Toledo, OH. Zoo

[crawldad]

been going to this place since 1965. Many of the buildings are from the WPA program, yet still very functional. I have 2 friends that are curators in the Herp. area, and my kids and I took a little behind the scenes tour. If you are ever in the area, it is well worth the visit. they have a Hippoarium, an excellent Polar Bear exhibit, and their Ape / Monkey exhibits are wonderful. Follow this link if you'd like; http://www.toledozoo.org/. Now, we only went to the Reptile house, so I will just have to go back an photo other areas.

First an Armadillo Lizard
2nd, a Black Monitor
3rd, Frilled lizard
and 4th,a Gaboon Viper

[crawldad]

The next 2 are of one of their Gilla / Beaded Lizards.
The last 3 are of a Komodo they have (no glass between us on the first 2). Not huge, but over 80 lbs.

[Natemass]

nice pics i love the viper and the kamodos

[Ryan Maguire]

Nice pictures! They actually let people touch the beaded lizard? I thought they were poisonous..

[skinheaddave]

Very nice pictures. I like the frilled dragon in action.

Nice pictures! They actually let people touch the beaded lizard? I thought they were poisonous..

They have a venomous bite, but are otherwise harmless (discounting the foul odoured substances they can bring forth from their vent in their own defense).

Cheers,
Dave

[crawldad]

Ryan Maguire / I was given a guided tour behind the scenes. Our encounter was not the norm. The Gila was one of the "nicer" ones according to the curator.
Here are a few more from the visit:
1st-My favorite lizard of all times, the Monkey Tailed Skink. Had one of these for years. Came to me as a wild caught adult, and passed last year.
2nd-A Pancake Tortoise.
3rd- A Three Toed Sloth. It is roaming free in this huge Rainforest Room, and is always a chalange to locate.

[crawldad]

Next-
One of the Rattle Snake enclosures,
a young Snake Neck Turtle,
and a bad photo of a very cool Leaf Tailed Gecko (amazing how the tail mimicks the head!)

[crawldad]

The Reptile House had their own Christmas tree, with some very interesting garland (1 & 2)
My sons where at the playground and found this. I later found out that it was a Mole or Camal Cricket. I don't remember ever seeing one before. I will try to update as we visit. They had 3 Polar Bear cubs born this winter, and should be on display this spring. See ya!

[nepenthes]

Whats that last bug?

[crawldad]

It's called a Camel Cricket. Never saw one before. Here's some info on them,
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/crickets.html

[crawldad]

This time we went to the Aquarium. Just so happens that the curator that gave us the tour, is also in charge of all the "bugs".
First 2 pix are pretty self explanitory. These spiders I was told were "found" in one of the buildings, reproducing on their own. They have some of them in this huge display case. Look closely and you will see several.

Picture #3, couldn't resist this on. Metal Scuplture of a Tortise, that kids must have their pictures taken on.

4 & 5 Amazing encounter with the Octopus.

[stubby8th]

That octopus is wild - Never seen anything like that!

I've got to tell ya, I hate those Monkey Tailed Skinks. At the first agency I worked for, the owner had one (stimpy) and one day it decided to grab on to my thumb - couldn't get it to let go! Left me with a nice scar.

[Anastasia]

very nice pics! :clap:

[xgrafcorex]

cool pictures. those rattlesnakes look great. get any close ups of the Nephila? or any other spider or bug pictures? :D

[Joanie]

Very nice pictures!! The little snake neck turtle is adorable.

We have camel crickets all over the place here. I didn't realize they were an oddity.....how much would people pay for them?? ;P

[petshopguy]

Plus the Toledo zoo has a whole building dedicated to invertebrates. At least they did the last time I was there 4 years ago. I am going this summer and will update you, with pics. It was the sweetest exhibit I ever remember seeing.