Local News
Fort Worth Zoo welcomes new arrivalsSlithering success
Slithering success
On Monday, the Fort Worth Zoo announced the arrival of two new reptiles, both of which set precedent when it comes to captive breeding.
The pair of coral cat snakes, hatched Sept. 27, represent the first captive-bred hatching of the species in the United States.
“It’s pretty significant,” said Matt Vaughan, lead keeper at the Fort Worth Zoo’s department of herpetology. “We know this is the first captive breeding in the U.S., and we’re pretty sure it’s the first one in the world.”
Public Relations and Development Director for the Fort Worth Zoo Lyndsay Nantz said the successful hatching has set a milestone for the zoo, as well as conservation biologists worldwide.
“The coral cat snake is extremely rare, and there is very little information out there about them,” she said. “This is a huge accomplishment for the zoo and for the species.”
Vaughan said for the past two years the zoo has been putting forth efforts to breed the rare reptiles. And although they had eggs before, a successful hatching remained elusive.
Drawing knowledge from prior attempts, the zoo was able to successfully incubate their second set of eggs, and after 118 days of incubation, the snakes arrived.
The new hatchlings are a mere 13 inches long, and are miniature replicas of their 4-foot parents.
Currently, the hatchlings are not on display. Vaughan said eventually they may be moved to a viewing nursery, but a display date has not yet been set.
According to the Fort Worth Zoo, the coral cat snake is extremely rare in captivity. A native of Central America, the snake is a tree dwelling species and is characterized by its tricolor pattern of black, red and yellow bands that mimic the venomous coral snake.
- Local News
-
- Weatherford College offices closed for Spring Break
-
Chuckwagon Camp at Doss set for spring break
WEATHERFORD — For three days, children in the fifth grade through adults can learn about the challenges pioneers and cowboys had cooking on the trail.
-
Library to offer Spring Break fun
WEATHERFORD — Spring Break 2010 is here and the Weatherford Public Library is offering a full schedule of children’s activities.
-
Annual golf tourney set for April 1
WEATHERFORD — The Weatherford ISD Education Foundation will host its ninth annual Fools for Schools Golf Tournament Thursday, April 1 at Split Rail Links and Golf Club.
-
WC raises tuition
Parker County residents who choose to attend Weatherford College this fall will pay $4 more per semester hour; the 6.6 percent increase to $65 per semester hour was approved by Weatherford College trustees in regular session Thursday.
-
Weatherford College raises tuition rates
Parker County residents who choose to attend Weatherford College this fall will pay $4 more per semester hour; the 6.6 percent increase to $65 per semester hour was approved by Weatherford College trustees in regular session Thursday.
- Sheriff's Activity Call Log
- WPD Crime Report
-
IRS outlines additional steps to assist unemployed taxpayers and others
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced several additional steps it is taking this tax season to help people having difficulties meeting their tax obligations because of unemployment or other financial problems.
-
Extra cops on patrol for holiday
WEATHERFORD — The Weatherford Police Department plans to utilize grant funding from the Texas Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Program to pay officers overtime salaries for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program activities during the Spring Break holidays.
- More Local News Headlines


