Omaha zoo's new rattlesnake exhibit aims to set the record straight

[Omaha Steve]

And the world's best zoo is ... OMAHA: http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/05/travel/tripadvisor-best-zoos/


http://www.omaha.com/living/omaha-zoo-s-new-rattlesnake-exhibit-aims-to-set-the/article_76895ea7-fb15-570f-b4dc-caa80f1bd5ed.html




BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Two western diamond-backed rattlesnakes lays inside Rattlesnake Canyon at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium on Oct. 2, 2014.


POSTED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2014 1:00 AM
By Chris Peters / World-Herald staff writer

Walk into a slim canyon off the main path of the Desert Dome and listen closely. If you’re lucky, you might hear the rattling of venomous snakes.

Thirteen rattlesnakes slither around a silver mine-themed exhibit. Three inches of slightly angled protective glass separates spectators from what the Henry Doorly Zoo says is the world’s largest indoor rattlesnake exhibit.

Built where a hummingbird exhibit once stood, the newly opened 1,500 square-foot Rattlesnake Canyon features a 150 square-foot main attraction, two smaller displays of snakes and lizards and the lone remaining hummingbird display in the zoo. In total, 12 species of rattlesnakes and lizards native to the Sonoran Desert, which straddles southwest United States and northwest Mexico, were moved into the exhibit.

So far, the reptiles are feeling lively in their new home.



BRENDAN SULLIVAN

Rattlesnake Canyon, a $125,000 remodel project, is a new addition inside the Desert Dome at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

FULL story at link.

RATTLESNAKE CANYON
Opened: Sept. 12
Location: Desert Dome
Size: 1,500 square-feet
Cost: $125,000
Animals: Rattlesnakes, lizards, hummingbirds
New species: Neave’s Whiptail Lizard, Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail, Sonoran Spotted Whiptail, Desert Grassland Whiptail, New Mexican Whiptail
Future additions: Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake, Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake, Speckled Rattlesnake, Western Rattlesnake, Prairie Rattlesnake, Giant Mexican Horned Lizard, Yuman Fringe-toed Lizard, Collared Lizard, Leopard Lizard, Texas Horned Lizard, San Esteban Chuckwalla

[Laffy Kat]

1. That is so cool! nt

[Omaha Steve]

2. YES it is

Marta and I will make the trek to see it. That dome is open year round.

[frylock]

3. that is a great looking exhibit..

I have not seen one rattlesnake at all this season, and I'm out and riding my bikes on the trails almost every Saturday and Sunday. I'm guessing that the drought is having an effect on the population.

[Laffy Kat]

4. I saw a beautiful Eastern Diamondback while visiting my sis.

It was northern Florida, outside of Tallahassee. This was in May and they had had soooo much rain. The snake--whom I swear was at least four feet long--was swimming in a ditch at the side of the road. We stopped the car and took a photo. My sister explained that rattlesnakes, unlike moccasins, don't especially enjoy swimming. It had obviously been washed out of it's home and looked seriously pissed-off. Anyway, I couldn't get over its beauty. It was so perfect.

[Dirty Socialist]

5. I have a venomous snake phobia

They look cool, but I wouldn't want to be on the business end.

[cwydro]

6. I hate zoos,

But I would go to see this!