R is for Reticuated Python

The reticulated python (Python reticulatus) is the first species on my list found exclusively in Asia.  Crazy, I know!  Asia is HUGE and I managed to avoid all it's animals up until now.  Not on purpose, it just happened.  I think the retic is a good place to start with Asian animals as they are the largest pythons in the world.  Some people believe the anaconda of South America can grow larger than the reticulated python, but the records of live animals in the wild and in zoos reside with the retic. 

Reticulated pythons live in tropical rainforests, often near a source of water.  There is much differentiation in color, however, they are relatively easy to identify based on the net-like pattern and the size of the head.  As the largest python they can reach over 16 feet in length but are commonly recorded at 25 feet or more.  The largest on record in a zoo was 28.5 feet and 320 pounds.  Her name was Colossus and she lived at the Pittsburgh Zoo in the 1950s.

M is for Marmoset

Marmosets are some of the smallest monkeys in the world!  The pygmy marmoset (Callithrix pygmaea) hold the title as smallest true monkey in the world.  (The smallest primate is the pygmy mouse lemur.)  

Adults are about 5 inches long with an 8 inch tail and weigh only 4-7 ounces!  They live in groups of two to nine individuals, usually a breeding pair and offspring.  The monogamy found in pygmy marmosets is pretty unique among primates.  They are found in central South America and are active in the trees during the day.  

Dominant females will produce fraternal twins after about 4.5 months of gestation.  After birth, the young are usually carried by the male or other juveniles in the group and return to the mother for nursing.  Pygmy marmosets reach maturity after about 1.5 years and can live up to 12 years in the wild and 20 years in zoos. 
 

Pygmy marmosets face danger from habitat loss as well as the pet trade, even though monkeys do not make good pets, even these tiny guys. 

Sublime Summer

Man I really get boring in the summer, don't I?  Well this summer is a special case as of right now.  I am currently interning four days (M-TH) a week at the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, MA (social media rules pending, I'll get back to you on that).   I am also spending the weekends in CT with the 7th Regiment as part of my age-out season with them.  That leaves me evenings and Friday morning to myself.  Not much time to get stuff done, especially when I have a summer class and homework for my internship to be completed!  So I apologize to anyone who has been avidly awaiting my next post... for the past two months.


I really don't have much to say, or any time to say it in.  I'll post some fun zoo stories before the summer is over.  As of right now, I have a weekend rehearsal with 7th, and Monday thru Wednesday at the zoo.  After that it's drum corps full time until August 11.  So you will again not be seeing any posts from me for quite a while.  Hope all of you are having sublime summers!