Patti Bartlett holding a juvie Cuban Croc at the Cuban Crocodile Farm.

Crocodiles, by the definition of most of the populace, are beasts bent on removing, by hook or by crook, much of the human population—or at least removing most among us silly enough to have anything to do with these wonderfully adapted, predominantly aquatic, beasts. At this point it behooves me to state that I am one who knows next to nothing about crocodiles.

Oh, in bygone years I’ve kept a few hatchlings of various species, but as soon as any got up to that 2 foot-mark, they were returned to the various origins. I’ve never been sorry for these self-imposed limitations. Rather than mention here ones that I have kept, I’ll simply mention a couple that I haven’t kept. These 2 were and are the Saltwater Croc, Crocodylus porosus and the Cuban Croc, Crocodylus rhombifer. The “Salty” is an immense beast, recorded as having attained a length of 23 feet, a weight of 2000 pounds, a man-eating attitude, and a huge range in the Old World. The Cuban Croc, on the other hand is, in size and range, exactly the opposite. It is adult at a length of about 7 feet (occasional individuals are said to push 11 feet), weighs between 200 and 500 pounds, and is critically endangered. It is now restricted to fresh water habitats in Cuba's Zapata Swamp and Isla de la Juventud. It, as keepers have painfully learned, is an accomplished jumper and retains an overwhelmingly intolerant disposition and can move surprisingly quickly and accurately on land. It is, in fact, considered the most terrestrial of today’s crocodiles. Captive animals have displayed cooperative hunting behavior, and can be taught tricks.

This “mid-sized” croc is rather brightly colored in roughened black and cream colored scales. The head and jaws are proportionately large and there are large temporal ridges. Juveniles eat fish and invertebrates, adults consume fish, turtles, small mammals and birds.

Despite its relatively small size, the Cuban Crocodile is a highly aggressive animal, and potentially dangerous to humans.

Edgar at age 20.
Species: Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus.

Photographed: 29 Oct 2021.

Age: 4 days over 20 years.

Current Length: 7 feet 2 inches.

Where: Off display but ensconced at the Central Florida Zoo, Sanford FL.

Comments by Nick Clark, Supervisor: “A bit overweight but very placid, Edgar’s namesake is Edgar Winter an albino blues musician. Most the kids nowadays have no idea who that is, so even when I explain the names origin I receive blank stares and any humor that was intended is lost.

For the "story of Edgar" Fred Antonio and I wrote a paper that was published in the 1st volume of "Biology of Rattlesnakes" Reproduction in the Eastern Diamond-Backed Rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus, under Optimal Conditions in Captivity.

It tells of Edgar's birth and the following 3 breeding and birthing events.”

My comments: To all at the Central Florida Zoo who allowed me photographic access to Edgar, Many, many, thanks.

Great Basin Rattler on the side of the road in the headlights.
Snaaaaake! Jake hollered. Rattler.

“OK” I said. “It’s about time.”

And it definitely WAS about time for we were on the last night of our trip and were on the way to the motel.

Brakes. Camera. Action. Finally.

Jake and I had again decided to make a quick trip—4 or 5 field days—to Utah in hopes of finding a Great Basin Rattler, Crotalus oreganus lutosus. Earlier in the year we had traveled over pretty much the same route with the same snake subspecies in mind. On that earlier trip we had found one of rather bland color and pattern. But that one was also found on the last run of the last night. We had thanked our lucky stars.

Now here we were, 2 months later, on the same roadway. Again here we were on the last run of the last night. The principal differences were the phase of the moon and rather than being dead center on the road, the snake for which we had just come to a screeching halt was almost out of sight on the side of the roadside. But it was a beauty and well worth the expended effort. I’m ready to head back Jake?