Catalina Island Rattlesnake

The Catalina Island rattlesnake (Crotalus catalinensis) is a unique rattlesnake species found on the Catalina islands off the cost of southern California. The LAIR team has taken a keen interest in studying the reproductive behaviors of this rare snake. These beautiful rattlesnakes have different color morphs, with some being darker than others.  The coloration difference mirrors the different areas of the islands the snake is from. Darker coloration indicate a soil-based environment with more vegetation as cover, while lighter colors blend in with a sand-based substrate with rocky outcroppings and arid scrub. Check out the differences below:

Dark pigment blends in more effectively with darker soils and vegetation cover

Lighter pigment matches with rocky and sandy environments

 Over the course of many years and multiple expeditions to Catalina Island, the team has successfully bred the rattlesnakes in captivity. In fact, the team's breeding program has become one of the most successful rattler breeding programs in the country.

Gray's Monitors

Some of the more unique animals at the LAIR are the Gray's monitors (Varanus olivaceus). These medium sized monitors can be found in the Philippines and are rare in captive collections.  Perhaps the most striking characteristic of these monitors is that their diet consists mostly of fruits.

V. olivaceus are arboreal and can often be found in the trees

While the reproductive behavior of these lizards is relatively unknown, LA Zoo has taken a keen interest in captive propagation. Using learnings from their experience with breeding Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), the LAIR team continues to refine their methods with the hope of successfully rearing babies.

V. olivaceus foraging for food on the floor of the enclosure

Gaboon Vipers!

Gaboon vipers (Bitis gabonica) are the ultimate ambush predator. These thick-bodied snakes lie in wait for prey and strike out with explosive force. When threatened the Gaboon viper puffs its body up to look bigger and forcefully blows air through its windpipe to make a loud hiss. Although they look clumsy and fat, they're capable of striking with incredible speed and are considered by some to be the fastest strikers in the snake world. Known as butterfly vipers for the gorgeous chevron pattern on their back, the gaboon viper is endangered and has become increasingly rare due to habitat destruction.

One of the LAIR's gorgeous West African Gaboon vipers (B. gabonica rhinoceros)

Gaboon vipers are famous for having the largest fangs in the snake world. Reaching up to 2 inches, these fangs act like hyper dermic needles, allowing the snake to quickly dispatch prey by injecting large quantities of venom deep into the body cavity. This not only immobilizes prey rapidly, but also decreases the change of damage to the snake itself. Rats and mice have large incisors and could easily injure the snake.  Check out the fangs from a medium sized gaboon below:

Check out the size of Gaboon viper (B. gabonica) fangs