MEET OUR ANIMAL AMBASSADORS!

Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata

Other Common Names:     African Spurred Tortoise 

BIO:     I am the biggest tortoise at the Discovery Campus. I am a Sulcata Tortoise and I am only 16 years old, but I can live to be 150 years old. Just imagine how big I will be 100 years from now!

CAN YOU HOLD ME?     

No, I am way too heavy! 

Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata

Other Common Names:   African Spurred Tortoise 

BIO:   I am only a year old, but I am growing fast! One day I will be even bigger than Tortie. Set me down to see how fast I can run. Wanna race? 

CAN YOU HOLD ME? 

No, I'm too heavy to hold

Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata

Other Common Names: African Spurred Tortoise

BIO:   You can usually find me napping under my favorite log. I am an Ivory Sulcata Tortoise, so I am a slightly different color from the other tortoises here. Come to the Discovery Center to check out my pretty shell. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?  

No, I'm too heavy to hold

Scientific name: Chelonoidis carbonaria

BIO: I am the only tortoise at the Discovery Campus that eats bugs like snails and worms! 

CAN YOU HOLD ME:    

I am too heavy to hold, but you are welcome to pet my shell!

Scientific Name: Sclerophrys regularis

Other Common Names: Square-marked Toad

BIO:   We are African Toads, and we spend most of our day underground. If you hold us, make sure you wash your hands after, because our skin has a special poison on it that can make the other animals here sick. That poison is what keeps us safe from predators in the wild!

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

Yes

Scientific Name: Pseudacris hypochondriaca

Other Common Names:   Baja California chorus frog

BIO: We are local Tree Frogs, so you can find little frogs like us in your backyard garden. We like to hide so it might be hard for you to find us in here. If you happen to be at the Discovery Center at dusk, you can hear us croak!

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

No, we might hop away.

Scientific Name: Python regius

Other Common Names: Royal Python

BIO:   I am a Ball Python, a special type of snake that used to be worn as a necklace by kings and queens. Would you like to try wearing me on your neck? 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

Yes.

Scientific Name: Lichanura trivirgata

BIO:   I am a native reptile, so there are a lot of snakes like me all around the lagoon. I am named for my shiny pinkish scales. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME:   

Yes. I am considered the most docile snake around.

Scientific Name: Boidae

Other Common Names:   Salmon Red Tail Boa

BIO:     Come to the Discovery Campus and check me out. I have pretty pink scales, which is why I am called a Salmon Boa Constrictor. I like to be left alone, so please just look. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

No.

Scientific Name: Correlophus ciliatus

Other Common Names: Eyelash Gecko

BIO:   I get to hang out with Pilot all day and I love to be held by new friends. I look very different from my friend Pilot, so come see my fancy stripes!

CAN YOU HOLD ME?    

Yes

Scientific Name: Correlophus ciliatus

Other Common Names: Eyelash Gecko

BIO:   I got my name because I like to fly through the sky. If you hold me I might jump on you the same way I leap through the trees in my habitat. I can also change colors to match my surroundings. Look for me hiding under a leaf!

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

Yes.

Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius

BIO:   I am nocturnal, so I will probably be sleeping when you come visit me. But don’t be afraid to wake me up, I love to meet new people!

CAN YOU HOLD ME? 

Yes.

Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius

BIO:   I am an Albino Leopard Gecko. I am the most active and wiggly Leopard Gecko here, and I get super excited when someone wants to hold me! Just be careful, I might get a little too excited and wiggle right out of your hands.

CAN YOU HOLD ME? 

Yes

Scientific Name: Pogona

BIO:    We are very active and like to climb on all the fun toys in our home! You can tell us apart by the lengths of our tails. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?    

 Yes. 

Scientific name: Eublepharis macularius

BIO: I am known for my beautiful spots and wiggly personality.

CAN YOU HOLD ME?     

Yes

Scientific Name: Elgaria multicarinata

BIO:   I am a local reptile, so you might see an Alligator Lizard like me while out on a hike. But if you do, don’t try to catch them, because we don’t like to be held and sometimes react with a friendly bite. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

No, I'm not a big fan of people. 

Scientific Name: Cavia porcellus

Other Common Names: Domestic Cavy

BIO: I love to cuddle and be pet right behind my ears. My favorite snack is carrots, and I might mistake your fingers for a special treat, so I suggest not sticking them in my home. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

Yes.

Scientific Name: Falco peregrinus

Other Common Names: Peregrine

BIO:   I am the fastest animal on Earth! Well, I would be if I didn't have a bad wing... But I bet I am the only Peregrine Falcon in San Diego with their very own swing! 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

No, my talons are much too sharp

Scientific Name: Falco sparverius

Other Common Names: Sparrow Hawk

BIO:  It may look like I want to come out and play with you, but I am really just hoping you brought me a snack. I am an imprint so I never really “left the nest” which is why I rely on people to feed me. Are there any mice in your purse?

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

No, my talons are much too sharp

Scientific Name: Megascops kennicottii

BIO: I may be small but I am not a baby! I am the 3rd smallest owl species in San Diego. Come see me at the Discovery Campus, even though I won't be able to see you very well with these bad eyes.

CAN YOU HOLD ME?     

No, my talons are much too sharp

Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus

Other Common Names:   Tiger Owl

BIO: It may look like I’m winking at you but I'm not flirting, I just have a bad eye. Want to have a one-eyed staring contest? I bet I’ll win! 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

No, my talons are much to sharp

Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus

BIO: I am the fastest chick in the coop, I bet you can’t catch me! I am also the sassiest one so don’t get on my bad side. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?  

Yes, if a team member is available

Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus

BIO: I get a little nervous around strangers, so I might take longer than my sisters to come up and say hi but you will see how sweet I am once I warm up to you!

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

Yes, if a team member is available

Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus

BIO: I am very curious and like to explore! I am also very sweet and like to cuddle. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME? 

Yes, if a team member is available

Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus

BIO: I am the biggest and most confident chick in the coop! I am always the first to come up to anyone who has treats!

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

Yes, if a team member is available

Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus

BIO: I am the smallest chick at the Discovery Campus, and I am a little shy. Just give me some time to get comfortable, and I will be super sweet and cuddly! 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?    

 Yes, if a team member is available

Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus

BIO:  I am extremely energetic and can run around all day long! When I was a baby, I had a stinky mess on my bottom… My name doesn’t stand for peanut butter…

CAN YOU HOLD ME?   

Yes, if a team member is available

Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus

BIO: I LOVE head scratches and being pet. I am very cuddly, kind, and love to be around people.

CAN YOU HOLD ME? 

I am not a big fan of being held but I LOVE pets!

Scientific Name: Arizona elegans

BIO: I am new to the Discovery Campus and LOVE to be pet. I am very curious and soft. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?     

Yes, if a team member is available 

Scientific Name: Trimorphodon

BIO: I am new to the Discovery Campus and still getting used to my home so I can be a little shy.

CAN YOU HOLD ME?    

Yes, if a team member is available. 

BIO:  I am full of personality and love attention, lettuce, and pets.

CAN YOU HOLD ME?    

No, I am too heavy! 

Scientific Name: Chamaeleo calyptratus

BIO: I came to the Discovery Center in January 2025 and love to watch guests explore my home. I take my time eating my dinner and love to hide at the top of my habitiat. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME?

I am still getting used to my home so not at this momement. 

Scientific name: Taeniopygia castanotis

BIO: These birds love to sing all day long. They love to sleep in the sun near the window and sit with each other on the same branch. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME:

I am too fast to catch and perfer just to be looked at 

BIO: I was the smallest among my sisters but am quickly growing. I march to the beat of my own drum and often sit the opposite way of my sisters. If they are facing forward, I always decide to face backward. 

CAN YOU HOLD ME:

Yes, if a team member is available

BIO: I am the most likely to stay around for extra cuddles.

CAN YOU HOLD ME?

Yes, if a team member is available

BIO: I am the biggest of my sisters and the first to try anything. I like to push my sisters around a little bit and am very brave.

CAN YOU HOLD ME:

Yes, if a team member is available