Santa Barbara Zoo

Shed hat. 🎩🐍

That’s it. That’s the post.

📸: Keeper Alina

Alt-text: Chief the Burmese python coils up as he sheds his scales. As the shed peels off, it rests atop his head like a self-made fashion statement.

Spotted: Two Downtown-Waterfront Shuttles meeting in their natural habitat.

Scientists once believed these creatures were solitary.

They were wrong.

During Shuttle Summer, shuttles gather near the Waterfront where conditions are ideal: plentiful tourists, abundant beach chairs, and a near-constant supply of visitors discovering that a valid Zoo Pass or Zoo admission ticket unlocks shuttle rides at no additional cost.

Remarkably, many humans respond to this discovery by immediately telling everyone they know.

Notice how the pair maintain eye contact from a safe distance.

This is a sign of mutual respect.

Or confusion.

The scientific community remains divided.

Santa Barbara Zoo

Don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers this week… And if you’re Tesso the Prevost’s squirrel, maybe have a little nibble while you’re at it! 😌💐🐿️

📸: Animal Care Supervisor Cassie

Alt-text: Tesso the Prevost’s squirrel enjoys a sniff and a snack of ginger flowers in this series of clips and photos.