Tropicarium
Let’s explore the animals in the section
Taraturghe
Turtles and tortoises are reptiles of the order Chelonians, animals characterized by the presence of the carapace, sturdy horny armor, and distinguished on the basis of the environment in which they live: the former are marine, while the latter are terrestrial or related to rivers and swamps. Even more interesting are the morphological differences that show distinct ecological habits, identified first of all in the different type of environment in which they live. Indeed, there are terricolous species, characterized by considerable size and a herbivorous diet, and aquatic species, mostly carnivorous. Consequently, they differ in, for example, their legs, flat in the case of turtles and with pronounced claws in the case of tortoises.Among the longest-lived animal organisms, they put their evolutionary roots back more than 200 million years, when the earth was still inhabited by the great dinosaurs.
Geckos
Harmless to humans, geckos are widespread in all tropical and temperate environments around the world, including Italy. Belonging to the family Gekkonidae, they include saurians with limbs that have been suitably modified to maximize grip on all kinds of surfaces. In fact, there are very small, hair-like structures in the fingers that can increase the attractive force of these animals, so much so that they can even stand upside down on the ceiling, despite their relatively heavy weight. Reptiles characterized by their small size, geckos are the distant cousins of lizards, from which they differ in several respects, including the use of an actual cry, quite different from the simple hissing sound of most reptiles. In addition, further distinguishing feature is the size of their eyes, which are perfectly adapted to exploit any light source in night hunting activities.Often depending on the type of habitat exploited, their colors are extremely varied, ranging from gray to brighter and brighter shades but, just like chameleons, they are able to change it slightly.
Amphibians
The term “amphibians” is derived from the Greek, meaning “both kinds of life”: they are in fact terrestrial animals that, at least in the initial phase of their life cycle, are also related to the aquatic environment. This particular characteristic allowed the ancestors of amphibians to become among the most widespread animals, even before the presence of the large and famous dinosaurs.
It all begins in small wet environments, where adults lay their eggs in water, as they lack a shell. From these will be born the small amphibians, known as “tadpoles” in the case of Anurans (the frogs), or “larvae” in the case of Urodeles (the salamanders). Metamorphosis then occurs, true transformation from these early stages to the adult stage, giving rise to animals that are extremely diverse in their habits, diets, shapes and colors. From toads with the most camouflage colors and thick skin, to small tropical frogs rich in garish colors, usually used to deter predators from taking.
The skin appears naked, devoid of solid structures, kept constantly moist by special glands that produce protective, sometimes even toxic, secretions as an additional defense technique. This is a fundamental aspect for amphibians, since the skin itself is used as a “lung,” breathing through it as well. Thus, they are very sensitive animals and, for this reason, excellent indicators of good environmental quality. Unfortunately, however, they are experiencing a sharp decline in recent years, occupying the top of the list of most endangered animals.
Terrariums Biotope
The term “biotope,” in ecology, refers to a given area in which animal and plant organisms coexist together, establishing even more intertwined links. Thus, these are habitats characterized by certain physical and climatic conditions, with animals and plants perfectly adapted to the context. At Tropicarium Park there are 3 biotope terrariums that reproduce:
- the South American Biotope, with Red and Yellow-legged Tortoises, Green Iguanas, Double-crested Basilisks, and the large Toads;
- the Madagascar Biotope, characterized by lush vegetation within which live the friendly chameleons and several species of lizards;
- South Africa Biotope, with our large African tortoise.
Iguanas
Like other saurians, iguanas resemble the shape of lizards, from which they differ, however, in several respects. First of all by their appearance, characterized by the presence of a crest on their heads and a significantly larger size, but also by their habits and behaviors, including being excellent swimmers. In fact, their awkward appearance should not deceive us: they are also very fast and brave, to the point of dropping even from considerable heights. A large part of the total length of the body (between 1.5 and 2 m) is occupied by the tail, which is also used by these animals as a defensive weapon: in fact, it can cause its detachment to escape from predators (just like lizards) or, in case of danger and confrontation with other individuals, use it as a whip. Typical of the warm environments of South America, they devote most of their day to thermoregulating themselves under the sun’s rays, being cold-blooded animals, lying on the highest branches of shrubs. From these they descend rarely and only for breeding or feeding purposes, to lay eggs or search for fruits and vegetables.
Magellanic Penguins
One of the most distinctive birds, the Magellanic Penguin is a friendly animal native to South America. Medium-sized, it is just under half a meter tall, weighs between 3 and 5 kg and has the characteristic black and white coloration. Although they belong to the bird class, they are unable to fly because of their own weight and wings that are perfectly adapted for swimming and therefore much more like flippers.
Like all other penguin species, they are monogamous animals that form faithful pairs over time, returning year after year to their nest, where they care for their young. They are also social animals that live in groups, often very large, especially at the time of migration to areas of Brazil and Paraguay.
This results in a strong bond with water, the environment in which they actively hunt fish and the reason why they have a high degree of skin impermeability, although they are well adapted to live on land as well.
Butterflies
Butterflies are insects characterized by performing a metamorphosis to move from the larval to the adult stage. From the eggs emerge caterpillars, varying in shape and color, which feed to store the energy needed for the chrysalis stage, usually sheltering under natural structures or in a cocoon they build shortly before. This is where metamorphosis takes place: from the tiny caterpillars come wonderful butterflies in a wide variety of colors. The butterflies’ wings, if they were not colored, would appear transparent, but due to the presence of the famous “powder,” they take on spectacular colorations, often used for camouflage and defense purposes.
Metamorphosis also causes a change in diet, moving from selecting mostly plant substances in the larval stage to seeking nectar or sugary substances in the adult butterfly stage. Many butterflies, in fact, take advantage of their “proboscis,” the so-called spirit tube, to reach the ripest parts of the fruit.
The lifespan is definitely variable, with some species living as little as one day, and others, on the contrary, living for several months.
Snakes
When we talk about reptiles, the first animal we all think of is undoubtedly the snake. However, there are many species of them, very different from each other, all of which share the common feature of having an oblong body, covered with scales and with very small eyes. The latter are, however, compensated for by a decidedly sensitive sense of smell, an essential aid in hunting activities to better locate prey. Strictly carnivorous, they possess a distinctive mouth that allows them to swallow very large prey. By the hunting technique employed, they can be distinguished into constrictor snakes, such as those found at Tropicarium Park, or snakes that use venom, as in the case of viperids. Widespread in much of the world, albeit only in tropical and temperate zones, they show widely varying sizes, ranging from a few tens of centimeters to a maximum of 8-10 m, with a weight that can exceed 150 kg.
Finally, to cope with body growth, snakes also perform a process commonly known as “ecdysis” (or “moulting”), by which they change the outermost layer of their skin.
Sauri
In addition to the aforementioned Geckos and Iguanas, the Saurian suborder includes numerous other animals with very similar morphological traits.
Squamates equipped with 4 legs and a fairly long tail, they are all cold-blooded animals characterized by wonderful physical and behavioral adaptations. There are the most famous chameleons, which are distinguished by their bright colors and eyes endowed with independent mobility; the agamids, often equipped with spines along the body to intimidate opponents, as in the case of the Bearded Dragon; the scincids, with reduced or absent legs; and many others, including even the largest varanids and the Gila Monster.
Generally quiet in disposition, they are animals that spend most of their day in thermoregulation activity or searching for fruits, vegetables and insects.
Other Animals
Numerous animals of other species that do not fit above the previous categories also find homes at Tropicarium Park in Jesolo, discover them all!
