Animal Facts:

Giant Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus)
Camouflage experts, these lizards disappear against the surface of trees by day, but become active hunters for insect prey by night.
Range: Madagascar
Diet: carnivorous (eats meat)

South American Goliath Tarantula (Theraposa blondi)
Also known as the goliath birdeater, these spiders are the second largest in the world.  The name “birdeater” is misleading, as these heavy, fragile tarantulas do not climb well and have no jumping abilities.  They are more likely to eat ground-dwelling rodents, snakes and lizards.
Range: French Guiana, South America
Diet: carnivorous (eats meat)

Spear Point or Ebans Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus ebanaui)
Much smaller cousins of the giant leaf-tailed gecko, this species uses camouflage as a defense.  There are five specimens in this exhibit, how many can you find?
Range: Madagascar
Diet: insectivorous

Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus)
The albino type of this big snake is an uncommon sight in the wild because they do not have the proper camouflage to hide from predators
Range: Southeast Asia
Diet: carnivorous (eats meat)
Status: threatened in native range

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
Iguanas are one of the few reptiles that are completely vegetarian.
Range: Central South American and West Indian Islands
Diet: herbivorous (eats plants)

Prehensile-tailed Skink (Corucia zebrata)
These lizards live in groups made up of a single male and multiple females with offspring.  Females in the group display “aunting” behavior feeding young that are not their own.
Range: Solomon Islands and islands of Papua New Guinea
Diet: omnivorous (eats plants and animals)
Status: endangered

Solomon Island Ground Skink (Eugongylus albofasciolatus)
Unlike the prehensile-tailed skink, this skink is primarily a ground dweller.  It prowls the forest floor, searching for insects and other small animals.
Range: Solomon Islands
Diet: omnivorous (eats plants and animals)

Amazon Tree Boa (Corallus hortulanus)
When hunting, this snake will use its prehensile tail to anchor to a tree branch and then push its prey off of the branch.  While the prey is falling, the snake will catch it by coiling around it.
Range: Amazon rainforest
Diet: carnivorous (eats meat)

Solomon Island Tree Boa (Candoia bibroni australis)
This snake changes colors in response to light exposure, stress, or other factors.  It may appear darker in the morning and lighter at night.  It feeds on lizards, frogs, birds, and small mammals.
Range: Solomon Islands and other South Pacific islands
Diet: carnivorous (eats meat)

Malayan Water Monitor (Varanus salvator)
This pesky lizard has been known to visit graveyards looking for a tasty treat!
Range: Southeast Asia, Philippines and Indo-Australian islands
Diet: will eat about anything it believes it can -- birds, small mammals and fish