Reptiles ...

Green Anole Lizard
Anolis carolinensis porcatus
Family: Iguanidae
Anoles form the largest genus of the Iguanidae with about 300 forms. They inhabit tropical and subtropical America. They can vary their skin color between green and shades of brown and are sometimes called "American chameleons" although they are not related to the Old World chameleons. These variations in color are caused by the rearrangement of pigment cells in the skin in response to temperature, humidity, activity and emotional state.

The anoles are slender, climbing lizards with well-developed adhesive toes. They are 6 - 8 inches in length. A pink dewlap (throat fan) under the neck is found in both genders although it is much larger in the males. Females also have a white line down their backs. Anoles spread the dewlap in defending their territories, during courtship and during threat behavior. When excited they can also erect a fold of skin to form a crest along the back.

Anoles are diurnal - becoming active as soon as the sun warms its body. They feed on insects and spiders. In the wild they live only one to two years. They live up to three years in captivity, are highly territorial and have sticky feet. Anoles are almost perfect terrarium specimens. They require little room, do little damage to the plants in their cages and reproduce easily. The female buries eggs in a shallow hole in the ground.

The green anole is a native of Cuba and was released on O`ahu about 1950 in the Kaimuki area. They fill an empty niche here in Hawaii - that of a mobile, diurnal insect eater.


Asian Forest Tortoise; Burmese Forest,
Burmese Mountain or Burmese Black Tortoise
Manouria emys phayrei
Family: Testudinidae
There are two species originating in Burma and western Thailand in southern Asia and considered to be the most primitive of living tortoises. Our 5 large tortoises came from Texas and have been on loan from a private party since 2000. Two of the adults, Jolene and Bully, mated producing 36 eggs that were placed in an incubator. After more than two months, 27 eggs hatched. A third (9) of the tortoises now belong to the zoo. The babies and adults are fed chopped fruit, lettuce or cabbage, and alfalfa pellets soaked in water.

These tortoises also like soaking in water.

Take the Zoo Tour to see photos of hatchlings. These social tortoises communicate with head bobbing and a variety of vocalizations- especially when mating which occurs frequently. The nest is made of debris, leaf litter and zoo hay, which is backswept into a pile by the female using her front limbs. The clutches can be more than 50 eggs that are cove
red and guarded by the female for a few days, to more than 3 weeks. The nest guarding helps limit predation, but many zoos decide to artificially incubate the eggs for 63-84 days in moist vermiculite to assure greater hatching success. The eggs are slightly dented and translucent white when first laid, then round out and become opaque. The hard outer shell cracks before hatching and a rubbery skin remains. When hatching, the babies break through with an egg tooth and then remain in the shell for up to 2 days until most of their egg sac is absorbed.

Tortoises may live 100-125 years, weigh fifty to eighty-five pounds and have carapaces of sixteen to twenty-four inches.


Iguana; Green Iguana
Iguana iguana
Family: Iguanidae
This New World reptile is believed to be the common ancestor of the various iguana species found on the Galapagos Islands. This species has an extensive range as they are found from southern Mexico through Central America and into northern South America. They may attain lengths of over six feet but the average is three to five feet. Only a short portion (1/3) makes up the head and body, the rest is tail.

Both males and females have prominent dewlaps but only the males have the large dorsal crest. Adults are primarily herbivorous but will feed on animals occasionally. The juveniles tend to be more carnivorous, preferring small animals as their main diet. They weigh fifteen to twenty pounds when full grown and may live twenty years.

The iguanas are found in the forested areas along rivers usually in the upper foliage. When disturbed or threatened they will leap to the ground or into the water. They are good swimmers and can remain submerged for some time to escape danger. Their primary defense is their tail, which is used as a whip.

Females lay eggs which number up to thirty. Eggs are buried and left to incubate on their own. Hatching occurs after 60 days, and the young dig themselves out and go their own way. Although they are extensively hunted for their eggs and flesh that is considered to be like chicken, their reproductive capacity appears to be high enough to sustain adequate population levels in many areas of their range. Habitat destruction may be a more critical factor to population density. Food availability also appears to have an effect on individual growth and reproductive level.

Because of an illegal introduction, this species has become established in Manoa Valley, Nu`uanu Valley, and `Aina Ha`ina on O`ahu.

Zoo diet for our iguana is 1 cup soaked alfalfa pellets and 2 cups chopped fruit and lettuce, and topped with a hibiscus flower. Lizzy, was born circa 1996 and was a Petting Zoo favorite until he retired in 2006. A young male named Drako arrived in 2005. He and Lizzy are now sharing an enclosure with Drako mostly perched on an upper branch with Lizzy below. He is shown here shedding his old skin.

Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina carolina
Family: Emydidae
New World box turtles belong to the genus Terrapene and to a large degree resemble tortoises. They have carapaces (shells) that are prominently arched and these animals are terrestrial. However, a close examination of their feet discloses remnant webbing between the toes. They also prefer damper areas than most tortoises and in particular will inhabit those areas in proximity to water. Box turtles are so named because they are able to withdraw into their shells and to close their openings to make themselves fairly invulnerable. They are able to do this since they have a hinge across the middle of their plastron (bottom shell), which allows the front and back portions of their plastrons to fold upwards as the animal withdraws its body and to tightly close the openings. The Common Eastern carapace can be four to six inches long. The skin of the turtle is brown and the males have colorful scales on the front legs. This species is found from Maine to Georgia and westward to Michigan, Illinois and Tennessee.

There are six species of box turtles and several subspecies within some of these species. They are omnivorous. In the wild more than half of their diet is insects, and other small animals including: slugs, snails, worms, grubs, caterpillars, beetles, pill bugs, sow bugs, centipedes, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, flies, crawfish and carrion. If they can catch it, they will eat it. The rest of their food is plant matter; mushrooms, moss, berries, fruits, grass, buds and flowers. Life span can be twenty-five to one hundred years.

Three-Toed Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina triunguis
They usually have three toes on the hind feet but four toes are not uncommon. This subspecies may be found as far north as Missouri and southwards to Texas and Alabama. The carapace of Three-toed is higher domed and smaller at 3 ½ - 5 inches and is typically a uniform olive coloration. The head neck and arms have yellow, red and orange blotches. The males are usually more colorful so we probably have a pair. Speedy is named for how fast she can move and has a hole in her shell, Napoleon has brightly colored skin and orange eyes.

Red-eared Slider Turtle
Chrysemys scripta elegans
Family: Emydidae
This North American genus Chrysemys, includes many species and subspecies which are all fresh water turtles. They range in size from small to medium-sized animals. The Red-eared turtle is a subspecies of the Pond Slider, a common turtle that ranges throughout the eastern United States. These turtles are the ones most commonly found in the pet trade and whose numbers are decreasing due to habitat loss and indiscriminate harvesting of the young. Of the thousands that are sold in the pet trade only a very small number survive past the first year.

Their diet is primarily small animals such as insects, worms, and aquatic animals; however, they will also eat plant material. Our morning diet for these turtles consists of 1 dozen smelt and raw meat. Males usually have longer claws on their front toes and are smaller than females. Their carapace is five to eight inches and weigh two to five pounds. These turtles have paddle-like feet and a web at their bases connects their toes. Life span is twenty to thirty years. Back Up Next

Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtle;
Yellow-Spotted Sideneck Turtle
Podocnemis unifilis
Family: Pelomedusidae
These small fresh-water turtles inhabit northern South America. They get their name from the bright yellow spots on their head and neck. Their carapace is fourteen to twenty-seven inches, weigh five to fifteen pounds and live to seventy years. They draw in their heads by bending the neck vertically and laying the head to the side in the final movement so the spinal cord is S-shaped. Their diet is primarily small animals such as insects, worms, and aquatic animals; however, they will also eat plant material. Our diet for these turtles consists of fruits, chopped greens, moistened dog food, smelt and raw meat.

Prehensile-tailed Tree Skink
Corucia zebrata
Family: Scincidae
These tree skinks are native to the Solomon Islands. They are also called monkey-tailed skinks and green tree skinks. They are the largest of the skinks attaining lengths of 70 cm (28 inches) and have an unusually heavy body for an arboreal lizard. Tree skinks are generally slow-moving, crepuscular animals; but they can move very quickly when they want to. Their sharp claws and muscular prehensile tails are very important to their climbing ability. Feeding on fruit and other vegetation they are the only skinks that are entirely herbivorous. They give birth to a single, very large, living youngster.

The picture on the right shows two females and their offspring, born March 3, 2004.

Leopard Gecko
Eublepharis macularius
Family: Gekkonidae
Leopard geckos are also known as spotted fat-tailed geckos. Leopard Geckos reach a size of 8 to 10 inches. Most adults are yellow with dark brown spots. Juveniles are generally banded yellow and dark brown which fades into the spotted pattern as the gecko matures.

Leopard geckos are found in Iran, Afghanistan, Western India and Pakistan. Most of today's captive bred leopard geckos are descendants of geckos imported from Pakistan. They reside in rocky deserts and arid grasslands. Leopard geckos are nocturnal, sheltering themselves during the day beneath rocks and in burrows. They are very hardy animals and quite common. The fat tail stores food reserves and can be shed in defense and then regenerated. They lay clutches of 2 eggs five to six times a year. Unlike other geckos, the leopard gecko and his relatives have moveable eyelids and lack the toe pads which allow other geckos to climb vertical surfaces. Leopard Geckos are carnivorous. In captivity they eat crickets, mealworms, earthworms, grasshoppers, pinkies, and supplements of calcium and multivitamins.

Red Tegu
Tupinambis rufescens
Family: Teiidae
Red tegu lizards are native to Argentina. Measuring up to 4 feet in length they are the largest of all the tegus. Adults weigh an average of 20 pounds. Their skin is light reddish brown with dark cross bands. Males develop large jowls and tend to be larger and more brightly colored. Typical adult female coloration is reddish brown with white spots.

Our tegus were captive bred and raised, are quite docile and known for their gentle dispositions. They lay an average of 20 eggs once a year.

Our tegus arrived at the zoo April 2003 and were about 5 years old. Their names are Mr. Pickles and Mrs. Pickles. They are fed a plant-based diet with lots of fruit and an occasional mouse thrown in for variety.