Reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates are seen when entering the Mundo Maya exhibit. Venomous Neotropical rattlesnakes live in the "Serpent's Den", a recreation of an unrestored post-classic Maya temple.
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Helmeted basilisks (Corytophanes cristatus) use their cryptic color pattern as a defense, usually remaining motionless on a vertical limb. When threatened, they increase their apparent size by stiffening their legs to raise their body, depressing the head in order to raise the crest and by expanding the throat fan.
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The colorful, non-venomous Honduran milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis) is a solitary species, rarely seen in the open during the day, but is often seen crossing roads at night. It usually hides under rotting logs or damp trash. A favorite hunting ground is around barns or other human locales, lying in wait to feed on passing rodents such as voles, mice and rats.
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Hourglass tree frogs (Hyla ebraccata) are quite variable in shape but often take the form of an "hourglass". They are nocturnal, arboreal frogs.that spend most of their non-breeding time in forest trees and in bromeliads.
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Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are also known as Mexican walking fish. Their name stems from an Aztec word meaning "water dog" or "water monster". Axolotls have cylindrical bodies, short legs, a relatively long tail and feathery external gills. They have four toes on the front feet, five toes on the back feet and moveable eyelids. They are known for their blunt snouts and large mouths.
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Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) are often found in habitats with burrowing mammals, such as prairie dogs, gophers, skunks and armadillos. The Latin word "Cunicularia" means miner or to mine - a good description for the only owl that lives on the ground in burrows. They are more visible than most owls because they are primarily active at dusk or dawn, but are sometimes active in daylight.
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Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) and Brown sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus) surround guests as they walk through the 40-foot tunnel in the Sacred Cenote. This 400,000-gallon exhibit represents the underground pools which were vital to the survival of the people in the Yucatan region. Cenotes were believed to be the homes of many spirits and passages to the underworld.
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Thorny oysters (Spondylus americanus) and Queen conchs (Strombus gigas) were used as trade commodities and/or food. Shells were fashioned into jewelry, such as necklaces, pendants and earrings, and used to decorate clothing and ritual materials. A shell is the symbol for zero in Maya mathematics.
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Snakes appear in Maya art and religious roles more than any other animal. The Fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper) is the largest (43-72 inches or 110-180 cm), most dangerous venomous snake in Yucatan Peninsula.
The Eyelash palm viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) gets its common name from a patch of bristly scales or "eyelashes" above each eye. Its venom is somewhat mild and is not considered lethal. They are arboreal snakes, equipped with a prehensile tail that allows them to climb up tree trunks, over slender branches and lianas or palm leaves. Eyelash palm vipers reach a length of 22 - 36 inches (56-91cm).
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The skin or armor of the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum alvarezi) is composed of beaded scales that protects the lizard from the sharp teeth and claws of its enemies. They are closely related to the Gila monsters -- the only two poisonous lizards. Although the poison of the Mexican beaded lizard is extremely painful and recovery may take several weeks, it is not lethal. The Mexican beaded lizard is immune to the venom of other poisonous lizards and rattlesnakes, which is deadly to most desert creatures. Mexican beaded lizards can eat up to half their weight at one time and store extra fat in their tail for a long sleepy winter.
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The House of Zotz displays nocturnal animals such as Short-tailed leaf nose bats (Carollia perspicillata), Screech owls (Otus asio) and the Kinkajou (Potos flavus). Prominent in the Maya culture, bats were associated with death, darkness and sacrifice by the Maya. Owls were believed to be messengers between humans and the divine.
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The Kinkajou is also known as "honeybear" (because of its honey-colored fur and its love of honey). A long prehensile tail, 15-22 inches (40-56 cm) in length, is used to balance and grasp while traveling among the trees. It serves as a fifth hand for climbing and aids in snuggling as it sleeps. Only one other carnivore has developed a prehensile tail - the Binturong of Asia. Kinkajous are one of the most commonly seen tropical forest animals.
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Sharing the exhibit with the Kinkajou are Eastern screech owls (Otus asio). They roost mainly in natural cavities in large trees during the day and hunt from dusk to dawn, with most hunting being done during early darkness. They usually search for prey while in flight, along the edges of open fields or wetlands, and in open woodlands.
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