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ZooChat Challenge North America 2018

Discussion in 'Quizzes, Competitions & Games' started by jayjds2, 30 Dec 2017.

  1. jayjds2

    jayjds2 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Well, the title says it: similar to the European, UK, and global challenges of years past, this year I’m making a North American one (as there’s no North America general forum I’ve posted it in the US, but anybody is welcome to participate)!

    This year, the inaugural North American challenges focused on a broad and diverse group: reptiles! While some zoos have much more sizable collections than others, many diverse collections are found throughout the continent.

    Though I wasn’t around then, it was apparently @Shorts who created the rules for the original challenge, so thanks to him for that! I’ve adjusted a few of them for clarity for this specific challenge. Thanks also to @ThylacineAlive and @Vision, who encouraged me to make the challenge.

    The rules are:

    1. You have to actually see the animal, even if just for a second. Seeing the sign for the animal or simply visiting the collection that has it does not count.
    2. Photographic proof is not required, though it of course always helps to keep track of what you’ve seen. Your word is your bond.
    3. All entries must be presented in numbered list form, with scientific names included.*
    4. You have to see the animal via normal public access during normal public opening hours. Behind-the-scenes tours, whether offered by the zoo commercially or by a certain individual privately, do not count, nor do keeper-for-a-day programs or anything of the sort. Basically the species has to be seen as Joe Public would, from the public area of the zoo while it is open.
    5. Any severely limited opening or private collections don't count for this challenge. While some may disagree with this rule, it disadvantages others who are unable to arrange visits to such collections during those times. Facilities that may only be visited by tours are acceptable as long as the tours are offered during a large portion of the year. An example of this, I believe (I haven’t been there) is the Phoenix Herpetological Society.
    6. Only public zoological collections count. Animals seen at farms, exotic animal expos, or pet stores of any kind do not count. If a certain collection is confusing to you, please feel free to reply here or PM me with questions.
    7. Report your progress on this thread as you go along. While you won’t lose points for not doing so, it is more competitive if each person can see how all the other participants are faring. You do not need to re-type your list every time you update, quoting the previous post is sufficient. Include the collection you saw the species at and the date you visited it.
    8. Only one subspecies per species can be counted. If you do not see a pure subspecies, it is still okay to count the species. Refer to Reptile Database for any subspecies questions or elevations*.
    9. Similarly, refer to Reptile Database for any species splits*.
    10. Domestics do not count, the animals must be in a wild form. You can count a species that's been domesticated just as long as the animal you're looking at isn't (i.e. Australian Zebra Finches count but Domestic Zebra Finches do not). I do not believe this will be an issue with reptiles.
    11. Hybrid animals do not count. Any issues that may arise due to the taxonomy we are following will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
    12. Wild animals do not count, all species must be seen in captivity in North America under the conditions listed above.
    13. Any issues with any of the above rules is open to discussion but the rules are set and any decisions made are final.
    14. The winner will be the person who has seen the most species by December 31, 2018. Please be sure to have all of your entries in by this date.

    *for scientific names and other taxonomy-based issues (such as subspecies being elevated or splits), we will be using Reptile Database. It is obvious that not everyone will agree with their choices but for just a blanket taxonomy I decided to use them. Iit is simple to plug in whatever species into their search database (found here: Advanced search | The Reptile Database). I am not too bothered if someone puts an animal in a different genus, but species level is a more important matter for the purposes of the challenge.

    For the purposes of this challenge, birds do not count as reptiles (I know that many people do consider them reptiles but am not too knowledgeable about the subject). We’re just sticking with good old Crocodilia, Sphenodontia, Squamata, and Testudines.

    I posted this a bit early, just in case anyone wants to do some last-minute planning for January 1st. :D

    With that said, good luck, everybody! Have a happy 2018 and a great zoo-visiting year!
     
  2. pachyderm pro

    pachyderm pro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Yes! This is perfect! I have a good feeling about this one. Thanks for creating this Jay.
     
  3. birdsandbats

    birdsandbats Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    What is an example of a domestic reptile?
     
  4. Mehdi

    Mehdi Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Breeding forms of bearded dragon is one of them.
     
  5. jayjds2

    jayjds2 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I agree, and this should extend to captive-only morphs of pythons, iguanas, etc. in my opinion.

    By the way, a slight amendment to the rules I forgot to put earlier (more of a suggestion really): when listing your new species, put any lifers in bold. It’s alqays interesting to see what people find that’s new for them.
     
    Mehdi likes this.
  6. TZDugong

    TZDugong Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    This sounds fun! I went to San Diego Zoo a few weeks to early which sucks because I would have a pretty nice total already in this thread.
     
  7. NSU42

    NSU42 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I thought the exact same thing when I saw this! I'm visiting TN and went to both Nashville & Memphis last week. Oh well, going to Knoxville and Ripley's Aquarium today and Chattanooga and the Tennessee Aquarium tomorrow.
     
  8. TheGerenuk

    TheGerenuk Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Alright then, I'm in!
     
  9. d1am0ndback

    d1am0ndback Well-Known Member

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    Being between the impressive collections of Dallas, Fort Worth, and the Snake Farm in New Braunfels, I think I can compete fairly well this year.
     
  10. pachyderm pro

    pachyderm pro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    San Diego Zoo Safari Park - 01/01/2018
    1.) Black Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum gaigeae)
    2.) African Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus)
    3.) Whites Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea)
    4.) Prehensile-tailed Skink (Corucia zebrata)
    5.) Pancake Tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri)

    Seriously? I swore that the Safari Park had more then just five reptile exhibits. Are there any others I missed? I'll make up for it soon either way.
     
  11. jayjds2

    jayjds2 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Well, last I checked, frogs are amphibians, not reptiles...

    I believe some species were exhibited in the exit to Hidden Jungle.
     
    bongorob and Brum like this.
  12. pachyderm pro

    pachyderm pro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    ...

    Wow I need some sleep...
     
  13. pachyderm pro

    pachyderm pro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    SeaWorld San Diego - 01/02/18
    4.) Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
    5.) Red-eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)
    6.) Softshell Turtle (Trionychidae)
    7.) Texas Map Turtle (Graptemys versa)
     
  14. jayjds2

    jayjds2 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    This species will not count towards your total unless it is identified to species level.
     
  15. pachyderm pro

    pachyderm pro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I was completely off, I meant to say Fly River Turtle.
     
  16. NSU42

    NSU42 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    1. Komodo Dragon, Varanus komodoensis, Zoo Knoxville
    2. Prehensle-tailed Skink, Corucia zebrata, Zoo Knoxville
    3. Northern Caiman Lizard, Dracaena guianensis, Zoo Knoxville
    4. Baja Blue Rock Lizard, Petrosaurus thalassinus, Zoo Knoxville
    5. San Esteban Chuckwalla, Sauromalus varius, Zoo Knoxville
    6. Desert Spiny Lizard, Sceloporus magister, Zoo Knoxville
    7. Granite Spiny Lizard, Sceloporus orcutti, Zoo Knoxville
    8. Chinese Crocodile Lizard, Shinisaurus crocodilurus, Zoo Knoxville
    9. Egyptian Tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni, Zoo Knoxville
    10. Ornate Uromastyx, Uromastyx ornata, Zoo Knoxville
    11. Emerald Tree Monitor, Varanus prasinus, Zoo Knoxville
    12. Neon Day Gecko, Phelsuma klemmeri, Zoo Knoxville
    13. Plated Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia stumpffi, Zoo Knoxville
    14. Taylor's Shield Tailed Agama, Xenagama taylori, Zoo Knoxville
    15. Reticulated Python, Malayopython reticulatus, Zoo Knoxville
    16. Guatemalan Beaded Lizard, Heloderma charlesbogerti, Zoo Knoxville
    17. Mexican Spiny Lizard, Ctenosaura similis, Zoo Knoxville
    18. Four-eyed Turtle, Sacalia quadriocellata, Zoo Knoxville
    19. Black-breasted Leaf Turtle, Geomyda spengleri, Zoo Knoxville
    20. Emerald Tree Boa, Corallus batesii, Zoo Knoxville
    21. Aruba Island Rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus unicolor, Zoo Knoxville
    22. New Caledonia Day Gecko, Rhacodactylus leachianus, Zoo Knoxville
    23. Catalina Island Rattlesnake, Crotalus catalinensis, Zoo Knoxville
    24. Northern Blue-tongued Skink, Tiliqua scincoides intermedia, Zoo Knoxville
    25. Mole Kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata, Zoo Knoxville
    26. Desert Massasauga, Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii, Zoo Knoxville
    27. Queretaran Dusky Rattlesnake, Crotalus aquilus, Zoo Knoxville
    28. Gray-banded Kingsnake, Lampropeltis alterna, Zoo Knoxville
    29. Home's Hingeback Tortoise, Kinixys homeana, Zoo Knoxville
    30. Green Iguana, Iguana iguana, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
     
  17. pachyderm pro

    pachyderm pro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    San Diego Zoo - 01/03/18
    8.) West African Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)
    9.) West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus)
    10.) Ethiopian Mountain Adder (Bitis parviocula)
    11.) Mang Mountain Pit Viper (Trimeresurus mangshanensis)
    12.) Philippine fin-tailed Lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus)
    13.) Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
    14.) Raided Tortoise (Astrochelys radiate)
    15.) Europian Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis)
    16.) Two-striped Garter Snake (Thamnophis hammondii)
    17.) San Diego Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer)
    18.) San Diego Mountain King Snake (Lampropeltis zonata pulchra)
    19.) Baja California Rat Snake (Bogertophis rosaliae)
    20.) Giant Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma asio)
    21.) Black Breasted Leaf Turtle (Geoemyda spengleri)
    22.) Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis)
    23.) Galapagos Tortoise (Geochelone nigra)
    24.) Roti Island Snake necked Turtle (Chelodina mccordi)
    25.) Malayan Snail eating Turtle (Malayemys macrocephala)
    26.) Red Headed River Turtle (Podocnemis erythrocephala)
    27.) Indian Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
    28.) Malaysian Giant Turtle (Orlitia borneensis)
    29.) Indo Gangetic Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctate)
    30.) Asian Brown Tortoise (Manouria emys)
    31.) African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcate)
    32.) Southern Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
    33.) African Pancake Tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri )
    34.) Burmese Star Tortoise (Geochelone platynota)
    35.) Pacific Pond Turtle (Clemmys marmorata)
    36.) Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri)
    37.) Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber)
    38.) Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii Pyrrhus)
    39.) Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)
     
  18. d1am0ndback

    d1am0ndback Well-Known Member

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    Little Rock Zoo:
    1. Aldabra Tortoise- Aldabrachelys gigantea
    2. American Alligator- Alligator mississippiensis
    3. Green Iguana- Iguana iguana
    4. Coachwhip- Masticophis flagellum
    5. Speckled Kingsnake- Lampropeltis getula holbrooki
    6. Black Rat Snake- Pantherophis obsoletus
    7. Western Pygmy Rattlesnake- Sistrurus miliarius streckeri
    8. Southern Copperhead- Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix
    9. Cottonmouth- Agkistrodon piscivorus
    10. Common Flying Gecko- Ptychozoon kuhli
    11. Banded Rock Rattlesnake- Crotalus lepidus
    12. Tokay Gecko- Gekko gecko
    13. Sinaloan Milksnake- Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae
    14. Red Tegu- Tupinambis rufescens
    15. Northern Pine Snake- Pituophis melanoleucus
    16. Leopard Gecko- Eublepharis macularius
    17. Mexican Burrowing Python- Loxocemus bicolor
    18. Eyelash Viper- Bothriechis schlegelii
    19. Gaboon Viper- Bitis gabonica
    20. Philippine Palm Viper- Trimeresurus flavomaculatus
    21. Yellow Rat Snake- Pantherophis alleghaniensis
    22. Gray Rat Snake- Pantherophis spiloides
    23. Green Tree Python- Morelia viridis
    24. Prehensile Tail Skink- Corucia zebrata
    25. Taylor's Cantil- Agkistrodon bilineatus taylori
    26. Savu Python- Liasis mackloti savuensis
    27. Frilled Lizard- Chlamydosaurus kingii
    28. White Lipped Viper- Trimeresurus albolabris
    29. Standing's Day Gecko- Phelsuma standingi
    30. Gila Monster- Heloderma suspectum
    31. Burmese Python- Python bivittatus
    32. Sonoran Gopher Snake- Pituophis catenifer affinis
    33. Knight Anole- Anolis equestris
    34. Giant Day Gecko- Phelsuma grandis
    35. Northern Blue Tongue Skink- Tiliqua scincoides intermedia
    36. Puff Adder- Bitis arietans
    37. Amazon Tree Boa- Corallus hortulanus
    38. Red Spitting Cobra- Naja pallida
    39. Green Basilisk- Basiliscus basiliscus
    40. Angolan Python- Python anchietae
    41. Fire Skink- Lepidothyris fernandi
    42. Sudan Plated Lizard- Gerrhosaurus major
    43. Mole Snake- Pseudaspis cana
     
  19. pachyderm pro

    pachyderm pro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Living Coast Discovery Center - 1/5/18
    40. San Diego Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata)
    41. Chuckwalla (Sauromalus)
    42. Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)
    43. Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata)
     
  20. NSU42

    NSU42 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, 1/6/2018

    31. Cave Rat Snake, Orthriophis (or Elaphe) taeniura ridleyi
    32. Rhino Rat Snake, Rhynchophis boulengeri
    33. Malagasy Blonde Hognose Snake, Leioheterodon modestus
    34. Glass Lizard, Ophisaurus apodus
    35. Red-eyed Crocodile Skink, Tribolonotus gracilis
    36. Hog Island Boa, Boa constrictor imperator
    37. Mexican Black Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula nigrita
    38. Barbour's Map Turtle, Graptemys barbouri
    39. Blood Python, Python brongersmai
    40. Quince Monitor, Varanus melinus
    41. Nile Softshell Turtle, Trionyx triunguis
    42. Green Crested Basilisk, Basiliscus plumifrons
    43. Yellow Anaconda, Eunectes notaeus
    44. Central American Tiger Rat, Spilotes pullatus
    45. Philippine Crocodile, Crocodylus mindorensis
    46. Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Caretta caretta
    47. Panther Chameleon, Furcifer pardalis
    48. Madagascar Ground Boa, Acrantophis madagascariensis
    49. Malagasy Hognose Snake, Leioheterodon madagascariensis
    50. Standing Day Gecko, Phelsuma standing
    51. Spiny-tailed Iguana, Oplurus cuvieri
    52. Plated Lizard, Zonosaurus karsteni
    53. Flat-tailed Tortoise, Pyxis planicauda
    54. Radiated Tortoise, Astrochelys radiate
    55. Ploughshare Tortoise, Astrochelys yniphora
    56. Madagascar Big Headed Turtle, Erymnochelys madagascariensis
    57. Gray's Monitor, Varanus olivaceus
    58. Helmeted Marsh Terrapin, Pelomedusa subrufa
    59. Puff Adder, Bitis arietans
    60. Angolan Python, Python anchietae
    61. Many-horned Adder, Bitis cornuta
    62. Cape Coral Cobra, Aspidelaps lubricus
    63. Black Mamba, Dendroaspis polylepis
    64. Giant Plated Lizard, Gerrhosaurus validus
    65. Brown Tree Snake, Boiga irregularis
    66. Common Death Adder, Acanthophis antarcticus
    67. Frilled Dragon, Chlamydosaurus kingii
    68. Mertens' Water Monitor, Varanus mertensi
    69. Collett's Snake, Pseudechis colletti
    70. Rough-scaled Death Adder, Acanthophis rugosus
    71. Banded Knob-tailed Gecko, Nephrurus wheeleri
    72. Australian Tree Skink, Egernia striolata
    73. Spiny-tailed Monitor, Varanus acanthurus
    74. King Brown, Pseudechis australis
    75. Centralian Python, Morelia bredli
    76. Bearded Dragon, Pogona vitticeps
    77. Mexican Spiny-tailed Iguana, Ctenosaura pectinate
    78. Sonoran Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata luteola
    79. Blue Spiny-tailed Lizard, Sceloporus cyanogenys
    80. Giant Mexican Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma asio
    81. Common Chuckwalla, Sauromalus ater
    82. New Mexico Whiptail, Aspidoscelis neomexicanus
    83. Sonoran Spotted Whiptail, Aspidoscelis sonorae
    84. Common Collared Lizard, Crotaphytus collaris
    85. Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox
    86. Cantil Viper, Agkistrodon bilineatus bilineatus
    87. Mojave Rattlesnake, Crotalus scutulatus
    88. Arizona Black Rattlesnake, Crotalus cerberus
    89. Mottled Rock Rattlesnake, Crotalus Lepidus
    90. Great Basin Rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus lutosus
    91. Sidewinder, Crotalus cerastes
    92. Green Tree Python, Morelia viridis
    93. Haitian (Hispaniolan) Boa, Epicrates striatus
    94. Amethystine Python, Morelia amethistina
    95. Amazon Tree Boa, Corallus hortulanus
    96. Fly River Turtle, Carettochelys insculpta
    97. Northern Australian Snake-necked Turtle, Chelodina oblonga
    98. Pink-bellied Side-necked Turtle, Emydura subglobosa
    99. Krefft's River Turtle, Emydura macquarii krefftii
    100. Johnson's Crocodile, Crocodylus johnsoni
    101. Black Pine Snake, Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus
    102. Corn Snake, Pantherophis guttatus
    103. American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis
    104. Yellow-blotched Map Turtle, Graptemys flavimaculata
    105. Western Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta
    106. Spectacled Caiman, Caiman crocodilus
    107. American Crocodile, Crocodylus acutus
     
    Last edited: 8 Jan 2018