Posted by Kirsten Pisto, Communications
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| Royal ball python, Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
Lunar New Year ushers in 2025 with intelligence, resilience and renewal as we celebrate year of the snake! The symbol of the snake in the Chinese zodiac is known to represent charm, intuition and deep thinking. This year is also an Earth snake, which means 2025 could be a year for growth and creativity.
As snake enthusiasts, we also want to take this opportunity to celebrate snakes as the ecological powerhouses that they are. Snakes encourage biodiversity and are often ecosystem stabilizers as both predator and prey. There are more than 3,000 species of snake worldwide and around 150 species native to North America. At Woodland Park Zoo, we have a long history of caring for snakes and educating guests about their role in the ecosystem. We want you to get to know a few of our snakes—and hopefully you can channel their cool, chill, ectothermic vibes into 2025!
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| Reticulated python enjoying a soak. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
Kaa the reticulated python lives in the Trail of Vines. He is 22 years old. Our keepers say that Kaa is quite calm, mellow and chill. He is pretty good at climbing trees and branches, but he seems to prefer being on solid ground in his current habitat. And if you spot him, you might notice that his coloration and scale pattern provide great camouflage for hiding amongst leaves or tree bark—the perfect adaptation for life in the rainforest!
Reticulated pythons are native to southeast Asia and, when full grown, are among the longest snakes in the world—and they keep growing throughout their lifetime! Our awesome reptile keepers estimate that Kaa is currently around 17 feet long and probably weighs between 125-135 lbs.
Reticulated pythons are native to southeast Asia and, when full grown, are among the longest snakes in the world—and they keep growing throughout their lifetime! Our awesome reptile keepers estimate that Kaa is currently around 17 feet long and probably weighs between 125-135 lbs.
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| Is there a prettier snake? Emerald tree boa Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
In Tropical Rain Forest, you’ll find a dazzling 12-year-old emerald tree boa. She is a truly beautiful snake. Emerald tree boas are native to the Amazon basin and are arboreal—spending most of their time in trees—unless they come down to sunbathe.
You'll also meet a 13-year-old false water cobra. Found in South American floodplains, false water cobras can flatten their neck to appear larger—hence their name.
Around the corner is a 16-year-old tiger rat snake. These constrictors make their home at the edges of rainforests in Central America—at home in trees or on the ground.
And of course, our 20-year-old yellow anaconda is an absolute stunner! This species is near-threatened. One of the largest species in the world, these aquatic snakes make their home in floodplains, marshes and swamps in southern South America.
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| Yellow Anaconda. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
In Reptile Realm, you can meet two female Timor pythons, both 10 years old. This species is found in the forests and grasslands of southern Indonesia’s islands—and listed as vulnerable due to demands on their native habitat. Active at night, these nocturnal constrictors ambush small reptiles, birds, mice and rats. During the day, they often bask in the treetops, regulating their temperature in the sun, while they digest their food and prepare for another late-night snack.
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| Timor python in Reptile Realm. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
On our Ambassador Animal team, we have many snakes who enjoy meeting guests and are very comfortable being handled by their experienced caretakers.
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| Anahi shows off her sniffer during a program. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
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| Guests get up close with sweetheart Anahi. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
Zuma is a 10-year-old Central American milksnake. Found in Mexico and Guatemala, this subspecies of milksnake is found in a variety of habitats including woodlands, forest, grassland, farmland or the desert. These active hunters use leaf litter or rock cervices as protection when they are on the move.
Anza is a 10-year-old California kingsnake—and she is gorgeous! This species is endemic to diverse habitats from Mexico throughout the western United States. California kingsnakes are cathemeral, which means they are active during different parts of the day depending on temperature—as opposed to strictly nocturnal or diurnal. They come in a variety of patterns and color morphs—better to escape predators such as hawks, coyotes and bobcats.
We have three Grey-banded kingsnakes, Zuni, Hidalgo and Sonora, each are 16-year-old males. Zuni especially loves basking and snacking on mice. At home in desert scrub and steep slopes in southwestern Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico—this species is nocturnal and dines on lizards, rodents, frogs and bird eggs. Fun fact, they are immune to rattlesnake venom.
Anza is a 10-year-old California kingsnake—and she is gorgeous! This species is endemic to diverse habitats from Mexico throughout the western United States. California kingsnakes are cathemeral, which means they are active during different parts of the day depending on temperature—as opposed to strictly nocturnal or diurnal. They come in a variety of patterns and color morphs—better to escape predators such as hawks, coyotes and bobcats.
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| Young visitors meet a charming corn snake. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
We have three Grey-banded kingsnakes, Zuni, Hidalgo and Sonora, each are 16-year-old males. Zuni especially loves basking and snacking on mice. At home in desert scrub and steep slopes in southwestern Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico—this species is nocturnal and dines on lizards, rodents, frogs and bird eggs. Fun fact, they are immune to rattlesnake venom.
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| A beautiful grey-banded king snake. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
Our 10-year-old milksnake named Memphis is a guest favorite. Milksnakes come in striking variety of colors, there are 24 subspecies, and inhabit a wide array of ecosystems from Canada to Ecuador. They get their name from a fable that associated them with drinking milk from cows, which of course is false, but they do hang out in or around barns to take advantage of rodents and a cool, dark environment.
Red cornsnake boys Knox (10), Salem (10), Seneca (12) and Mattox (12) are always a treat to see. Found throughout southeastern and central United States, corn snakes act as prolific pest control—extremely beneficial to humans as disease mitigators and crop protectors—as they keep the rodent population in check. Cornsnakes typically share a calm demeanor.
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| Perfectly adorable cornsnake. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
Royal/ball pythons Obi (25) and Gamma (27) are truly magnificent! When it's sunny, you might spot them enjoying a stretch in the grassy meadow with their animal keepers. Native to shrublands, forest and grasslands in west and central Africa, this crepuscular species coils into a tight ball when threatened. Unfortunately this species is listed as near threatened due to its popularity in the exotic pet trade, habitat loss and increased pesticide use. Fun fact, this species is revered in southeastern Nigeria—considered a symbol of the Earth—it is gently placed back at the forest’s edge when found on roads or near property.
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| Royal python enjoying the grass. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
What can you do to help snakes in the wild?
- Maintain a wildlife-friendly yard by leaning into native plants, leaving leaf-litter, providing water sources, reducing pesticides, and letting snakes be if you find them basking on your property.
- Reduce or eliminate lawn and garden chemicals. This keeps plants healthy naturally as well as protecting habitat, including water in our local streams, rivers and lakes. Visit SavingWater.org for tips on becoming pesticide free.
- Always research a pet before committing to owning an exotic snake, lizard (or any pet for that matter). Know your pet's history. Adopt or purchase pets from reputable sources only. Research the laws to understand what animals can be legal pets in your area, and help spread the word to others so we can all make responsible choices.
- Choose Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper and wood products to protect forest habitat and wildlife.
- Shop from companies committed to deforestation-free, sustainable palm oil.
- Pick shade-grown coffee! Drink YUS PNG coffee, available at Woodland Park Zoo and Caffe Vita. Our Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program worked with Papua New Guinea landowners to create the nation's first Conservation Area. Now farmers earn an eco-friendly living by selling their shade-grown coffee.
Happy Lunar New Year! We wish you luck, happiness and all the love.
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| Hello! Do you remember meeting your first snake? Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo |
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| Boop! Cornsnake shows off his beautiful colors. Annie Kwan | Woodland Park Zoo |
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| Our Ambassador Animal team allows close up opportunities for visitors while giving the animals choice and control during meet and greets. Genna Martin | Woodland Park Zoo |
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