Our presentation is unique, the cast spectacular! The scaly cast members come in all shapes, sizes species and are ssssimply sensational!!! The range of species brought to each presentation is one of the largest in Australia and it just keeps growing....
A sample of our reptilian species list includes.. S saltwater Crocodiles; Sshortneck Turtles; Longneck Turtles and some inbetween; Eastern Bluetongue Lizards; Blotched Lizards; Centralian Bluetongue Lizards; Shingleback Lizards; Gidgee Skinks; Inland Bearded Dragons; Ridgetail Monitors; Spencers Monitor*; Spotted Pythons; Childrens Pythons; Stimsons Pythons; Olive Pythons; Water Pythons; Black-Headed Pythons; Carpet Pythons; Diamond Pythons; Centralian Carpet Pythons and more....
For our ‘School Spectacular’,we aim to carry multiple specimens of all species. This gives maximum “Hands On” potential as well the specimens at various stages of their life cycle. “Pikelet” our baby turtle is such a hit as is big brother “Pancake” and “Big Momma” always makes a big impression. Of course reptiles are representative of just a small fraction of the ecosystem… spiders, scorpions, insects, frogs and other mini-beasts may also come along to remind us of their importance in the Web Of Life. For all ‘Special Services’ we will select the species and specimens most suited to fulfill specific requirements.
CROCODILIA
Saltwater Crocodiles ..Crocodylus porosus
TRIPLE O alias OOO together with CRUNCH and MUNCH are the best behaved crocodiles we have ever encountered.
Triple OOO has quite a history. He came to us after being received by authorities from a rather bewildered
Central Coast resident who found OOO delivered to her letterbox in a post-tube by an unsuspecting postman.
OOO has a most unusual temperament for a croc and will quite happily lie back in the crook of his keepers arm and have a snooze.
CHELONIA
Fresh water Turtles…
In the past these were commonly referred to as tortoises or terrapins but current practice is to use the
term Fresh Water Turtles. Species can be classified as Longneck or Shortneck. Ours come in a variety
of sizes and species ranging from ‘Pikelet’ (smallest) to ‘Pancake’ (medium) to ‘Big Momma’ (largest)
and many sizes in between.
SAURIA
SOS Aussies is home to a large range of lovely LIZARDS. The main families of lizards are Geckos, Skinks, Dragons,
Monitors (Goannas) and Legless lizards. We’d like to introduce you to some of our favourites……
Some of their names are Bubblegum, Strawberry, Blueberry, Prickles
Gidgee Skinks; Centralian Bluetongues; Shingleback Lizards ; Blotched Bluetongues ; Common
SKINKS come in an enormous range of shapes, colours, temperaments and from various habitats. In most cases larger skinks such as Bluetongue Lizards and Shinglebacks have short, stubby legs and are therefore usually pretty slow movers and shakers. Their food source needs to be equally slow moving. Snails, slugs, insects, fallen fruit and pet food left lying around are hot favourites. Equally their greatest threats may be found close to their food source. Snail baits, dogs and cats protective of their food, and poisons applied to fruit and gardens pose a significant risk. Skinks are very valuable in contributing to the balance of nature as they eat many garden ‘pests’. As the backyard garden disappears and units become more widespread so their habitat shrinks. Many skinks have well developed “bluff” protective mechanisms to deter predators. The Bluetongues flash their tongue and puff their bodies with an accompanying expulsion of air – hisss- ; Gidgee Skinks have barbs on their toils to wedge themselves between rocks and suggest fierce armory; ditto with Shinglebacks which have the additional feature of ‘two heads’ .
MONITORS (GOANNAS)... These lizards are characterized by their forked tongues, sharp claws and teeth. ‘Ripples’ our Ridge Tail Monitor is one of the smallest Monitor species growing to a maximum adult length of about 70cm. Ripples is a very calm and colourful specimen but needs to be kept at a much warmer temperature than many other lizards due to his desert habitat. Sandi and Sam, our Spencers Monitors grow to a slightly larger size at 1.2 meters. Australia’s largest Monitor is the Perenti which can grow up to 2 meters. In Australia we do not have any venomous lizards. Monitors are often scavenger feeders, carrion making up a significant part of their diet.
SERPENTES
Australia is home to around 150 different species of SNAKES. More than 100 of these are
venomous and fall into the Elapid family. The other five major snake families are Pythons, Colubrids,
Blind Snakes and Sea Snakes. SOS Aussies carries multiply specimens of many species. For “Hands On” not
surprisingly our focus is on the Boidae or Python family.
Meet some of our charmers...
PYTHONS are non-venomous snakes which kill their prey by constriction. The flexibility of their jaw structure as well as the elasticity of their skin enables them to swallow and digest prey many times larger than their head and body girth. Dietary requirements vary according to species and habitats but most prefer warm-blooded prey such as mice, rats, birds, possums and some possess heat-receptive pits on the lower and/or upper jaws to help them locate their prey. Some species show a liking for fish, lizards and even other snakes! Pythons are a very important part of the ecosystem in the regulatory role they play in the Balance of Nature and form a significant link in the Food Chain.
(Some of our ssSensational ssSerpentes that were A.W.O,L, for the photo shoot include.. ,Olivia Olive Python, Centralian Pythons, Childrens Pythons, Spotted Pythons Stimpsons Pythons)
THE WEB OF LIFE…
Reptlles are an example of only one class in the Animal Kingdom (sub-kingdom METAZOA; Phylum CHORDATA; Sub-Phylum VERTEBRATA).
Many other living things in the plant and animal kingdom co-exist within an eco-system in a state of interdependence often
referred to as the Web Of Life. ‘Mini-Beast’ such as spiders, insects, scorpions, frogs and many others are vital members
of these indigenous communities. A few of them have crept into our program for a visit...
(Bird Eating Spiders. Green Tree Frog, Sfick Insects, Crickets, Cockroaches absent from photo shoot)
© Copyright 2006 SOS Aussies.