By Winfield DanielsonNorfolk, VA - Two tiny William's dwarf geckos hatched here Thursday.
"These could be the smallest animals ever born at the Zoo," said Craig Pelke, reptiles and amphibians curator at the Virginia Zoo. "Definitely the smallest reptiles I've seen hatch here."
At roughly an inch long, it is still too early to determine if the tiny babies are male or female. They have been moved to an enclosure off exhibit for rearing.
William's dwarf geckos are found only in the Kimboza Forest in eastern Tanzania and their habitat is rapidly shrinking due to deforestation. Adult males are bright blue - they are sometimes referred to as electric blue geckos - while females range from brown to bright green. Males can also turn brown when stressed by their environment.
Ranging from 2 to 4 inches in length, these geckos eat small insects and drink water from leaves. They make a variety of interesting social gestures, including puffing a throat pouch, head shaking, head bobbing and tail wagging.
Females lay a small number of pea-sized white eggs, which are stuck to a surface in a hidden location and hatch in 60 to 90 days.
Photo cut-line (photo attached):
A baby William's dwarf gecko rests on an artificial leaf at the Virginia Zoo Saturday, July 9, 2011 (Virginia Zoo photo by Craig Pelke).
As an accredited Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facility, the Virginia Zoo exhibits more than 400 animals on 53 beautifully landscaped acres. For more than a century, the Virginia Zoo has demonstrated a commitment to education and conservation, and offered a fun-filled day for visitors of any age. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and located at 3500 Granby Street in Norfolk. Daily admission prices are $11.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors (age 62 and over) and $9.00 for children ages 2-11. Visit www.virginiazoo.org or call (757) 441-2374 for more information.
To view Virginia Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-118-Virginia_Zoo
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