Yesterday we announced our role in Project Obscurus, an exciting new conservation initiative underway to protect the endangered New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi obscurus). This nationwide program involves many government agencies, non-profit partners, as well as two other zoos (Los Angeles Zoo and San Antonio Zoo) in a cooperative effort to support the conservation and recovery of this rare montane rattlesnake. This federally listed species is seeing population declines due to threats from drought and wildfires.
We are currently caring for SIX baby rattlers — and mom — as part of a new breeding program to grow a healthy population! HIIZ Keeper Stephen is caring for our little snake charges, and is happy to report that all of the snek babes have eaten their first meal — no easy feat! Read our update directly from Stephen himself:
Hold on to your hats, we’ve got exciting news! We’ve taken a huge step forward in protecting the endangered New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi obscurus) as part of a federal program in partnership with the Los Angeles Zoo, the San Antonio Zoo, and a number of government agencies and independent organizations including the The Rattlesnake Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game & Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). (See comments for the full list of project partners!)
We are thrilled to announce the beginning of a captive breeding program right here at the Desert Museum! Our HIIZ team brought a gravid (pregnant) female back from Mexico, and she gave birth to SIX healthy rattler babies in August! Because rattlesnakes are relatively good moms compared to most other snakes, they typically stick around with their young for roughly a week until the babies have their first shed. After the ‘lil spicy noodles first shed, Keeper Stephen moved them into their own enclosures.
A big part of building a successful conservation program is taking proper care of unique animals with unique diets! After the first shed, the next challenge was to make sure the babies ate a satisfying first meal. As it turns out, this species is known for eating some “weird stuff” as juveniles. Check back tomorrow to read Keeper Stephen’s own account of getting the little sneks to eat their first meal, with accompanying video, and find out what they feasted on!
Please note in the first photo one of the babies head sticking out of mom’s coil! SO CUTE!
A statement from Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Steve mentioned looking for a rare rattle snake in his Querencia book. Anyone know if it was this one?
Pretty sure the one in Querencia was black-tailed. The ridge-nosed seem only to live way down in the NM bootheel and Arizona.