Trip to the San Diego Zoo (pic heavy)

[Kaetlinv]

Well this happened a little while back - early April, but i never got around to sharing my pictures with anyone. Well I finally posted them on my facebook and figured I would share the beautiful reptiles I saw there, and some of those fuzzy things with legs and ears....

I'll name what ones I can remember, unfortunately I didn't think to write down all of their names.

Amythestine Python
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/551951_10152082485720472_850863409_n.jpg

Albino Rattler(I believe)
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/386008_10152082486090472_1900446608_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/281824_10152082486310472_318197838_n.jpg

Green Mambas
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/3688_10152082487030472_2083074410_n.jpg
This one was rather cute...
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/557376_10152082502005472_1556510611_n.jpg

Can't remember these fellows' names, but that pile is two snakes.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/320164_10152082487965472_655629677_n.jpg

Little monitor of some sort, he was very cute.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578565_10152082488740472_1101341176_n.jpg

[Kaetlinv]

A vine snake decided to have a gecko dinner! Watched this fellow gulp it down, was amazing to see!
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/551704_10152082488925472_476886306_n.jpg
His other vine snake buddy relaxing up top.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/523501_10152082489530472_1073651491_n.jpg

I believe these were Indian Rock pythons, I could be mistaken.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/386061_10152082490600472_675782572_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/561038_10152082490830472_614505360_n.jpg

Pit viper of some sort - stunning color contrast.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/301222_10152082491560472_539650974_n.jpg

Two little Tree boas, the darker one was moving around a little while after this.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/564351_10152082491795472_1665177153_n.jpg

Not a good picture - but this was some sort of water snake, fully submerged. Never heard of anything like it before then.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/309294_10152082492400472_881770485_n.jpg

Another big lizard - this guy was massive.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/386976_10152082492805472_909802330_n.jpg

[Kaetlinv]

The Reptile house had several cobras - at least three true cobras and a few mock cobras. Here's the common.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/557496_10152082493515472_1755348968_n.jpg

If I remember correct this was some sort of false cobra, he was very photogenic, despite my phone camera.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/314276_10152082493880472_1540579632_n.jpg

Here is the red cobra - this one was actually being taken out for some reason, got a video of it but have no means to upload. It was fantastic watching the handler work the hooks!
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/423584_10152082494095472_969819120_n.jpg

Well, you see something new every day. An Anaconda in a tree.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/423960_10152082494770472_598514545_n.jpg

Little green guy, thought he was neat.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/399748_10152082496065472_2024028618_n.jpg

Here is the king cobra - he was very active and seemed more than aware of the people sticking their fingers on the other side of his home...
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/281905_10152082496300472_122391550_n.jpg
At one point we got him to follow the finger (belongs to my mom, haha) to about three feet off the floor of his enclosure.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/387048_10152082496495472_2096175856_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/376885_10152082496640472_1129879795_n.jpg

[Kaetlinv]

Little rock pythons of some sort - they looked like brown Ball pythons honestly, with very darling grey eyes. This one wanted to say hello!
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/296570_10152082499560472_2010420756_n.jpg

Baby komodo dragon, his bigger counterpart was outside.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/377359_10152082500110472_717242475_n.jpg

Gila monster, not a very good shot.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/199085_10152082500290472_1419662687_n.jpg

Skinks of some sort, rather cute snoozing there.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/480524_10152082500660472_1627734689_n.jpg

Some pit viper - the colors on this thing were absolutely phenomenal!
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/581609_10152082500960472_1980779179_n.jpg

Ethiopian Pit viper - rather intimidating actually.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/418881_10152082501425472_1530175823_n.jpg

Rat snakes of some variety, they also had red headed racers but I didn't get good pictures of those.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/376584_10152082501655472_1229593412_n.jpg

Sonoran Gopher Snake, love the facial markings, make him look curious.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644013_10152082502730472_784681840_n.jpg

[Kaetlinv]

Here's the big komodo, whew this guy was huge! He was so slow though - this was in process of moving himself over to the other side of the enclosure where I believe he was soon to be fed.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/387130_10152082503030472_817231608_n.jpg



Now onto the non-herps.
For the bug lovers, they had a huge bug room. Here is a Giant Katydid (it made me so happy to see these, reminded me of the little katydid I'd rescued last year.)
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/393531_10152082503440472_1857741087_n.jpg

Jeweled beetles of some sort, there were a lot more insects than this but most of the pictures didn't turn out well.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/644061_10152082504020472_1665563892_n.jpg


Here are some furries. Little Fennec fox who just wanted to sleep - kept getting startled awake by screaming children. Felt rather sorry for him...
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/250342_10152082504275472_301008185_n.jpg

Leapord female awaiting food...
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/185181_10152082504510472_751476726_n.jpg

One of several Servals, this one taking an afternoon nap.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/419321_10152082504650472_604412792_n.jpg

And the only one they had at that hour of the day - a glorious cheetah. Beautiful animal, they had a 'show' earlier on but we missed it.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/540131_10152082505065472_1522890382_n.jpg

[Jlassiter]

Nice...we got back from there after July 4th this year....

That water snake is a tentacle snake...It is camouflaged and looks like a root or vine underwater....

And those are Red Coachwhips...not ratsnakes......

That big green lizard with the reddish head is a Caiman lizard.....

Nice trip it looked like.....

[BarelyBreathing]

Cool critters.

[Kaetlinv]

Like I said, I couldn't remember most of them ^.^'

I think I confused their name with the Red headed Ratsnake that was in an enclosure near them. They're beautiful though.
As for the tentacle snake - I couldn't place the name for the life of me, but I had to look for a bit to find him. Very good camouflage.

A lot of people were around the plaque of the lizards so my mom and I hustled by there - I was also getting overwhelmed with how many beautiful animals there were. the trip really was worth it. Best birthday present I'd ever gotten.

My mom explained it to me when we were heading back home...
"I wanted to give you something special. I could've gotten you so many things, but eventually due to time or wear they would've been thrown away. You can never throw away your memories, and this is a once in a life time thing. You'll always remember the reptile house and the snakes, you'll remember all the big cats, and most especially you'll remember how we got f*cking drenched at the killer whale show... Twice..."

:)

[jaleely]

I love them all! I haven't been to the SD zoo in a few years. I haven't been since i got into reptiles so i REALLY need to go now!! Very cool!

[*Don't Mind Me*]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing

[Aaron_S]

Cool pictures.

To help you label your pictures these are the ones I'm pretty confidant in that you couldn't remember.

From top to bottom:

Pile of 2 big snakes...Scrub Pythons
Random Pit Viper...Fer-de-lance
Tree boas....green tree pythons
brown ball pythons...most likely angolan pythons

[millertime89]

that's not an amethystine python looks like a sorong or possibly a kofiau locality scrub python, which, ironically, are Morelia amethystina. True Amethystine pythons are Morelia kinghorni and look quite a bit different and don't have the banding that one does, more of a granite-like pattern.
the little monitor looks like a yellow monitor or quince monitor
that pile is not scrub pythons, they are Timor pythons
those are indeed indian rock pythons
can't really tell what the "rock pythons" are, but from what little I can see and your description of them looking similar to ball pythons I would tend to agree with Aaron that they are Angolans.

[h3h]

Great set! I particularly enjoyed these: Mambas, Vines, Tree Boas, Cobras, Pit Vipers, Komodo Dragons, and the leopards. I am filled with envy, but I am glad you were able to experience it. Thank you for sharing.

- h3

[Kaetlinv]

Cool pictures.

To help you label your pictures these are the ones I'm pretty confidant in that you couldn't remember.

From top to bottom:

Pile of 2 big snakes...Scrub Pythons
Random Pit Viper...Fer-de-lance
Tree boas....green tree pythons
brown ball pythons...most likely angolan pythons

Good to know what they really are. :) Wish I could re-label them ^.^'

that's not an amethystine python looks like a sorong or possibly a kofiau locality scrub python, which, ironically, are Morelia amethystina. True Amethystine pythons are Morelia kinghorni and look quite a bit different and don't have the banding that one does, more of a granite-like pattern.
I just wrote what I remembered - and I clearly remember them being called Amythestine (Or Amythestine was in the name somewhere). Not arguing, just saying what I remember. This fellow was just stunning which is why i made note to remember the name.

I've got some more pictures of some species, but I had so many I didn't want to swamp more than I had ^.^' I'll upload a few more for clarification. :)

[Kaetlinv]

This was one of the geckos inside the vine snake enclosure... thought I'd pop him in here since he was kinda cute on the glass.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/523395_10152082761275472_1191082669_n.jpg

Here's a few shots of those BP like 'rock pythons' I mentioned. The one that came up close was so cute! She reminded me so much of Valentine, and I have no clue why haha
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/580010_10152082761905472_1939281318_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/560873_10152082762120472_1970346366_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/3108_10152082762225472_1368899984_n.jpg

And here is one of the Timar / Scrub python... To see if it'll help clarification.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/3833_10152082762595472_1879116046_n.jpg

[Aaron_S]

Yup Angolan pythons.

Also, more likely Timor Pythons.

[Pareeeee]

Very awesome photos!! I wish I could go back there. I was at the San Diego Zoo when I was just a kid, wish I remembered it better.

[Will0W783]

The green pit viper with the mossy pattern that you labeled as amazing coloration is a Mangshan viper. They are native only to one small mountain in China, and as such are very rare and desirable animals. I have only seen them for sale a few times, and each time they were $1500-2500 apiece. Beautiful vipers though...if I ever have the money I will definitely have some!

[Kaetlinv]

Yup Angolan pythons.

Also, more likely Timor Pythons.

Good to hear :D

The green pit viper with the mossy pattern that you labeled as amazing coloration is a Mangshan viper. They are native only to one small mountain in China, and as such are very rare and desirable animals. I have only seen them for sale a few times, and each time they were $1500-2500 apiece. Beautiful vipers though...if I ever have the money I will definitely have some!

I'm actually pretty confused as to why I forgot the name, this viper was stunning! Then again the Ethiopian viper was in an enclosure right after it and those colors shocked the bajeebas out of me...

It's nice to know they're doing husbandry right for several rare types of animals. Some enclosures were too foggy to get good pictures.

I know I have more pictures on my phone - I'll look through and see if I missed any. :) And i'll see about trying to upload that video!

[Kaetlinv]

Alrighty, I got more pictures! Now these ones aren't as good and most of them I can't remember much about them except whether they were a viper, rattler, or constrictor. So don't blame me, haha.

If someone can explain to me how to make an Embed video, that would be great. I've got the video onto my facebook and it works. I don't have a youtube account unfortunately, or rather, I've forgotten how to log into it! whoops...

Anywho, pictures!

This rattler of some sort was hiding. Couldn't see him very well.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/376960_10152083567455472_146448470_n.jpg

Some sort of python hiding in the back of his enclosure - his head is visible though.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/386988_10152083568375472_1353312456_n.jpg

Here is that false cobra again, I really liked him.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/644172_10152083569220472_1254859266_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/431220_10152083593095472_297445168_n.jpg

One more of the King cobra - nice shot of his head scales
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/539212_10152083569760472_187975519_n.jpg

Can't remember this one at all, but it looks like a venemous type by the shape of the head.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/538867_10152083570420472_1803801354_n.jpg

This isn't the same as the other black and white pit viper, I promise. Can't remember what he is though.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/217894_10152083570985472_85462720_n.jpg

Can't remember this little guy's name, but he was sitting on a rock and letting the grass support his head... kind of funny.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/577030_10152083571650472_788372849_n.jpg

[Kaetlinv]

Green mamba. This was the second one, and the second time we had come around to look at them. This one wouldn't sit still for even a moment, he was everywhere on the front of the enclosure. This was the only 'good' picture I got before he was zooming around.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s720x720/253093_10152083572240472_1777211324_n.jpg

Viper of some sort, his enclosure was very foggy. Not the Mangshan or the Ethiopian.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/376639_10152083572830472_962663110_n.jpg

Two rattlers of some kind, not sure what.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/577053_10152083574380472_1593764885_n.jpg

Here is a blurry picture of that Red headed Ratsnake I had mentioned.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/564257_10152083574610472_1920844225_n.jpg

There was an outdoor Rattler enclosure in the 'Africa' section, phone was dying by that point and thus I only got this.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/270663_10152083576725472_485172032_n.jpg

Lastly for the reptiles, a large Blood Python. At least that's what it was labeled.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/578374_10152083577255472_1425372199_n.jpg

Bugs will be posted in a moment, for us bug lovers!

[Kaetlinv]

The insect / Arachnid section of this trip, pardoning the ones already shown.

Walking stick
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/540144_10152083573625472_1016042290_n.jpg

I know what these are. Do you? I'll give you a hint... There's more than one...
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/560446_10152083573895472_350071448_n.jpg

Water insect of some sort, not sure of the name.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/305013_10152083574105472_1222767166_n.jpg

Giant Walking stick / leaf bug (?)
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/377287_10152083576175472_1963630461_n.jpg

Here you go arachnid lovers... I believe this was the only arachnid they had. This fella was almost as big as my hand..
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/563149_10152083576885472_741788679_n.jpg

And lastly, a Violin Mantis.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/577052_10152083576980472_1367448855_n.jpg

[Charis]

Cool pictures! Thanks for sharing! My husband was stationed in San Diego for six months when he was in the Navy and spent hours and hours at the Zoo, he's got about 800 pictures of it. I really want to go there someday!

[Kaetlinv]

This really was a once in a lifetime event for me. This was my first real vacation minus two disneyland trips when I was what... 5 and 10?

I wish I had an actual camera, a good one. I could've gotten such better pictures... And these are just from the Zoo. I didn't include the Water World pictures. Got some neat ones of the Killer whales and dolphins in mid-air. Perhaps I could add those...? -shrugs- If someone wants to see the aquatics I'll add them, but I'm happy with the zoo images :)

[millertime89]

They're called Amethystine pythons but they're not. There's only one place in the country that legally has them, The Reptile Gardens. Plenty of reputable zoos have them mislabeled, taxonomy is changing all the time and it costs zoos money to change information.

Definitely a Timor python.

[Kaetlinv]

They're called Amethystine pythons but they're not. There's only one place in the country that legally has them, The Reptile Gardens. Plenty of reputable zoos have them mislabeled, taxonomy is changing all the time and it costs zoos money to change information.

Ah, well it was a gorgeous snake. I wish I could've seen the face / eyes, the colors were amazing, and it had this beautiful sheen all over. But this beauty remained tightly curled... darn.

[millertime89]

Ah, well it was a gorgeous snake. I wish I could've seen the face / eyes, the colors were amazing, and it had this beautiful sheen all over. But this beauty remained tightly curled... darn.

definitely, the entire scrub complex are gorgeous animals, some of the best greens, yellows, and blacks I've seen on snakes.

[Kaetlinv]

This was the first time I had heard of so many different types of snakes... This was back when I still had just Valentine, and now I've got three BP's! I'm still a newbie, but I'm looking heavily into Zoology and Herpetology now as back ups for my art career...Or rather, my Art would support my Zoology / herpetology! I've always been fascinated by animals, not dissecting them ever... but I loved to figure out what made them work. What made them unique, what made them live how they lived. When I went to Sea world my mom and I contemplated whether I should go into marine biology, because I'm intrigued with fish also. Well, that faded away but the love for animals definitely hasn't. I would love to get into a job where I would be able to learn more about nature's creations, and maybe one day be in a job to educate people about them too. (not a teacher, but maybe a Zookeeper or a reptile store owner...)