Australia has representation in the Toronto Zoo. We have seen some of the birds, now we will look at a few of the reptiles.
The Lace Monitor is a lizard with scales that look like beads and of course the forked tongue. Also at the end of the video is the worlds most famous pet turtle, the Pond Slider, hailing from Australia and shipped all over the world.
Frogs have to be included in the group.
Australia is know for having a lot of poisonous insects, spiders and snakes. Although not all are poisonous but if you do not know, why take your chances? The green tree python looks harmless just sleeping in a tree. Maybe you have seen the South American Emerald Tree Boa? Could they be related and so far apart geographically?
Getting back to turtles, the Toronto Zoo has a very unique turtle species from Australia. It is called a Fly River Turtle or colloquially the Pig-nosed turtle. Besides the shape of its nose which lets it stay submerged and still breath through its snorkel nose, this turtle does not have scales on its shell, but has a skin growing over its shell. Its feet are more like fins than feet.
While researching this unique turtle, I was astounded to learn that only two weeks ago a Fly River Turtle was rescued from Wasaga Beach in Ontario Canada only fourty five miles from where I live. That is a long way from it’s native rivers in New Guinea and northern Australia. How did it get here? It was in the Nottawasaga River near the beach when neighbours noticed a turtle that seemed to be sick. The water temperature is dropping as we head into winter. She was not healthy and would not have survived the winter. She has been rescued, given the name “Dinosaur”, and will live under the care of specialists in a warm environment at one of the Reptilia facilities.
What a fun collection of animals in the Toronto Zoo!
Living just an hour south of Portland, I’m especially fond of frogs these days, and it’s a delight to see our Northern neighbors enjoy them as well!
Where do your frogs go in winter?
Wow, I wonder how the Fly River Turtle managed to get to Canada. My guess is it wanted to appear in your blog?! 😉
The speculation on the local news it that someone “acquired” it as a pet and when they were no longer able to care for it, they just released it into the river.
I might be able to visit her in her new home.
What
Oops…. What a fun turtle. I love visiting zoos because we get to see and learn about animals we may have never known existed otherwise.
Sometimes the zoo creates an interest in an animal and I go online to learn more about them.
That is how I found out about “Dinosaur”.
Doug, what a crazy-looking turtle! Thanks for that!
What awesome shots of all the critters! Lia would love visiting the reptiles at the Toronto Zoo, she especially loves lizards, snakes and frogs!
I hope she can find some near her home.