As many turtles are primary victims of the animal trafficking (the Indian Roofed and Helmeted Turtles have been seized by the customs at the French borders), the Zoo presents an area dedicated to the prevention of poaching.
We can see here samples of scales, eggs and naturalized specimens of sea, land and freshwater species of turtles, and also information about a program led by the Zoo in Cambodia in order to deter the turtle trafficking (like in the Oceanian Zone for the parrots..., see back to the reply #52 of this thread) and turn local communities into the guardians of their turtles and rivers.

The next exhibit (51) is very large. It looks like a large chunk of rocky shore with burrows, plateaux, cacti (Opuntia, Cereus...) and sandy areas, above a large saltwater pool.
Large windows allow to see the animals in water.
Two species, for now unique in Europe, can be seen here :

• Marine Iguana Amblyrhynchus cristatus (3.1)
• Galapagos Land Iguana Conolophus subcristatus (1.2)

The first species haven't bred yet in the Zoo, but the latter has successfully managed to lay eggs, allowing to raise some young iguanas, then sent to the Galapagos National Park.

Marine Iguana :

(Credits : Giant Eland)

Galapagos Land Iguana :

(Credits : RatioTile)

Two small aquaterraria (52-53) follow, they are filled with swampy vegetation (reedbeds, lotus, trunks...) and glass windows that allow a submarine vision.
They are dedicated to common species of aquatic snakes :

• 52) Bocourt's Mud Snake Subsessor bocourti (1.2)
• 53) Indian Water-snake Fowlea piscator (2.2), unique in Europe for now

Both species have successfully bred in the Zoo in the past.

Bocourt's Mud Snake :

(Credits : TheoV)

We end the aquatic section of the Vivarium with a large circular aquaterrarium (54) that recreates a mangrove habitat, dedicated to a rare mixed-species exhibit.
Large glass panels can allow to see the reptiles in submarine vision displays, while the emerged part of the exhibits contains sectors of gravel and flat rocks.

Here we can see :

• Sailfin Lizard Hydrosaurus amboinensis (3.1)
• Sumatran Short-tailed Python Python curtus (1.1)

Sailfin Lizard :

(Credits : KevinB)

Sumatran Short-tailed Python :

(Credits : Patrick87)

Now we have finished the "Aquatic" part of the Vivarium.
Later we will describe the following sections of this building, dedicated to much drier landscapes...

I let you comment these parts of the Vivarium, your impressions and suggestions about them.

Staty in touch !

 

[Batto]

All these species are displayed in the purpose to breed, and reintroduce (at least partly) the offspring in the wild.

That might be a bit tricky with the single male specimens... In general, I find it rather odd how you always stress how many (fictional) offspring your (fictional) animals have.
Serious long-term breeding projects require more than just one or two pairs of specimens. No zoo in Europe needs to breed retic pythons or salties.
The Lake Patzcuaro salamander might be a better alternative to the axolotl.
Unless you make a very lucrative deal with Thomas Price and his institution in Uganda, chances are very, very slim that you would be ever able to obtain both Galapagos iguana species for a zoo in Europe.

At least to me, your general approach and ambition of your concept comes more and more across as a species collection.

 

[Haliaeetus]

That might be a bit tricky with the single male specimens... In general, I find it rather odd how you always stress how many (fictional) offspring your (fictional) animals have.
Serious long-term breeding projects require more than just one or two pairs of specimens. No zoo in Europe needs to breed retic pythons or salties.
The Lake Patzcuaro salamander might be a better alternative to the axolotl.
Unless you make a very lucrative deal with Thomas Price and his institution in Uganda, chances are very, very slim that you would be ever able to obtain both Galapagos iguana species for a zoo in Europe.

At least to me, your general approach and ambition of your concept comes more and more across as a species collection.

Hello,
I try to answer to your questions.
About the breeding : it's a purpose for many species, that doesn't mean that there are systematically breeding pairs, that could be limitated by the availability of animals or other factors. You surely know zoos with species (including rare or endangered) represented by only one individual, or same-sex groups. Even if there are both sexes, breeding couldn't be always feasible for diverse reasons, including consanguinity. I assume finally that there are exchanges with other institutions, it's quite frequent among European native species, some of them benefitting from reintreduction programs.
The presence of Axolotls, Reticulated Pythons... is explained because they are popular and well-known species (mixed with rarer ones).
Conversely, the Galapagos Iguanas are much more rarer, but the Land Iguana is successfully bred outside of its range (at least in Japan). And Marine have been displayed in Europe in the past. Both are also emblematic of the Galapagos Islands.

 

[Batto]

Thanks for your reply.
I have no issue with your fictional concept containing common species; it just doesn't make any sense to imagine fictional breeding of retics or salties in European zoos, since there is no demand for them.
For various reasons, and in regard to the species in question, it makes more sense on behalf of breeding, logistics, animal welfare and health to keep as many specimens as possible within one suitable institution (even if you have to keep them separate from one another most of the time) than just constantly exchange single specimens, to justify mere species collections. With limited ressources at play (which is the case for most zoos, except maybe PD), it makes more sense to keep more specimens of less species if you want to breed properly.

And Marine have been displayed in Europe in the past.

Yeah, in the 1960s...
Breeding of Conolophus subcristatus has been too sporadic so far to call it successful. I wouldn't count on both being easily and legally available any time soon.
Galápagos giant tortoises are at least as emblematic, but actually available (at least some (sub)species) in real life.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

we come now in the next section of the Vivarium, dedicated to savanna and desert species (55-64), with various terraria of small and large size.

The ambiance has changed. The scenery is based on rocks, mesas, sand, desert roses and cacti, yucca, euphorbiae... The path looks like a cave or abandoned mine, with some large skylights.

The three first animal exhibits (55-57) are located immediately after the Sailfin Lizard and Blood Python exhibit. Here the ambiance is very lighted and sunny, with a sandy zone, thorn trees and desert roses around.

All the terraria are filled with sand and flat rocks.

We can see the following animals, native of Northern Africa or Middle East :

• 55) Javelin Sand Boa Eryx jaculus (2.2)
• 56) Sudan Plated Lizard Broadleysaurus major (2.1)
• 57) North African Mastigure Uromastys acanthinura (3.1)

Javelin Sand Boa :

(Credits : alexkant)

Sudan Plated Lizard :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

Sudan Plated Lizard terrarium :

(Credits : KevinB)

North African Mastigures :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

North African Mastigures terrarium :

(Credits : KevinB)

The next exhibit (58) is the biggest of the section, it's a large circular terrarium with a sandy landscape, dedicated to a regular breeder of the Zoo, the Savanna Monitor Varanus exanthematicus (1.1).

If only a pair is currently displayed in this exhibit, they have produced 0.0.20 young during the sole year 2020. The young Monitors are kept and displayed in separate terraria of the Nursery (look back, to the North Asian Zone, post #29).

Savanna Monitor :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Savanna Monitor exhibit :

(Credits : KevinB)

We see soon after two terraria (59-60) where the displayed species are Australian, in a landscape of red sand and eucalyptus.

The displayed species are :

• 59) Frill-necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii (2.0)
• 60) Thorny Devil Moloch horridus (3.3), this species is for now unique in Europe.

Frill-necked Lizard :

(Credits : DaLilFishie)

Frill-necked Lizard enclosure :

(Credits : akasha)

Thorny Devil :

(Credits : Chlidonias)

We end this section with four relatively small American-themed terraria (61-64), in a western-like scenery that mimics even a saloon and an abandoned mining town.
There are also cacti, yucca and coniferous trees in these exhibits.

Here we can see the following species :

• 61) Long-nosed Snake Rhinocheilus lecontei (2.0), this species is unique in Europe for now
• 62) Common Pine Snake Pituophis melanoleucus (1.0)
• 63) Gila Monster Heloderma suspectum (0.2)
• 64) Mountain Kingsnake Lampropeltis pyromelana (1.1)

Common Pine Snake :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Gila Monsters :

(Credits : Coelacanth18)

Gila Monster enclosure :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Mountain Kingsnake :

(Credits : Ituri)

Mountain Kingsnake exhibit :

(Credits : animalszoos)

We will carry on our reptile trip in the next days but now I let you give me your impressions and (constructive !) suggestions about this section of the Vivarium.

See you later !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today we go in the following parts of the Vivarium.

Before leaving the savanna/desert section we can find at our left a large flat indoor enclosure, with sandy soil and a small pool (65).

This place is the home of Aldabra Giant Tortoises Aldabrachelys gigantea (1.3).
These individuals (the male KIKI, and the females LOLA, MARGOT and NICOLE), aged between 20 and 35 years, are young for their species.

Aldabra Giant Tortoise :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Aldabra Giant Tortoises' indoor enclosure :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Soon after the Aldabra Tortoises' exhibit we can walk along a row of terraria dedicated to venomous snakes, called the Poison Avenue (66-77).

Here we can learn diverse facts about the venoms and predatory behaviours of snakes (and also the fact that most snakes are non-venomous !), and the research on anti-venomous drugs (the snake bites are an important cause of human deaths in under-developed countries) as well as using the venoms to treat some diseases.

A lot of snake specimens displayed here have been sent by the famous Institut Pasteur, that works on snake venoms in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and that have a partnership with the Zoo.

The exhibits are the only of the Vivarium to not be lighted with skylights, in order to prevent escapings of the snakes.

I add that many venomous snake species breed regularly them, but the young snakes are among the only species to not be displayed to the public, for safety reasons (even very young, they can be dangerous).

It's also possible to skip this section, going directly to the Crocodilian exhibits.

For now we can see the following species in the exhibits of the Poison Avenue :

• 66) Prairie Rattlesnake Crotalus viridis (2.1)
• 67) Gold-ringed Cat Snake Boiga dendrophila (2.0)
• 68) Green Night Adder Causus resimus (2.1), this species is currently unique in Europe
• 69) Shield-nose Snake Aspidelaps scutatus (0.1)
• 70) Common Death Adder Acanthophis antarcticus (1.1)
• 71) Spectacled Cobra Naja naja (1.2)
• 72) Desert Horned Viper Cerastes cerastes (1.1)
• 73) Black-tailed Rattlesnake Crotalus molossus (0.1)
• 74) Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis (2.2)
• 75) King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah (2.1)
• 76) Halys Pit Viper Gloydius halys (0.2)
• 77) Saw-scaled Viper Echis carinatus (2.0)

The births among venomous snakes are numerous : only in 2020, we have seen the hatching of 20 Spectacled Cobras, 9 Prairie Rattlesnakes and 18 Death Adders.

Prairie Rattlesnake :

(Credits : Ituri)

Prairie Rattlesnake exhibit :

(Credits : KevinB)

Golden-ringed Cat Snake :

(Credits : hmb_zoo)

Common Death Adder :

(Credits : jayjds2)

Death Adder exhibit :

(Credits : HOMIN96)

Spectacled Cobra :

(Credits : Batto)

Spectacled Cobra enclosure :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Desert Horned Viper :

(Credits : Antoine)

Desert Horned Viper exhibit :

(Credits : Antoine)

Black-tailed Rattlesnake :

(Credits : TinoPup)

Black-tailed Rattlesnake exhibit :

(Credits : Moebelle)

Black Mamba :

(Credits : twilighter)

Black Mamba exhibit :

(Credits : GrizzlyHound)

King Cobra :

(Credits : Ituri)

King Cobra exhibit :

(Credits : Coelacanth18)

Halys Pit Vipers :

(Credits : Fishapod)

Saw-scaled Viper :

(Credits : Batto)

Saw-scaled Viper exhibit :

(Credits : Moebelle)

(to follow)

 

[Haliaeetus]

After these venomous snakes, we can see the two last indoor exhibits of the Vivarium, dedicated to rare species of Crocodilians (78-79).

The first one (78) is dedicated to Chinese Alligators Alligator sinensis (2.1), called YANGZI, YUNNAN (M) and SUZHOU (F).
These individuals are young and members of a same clutch, so their breeding isn't scheduled.

Only small windows can allow to see the enclosure, that's in fact quite large.

Here we can read information about the conservation status of this crocodilian (critically endangered but slowly increasing thanks to last-ditch conservation efforts ; the tiny remnant wild population can also be "supported" by releases of captive-bred young.
There's also information about the symbolic of the Crocodile in Chinese culture, frequently associated with the mythical Dragon.

Chinese Alligator :

(Credits : Ituri)

Chinese Alligator exhibit :

(Credits : Coelacanth18)

The second one (79) is much larger and mimics a tropical lagoon, crossed by a wooden footbridge.

It's the realm of a troop of Cuban Crocodiles Crocodylus rhombifer (7.2).
These critically endangered reptiles breed indeed in the Zoo ; 31 young have hatched during the sole 2020 year. They can be seen in the Nursery for now and their release in Cuban marshes is planned.

The Cuban Crocodile :

(Credits : gentle lemur)

The Cuban Crocodile lagoon :

(Credits : gulogulogulo)

It's now the time to say goodbye to our indoor part of the Vivarium.

In the next days I will describe the (few) outdoor enclosures of this building. There wouldn't be any new species, but some interesting exhibits (and projects too).

For now I let you comment these last sections of the Vivarium, its species and other characteristics, before closing the 2021 edition of my Absolute Zoo.

See you later !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

now we can see the last exhibits of my Zoo, in the outer parts of the Vivarium :

We won't see any new species, but nice summer exhibits for some of the reptiles described before.

I can add there are projects in some unoccupied areas around the Vivarium, for example a summer outdoor enclosure for Asp Vipers (see post #141).

For now the first two exhibits (80-81) are a double, netted enclosure (aviary type) for the Galapagos Land and Marine Iguanas. Both can go outdoors when the temperature is above 10°C (the Galapagos climate being quite cool).
This aviary is conceived for Galapagos birds too (as the Blue-footed Boobies, currently displayed in the South American section) but for now, only the Iguanas live here.
The net has an advantage : it prevents the reptiles from attacks of crows or other predators.
Like the indoor enclosure, it looks like a large rocky zone with two small pools on each extremity. The reptiles can be seen swimming thanks to underwater windows.
The total surface of this double enclosure is large (1.065 m²).

The next exhibit (82) is a large grassy plain (960 m² surface).
That's a classical summer exhibit for our four Aldabra Giant Tortoises.
They can go outside when the air temperature is above 15°C.

Giant Tortoises' outdoor exhibit :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

The last exhibit (83) is a swampy enclosure of 870 m² with a large pool, where our trio of Chinese Alligators can go if the weather is warm enough (above 10°C).
They can be quite difficult to spot in the rich vegetation of lotuses, reeds and papyrus.

Possible look of the outdoor Chinese Alligator exhibit :

(Credits : animalman0341)

This is the end. For now.

I've finished the description of my "Absolute Zoo" before Christmas, and I'm proud of it.
Maybe in some further posts in the last week of the year, I'll present the complete animal list of the Zoo, the primary results (births, conservation programs) of the year 2020 in my Zoo and possible projects for the future.

BUT... I'll come back and I'll present a brand new version of my Zoo from January 2022 (it will be a description of the zoo at the date of 31st December 2021). The general plan will be maintained but there will be many changes ; all of them will be explained.

Now I let you comment these last enclosures, as well as the entire concept of my Zoo, if you liked it (or no?), and its future projects for the next year.

Stay in touch !

 

[CrashMegaraptor]

This has been a great read from start to finish. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I'll so be visiting if we can somehow manifest this into reality.

 

[Batto]

a row of terraria dedicated to venomous snakes, called the Poison Avenue (

Why is a "POISON Avenue" solely filled with VENOMous snakes? Shouldn't it house POISONous species?

The species on TinoPups' photo looks more like Crotalus ornatus.
Your specimen constellation is weird.

How would you feed a thorny devil in Europe?

 

[Haliaeetus]

Why is a "POISON Avenue" solely filled with VENOMous snakes? Shouldn't it house POISONous species?

The term "poisonous snake" seems incorrect, and so it could be the case of the "Poison Avenue".
It would be feasible to create a set of exhibits with other toxic animals, I can think to Gila Monsters, Arachnids, many Amphibians, and probably some marine species.
But I wanted to present a gallery especially dedicated to venomous snakes, due especially to handling difficulties with these animals that can often be prone to attack or escape (not the case of other species).

The species on TinoPups' photo looks more like Crotalus ornatus.
Your specimen constellation is weird.

Sorry. But I don't know very well the American Rattlesnakes, I'm not able to identify most species, so I trusted the indication above the picture.

How would you feed a thorny devil in Europe?

Maybe with ants ?

 

[Batto]

But I wanted to present a gallery especially dedicated to venomous snakes, due especially to handling difficulties with these animals that can often be prone to attack or escape (not the case of other species).

Then you could have named it "Venom Gallery" instead. And with all due respect, but I'm probably the very last person on ZooChat you should lecture on venomous snake handling...

Maybe with ants ?

Not just any ant. Thorny devils mainly eat Iridomyrmex ants, with individual preference for certain species. Providing them in adequate numbers on a regular basis in Europe would be a serious logistic challenge.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Then you could have named it "Venom Gallery" instead. And with all due respect, but I'm probably the very last person on ZooChat you should lecture on venomous snake handling...
Not just any ant. Thorny devils mainly eat Iridomyrmex ants, with individual preference for certain species. Providing them in adequate numbers on a regular basis in Europe would be a serious logistic challenge.

These ants cannot be raised in captivity, as it's the case for crickets, cockroaches or other insect species used to feed reptiles?
The Iridomyrmex don't seem to be especially rare or localized, many species inhabit Asia and Oceania.

 

[Batto]

These ants cannot be raised in captivity, as it's the case for crickets, cockroaches or other insect species used to feed reptiles?

That depends on the species in question. As stated before, thorny devils can have individual preferences for certain species. So you would have to keep & breed several Iridomyrmex species parallelly and that in adequate constant numbers. What Wikipedia doesn't tell you is that while the genus might be common in their natural habitats, it is not very common among European ant keepers. Iridomyrmex purpureus is the only species that I found randomly mentioned in the European ant trade, and it is rather hard to come by. Combine that with the general Australian reluctance to export native species, and your thorny devils are about as likely to grace your fictional zoo in real life as the aforementioned hoatzin, solendon, Galapagos iguanas etc.