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Two critically endangered Chinese alligators are on exhibit at the San Diego Zoo. The zoo hopes they will be successfully bred to ensure the survival of the species. |
The San Diego Zoo has opened a new Reptile Walk exhibit behind the zoo's Klauber-Shaw Reptile House. The exhibit, opened on the 4th of July features three new reptile areas for turtles, amphibians, and an exhibit showcasing Southern California's native reptile and amphibian populations. Also on exhibit are two critically endangered female Chinese alligators (Alligator sinensis) that the zoo hopes will form the basis of a breeding program. The alligators, named Xiao and Xidi, are in an open air exhibit and are on loan from an alligator farm in Florida.
The exhibits are built to mimic the look and feel of each animal's native habitats, including marshes, swamps, vernal pools and bogs, enabling visitors to walk through the exhibits and see the animals in a more natural environment. More than 50 reptile and amphibian species are on exhibit at Reptile Walk, including poison frogs, the critically endangered mountain yellow-legged frog, mossy tree frogs, giant horned lizards (Phrynosoma asio) , king snakes (Lampropeltis sp), Malayan giant turtles, leaf tailed geckos (Uroplatus sp.), and more. For more information on the Reptile Walk at the San Diego Zoo, please visit the zoo's website here.
View a clip of some of the exhibits at Reptile Walk.