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Zoo InternQuest is a seven-week career exploration program for San Diego County high school juniors and seniors. Students have the unique opportunity to meet professionals working for the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, learn about their jobs, and then blog about their experience online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s website!
On February 8th, we met with Rachael Walton who works for the San Diego Zoo’s Reptile Department. As a Reptile Keeper, she helps take care of over 1,600 reptiles and amphibians, and even trains some of the species she works with to become animal ambassadors! Upon visiting, we were able to learn about what Ms. Walton’s job entails. While we were being introduced to many of the reptiles Ms. Walton works with on a daily basis, she shared with us interesting facts pertaining to each species along with many conservation success stories. Rachael is involved with many different conservation projects aiming to save the endangered or vulnerable reptiles at the Zoo, which make up 70% of the species there.
While being introduced to one of San Diego’s native snake species, the Diamondback rattlesnake, Ms. Walton instructed us that these animals are not endangered, but are part of a Species Survival Plan. SSP’s are used throughout Zoo’s worldwide as a means to preserve and conserve many endangered species. By following a Species Survival Plan, the Zoo is decreasing the chance of genetic bottlenecking resulting from inbreeding. Not only does it prevent bottlenecking, the SSP decreases the possibility of Inbreeding Depression Coefficient, which is caused by the breeding between individuals that are closely related with one another. Often, this can results in birth defects. Throughout our time with Ms. Walton, we were introduced to many reptiles that have SSP’s. Another endangered reptile with an SSP is the Geoemyda spengleri, or more commonly known as the Black-breasted leaf turtle.
Ms. Walton also introduced us to this adorable golden coin pond turtle seen to the right, which is critically endangered. These are native to China and have a golden hint to their skin, giving them their name. These turtles started to become endangered when an article was published saying that these turtles were the key to curing cancer. Even though these turtles were found to have no medicinal properties, they are still frequently collected from the wild as a status symbol amongst hobbyists. In order to combat this trend, the Zoo is part of a breeding program.
Unfortunately many species of turtle are endangered, including the only species native to Southern California, the western pond turtle. Western pond turtles are a soft-shelled turtle that have many threats in the wild, including invasive species of fish and frogs, and habitat reduction. However, their major threat is an invasive species of turtle, the red-eared slider. These turtles are popular pets sold in pet stores. However, because these turtles live a long time and get very large, many owners abandon them throughout San Diego. Given that red-eared sliders have no natural predators in San Diego, the populations have rapidly increased. Unfortunately, red-eared sliders are highly adaptive, and have begun taking over the western pond turtle food and habitat. Ms. Walton then instructed us the importance of teaching people to keep non-native animals out of the environment as it can have harmful effects on other species.
Walking throughout the Reptile House, Ms. Walton introduced us to rows of tortoises that are native to Madagascar. She informed us that all of the turtles and tortoises in Madagascar are in fact endangered. Primarily due to habitat loss and poaching, tortoises throughout Madagascar are losing their habitats from forest burning and are often collected as a food source. Fortunately, the Zoo is involved with this issue and is working to help conserve these reptiles. One of the turtle species that resides in Ms. Walton’s care is the Madagascar spider tortoise, pictured to the left. She explained to us how the Reptile Department works to manipulate the tortoise’s environment as a way to encourage breeding. She told us that they have to manipulate the temperature to be dry and warm, which encourages torpor. Similar to hibernation, torpor is a sleep-like state, which allows the spider tortoise to restore reproductive energy levels. When it is time for the tortoises to awaken, Ms. Walton and her co workers use mushrooms! In the wild, the emergence of mushrooms signals to the tortoises that the conditions are just right for breeding. Ms. Walton also went into detail about the Zoo’s involvement with the TSA, Turtle Survival Alliance, and how they teach local children all about turtle and tortoise conservation in Madagascar.
Throughout our time with Ms. Walton, we learned about her involvement in reptilian conservation and how important her work is in terms of their survival worldwide. As reptilian conservation is not as popular as say giant panda conservation, her job of educating the public and taking care of these endangered species is very important.
Lauren, Conservation Team
Week Two, Winter Session 2018
Ms. Walton also introduced us to this adorable golden coin pond turtle seen to the right, which is critically endangered. These are native to China and have a golden hint to their skin, giving them their name. These turtles started to become endangered when an article was published saying that these turtles were the key to curing cancer. Even though these turtles were found to have no medicinal properties, they are still frequently collected from the wild as a status symbol amongst hobbyists. In order to combat this trend, the Zoo is part of a breeding program.
Unfortunately many species of turtle are endangered, including the only species native to Southern California, the western pond turtle. Western pond turtles are a soft-shelled turtle that have many threats in the wild, including invasive species of fish and frogs, and habitat reduction. However, their major threat is an invasive species of turtle, the red-eared slider. These turtles are popular pets sold in pet stores. However, because these turtles live a long time and get very large, many owners abandon them throughout San Diego. Given that red-eared sliders have no natural predators in San Diego, the populations have rapidly increased. Unfortunately, red-eared sliders are highly adaptive, and have begun taking over the western pond turtle food and habitat. Ms. Walton then instructed us the importance of teaching people to keep non-native animals out of the environment as it can have harmful effects on other species.
Walking throughout the Reptile House, Ms. Walton introduced us to rows of tortoises that are native to Madagascar. She informed us that all of the turtles and tortoises in Madagascar are in fact endangered. Primarily due to habitat loss and poaching, tortoises throughout Madagascar are losing their habitats from forest burning and are often collected as a food source. Fortunately, the Zoo is involved with this issue and is working to help conserve these reptiles. One of the turtle species that resides in Ms. Walton’s care is the Madagascar spider tortoise, pictured to the left. She explained to us how the Reptile Department works to manipulate the tortoise’s environment as a way to encourage breeding. She told us that they have to manipulate the temperature to be dry and warm, which encourages torpor. Similar to hibernation, torpor is a sleep-like state, which allows the spider tortoise to restore reproductive energy levels. When it is time for the tortoises to awaken, Ms. Walton and her co workers use mushrooms! In the wild, the emergence of mushrooms signals to the tortoises that the conditions are just right for breeding. Ms. Walton also went into detail about the Zoo’s involvement with the TSA, Turtle Survival Alliance, and how they teach local children all about turtle and tortoise conservation in Madagascar.
Throughout our time with Ms. Walton, we learned about her involvement in reptilian conservation and how important her work is in terms of their survival worldwide. As reptilian conservation is not as popular as say giant panda conservation, her job of educating the public and taking care of these endangered species is very important.
Lauren, Conservation Team
Week Two, Winter Session 2018
