| Meet Our Animal Ambassadors |
Given the current attacks being made on the pet trade (especially the reptile and
amphibian community) by well-organized anti-pet groups like HSUS and PETA,
educational programs involving non-traditional pets are more important than ever.
Mason Dixon Reptiles strives to introduce more people every year to the exciting and
interesting world of captive bred exotic pets and reptiles. Even if the people we speak
with never own so much as a single corn snake, we hope that they will have in their
memories a fond recollection of holding one of our snakes, lizards or other animals that
will guide them in future decisions and ballot choices regarding "exotic pets". Listed
below are some of our best animal ambassadors- their stories and photos.
amphibian community) by well-organized anti-pet groups like HSUS and PETA,
educational programs involving non-traditional pets are more important than ever.
Mason Dixon Reptiles strives to introduce more people every year to the exciting and
interesting world of captive bred exotic pets and reptiles. Even if the people we speak
with never own so much as a single corn snake, we hope that they will have in their
memories a fond recollection of holding one of our snakes, lizards or other animals that
will guide them in future decisions and ballot choices regarding "exotic pets". Listed
below are some of our best animal ambassadors- their stories and photos.
Rio, '05 male jungle corn (corn snake x thayeri kingsnake)
When considering a snake that makes an ideal ambassador, one usually
thinks of slow moving, calm snakes with very little tendency to bite. Rio is
probably one of the best ambassadors that is currently in our care. He
was purchased from a local reptile shop, and the back story we got is
that he was returned when a young woman got out of reptile keeping
entirely, along with several other snakes. I wish I could find and thank
this young woman, because Rio is the calmest, kindest snake I have ever
met. He has never hissed, struck or bit anyone, and has been handled
by literally hundreds of school children-- from daycare age through high
school seniors.
Rio is colorful and of a good size (38" head to tail) to be impressive but
not intimidating. His most recent trip was a visit to a pre-school class at
Sparrows Point High school in May 2009.
When considering a snake that makes an ideal ambassador, one usually
thinks of slow moving, calm snakes with very little tendency to bite. Rio is
probably one of the best ambassadors that is currently in our care. He
was purchased from a local reptile shop, and the back story we got is
that he was returned when a young woman got out of reptile keeping
entirely, along with several other snakes. I wish I could find and thank
this young woman, because Rio is the calmest, kindest snake I have ever
met. He has never hissed, struck or bit anyone, and has been handled
by literally hundreds of school children-- from daycare age through high
school seniors.
Rio is colorful and of a good size (38" head to tail) to be impressive but
not intimidating. His most recent trip was a visit to a pre-school class at
Sparrows Point High school in May 2009.
RIP Lucky, adult female Eastern Box Turtle
Unlike Rio, Lucky is a reptile that has clearly suffered at the hands of at least
some of the humans she has encountered. Lucky came to our care purely by
accident. She was abandoned in a high school classroom one summer, in a
10 gallon aquarium with dry potting soil and a flat rock. She had no light or
heat, no water, and no food for God only knows how long. A custodian
brought her to my attention and I took her into my care. Upon examining her, I
discovered that she had extensive injuries to her face and feet, in addition to
what appeared to be crush marks on her shell. I took her to my herp vet, Dr.
Michael Herko of Falls Road Animal Hospital, and his examination was even
more revealing. Lucky had dry soil caked on her face, in her eyes and on her
feet. When the soil was cleaned away, we found that her rostrum (snout) had
rotted away, in addition to most of the toes on her front limbs. What we
thought were nails turned out to be bones, poking out of what was left of her
skin on her feet. I was given some antibiotics and an appetite stimulant and
told not to be upset if she did not make it, as Dr. Herko had not seen so bad a
case of reptile neglect in years.
But Lucky did make it, pulling through and feeding voraciously on superworms
the day before I was going to have her put down for lack of feeding and
recovery. In the intervening years, Lucky has improved greatly. The missing
Unlike Rio, Lucky is a reptile that has clearly suffered at the hands of at least
some of the humans she has encountered. Lucky came to our care purely by
accident. She was abandoned in a high school classroom one summer, in a
10 gallon aquarium with dry potting soil and a flat rock. She had no light or
heat, no water, and no food for God only knows how long. A custodian
brought her to my attention and I took her into my care. Upon examining her, I
discovered that she had extensive injuries to her face and feet, in addition to
what appeared to be crush marks on her shell. I took her to my herp vet, Dr.
Michael Herko of Falls Road Animal Hospital, and his examination was even
more revealing. Lucky had dry soil caked on her face, in her eyes and on her
feet. When the soil was cleaned away, we found that her rostrum (snout) had
rotted away, in addition to most of the toes on her front limbs. What we
thought were nails turned out to be bones, poking out of what was left of her
skin on her feet. I was given some antibiotics and an appetite stimulant and
told not to be upset if she did not make it, as Dr. Herko had not seen so bad a
case of reptile neglect in years.
But Lucky did make it, pulling through and feeding voraciously on superworms
the day before I was going to have her put down for lack of feeding and
recovery. In the intervening years, Lucky has improved greatly. The missing
toes are of no consequence to her, and the skin on her rostrum has grown back, though to this day she lacks nares, or nostrils. We assume she
breathes through her mouth rather than her nose. She enjoys spending time lounging in her water bowl, and loves to chase superworms across the floor.
She is one of our best examples of how the human-animal bond can go horribly wrong, and a good example of the fighting spirit and will to live that so
many neglected, abused and abandoned reptiles exhibit. We typically take Lucky with us to shows in order to remind people of the dedication and
commitment required to keep and maintain long-lived species like Eastern Box turtles. Unfortunately, Lucky passed away on May 31st, 2010, due to a
freak accident. We miss her every day, but hope that the people she met and charmed will remember her plight and be considerate of the needs of
reptiles and animals around them. RIP, Lucky.
breathes through her mouth rather than her nose. She enjoys spending time lounging in her water bowl, and loves to chase superworms across the floor.
She is one of our best examples of how the human-animal bond can go horribly wrong, and a good example of the fighting spirit and will to live that so
many neglected, abused and abandoned reptiles exhibit. We typically take Lucky with us to shows in order to remind people of the dedication and
commitment required to keep and maintain long-lived species like Eastern Box turtles. Unfortunately, Lucky passed away on May 31st, 2010, due to a
freak accident. We miss her every day, but hope that the people she met and charmed will remember her plight and be considerate of the needs of
reptiles and animals around them. RIP, Lucky.
RIP Adelina, adult female African house snake
We would be remiss to create a page showcasing ambassador animals
without mention of our beautiful house snake, Adelina. We had Adelina
for only a short time (October 2008 -- April 2009) but in those months,
Addy, as she was usually called, was handled by many high school
students and teachers, some of whom had never before touched, let
alone held a live snake. Addy was famous for hitting her f/t mice every
week and coiling into what we called the "cone of death," but in spite of
her aggressive feeding response, she never once struck at a human in
the months we had her. Addy's former owner reported that she had been
an excellent ambassador for her own reptile programs-- being handled
often by people of all ages. She was beautiful, calm and dignified, which
is all anyone could ever ask of a lady.
Rest in peace, Adelina. You are forever missed.
We would be remiss to create a page showcasing ambassador animals
without mention of our beautiful house snake, Adelina. We had Adelina
for only a short time (October 2008 -- April 2009) but in those months,
Addy, as she was usually called, was handled by many high school
students and teachers, some of whom had never before touched, let
alone held a live snake. Addy was famous for hitting her f/t mice every
week and coiling into what we called the "cone of death," but in spite of
her aggressive feeding response, she never once struck at a human in
the months we had her. Addy's former owner reported that she had been
an excellent ambassador for her own reptile programs-- being handled
often by people of all ages. She was beautiful, calm and dignified, which
is all anyone could ever ask of a lady.
Rest in peace, Adelina. You are forever missed.
Jester, '07 Pueblan milksnake
Jester is a new addition to our program. She was purchased as a discount
from a local Petsmart that was having a difficult time selling her due to her
size and age. They had her in stock for over a year without a sale, and with
one escape on her part. Jester is currently unused to being handled, and is
thrashy, a tendency shared by many milksnakes. She settles down well once
she is removed from her vivarium, and we are hopeful that regular handling
sessions will continue to improve her dispostion. Regardless, she will be very
useful to the educational component of our outreach events as a prime
example of Batesian mimicry employed by some non-venomous snakes in
order to afford them the protection of association with venom producing
species. Many North American milk snakes, for instance, mimic the Coral
Snake, a highly venomous species. This type of mimicry can also be seen in
behaviors, such as tail rattling, in Western hognosed snakes.
Jester is a new addition to our program. She was purchased as a discount
from a local Petsmart that was having a difficult time selling her due to her
size and age. They had her in stock for over a year without a sale, and with
one escape on her part. Jester is currently unused to being handled, and is
thrashy, a tendency shared by many milksnakes. She settles down well once
she is removed from her vivarium, and we are hopeful that regular handling
sessions will continue to improve her dispostion. Regardless, she will be very
useful to the educational component of our outreach events as a prime
example of Batesian mimicry employed by some non-venomous snakes in
order to afford them the protection of association with venom producing
species. Many North American milk snakes, for instance, mimic the Coral
Snake, a highly venomous species. This type of mimicry can also be seen in
behaviors, such as tail rattling, in Western hognosed snakes.
Tank, male Bearded Dragon
Tank is a very calm Bearded Dragon who offers good handling
opportunities for people of all ages. He is calm, of a good size for
handling without being intimidating, and is not at all flighty. We will be
incorporating Tank into our classroom presentations this fall.
Tank was the product of an unexpected breeding between two pet
dragons housed in the same vivarium, and was offered for sale on
Craig's List. We don't know much else about his history, but his small
size coupled with the fact that we know he was housed on blue
calci-sand indicates that he was not as well-cared for as he ought to
have been.
He is also a really good real life example of the dangers of housing
reptiles together. Unexpected breedings can yield unwanted offspring,
many of whom will not survive to adulthood due to neglect or ignorance
of the owners.
Tank is a very calm Bearded Dragon who offers good handling
opportunities for people of all ages. He is calm, of a good size for
handling without being intimidating, and is not at all flighty. We will be
incorporating Tank into our classroom presentations this fall.
Tank was the product of an unexpected breeding between two pet
dragons housed in the same vivarium, and was offered for sale on
Craig's List. We don't know much else about his history, but his small
size coupled with the fact that we know he was housed on blue
calci-sand indicates that he was not as well-cared for as he ought to
have been.
He is also a really good real life example of the dangers of housing
reptiles together. Unexpected breedings can yield unwanted offspring,
many of whom will not survive to adulthood due to neglect or ignorance
of the owners.
Anne, '07 female albino ball python
Sometimes you need a snake that just doesn't look anything like any snakes
the people you are working with have ever seen before. Many people have
had "bad" or "frightening" experiences with native black rat snakes, which
are very common in the Eastern United States. Anne, our albino ball python,
along with other white or light colored snakes, can make a lot of difference
in whether or not a person handles a snake.
Anne is a calm and sedate ball python, like many of her species, and
doesn't mind handling too much. We tend not to use ball pythons for
presentations to large groups or boisterous children, due to their somewhat
shy nature and tendency to go off-feed when stressed. Anne was ideal,
however, for charming a group of elderly ladies on a field trip in March 2009.
Many of the ladies had never before held a snake and one remarked that
while she had "always wanted to" hold a snake, she had feared that she
would not get a chance to do so before she died. Anne was happy to help
her out in achieving something she never thought she'd be able to do!
Sometimes you need a snake that just doesn't look anything like any snakes
the people you are working with have ever seen before. Many people have
had "bad" or "frightening" experiences with native black rat snakes, which
are very common in the Eastern United States. Anne, our albino ball python,
along with other white or light colored snakes, can make a lot of difference
in whether or not a person handles a snake.
Anne is a calm and sedate ball python, like many of her species, and
doesn't mind handling too much. We tend not to use ball pythons for
presentations to large groups or boisterous children, due to their somewhat
shy nature and tendency to go off-feed when stressed. Anne was ideal,
however, for charming a group of elderly ladies on a field trip in March 2009.
Many of the ladies had never before held a snake and one remarked that
while she had "always wanted to" hold a snake, she had feared that she
would not get a chance to do so before she died. Anne was happy to help
her out in achieving something she never thought she'd be able to do!
Dingo, '07 male Woma python
Dingo is an ever-growing four year old Woma with a wonderful personality.
He has just recently begun attending reptile events with us, and has been a
great hit with children and adults alike. Dingo has now reached the
impressive size of four foot, with growing left to do, and that coupled with his
lovely striped pattern never fails to elicit oohs and ahhs from an audience.
Dingo is one of our calmest and most personable snakes and allows a wide
variety of people, including children, to handle him without remark. His
smooth, velvety scales are a joy to touch, and his size leaves people with a
fond memory of handling a good-sized snake without the fear sometimes
instilled by his giant-sized cousins.
Dingo is an ever-growing four year old Woma with a wonderful personality.
He has just recently begun attending reptile events with us, and has been a
great hit with children and adults alike. Dingo has now reached the
impressive size of four foot, with growing left to do, and that coupled with his
lovely striped pattern never fails to elicit oohs and ahhs from an audience.
Dingo is one of our calmest and most personable snakes and allows a wide
variety of people, including children, to handle him without remark. His
smooth, velvety scales are a joy to touch, and his size leaves people with a
fond memory of handling a good-sized snake without the fear sometimes
instilled by his giant-sized cousins.
Avery, '09 Northern Blue Tongued Skink
Avery is one of our most recent additions and has just begun
travelling with us to events in 2010. She has been a great success,
and her current size of 16" coupled with her very docile manner has
been a wonderful asset to our program.
Children in particular enjoy the bright blue tongue that these skinks
are famous for, leading to questions of purpose and function,
adaptations to an organisms environment and defense mechanisms
such as bluffing.
Avery is also famous for her seemingly unending appetite. She will eat
without fail in front of any audience, to the delight of children and
adults alike, who enjoy seeing her rear up on her legs and "leap" for a
superworm!
Avery is one of our most recent additions and has just begun
travelling with us to events in 2010. She has been a great success,
and her current size of 16" coupled with her very docile manner has
been a wonderful asset to our program.
Children in particular enjoy the bright blue tongue that these skinks
are famous for, leading to questions of purpose and function,
adaptations to an organisms environment and defense mechanisms
such as bluffing.
Avery is also famous for her seemingly unending appetite. She will eat
without fail in front of any audience, to the delight of children and
adults alike, who enjoy seeing her rear up on her legs and "leap" for a
superworm!
Carlos, '05 Boa constrictor imperator
Carlos is one of our most impressive animals. He is a 6 year old male boa
constrictor, of the imperator sub-species. This is one of the smaller
sub-species of boas, with males reaching an average length of 6-8 feet and
females sometimes reaching 10. We have estimated that Carlos is 8 feet
long, and he weighs over 15 pounds. He is an astonishingly beautiful animal,
with lovely silvery-grey eyes and a gorgeous pattern. He is also a very sweet
and good-natured snake. Carlos the BCI never fails to make an impression
on those who meet him.
For more photos of Carlos and some of his young fans, see our Outreach
Page.
Carlos is one of our most impressive animals. He is a 6 year old male boa
constrictor, of the imperator sub-species. This is one of the smaller
sub-species of boas, with males reaching an average length of 6-8 feet and
females sometimes reaching 10. We have estimated that Carlos is 8 feet
long, and he weighs over 15 pounds. He is an astonishingly beautiful animal,
with lovely silvery-grey eyes and a gorgeous pattern. He is also a very sweet
and good-natured snake. Carlos the BCI never fails to make an impression
on those who meet him.
For more photos of Carlos and some of his young fans, see our Outreach
Page.
Malakai, '08 male Burmese Python
Malakai is an '08 male Burmese Python we adopted from our friend
Robbie in Florida. He is two years old and quite a laid back fellow. We
will add more information about Malakai as we spend more time with
him and get to know him better. We are hoping he will become a
wonderful animal ambassador as he grows.
Malakai is an '08 male Burmese Python we adopted from our friend
Robbie in Florida. He is two years old and quite a laid back fellow. We
will add more information about Malakai as we spend more time with
him and get to know him better. We are hoping he will become a
wonderful animal ambassador as he grows.
