In early January, a pair of common blue-tongued skinks (Tiliqua scincoides) were received as a result of the exchange. Animals were exchanged to beauty rat snakes (Orthriophis taeniurus) that were born in the Aquaterrarium department. The age of the young lizards is 6 months, they have a size of 40 cm in length and weigh 111g and 258g. Adults can reach up to 60cm in length and gain weight up to 400g.
Blue-tongued skink, or Tiliqua (Tiliqua scincoides), is common in Australia, New Guinea and the neighboring islands. The habitat is diverse: deserts, semi-deserts, dry forests, but can also occur in wet forests. The feature of the lizard is a wide blue tongue. It has very developed eyes that have separate eyelids. It leads a terrestrial lifestyle. Feed on plant and animal food - insects, fruits, flowers, berries, gastropods, arthropods.
The diet should be as varied as possible. Therefore, it is divided into 2 periods: up to 1 year and over 1 year. It should be borne in mind that the diet of young animals should consist of 50% of plant feed and 50% of animal origin. Specialists of the department monitor the habits of these animals, their food preferences.
The exchange also gave us Mexican kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana) aged 10 months. It was exchanged for Campbell's milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli) to make a pair.
Mexican kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana) is a common snake in North and Central America. Lives in forests, shrubs, farmland, also found in marshy areas. It feeds on small rodents, reptiles, young snakes - almost exclusively lizards. These animals have a bright contrasting color that made them popular. Usually the drawing consists of numerous multicolored rings, often there is a combination of red, black and white colors.
In early January, young Madagascan collared iguana (Oplurus cuvieri) was obtained from a young pair that was received by exchange in 2018.
Madagascan collared iguana, or the Oplurus cuvieri, is a lizard 40 cm in length (1.5 times the length of the tail). Lives in arid plains with rocky soil in western Madagascar. Colors - from light gray to dark brown, with spots and stripes. They feed on insects.
In the near future animals will appear at the zoo exhibit after the quarantine.