American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History
November 12, 2006

Today was a good museum day. With rain in the forecast, we headed to the Museum of Natural History, on the west side of Central Park. I hadn't been in more than 7 years, so this was a treat.

Snakes & Lizards: Alive!
These scaley creatures, known as squamites, can be found in all climates and environments around the world. There are over 8,000 species of these ancient animals. We were fascinated by the selection in this exhibit.

Rhinoceros Iguana - these live on the Caribbean islands, and are named for the horns on their head, which are used for combat among males. They typically grow to 3-4 feet long.

The Veiled Chameleon has a very sticky tongue that can be as long as its body, and can move insects weighing half their weight. Their toes are fused into two pads, which are used to grab even very thin branches. The tail acts as a fifth limb

Emerald Tree Boas originate from the Amazon Basin. They have separated jaws that can stretch 20-30 times their resting length, allowing them to consume large prey.

Eastern Green Mamba's venom attacks the nervous system, affecting breathing, muscle control and, in human victims, speech.

The Gabon Viper has a short, massive body, but
can strike its prey with lightning speed and deadly
venom.

Look at the horns on its head!

Red Spitting Cobras spit venom from six feet away with amazing accuracy, targeting their victims' eyes. The venom burns the cornea and can cause permanent blindness.

The Burmese Python squeezes the life out of its prey, literally. At two years old, these snakes can be as much as 12 feet long. The largest living snake ever recorded, a Reticulated Python, was 33 feet long!

Close up on Burmese Python - their flexible skulls allow them to swallow very large prey, larger than their own heads.

Campbell's Milk Snakes resemble the Coral Snake, but are harmless. It was (mistakenly) thought they sucked milk from cows' udders because they were often found in dairy barns, where their favorite food - mice - are plentiful.

Madagascan Giant Day Geckos have up to a billion
tiny hairs on their toes, which allow them to stick to
almost any surface.

The Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko stores fat in its flat
tail, used for energy during times of need.

Their eyes look like small marbles and are extremely light-sensitive.

And they blend very well into the tree.

Chuckwallas Lizards have blue bellies and like to bask on large boulders.

Western Fence Lizard standing on Chuckwallas Lizard (poking it in the eye).

Another Western Fence Lizard hangs from the ceiling of its aquarium. These lizards have a protein in their blood that kills Lyme disease carrying ticks.

Eastern Water Dragons use their strong tails to swim thru water when escaping danger. They can stay under water for more than an hour.

Cuban Knight Anoles can change color, depending on their emotions or environment. A male's throat sac, or dewlap, is extended when courting, or defending its territory.

Green Basilisk Lizard - not only are these lizards quick, but their speed and big feet allow them to run on water!

Monitor Lizards are carnivores and use their forked tongues to pick up a prey's scent. They use their strong claws to tear at their victims, or dinner, sometimes nearly their own size!