MEET OUR ANIMAL AMBASSADORS!
Educating Through Nature
These unique animals are available for you to see, touch (most of them), and explore while visiting the Discovery Campus as a guest, onsite for an educational program or during your Birthday Celebration! Learn about what part of the world they are native to, their favorite treat and so much more.
Sign our waiver to hold and pet our critters
Tortie - Sulcata Tortoise
Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata
Other Common Names: African Spurred Tortoise
BIO: I am the biggest tortoise at the Discovery Campus. I am a Sulcata Tortoise and I am only 16 years old, but I can live to be 150 years old. Just imagine how big I will be 100 years from now!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
No, I am way too heavy!
Tommy - Sulcata Tortoise
Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata
Other Common Names: African Spurred Tortoise
BIO: I am only a year old, but I am growing fast! One day I will be even bigger than Tortie. Set me down to see how fast I can run. Wanna race?
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
No, I'm too heavy to hold
Leo - Sulcata Tortoise
Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata
Other Common Names: African Spurred Tortoise
BIO: You can usually find me napping under my favorite log. I am an Ivory Sulcata Tortoise, so I am a slightly different color from the other tortoises here. Come to the Discovery Center to check out my pretty shell.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
No, I'm too heavy to hold
Spikey - Red-Footed Tortoise
Scientific name: Chelonoidis carbonaria
BIO: I am the only tortoise at the Discovery Campus that eats bugs like snails and worms!
CAN YOU HOLD ME:
I am too heavy to hold, but you are welcome to pet my shell!
Tangerine and Charlotte - African CommonToad
Scientific Name: Sclerophrys regularis
Other Common Names: Square-marked Toad
BIO: We are African Toads, and we spend most of our day underground. If you hold us, make sure you wash your hands after, because our skin has a special poison on it that can make the other animals here sick. That poison is what keeps us safe from predators in the wild!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes
Remy - Ball Python
Scientific Name: Python regius
Other Common Names: Royal Python
BIO: I am a Ball Python, a special type of snake that used to be worn as a necklace by kings and queens. Would you like to try wearing me on your neck?
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes.
Rosy - Rosy Boa
Scientific Name: Lichanura trivirgata
BIO: I am a native reptile, so there are a lot of snakes like me all around the lagoon. I am named for my shiny pinkish scales.
CAN YOU HOLD ME:
Yes. I am considered the most docile snake around.
Sally - Salmon Boa Constrictor
Scientific Name: Boidae
Other Common Names: Salmon Red Tail Boa
BIO: Come to the Discovery Campus and check me out. I have pretty pink scales, which is why I am called a Salmon Boa Constrictor. I like to be left alone, so please just look.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
No.
Jack - Crested Gecko
Scientific Name: Correlophus ciliatus
Other Common Names: Eyelash Gecko
BIO: I get to hang out with Pilot all day and I love to be held by new friends. I look very different from my friend Pilot, so come see my fancy stripes!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes
Harmony - Crested Gecko
Scientific Name: Correlophus ciliatus
Other Common Names: Eyelash Gecko
BIO: I got my name because I am the most likey to hang out with my brothers. If you hold me I might jump on you the same way I leap through the trees in my habitat. I can also change colors to match my surroundings. Look for me hiding under a leaf!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes.
Pilot - Crested Gecko
Scientific Name: Correlophus ciliatus
Other Common Names: Eyelash Gecko
BIO: I got my name because I like to fly through the sky. If you hold me I might jump on you the same way I leap through the trees in my habitat. I can also change colors to match my surroundings. Look for me hiding under a leaf!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes.
Calypso- Leopard Gecko
Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius
BIO: I am nocturnal, so I will probably be sleeping when you come visit me. But don’t be afraid to wake me up, I love to meet new people!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes.
Jazz - Albino Leopard Gecko
Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius
BIO: I am an Albino Leopard Gecko. I am the most active and wiggly Leopard Gecko here, and I get super excited when someone wants to hold me! Just be careful, I might get a little too excited and wiggle right out of your hands.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes
Cracker and Jelly- Leatherback Bearded Dragons
Scientific Name: Pogona
BIO: We are very active and like to climb on all the fun toys in our home! You can tell us apart by the lengths of our tails.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes.
Buddy - Leopard Gecko
Scientific name: Eublepharis macularius
BIO: I am known for my beautiful spots and wiggly personality.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes
Cookie - Guinea Pig
Scientific Name: Cavia porcellus
Other Common Names: Domestic Cavy
BIO: I love to cuddle and be pet right behind my ears. My favorite snack is carrots, and I might mistake your fingers for a special treat, so I suggest not sticking them in my home.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes.
Celerity - Peregrine Falcon
Scientific Name: Falco peregrinus
Other Common Names: Peregrine
BIO: I am the fastest animal on Earth! Well, I would be if I didn't have a bad wing... But I bet I am the only Peregrine Falcon in San Diego with their very own swing!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
No, my talons are much too sharp
Blue - American Kestrel
Scientific Name: Falco sparverius
Other Common Names: Sparrow Hawk
BIO: It may look like I want to come out and play with you, but I am really just hoping you brought me a snack. I am an imprint so I never really “left the nest” which is why I rely on people to feed me. Are there any mice in your purse?
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
No, my talons are much too sharp
Who - Great Horned Owl
Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus
Other Common Names: Tiger Owl
BIO: It may look like I’m winking at you but I'm not flirting, I just have a bad eye. Want to have a one-eyed staring contest? I bet I’ll win!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
No, my talons are much to sharp
Acorn - Western Screech Owl
Scientific Name: Megascops kennicottii
BIO: I was rescued from a family who illegally kept me as a pet. I am curious (and maybe a little judgemental) of everyone who visits me.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
No, my talons are much to sharp
Stripe - Red Tail Hawk
Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis
BIO: I am fully blind and very happy to have a safe home at the Discovery Campus. I like to talk a lot and make my opinions known.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
No, my talons are much to sharp
Savanna - Blue Laced Red Wyanotte
Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus
BIO: I am the fastest chick in the coop, I bet you can’t catch me! I am also the sassiest one so don’t get on my bad side.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes, if a team member is available
Miss Wyatt - Barnevelder
Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus
BIO: I get a little nervous around strangers, so I might take longer than my sisters to come up and say hi but you will see how sweet I am once I warm up to you!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes, if a team member is available
Lucy - Blue Laced Red Wyanotte
Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus
BIO: I am very curious and like to explore! I am also very sweet and like to cuddle.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes, if a team member is available
Cluckie - Black Maran
Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus
BIO: I am the biggest and most confident chick in the coop! I am always the first to come up to anyone who has treats!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes, if a team member is available
Maggie - Barnevelder
Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus
BIO: I am the smallest chick at the Discovery Campus, and I am a little shy. Just give me some time to get comfortable, and I will be super sweet and cuddly!
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes, if a team member is available
Poppy -Easter Egger
BIO: I was the smallest among my sisters but am quickly growing. I march to the beat of my own drum and often sit the opposite way of my sisters. If they are facing forward, I always decide to face backward.
CAN YOU HOLD ME:
Yes, if a team member is available
Chickpea - Easter Egger
BIO: I am the most likely to stay around for extra cuddles.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes, if a team member is available
Sunnie - Easter Egger
BIO: I am the biggest of my sisters and the first to try anything. I like to push my sisters around a little bit and am very brave.
CAN YOU HOLD ME:
Yes, if a team member is available
Chips - Chicken
BIO: I am a little more timid then my sister Salsa but am very curious.
CAN YOU HOLD ME:
Yes, if a team member is available
Salsa - Chicken
BIO: I am sassy, spicy, and very brave. I am the first to check out new people or treats.
CAN YOU HOLD ME:
Yes, if a team member is available
Cupcake - Holland Lop Rabbit
Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
BIO: I LOVE head scratches and being pet. I am very cuddly, kind, and love to be around people.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
I am not a big fan of being held but I LOVE pets!
Sage - Glossy
Scientific Name: Arizona elegans
BIO: I am new to the Discovery Campus and LOVE to be pet. I am very curious and soft.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes, if a team member is available
Mojave - Lyre
Scientific Name: Trimorphodon
BIO: I am new to the Discovery Campus and still getting used to my home so I can be a little shy.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
Yes, if a team member is available.
Bingo - Mini Pig
BIO: I am full of personality and love attention, lettuce, and pets.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
No, I am too heavy!
Alejandro (A.J.) - Veiled Chamelon
Scientific Name: Chamaeleo calyptratus
BIO: I came to the Discovery Center in January 2025 and love to watch guests explore my home. I take my time eating my dinner and love to hide at the top of my habitiat.
CAN YOU HOLD ME?
I am still getting used to my home so not at this momement.
Muffin, Popcorn, Sesame & Cinnamon - Zebra Finch
Scientific name: Taeniopygia castanotis
BIO: These birds love to sing all day long. They love to sleep in the sun near the window and sit with each other on the same branch.
CAN YOU HOLD ME:
I am too fast to catch and perfer just to be looked at