VOLUNTEER VOICE October 2013 In This Issue... - Denver Zoo

Volunteer Voice(Continued from page 15)Denver Zoo has occasionally received a request to provide antivenin to hospitals for treatment of privateindividuals owning venomous snakes.Similar to SSP species, many snakes have studbooks kept for them and many rare snakes are bred in captivity.Currently Tim is breeding Nepal vipers, which are not on display. Until recently there was only one Usambarabush viper in the building, but four more were recently acquired and one female may have eggs. GenerallyDenver Zoo gets snakes from other zoos and importers. Our collection has grown through the efforts of thekeepers (usually Tim) and assistant curator (Tom) who discuss and bring suggestions to the curator (Rick).Venomous snakes are remarkable animals that could be the subject of a two-hour tour all by themselves. Topicslike camouflage, coloration, endangered species, movement, distribution throughout biomes, exhibit creation, anddefinitely conservation biology should include examples of these exceptional animals. Additional topics to learnabout these animals should include the different biomes where they live, how they are affected by loss of habitat,what their toxins are and how they affect mammals including humans.(Continued on page 17)BushmasterCanebrake rattlesnakeCantillEastern diamondback rattlesnake Eyelash viper Jerdon viperPage 16