HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Zoo announced on Thursday a new generation of reptiles at its facilities, including baby tortoises, vipers, and skinks.
Zoo officials stated in a press release that this new batch of reptiles came just in time for October’s spooky season, with some of the arrivals being the first of their kind ever at the zoo.
One of these new arrivals is a bundle of Hosmer’s spiny-tailed skinks, which officials said marked a first-ever birth for the Houston Zoo. Experts described the skinks as a live-bearing species, with the newborns looking like miniatures of their parents. As their name suggests, the Hosmer’s spiny-tailed skinks have tail scales with prominent spines, as well as sharp ridges on their body scales.
A Hosmer’s spiny-tailed skink at the Houston Zoo.
Barbara Alicea-Aponte/Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo also welcomed the birth of five eyelash vipers, which are another live-bearing species. Experts said the babies are born with fully functional fangs and venom. The vipers’ recognizable “eyelashes” are actually scales, experts explained.
A baby eyelash pit viper at the Houston Zoo.
Barbara Alicea-Aponte/Houston Zoo
One set of newborns marked a return for the Houston Zoo with the hatching of baby star tortoises. Named for the star-shaped patterns on their shells, the tortoises have not been at the Houston Zoo in recent years, officials said.
A young star tortoise at the Houston Zoo.
Barbara Alicea-Aponte/Houston Zoo
Last but not least, the Houston Zoo also announced a new batch of Henkel’s leaf-tailed geckos, which Zoo officials said resulted from recommended pairings by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
“These births contribute to carefully managed populations of this distinctive species and demonstrate the important role accredited zoos play in maintaining genetically healthy populations of animals,” the Houston Zoo stated about the baby geckos.
The Henkel’s leaf-tailed geckos are described as “masters of disguise,” utilizing their tails as camouflage. Experts said the geckos are nocturnal, with huge eyes that are adapted to see in low-light conditions.
The Houston Zoo said guests can see these baby reptiles in a specially designed habitat in the Reptile and Amphibian House, next to the reticulated pythons.
“These new reptiles represent more than exciting additions to the Zoo,” the Houston Zoo explained. “They are part of a larger effort to safeguard wildlife for generations to come.”
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