Zoo Zone
Meet the Animals in our Zoo Zone - More details about each animal are coming soon!
Iguanas
Basil
Green Iguana
Scientific Name: Iguana iguana
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Meet Basil, our sweet green iguana 💚 (and our biggest Denver Broncos fan 🧡💙 ).
Basil is about 8 years old and came to The Science Zone in 2018 after Casper PD brought him to us. He had escaped his previous home and was found on the street after being attacked by a dog, leaving him with scars and nerve damage in his tail. Basil also has Metabolic Bone Disease, which is why he can’t fully close his mouth and often relaxes with his tongue sticking out. Our team works hard every day to give him a happy, comfortable life.
Basil has grown into an incredibly affectionate and friendly iguana. He loves baths, snuggling with people he loves, and lounging on his favorite driftwood. He never skips a meal, blueberries are his favorite right now! 🫐
Basil is the sweetest and friendliest iguana you will ever meet!
Smaug
Red Iguana
Scientific Name: Iguana iguana
🦎 Fun Iguana Facts
🟢 Iguanas have 80-120 small, sharp, serrated teeth. They are Pleurodont, which means their teeth are fused by their sides and are attached to the inner jawbone. Their teeth are shed and replaced throughout their lives. Their new teeth grow in as old ones fall out. They use them to shred plant material into smaller pieces that they can swallow, as they are herbivores.
🟢 They use their tails for balance, swimming, and defense. Iguanas often use their tails as a defense mechanism by whipping predators with them. They are capable of a process known as caudal autonomy, which means they can drop their tail as a defense mechanism. Their tails are super strong and can grow up to 3-4 feet in length, making up half of their body length!
🟢 Iguanas communicate through head bobs, body movements, and dewlap displays(the flap of skin that hangs from their chin.
🟢 They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath underwater for up to 30 minutes!
🟢 Iguanas have a third eye, which they use to sense shadows and predators; this is called a parietal eye. This sensor detects light levels, and it is even used for hormone regulation.
🟢 Iguanas love to climb and can leap considerable distances. They can survive falls from up to 40 or 50 feet!
🟢 They can grow up to 6 feet in length!
Arachnids
Charlie
Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula
Scientific Name: Grammostola pulchripes
Chérie
Chilean Rose Tarantula
Scientific Name: Grammostola rosea
Lizards
Simon
Leopard Gecko
Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius
Lady
Leopard Gecko
Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius
Mack
Leopard Gecko
Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius
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🦎Say hello to Mack, our resident leopard gecko and long-time Science Zone legend! 💛
Mack joined us in 2015 after being given to us by his previous home, and he’s been a favorite ever since.Over the years, Mack has dropped his tail a few times (a completely natural defense for geckos!), and each time it’s grown back a little differently, giving him some extra character. He’s also missing a few toes, but that certainly doesn’t slow him down. It just adds to his one-of-a-kind look!
📏 Fun Facts About Mack:
• Species: Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)
• Native to dry, desert habitats in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Northwest India
• Insectivore, so crickets are his favorite snack 🦗
• Has around 100 tiny teeth that are replaced every 3–4 months
• Communicates with clicks, chirps, and tail movements
• Can drop his tail to escape predators (and regrow it!)
😤 Personality:
• Professional grump
• Certified menace to society
• 100% convinced he runs this place
• Secretly very loved
Come visit soon! 💛
Next time you’re at The Science Zone, stop by and say hi to Mack. He may not wave back, but we promise he’s happy to be admired!
Kelso
Crested Gecko
Scientific Name: Correlophus ciliatus
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🦎Say hello to Kelso, our crested gecko friend here in the Science Zone! Kelso is a male crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) who joined us in 2023 after being rescued from a previous home that wasn’t able to give him the proper care he needed. He’s been thriving with us, and we’re so happy to have been part of his journey 💚
🌴 Where he’s from:
Crested geckos are native to New Caledonia, a group of islands near Australia.
📏Fun facts about Kelso:
• Size: 5–8 inches
• Weight: 35–60 grams
• Lifespan: 15–20 years in captivity
• Crested geckos were once thought to be extinct until they were rediscovered in 1994
• The word “ciliatus” means eyelash or fringe, named after their adorable crests
🍌What’s for dinner?
Crested geckos are omnivores! In captivity, Kelso enjoys a mix of fruits and insects.
Come visit soon!
Kelso will be getting rehomed soon, so be sure to stop by and say hello while he’s still here. We know he’d love to meet you!💚
Sticky
Crested Gecko
Scientific Name: Correlophus ciliatus
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🦎 Say Hi to Sticky, our super silly crested gecko! Sticky joined The Science Zone in 2024 after coming from a very loving home that just couldn’t give him the attention he deserved, and now he’s part of our animal family. 💛
Sticky is missing his tail, something crested geckos can lose when they’re stressed (they can’t grow it back!). This is affectionately called a “frog butt.” In Sticky’s case, a curious cat caused a little too much stress at his previous home.
Crested geckos are native to just one island, New Caledonia, and are severely endangered in the wild. In fact, there are now more crested geckos in captivity than in the wild, which is why conservation, education, and appreciation are so important. 🌍
Sticky is a bit of a daredevil and loves to jump right out of hands! He’s an omnivore, munching on plants and insects, but his absolute favorite food is bananas. 🍌😄
Ozzie
Central Bearded Dragon
Scientific Name: Pogona vitticeps
🦎 Fun Gecko Facts
🟢 They have no eyelids; instead, they have clear scales called eye caps. They use their tongues to lick their eyes clean.
🟢 They are arboreal, meaning they love to climb and live up high
🟢 Unlike most lizards, geckos make noises, including chirps, barks, and clicks.
🟢 Geckos have microscopic hairs called setae on their toes that allow them to stick to surfaces without liquid or suction.
🟢 Their eyes are roughly 350 times more sensitive to light than human eyes, allowing them to see color in near darkness.
Turtles & Tortoises
Leonardo
Ornate Box Turtle
Scientific Name: Terrapene ornata ornata
Da Vinci
Ornate Box Turtle
Scientific Name: Terrapene ornata ornata
Soupy
Asian Leaf Turtle
Scientific Name: Cyclemys dentata
Frank
Amboina Box Turtle
Scientific Name: Cuora amboinensis
Sunshine
Russian Tortoise
Scientific Name: Testudo horsfieldii
Gilligan
Russian Tortoise
Scientific Name: Testudo horsfieldii
Snakes
Gordon
Ball Python
Scientific Name: Python regius
Chase
Ball Python
Scientific Name: Python regius
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🐍 ✨ Meet Chase, Our Ball Python! ✨ 🐍
Chase joined The Science Zone in April 2019 and has quickly become one of our favorite ambassador animals. He’s well-socialized, great with kids, and loves to explore his surroundings. Chase can be a little mischievous too; he once knocked a full snow cone off a table! 🍧
💫 Even with his playful antics, Chase is a sweet and curious snake that helps teach visitors all about the amazing world of reptiles.
Come say hi to Chase and learn all about these fascinating snakes! 🩵🐍
Kitt
Corn Snake
Scientific Name: Pantherophis guttatus
🐍 Fun Snake Facts
Ball Pythons
🟢 Ball Pythons are non-venomous constrictors that wrap tightly around their food before eating.
🟢 Their forked tongue helps them smell by collecting scent particles and sending them to a special organ called the Jacobson’s organ.
🟢 They usually grow 3–5 feet long, with females sometimes reaching up to 6 feet.
🟢 When threatened, they curl up into a ball—hence the name ball python!
Tucker & Bunsen
Tucker
African Sulcata Tortoise
Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata
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🌟 Meet Tucker – Our African Sulcata Tortoise! 🐢
Tucker is our 17-year-old African Sulcata tortoise (also known as the African spurred tortoise) who joined The Science Zone in 2014 after his previous home realized just how BIG these gentle giants can grow! Sulcatas are the 3rd largest tortoise species in the world, reaching 20–30 inches long and up to 200 pounds, and they can live close to 100 years. Native to northern Africa along the edge of the Sahara Desert, they’re true desert survivors. Tucker’s personality is just like a dog; he loves shell scratches, chasing laser pointers, and his favorite snack is sweet potato. He lives with Bunsen the rabbit (they do race, and Tucker always wins 🏆).
And when the humans leave? We’ve heard a very silly rumor that Tucker secretly runs a tiny underground disco in his burrow, complete with glow-stick carrots and a strict “slow dancing only” policy. 🪩🐢
🥬 You can help feed Tucker on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays! To keep him healthy, please only give him food purchased from the front desk.
Bunsen
European Rabbit
Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
🐢 Fun Facts About Our Favorite Besties! 🐰
African Sulcata Tortoises
🟢 African Sulcata Tortoises are the world's third-largest tortoise species and the largest mainland tortoise.
🟢 They often weigh over 100 pounds and live for 80–100+ years!
🟢 These "notorious escape artists" are powerful burrowers capable of digging through dirt, sand, and even damaging home foundations in search of moisture.
🟢 They are known to be intelligent, with a keen sense of smell to locate food and water.
🟢 African Sulcata Tortoises are immensely strong, muscular animals capable of pushing over heavy objects like furniture, wooden, and chain-link fences. Thankfully, Tucker is a sweetheart and uses his strength for good - carrying Bunsen around on his back!
European Rabbits
🟢 The European rabbit is the only wild species of rabbit that has been domesticated. All pet rabbit breeds, from fluffy Angoras to large Flemish Giants, are descendants of this species.
🟢 They mark their territory and possessions (including other rabbits) with a chin gland, a behavior known as "chinning".
🟢 They live in large colonies and dig extensive underground burrow systems called warrens, which can have many chambers and exits.
🟢 They can run at speeds of up to 25 mph and possess 360-degree vision to help spot predators.
🟢 When happy, they may perform a specialized, acrobatic jump called a "binky," which involves twists and kicks in the air.
Charlie's Story
Charlie is a female Chaco golden knee tarantula that was given to us in 2016 by her previous home. Her previous home had won her in a free giveaway from a pet store, after owning her for some time they realized that having a spider was not for them. In order to give her the best life possible they brought her The Science Zone where she has lived happily since.
Visit her at The Science Zone to learn more!
Chérie's Story
Chérie is a female Chilean rose tarantula that was given to us in 2023 by her previous home. In her previous home Chérie was used to teach students about tarantulas. When the teacher retired, he wanted her to continue teaching people about this amazing creature. Chérie is used to teach people about this species in many events and is an amazing ambassador.
Visit her at The Science Zone to learn more!
Smaug's Story
Smaug is a male green iguana that was given to us in 2017 when his previous home wanted him to have a better life. He was a rescue when they got him, so we are unsure of how old he is. He is unable to close his mouth properly due to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) which is caused by nutrient deficiencies or improper setup from his previous homes. The Science Zone is working to manage his MBD and prevent it from worsening.
Visit him at The Science Zone to learn more!
Ozzie's Story
Ozzie is a male bearded dragon that was given to us in 2024 by his previous home. His previous home had volunteered at The Science Zone and felt that we were able to provide better care for him. He is a big healthy boy that is very food motivated and loves to paint with his poop. Due to his artistic ventures, he is often given baths to keep him clean.
Visit him at The Science Zone to learn more!
Simon's Story
Simon is a male leopard gecko that was given to us in 2022 by his previous home. The people in his previous home ended up moving and were unable to take him with. He was well loved in his previous home, which made him a little bigger than he should be. While Simon is a little on the heavier side, The Science Zone is working to get him to a healthy weight.
Visit him at The Science Zone to learn more!
Lady's Story
Lady is a female leopard gecko that was given to us in 2020 by her previous home. She was very well loved and taken care of in her previous home however, they felt that she could be better taken care of at The Science Zone. Occasionally Lady will lay eggs that are not fertile, these are called slugs. If you notice any yellow egg like things in her enclosure, they are most likely slugs.
Visit her at The Science Zone to learn more!
Mack's Story
Mack is a male leopard gecko that was given to us in 2015 by his previous home. Mack has dropped his tail many times which has caused his tail to look slightly strange. Even though leopard geckos can regrow their tail it grows back a little differently each time. The Science Zone has been working hard to keep Mack’s life relatively stress free to prevent him from continuing to drop his tail.
Visit him at The Science Zone to learn more!
Kelso's Story
Kelso is a male crested gecko that was given to us in 2023 by his previous home. His previous home felt that they were not giving him proper care and wanted to make sure that he was getting good care. Kelso was never handled in his previous home which has made him opposed to any handling by team members hear at The Science Zone.
Visit him at The Science Zone to learn more!
Da Vinci's Story
Da Vinci is a female ornate box turtle that was given to us in 2014 by her previous home. She was given to us with Leonardo the other ornate box turtle here at The Science Zone. She has some beak deformities due to vitamin deficiencies in her previous home. The Science Zone is working to get her beak into better shape by taking her to the vet for routine beak trimming.
Visit her at The Science Zone to learn more!
Leonardo's Story
Leonardo is a female ornate box turtle that was given to us in 2014 by her previous home. She was given to us with Da Vinci the other ornate box turtle here at The Science Zone. She has some beak deformities due to vitamin deficiencies in her previous home. The Science Zone is working to get her beak into better shape by taking her to the vet for routine beak trimming.
Visit her at The Science Zone to learn more!
Sunshine's Story
Sunshine is a male Russian tortoise that was given to us in 2014 by his previous home. His previous home felt that The Science Zone could provide him with better care and a good home to live out the rest of his life. Sunshine can be hard to find in his enclosure at times because he enjoys burrowing in his hides.
Visit him at The Science Zone to learn more!
Gilligan's Story
Gilligan is a male Russian tortoise that was given to us in 2012 by his previous home. When he came to us, he had a mate that he was housed with for many years who has sadly passed away since. His previous home wanted him to have a nice place to grow old in and felt that The Science Zone could give him that. We strive to help him live a long and happy life here.
Visit him at The Science Zone to learn more!
Soupy's Story
Soupy is a male Asian leaf turtle that was given to us in 2018 by his previous home. His previous home felt that he would receive better care here at The Science Zone. Despite his species being opportunistic feeders, he tends to make friends with fish instead of eating them when they are put into his tank.
Visit him at The Science Zone to learn more!
Frank's Story
Frank is an Amboina box turtle that was given to us 2023 by his previous home. After owning Frank for 20 years and a kid moving to go to college his previous home thought it might be better to find him a different home to live out the rest of his life. Frank came to us with slight shell rot which is caused by not being able to properly dry off. The Science Zone is working to treat the shell rot and prevent it from worsening.
Visit him at The Science Zone to learn more!
Gordan's Story
Gordon is a male ball python (banana morph) that was given to us in 2019 by his previous home. Due to medical issues his previous home was unable to give him proper care including housing. He was previously housed with Chase, the other ball python here at The Science Zone. Ball pythons are solitary animals, so they have been separated into their own enclosures for their comfort and safety.
Visit him at The Science Zone to learn more!
Kitt's Story
Kitt is a female corn snake that was given to us in 2023 by her previous home. She has had two previous homes with her last one having owned her for 8 years. When her previous owner went off to college the parents took on her care. They love Kitt very much and wanted to give her the very best life, so they brought her to The Science Zone where they still come to visit her.
Visit her at The Science Zone to learn more!
We love meeting new people!