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Zoo ANIMALS BY
DONALD F. HOFFMEISTER Di rector, N o t u r a l H i story M u s e u m a n d P r ofessor of Zool ogy, U n iversity of U n d e r the ed itors h i p of
7/
�
HERBERT S. ZIM and GEORGE S. FICHTER I l l ustrated b y
ARTHUR S INGER
You n g Asian Elephant
A
GOLDEN
GOLDEN PRESS
NATURE
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GUIDE
NEW YORK
Western Publishing Company, Inc.
FOREWORD In the mid-1960's, the world had at least 440 zoos including about 1 20 in the U.S. and 1 75 in Europe. New zoos are being built, and in total they attract many millions of visitors annually. Thanks are due many individuals for their aid in pre paring this book. James H. Amon, Ronald Blakely, Roger Conant, Lee Crandall, Gene Hartz, Harry Henriksen, S. C. Kendeigh, Ray Pawley, George Pournelle, Henry Saunders, and Hobart M. Smith were especially helpful. Special thanks are due Arthur Singer for his excellent illustrations. D.F.H.
PHOTO CREDITS: Bethlehem Steel, 102; Brookfield Zoo, C h i cago, 6 (bottom), 12 (bottom), 13 (top r i ght); Bul l erman , M i l waukee County Zoo, 9 (top), 13 (bottom r i g h t); George S. F i c hter, 6 (middle), 12 (top); lincoln Park Zoo, C h i cago, 6 (top); Mon kmeyer Pre s s Ph oto Service, 5 (bottom); Arthur Singer, 9 (bottom), 13 (bottom left); Fred J. Zeehande l aar, 5 (top); H. S. Z im. 13 (top l e ft). © C opyr i g h t 1967 by Western P u b l i s h i ng C ompany, I n c. A l l r i g hts reserved, i n c l ud i n g ri ghts of reproduction and u s e in any form or by any mean s , i n· e l u d i n g the making of copies b y any p h oto process, or by a n y e l ectro n i c or mecha n i c a l dev ice, printed or written or ora l , or recordi n g for s o u n d or v i s u a l reproduction or for use in any k n o w l edge retrieval sy stem or dev ice, u n l es s p e rmi s s i o n i n writi n g i s obtained from the copyr i g h t p ropri etor. Pro· duced i n the U.S.A. by We stern P u b l i s h i n g Company, Inc. Published by G o l d e n Press, New York, N .Y. L i brary of Congress Cata l o g Card N u mber: 67-20162
CONTENTS . ..
4
MAMMALS ---------------------·------------------------------
14 14 15 19 19 36 56 63 64 94 94 100
I NT R O DU C I N G ZOOS .............. .. . .. . .. . .. .
.... .
M o n otremes. .. ...... . .... .. ... .. .. ....... .......... . ... . .. . Marsu p i a l s ....... . ..... . .. ... ..... . ... ...... ...... . ...... . Place nta I s ... ............ .... . .. . ... . ...... .. ....... .. ...... P r i m ates .... .. ... ..... ....... . .. ...... ..... . ... . ... . .. ..... . C a r n ivores..... .... . ... ..... . ............ . .. .... ..... . ...... Rod ents ... . .. . .. ....... .. ... .... . .... . ..... . .. ............... S i m p l e-toot hed M a m m a l s ... . .. . ... ......... . ...... Even-toed (Artiodactyl) ......... . ... . .. . ... .... .... Hyrax...................................... ................... Od d -toed ( P e rissodacty l ) .....................•...... E l e p h a n ts· ···· ·····---------------------------·······----·-· B I RDS ····· ····------------················-··-····-··-··--······
F l ig htless --------··------------------------------------······ Peng u i n s -----------------------···········-·---------------F i s h-eaters ------------------------------ -·-········ ··-··· · Waders ------------------------------------------------ -----Swans, Geese, a n d D u c k s .......... ... .. ...... .... B i r d s of Prey .... .... ... .. ... ....... ............... ..... .... Fowl- l i k e ······----------------------------------------------C ra n e s ··············-·····-····-·········--------------··-····· Shorebird s····· · ·--·····-· · ········ ··· -·········--·-------· P i g e o n s a n d Doves .... .... .... . .. .... . ..... . .. ..... .... T u racos ······ ·· ········--·-············ · ··-·····-·-········· · P a rrots a n d A l l ies ....... . .. ..... . ... .. ........ .. ..... . Frog m o u t h s ·----------------· ··· · ··· ····· ···········---·-· · Owls ········ ····· · ····-······----------------------·-···--·--· · Trog o n s .................................................•..... H u m m i n g b ird s········ ···· · ·· ······ · -·· · ·· ··· ------------· Kingfishers a n d A l l ie s · ·-·· · ·· · ·· · ··· ······· ··· -····· · Wood peckers a n d A l l ies ···· ····· · ·········--····· · Perc h i n g B i r d s--------------------------------··· ····------R E P T I L E S A N D A MP H I B IA N S -------------------------
C rocod i l i a n s ----------------------------------·-··········· T u rt l e s . ... . ... ........ ..... .... . .. . ....... ..... ... ... . ... . ..... liza rd s.......................................................... S n a kes ....... .. . . ... ... ... ...... . . ......... . ... . .. . ......... .. .. Frogs a n d Toad s.......................................... S a l a m a n d ers --·············· ·····---····-------------···· ·
102 103 105 106 107 110 113 116 118 119 120 121 122 126 126 127 127 128 129 130 135 136 138 141 144 152 153
. ..
154
S C I E N T I F I C NAMES ··-····--------------------------------
155
I N DEX ---------------------------------·-·· ···--·······----------· ·
158
N EA R-MAX I M U M A G E S ..
.
........... ........... . ..
INTRODU CING
zoos
Zoos are maintained for the education and enjoyment of visitors and for scientific work with animals. Many of the animals are from parts of the world where the visi tors are not likely to travel. Zoos exhibit such well-known animals as lions, bears, and monkeys; many also include interesting local animals. In modern zoos, animals are kept in habitat settings that are as nearly natural as possible. Zoos serve an important function as sanctuaries for rare, wild animals. Working behind the scenes in most zoos are zoolo gists, veterinarians, medical doctors, and other scientists. They study breeding and reproduction, nutrition, physi ology, behavior, diseases, and special housing. W I LD A N I MALS have probably
been kept i n ca ptivity t h rough all h istory. The o l d e st zoos on record were i n Egypt i n 1 400 B . C . a n d C h i n a in 1 1 00 B . C . The l a rg e c o l l ections of t h e Rom a n s i ncluded l i o n s, tige rs, a n d other ferocio u s beasts that were pitted a g a i n st g l a d iators. Many early r u lers kept private m e n a g e ries of 4
i n te rest i n g or u n us u a l a n i m a l s m a i n l y for p e r s o n a l e njoy m e n t . P u b l ic z o o s w e r e esta b l ished i n Pa ris, F r a n ce, i n 1 79 3 . O l d est i n t h e U . S., t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a Zoo, was started i n 185Y, o p e n e d i n 1 874. Zoos i n P e k i n g , C h i n a, Bronx, N .Y., and San Diego, C a l if. a re a m o n g l a r g est. N e a r l y a l l b i g c i t i e s now h ave zoos.
From q u a r a n t i n e c o r r a l in Kenya, c rated g i raffes travel to N .Y. ZOO A N I MALS are obta ined in a variety of ways. A c e n t u ry ago, expeditions to fa r-off p l aces were c o m m o n . These have been l a rge l y replaced by p urc hases from p rofess i o n a l c o l l ectors and by excha n g es, trades, or p u rchases from other zoos, o r from foreign w i l d life a n d g a m e d e p a rt m e n ts. P rofessi o n a l a n i m a l d e a l e r s a re s k i l l ed at c a p t u r i n g a n im a l s safely a n d i n c a r i n g for them properly d u ri n g the q u a ra n t i n e p e r i o d before they are s h i p p e d . T h e y k n ow how 1o c o n d ition a n i· m a l s to t h e i r new d iet in ca ptiv ity and how to s h i p them, often by a i r, for safe a rriva l .
There a re m a n y ways to c a p t u r e a n imals. Birds a n d p o rpoises o re netted . Some birds can be c a u g h t by u s i n g o l o n g p o l e with a sticky mate ria l o t the t i p to entangle them. A solvent rem oves the sticky substa nce from t h e feathers. Tra ps, s n a res, a n d c o r rals a re used to capture m a m m a l s . Spec i a l g u n s t h a t s h o o t a n o n - l ethal dose of a t ra n q u il i z i n g o r paralyz i n g d r ug a re t h e most effective a n d a lso t h e m ost h u m a n e method u sed today. M a n y zoo a n i ma l s are b o r n in ca ptivity . These zoo-reared a n i m a l s represent g e n erations t h a t h a v e known n o l ife i n t h e w i l d .
Sea l s a r e s h i p ped by a i r f r o m o n e z o o to a n other.
AN IMALS BORN
Baby Maca q u e is spoon fed in n u rsery.
Rejected "joey" is reared i n zoo.
I N THE ZOO
ore g iven special core. They o re i m porta nt in ma inta i n i n g the dis p l o ys a n d o r e special attractions w h i l e they a re young. The g r owth rates of these zoo babies are chec ked a n d recorded reg u · lar l y by the z o o vete r i n a r i a n s . M a n y a n i m a l s w i l l not breed in ca ptivity; others w i l l d o so o n l y u n d e r control led c o n d itions or d i ets. Pens are ofte n provided for exp ecta n t fe m a les. If the mother does not care for he r yo u n g or rejects them, the in. fonts m a y be removed . M a n y newborn a n imals, espec i a l l y those of some of the prim ates and cots, are placed i n i n c u bators m u c h l i k e t h o s e u s e d i n hospita l s . Others a re p u t i n a n u rsery where the tem perature a n d h u m i d ity a re control l e d . T h e y a r e watched caref u l l y a n d ore f e d s p e c i a l d i ets. F o r m u l a s for i n f a n t a n i m a l s i n the zoo n u r series inc l u d e pow dered o r eva po rated m i l k , sug a r sy r u p, m u lt i p l e-vita m i n s, and antibiotics. The y o u n g m u st b e f e d at freq u e n t i n terva l s n i g h t a n d d ay . As the b a b y a n i m a l g rows, i t s form u l a is g ra d u a l ly c h a n g e d u n t i l fi n a l l y it is a b l e to eat a d u l t foods. Birds i n a zoo may mate, n est, t h e n l a y e g g s a n d hatch them. I f ferti le e g g s are n e g l ected, s o m e m a y be hatched i n i n c u bato rs. Eggs of sna kes, t u rtles, and l iz· a r d s m ay a l so be hatched in i n · cu bators i n w h i c h the h u m i d ity is kept h i g h . Newbo r n C o l la red Pecca ry is f e d b ) bottle w h i l e sti l l i n the i n c u bato r.
ZOO S
C O N S E RVE
RARE
A N I
MA LS, and some kinds live today
only because they have been pre served in breeding groups. Among these animals are Pere David's Deer, Wisent, Arabian Oryx, White tailed Gnu, Blesbok, and Prze walski's Horse. Other animals that are nearly extinct in their native lands may be saved if zoos are successful in breeding them. The Gorilla, Pigmy Hippo, various le murs, White and Indian rhinoc eroses, the Galapagos Tortoise, Whooping Crane, Trumpeter Swan, and Nene are among species in danger of extinction as their natural environments are being destroyed. To assure thdr survival, zoos de velop special areas where these animals can breed and rear off spring. On the list of rare and en dangered animals that need pro tection are several hundred species.
T r u m peter S w a n
7
D I S PLAYS in modern zoos create as nearly as possible the natural environment in which an animal or grou p of animals is found. In some displays, the animals appear to be living together but are actually separated by moats or by concealed fences. Many animals, however, are compatible and can be kept safely in the same enclosure. These include such African waterhole species as zebras, ostriches, and elands; emus, wallabies, and kangaroos from the Australian plains; rheas, guanacos, and cavies from the South American plains. Groups of monkeys, usually baboons or macaques and sometimes other primates, are commonly kept on a rocky island in a pond large enough to prevent their escape. Males often fight, and it may be necessary to remove all but one to keep peace. Flight cages for birds may be indoors or outdoors but are large enough for trees and for pools of water. In them, birds can fly, court, nest .. and rear their young. Small delicate animals are usually kept in special buildings in which the temperature, humidity, and light can be controlled. Here desert animals can be exhibited in the coldest weather or penguins when it is hottest. I n m a n y zoos, moa•s separate peo a n i m a l's a b i l ity to j u m p . T h e moat may be d ry or fi l l ed with water. ple and a n i m a l s . for each kind of Shown here a re t h r e e kinds of moats a n i m a l th e d e pth and width of the m oat is spec ific, d e p e n d i n g a n the for d ifferent kinds of a n i m a l s . �
l
8
E l e p h a nts, r h i nos, a n d ather Asian ani m a l s s h a r e s a m e zoo e x h i bit.
Polar Bears and Ste l l a r Sea Lions occ u p y a d j o i n i n g spaces.
Some hummingbirds and many amphibians and reptiles require air-conditioned quarters. Aquatic animals, such as penguins and seals, are d isplayed most effectively with viewing areas above and below surface of water. Pe n g u i n s swim in Bronx Zoo's e n closed, a i r-co n d itioned pool.
Fennec Fox and other n o ct u r n a l s a re d i s p l ayed i n d i m r e d l i g hts.
9
FOODS AND DIETS of zoo animals are so varied that a zoo's "kitchen" must be well stocked. Staples include fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, hay, bean and nut oils, sunflower seeds, horse meat, and milk, plus the vitamins and minerals added to nearly all diets. Without ade quate and balanced diets (some must be accurately proportioned and weighed ), zoo animals will neither thrive nor breed and also become susceptible to diseases. H ER B I VOR ES
also fed con centrates of grains, soybea n ail , salt, vita· m i n s, often a s pel l ets
CAR N I VOR ES raw meat, with vita mins a n d minerals small m a m m a l s f a r birds o f prey a n d s n a kes
horse meat for l a rg e r carnivores
SPECIAL DIETS mu st be p ro vided fo r m a ny zoo a ni mals. Amo n g the a nima l s requ i ri n g sp ecia l d i ets (b elo w) a re the seal s a nd p e n g u i n s that need f ish. L iz a rd s and f ro g s req u i re mealwo rm s, crickets, ro aches, o r o th e r l ive i n sects. f la m i n go s, sca rlet ib ises, a nd other b i rds with b ri g h t p l u m a g e may be
MANY CAG ED B IRD S b o iled eggs
vitamins and m i n e rals adde d meal
O M N I VOR ES
" ca ke m ix11 of meal, g ra in, vitam i ns, d ry meat
kept i n goo d co lo r i f their d iets i nclude ca rro ts, beets, o r o t h e r foo d s r i c h i n r e d a nd y e l lo w p igm e nts ( c a roteno id s) . Anteat e rs a re fed a sou py m i x of ha rd bo iled eggs, m i l k, a nd coo ked meat; hum m i n gb i rds, a ho ney o r su ga r sy rup; lo rikeets, a sweet e ned po rridge. Ko a l a s requ i re eu ca ly ptu s tree leaves.
fruit
A meerkat, c ut in fi g ht with c a g e com pa nions, is a n esthetized w h i l e the w o u n d i s c l e a ned a n d treated by veter i n a r i a n at C r a n d o n Park Zoo, M i a m i.
M E D I C A L CARE of sick or i n j u red
a n i m a l s is provided in the zoo's hospita l , where veteri n a r i a n s perform operations, s e t b o n es, and c u re d i seases. These specia l ists in a n i m a l medicine use the latest d r u g s a n d e q u i p m e nt. Newly acq u i red a n im a l s are h e l d i n isolation rooms u nt i l it c a n be d etermi ned t h a t they are free of d isease a n d parasites. Recovery areas g ive sick a n i m a l s a q u iet place to reg a i n health.
M i n o r b u t essential proce d u res i n c l u d e tri m m i n g n a i ls, claws, a nd hoofs; removal of a ntlers; ond repair and extraction of teet h . A n i m a l s were once held q u iet i n sq u eeze cages. Nearly a l l zoos n ow use t ra n q u i l izer d r u g s that can b e i n jected from a d ista nce with a g u n . In this way even the l a rg est and most d a ngerous a n im a l s c a n be g iven medical attentio n without d a n g e r to a n i m a ls o r att e n d a nts.
Vete r i n a r i a n s a n d members o f staff at C h icago's B rookfield Zoo operate o n an a n es thetized Ret i c u l ated Pyth o n , to remove a t u m o r from its stomach reg i o n .
C h i l d re n ore treated to a r i d e in a d ecorated goat c a r t at t h e zoo i n Mexico C ity.
At the zoo i n M e x i c o C ity, t ra i n ed I n d i a n E l e p h a nts perform stunts daily for visitors.
C H I LDREN'S ZOOS ore
one of t h e most i m porta n t po rts of m ost zoos. I n these speci a l l y desig ned a reas, you n g people c o n o p· preach a n d eve n h a n d l e m a n y a n i ma ls, b o t h wild a n d d o m estic. Here they con see sheep, c h ick· e n s, d uc ks, g eese, pigs, pon ies, and other f o r m a n i m a ls, too. They con watch cows b e i n g m i l ked, sheep shorn, a n d eggs hatch i n g . With a keeper's g u id· o n ce, c h i l d r e n m a y also h a n d l e
baby l ions, m o n keys, p a r r ots. raccoons, a n d o t h e r a n i m a l s. A r i d e on a g i a n t tortoise is a l ways a thri l l . Some z o o s h a v e 11shows," i n · e l u d i n g tra i n ed a n i m a l a c t s . T h e feed i n g of such a n i m a l s as s e a l ions, the I o r g e cots, a n d s o m e k i n d s of birds is o n i nteresti n g show i n itself. S o m e a n im a l s p u t on performances o f their o w n . B e a r s will c l o w n , a n d m o n keys will caper to attract atte ntion .
D ucks a n d g e e s e l ive i n o n o p e n p o n d a l m ost w i t h i n r e a c h at Bronx Zoo. C h i l d re n feed t h e m .
An Alaskan Brown Bea r c l owns soberly for o n a u d ience a t t he M i l wa u kee C o u n ty Zoo.
MAMMALS Mammals are the only furred animals. They have mammary glands to provide milk for their young, which are air-breathing and active when born. Specialized teeth of several types are set in sockets in the upper and lower jaws. The 1 5,000 species are diverse in size, ap pearance, and habits. Of those kept in zoos, many require special diets and controlled conditions. MONOTREMES, the most primitive mammals, lay eggs
and have mammary glands without teats. The milk is secreted onto areas of the skin and hair. Echidnas and the Platypus live only in the Australian region. ECHIDNAS, o r Spiny Anteaters (1-2 ft. lo ng) , a re co vered with spines. Too th less, they use t heir stic ky to ng ues to enta n g l e ter· m ites and a nts. In ca ptivity they eat g rou n d meat, cha p ped eggs a nd milk. A single egg is i n c u bate d i n f e m a le's po u c h w h e r e newbo rn rem a i n s u ntil too large.
14
PLATYPUSES, seldom seen but no t u n commo n in their native A u stra l ia , are ra re in z oo s be cause of expo rt restrictio ns. They have a d uckli ke bill, swim with webbed feet, and lay 1 or 2 eggs in u n d e r g ro u nd nest. Ma les 2 ft. lo ng, weigh 3 l bs. In zoo s, eat wo rm s, shrim p, insects.
MARSUPIALS, of t h e Au stra l i a n reg i o n , South America , a n d a few i n N orth America, are mamma l s i n which t h e y o u n g , very immature at bi rth , conti n u e to g row a n d n u rse i n t h e fema l e's a bd omi n a l pouch. WOMBATS (36 i n .) a r e heavy·
bodied, s h o rt·ta iled, b u rrowing m a r s u p i a l s of Austral ia. They feed o n g rass, hay, roots, vege ta b l es, a n d b a r k. N octu r n a l b u r rowers, h e n ce d i s p lay poorly.
KOALAS (28 in.; u n d e r 30 lbs.) a r e Austra l i a n m a r s u p i a l s that feed o n t h e o i l y, toug h l eaves of eucalyptus trees i n w h i c h they l ive. The single young l ives for 2 m o n t h s in t h e mother's p o u c h , later c l i n g s to h e r back. N e a r l y exti nct, Koa l a s a re fo u n d i n o n l y t w o z o o s o u tside A u stral ia.
DEV I LS (2 6 i n .) , f o u n d now o n l y o n t h e isl a n d of Tasm a n i a , feed a n sma l l mam m a l s, frogs, b i rd s . Pouch o p e n s to r e a r , as i n some oth e r ma rsu pials and u n l ike ka n g a roos.
TASMA N I A N
KA N GAROOS A N D WALLA B I E S are long-footed, jumping marsupials of Australia and New Guinea. The largest kangaroo, the Great Gray, measures over 7 ft. and weighs 200 lbs. Wallabies are smaller kangaroos, some no larger than rabbits. Some of the heavy-bodied kangaroos are called wallaroos. Kangaroos of all kinds have short front legs, long hind legs, and a thick, round tail that provides support when sitting and a balance when jumping. In zoos, kangaroos may be fed mink and monkey chow, hay, vegetables, even fruit. They fre quently breed and rear young in captivity. The young, usually one, weighs 1 oz. at birth, lives in pouch until it grows too large to get in. 16
POUCH ED MAMMALS
B r u sh-ta iled Rack Wa l l a by
KANGAROOS, n e a r l y a s l a rg e a s G r e a t G r a ys, are excel lent j u m pers, travel i n g for m i l es with l e a p s of 1 0 ft. or more a n d at speeds u p to 2 5 m i l e s a n h o u r . Males are u s u a l l y r e d , fema les, b l u ish g ray. Reds and G reat Grays freq u e n t l y l ive together in groups cal led "mobs."
RED
WALLA B I E S a r e s m a l l bod ied, 1 8-28 i n . The p a d d e d soles a n d s t i ff h a i r s o n their h i n d f e e t p reve n t t h e a n i m a l s f r o m slipping o n rocks. They eat g rasses, l eaves, a n d b a r k . T h e Brush-ta i l e d a n d R i n g -ta i l e d a r e t w o of the several. species. ROCK
GR EAT GRAY KANGAROOS (7 ft.; 200 l bs.) a r e sometimes c a l led Foresters, for they live i n t h e g rassl a n d s of the o p e n forests o f A u stra l i a . M a l es, l a r g e r t h a n females, a re "boome rs"; t h e y o u n g , "joeys." W h e n t o o l a rg e I a get i n to the p o u c h , a joey i n se rts its head to n u rse. WALLA B I ES a re med i u m-sized - b o d y a b o u t 30 i n .; ta il, 27 i n . They p refer b r u sh c o u ntry a n d , u n l i ke the Red a n d Great Gray k a n g a roos, rarely venture i n to · o p e n g rassl a n d s . I n a l m ost o i l t h e s h o u l d e r s a r e red d i sh b r o w n .
R E D- N E C K E D
POUC H E D MAMMALS
17
T R E E KANGAROOS (26 i n .) hop
WALLAROOS, a ls o c a l led R o c k
i n to trees to feed o n l eaves. They use their lang hands for g rasping b r a n c hes, their tail as a prop. D u r i n g the d ay, they usua l l y s l e e p o r h i d e i n trees.
K a n g a roos, p r e f e r g u l l ies a n d steep s l o pes of rocky cou ntry. Seve r a l kinds (to 5 ft. ta l l ) are widely d istr i b uted i n A ustra l i a . I n captivity, m a l es may fi g h t .
A M E R I C A N OPOSSUMS ( 1 8 i n .)
M O U S E OPOSSUMS, a b o u t t h e s i z e of l a r g e m ice, a re f o u n d from Mexico to So uth America. They eat i n sects and fru it; in ca ptivity, d o g food o n d mil k . Females l a c k p o u c h es.
have a l o n g , sca ly tail, leaf1ike ears, and g raspi n g feet. They feed o n p l a n t or a n i m a l matter, l i v i n g o r dea d . To avoid e n e m ies, they r u n , h i d e , or play d e a d .
PLACENTALS are mammals in which the unborn young, more developed than in monotremes and mar supials, are nourished directly by the mother through a special tissue, the placenta. PRIMATES have a well-developed brain, eyes directed
forward, and , in most, flattened nails on fingers and toes. Included are apes, monkeys, lemurs, tree shrews, and tarsiers. The manlike apes have long arms, short legs, no tail, and no cheek pounches. o re t h e l a rgest of the o pes. Moles may sta n d over 5 ft. toll and w e i g h m o re t h a n 5 0 0 l bs . ; fem a l e s o r e s m a l l e r . M o u n t a i n -dwel l i n g g o r i l l as o f G O R I LLAS
C e n t r a l Africa h o v e b l o c k coots; lowl a n d , o r coa sta l, g o r i l l as o re r u sty g ray. I n captivity, o n a d u l t eats 30 to 40 l bs. of f r u it, vege tabl es, and m e a t o d a y .
ORANGUTANS a r e stoc k i l y b u i l t
apes from tropical forests of Borneo a n d S u matra. M a l es weigh a b o u t 200 l bs. a n d may d eve l o p fl a b b y cheek pads and th roat sacs. O r a n gs avoid w a l k i n g . With an a r m spread of n e a r l y 8 ft., they swing g race f u l l y t h r o u g h t h e trees in which they build n estl ike homes. I n captivity, o r a n g s a r e d e l i b e rate, ofte n i n active. O l d o r a n g s (30 yrs.) may be m e a n .
G I BBONS, sma l l est (24-30 i n .) of
the a pes, spend t h e i r t i m e h i g h i n tree•. Yo u n g of these l o n g a r m ed a pes c l i n g tightly to t h eir mother's wa ist a's she swi ngs from l i m b to l i m b . W h ite-ha n d ed G i b bons of the M a l a y a n P e n i n s u l a f e e d o n n uts a n d fru its. Sia m a n gs,. of S u matra, i nflate a t h roat sac to m a k e b a r ki n g or hooti n g s o u n d s, w h ich c a n b e h e a r d f o r g reat d ista nces.
C H I MPAN Z E ES, or C h imps, are d we l l e rs from tropical tree Africa. They weig h 130 to 140 lbs. (rarely to 190). C h imps c a n stan d e r e c t ( 5 ft.), b u t they prefer to walk a n all fou rs, u sing the k n uckles o n their h a n d s. Their o rms exten d b e l ow their k n ees even when the a nima l s are sta n d i n g stra ight. Chimps a r e good s howmen i n zoos. They e n joy a ppla use, w hich they may sta rt themselves when they have fi nished a perform a nce. C h i m ps also h ave temper ta ntru ms. Beca use of their h i g h i n tel ligence, chimps h a v e been
stud ied intensively. In their e a r l y life t h e y s e e m to l e a r n a n d d e velop faster t h a n h umans. They m aste r sim p l e skil l s q u ickly a n d a lso show some a b i l ity to reason. Both i n the wild and i n z oos, hig h l y socia b l e . are chim ps A d u l ts ore ofte n d a n g e r o u s . Like a l l primates, t h ey shou l d h ave warm, d ry c a g es with h i g h h u midity. C himps r e l ish a variety b a n a nas, ( a p p l es, fr uits of o r a n g es). vegeta bles g ra pes, (ca rrots, lettuce, celery, pota toes), and cooked meats. Their d iet is not much diffe r e n t from that of Ora ngs and G o ril las.
C himpan zee
APES
21
OLD WORLD MONKEYS i nclude maca q ues, s o m e so ca l l ed a pes, ba boons, l a n g u o rs, a n d other m o nkeys of Africa, Asia, a n d I nd i a . Ma ny a re ta i l - less; i f they h ave a ta i l , it i s n ot prehensile (grasping). The n ostri ls a re close together a n d d i rected d ownwa rd, m ost species have ca l l osities o n the buttocks, m a n y have cheek po uches, a n d all have only 32 teeth . Ba r ba ry Apes a n d so m e other l a rger species a re kept outdoors i n warm m o nths; others are h o u sed i n g la ss-fronted ca ges to prevent t h e m from acq u i ri n g h u m a n - bo r n e d i seases a nd to avoid d isrupti n g t h e i r norma l ha bits. CELEBES C R E STED APES, o r Block Apes (2 2 in .), o re not t r u e a pes b u t close l y related to the macaq ues. When excited, they e rect a t uft of hair o n top of the hea d . Like macaq u es, they have a k n o blike tail and a l o n g , strai g h t n ose. T h e y a re native t o Isl a n d of Celebes.
BARBARY APE, or Magot (30 i n .) , a s pecies of m a ca q u e, lives a l o n g the B a r b a ry C oast of Africa a n d on Gibraltar. In c a p· tivity as in the wi l d , they stay in large g ro u ps. Ca ptives sta re at visitors. Some d evelop the bad ha bit of th rowing sto nes and spl ashing water.
Ba r b a ry Ape
22
O L D WORLD MON KEYS-MACAQUES
Brown S t u m p-ta iled Maca q u e
·(�s�ev�--·.;:S!
L MACA Q U E S
species) a l l have very short The 30 in. Brown Stu m p of South east Asia has a red Yo u n g a re c r a d l e d i n the arms, somewhat h i d d e n by f u r . R H E S U S M O N K EY S (22 i n .) a r e
maca q u es t h a t ro - a m i n l a rge, n oisy, sem i o rg a n ized troops from I n d ia to China a n d Formosa . They d o w e l l i n ca ptivity: b reed, eat nearly a n y t h i n g , withsta nd co l d . Rhesus m o n keys are used extensive ly i n m e d i c a l resea rch. JAVAN MAC A Q U E S are sma l l (20 i n . ) , easily tamed b u t m is
ch ievous, even d estr u ctive. Like most m a c a q u es, they us u a l ly be come mean with a g e. L o n g e r tailed t h a n m o s t m a c a q u es.
Pig-ta i l ed Maca q u e
e rect o r carry their sometimes c u r l e d . G r o u ps l ive i n d e nse l o w l a n d forests of So uth east Asi a . Sometimes trained to harvest cocon u ts.
OLD WORLD MO N K EYS-MACAQU ES
23
M O N A MONKEYS ( 2 0 i n . ) are
De Brazza's Mo nkey
DE B RAZZA'S M O N K EYS (24 i n .) ore b rig ht-col o red g u e n o n s with prom i n e n t goatee. De Brozzo's Mon keys a re stro n g j u m p e rs, a n d they use their l o n g t a i l a s a b a l a n c i n g o rg a n .
g u e n o ns, a gro u p of l o n g-ta iled tree-dwe l l e rs of West and Cen tral Africa. Most have b luish faces; m a n y have w h ite beards. Travel i n troops high i n trees. Displayed sin g l y o r in pai rs. DIANA MONKEYS ( 1 8 i n .) a re
"wh ite-bib bed" g u e n o ns; they have a wh ite g oatee. D i a n as l ive in trees a n d h i d e in the foliage. like all g u e n o ns, they m a ke a va riety of sou nds, a n d caged a d u l ts m a y become mean, espe cially if not g iven proper care. G R E E N G U E NONS, or Ve rvets (22 i n .), si m i l a r to M o n as, d o
wel l i n ca ptivity. They are active, a g i l e , a n d i d e a l showm e n . I n pa rts o f East Africa, Ve rvets a re c o m m o n i n city pa rks. 24
OLD WORLD M O N K EYS-GU E N O N S
MUSTA C H E D M O N KEYS (23 i n .)
have m ustache-l ike m a rk i n g s o n t h e u p per l i p . T h ese g u e n o ns a re someti mes c a l l e d Bl u e-faced Man keys. C heek beards are espe c i a l l y l o n g . They travel in g r o u ps feed i n g on f r u its, leaves, a n d sm a l l a n i m a ls. T h is West Africa n species l ives in treetops in tropi cal forests. C a ptives d a wel l . M ustached Mon key
SPOT-NOSED M O N KEYS ( 2 0 i n .) are d isti n g u ished by the w h ite spot an the n ose a n d the lack of a bea r d . They l ive i n the tree laps af d e nse j u n g les from the C o n g o to Liberia. They eat the leaves, flowe rs, and f r u its af the trees i n w h ich they l ive. PATAS MONKEYS (30 i n .) a re
red d ish with a h a i ry face a n d wh itish c h i n w h iskers. U n l i ke most other g u e n ons, Palos a re p r i n c i p a l l y g r o u n d d w e l l e rs a n d r u n d o g l i k e a cross t h e g rassy p l a i ns of n o rth-central Africa. Their habit of j u m p i n g up a n d d o w n resu lted i n t h e n a m e D a n c i n g Mon keys. Others t h o u g ht their red-co lored coals resem bled those of the H ussa rs.
Palos M o n key
25
JAVAN LANGURS (24 i n .) have a l a n g , stra i g h t t a i l a n d
a short n ase. A l l l a n g u rs, which l ive i n so u t h e r n Asia, a re exce l l e n t c l i m be rs a n d a r e leaf·eaters. I n zoos, their d iet may i n c l u d e soft leafy vegeta b l es and f r u its. C a ptives are g e n e r a l ly, b u t n at a l ways, i n active, a n d they are usu a l l y shart·lived . Cages m ust be l a r g e e n o u g h to g i ve them space for lea ps of 20 feet o r more. B LA C K A N D WH I T E G U E R EZAS, o r C o l o b us (24 i n .), are leaf·eati n g m o n keys of Africa. T h is co l o rf u l m o n key is black, with a wh ite facial whorl, wh ite ma ntle, and a white tasse led ta i l . T h e y o u n g are c o m p letely b u ffy.white. G u e rezas move thro u g h the treetops with a g i l ity a n d are exce l l e n t j u m pers. They are slower a n d more awkward on the g r o u n d . G u e rezas are l a rge m o n keys, some m a l es we i g h i n g more t h a n 20 l bs. I n ca ptivity, these m o n keys us u a l l y l ive o n l y a b o u t 1 year, t h o u g h one has su rvived more tha n 20 years. l i k e m ost other m o n keys, the zoo d iet consists of f r u its a n d vegeta b l es; meats are refuse d .
26
OLD WORLD MONKEYS-LANGURS, GUEREZAS
G ray-cheek ed M a n g a bey
R A Y - C H E E K E D ( C R E S T E D) MANGABEY (24 in.) is bot h a
t ree a nd g r o u n d dweller. Feeds m ost ly o n f r u it s, l i ke ot h e r m a n ga beys-al l of eq uatorial Africa. RED-C RO WN E D (WH IT E - COL LA RED) MANGABEYS (36 i n .) are
somet im es ca lled C h erry H e a d s bec a use of t heir c r o w n of r e d ha ir. l i ke ot h e r m a n g a beys, t hey ha ve consp ic u o u s seat p a d s . I n capt ivit y, t h ey n eed h i g h p erches o n which t o clim b . MANGABEYS ( 19 i n .) a re n ot e d for t he i r g e nt le d i s p osit io n . T h e i r n ea rl y ha irless face is q u it e exp ressive a s t hey w i n k a n d b l i n k t he i r w h it e eye lids w h i l e t hey c h att er. Sm ack i n g t heir l ip s m a y be a n exp res sion of g reet i n g o r of p leasure.
27
CHACMA B A BOONS (34 in.) live in the rocky c o untry of South Africa. Other species l ive else· where i n Africa ond n o rthwa rd i n t o A r a b i a . A l l of these muzzle· faced mon keys are mainly g ro u n d d w e l lers, r u n n i n g o n a l l f o u rs a nd trave l i n g i n wel l-org a n i z e d troops. Dri l ls a n d ma n d ri l ls a re baboons also. C h a cmas are usua l l y d isplayed i n barred or mooted cages. Some ca ptives th row o bjects at visitors. Baboons a re h a rd y a n d b reed a n d rea r y o u n g i n ca ptivity .
G E LADA BABOONS (24 i n . ) h ave
l o n g manes, d isti nctive l y u p t u rned m u z zles with the n ostrils o n the flat u pper su rface, a con spicuous red c hest, and w h ite eyelids. M a l es a re m uc h la rger t h a n t h e fema les. HAMADRYAS BABOONS (28 i n .)
a re the "sacred b a b o o ns11 of a n c i e n t Egypt a n d a r e ofte n pic· lu red i n early templ es. Ma l es, i n contrast t o femal es a n d y o u n g , h ave a heavy ma n e . A l l ca n make l o u d , d o g l i ke ba rks.
D RILLS (26 i n .), a l most tail-less, live in the forests of the Cam eroons in West Africa. Slightly sma l l e r a n d less colorful t h a n the c l osely rel ated M a n d ri l l , t h e y occasio n a l l y c limb t r e e s a n d s l e e p t h e r e a t nig ht. The colorful rear patches of m a l es are u sed i n attracti n g mates. like their
( 2 9 i n .} a re the most biza rre of all mamma l s . N o other mamma l h a s a f a c e a s brig htly colored as the ma l e M a n d ri l l 's. D e e p f u rrows line t h e l o n g s n o ut. The h e a d i s l a rge, the tail stubby. F ema l e s a re l ess M a n d rills colored. b rig htly usually travel in small g ro u ps. They live mainly in the forests MAND RILLS
l o n g -tailed relatives, Dril l s usual ly travel i n troo ps, ofte n consist i n g of as many as 50 a nima ls. Their g rowls a n d barks a re a means of commu nicati o n . Both the D ril l and t h e M a n d ri l l h ave lived to an a g e of more t h a n 20 years ( o n e reported ly to 46 yea rs) in ca ptivity.
b u t may at tim e s travel f a r into the open c o u ntry to fi n d their food . In captivity, the diet of both the M a n d ri l l a n d t h e D ril l is m u c h the some os t h a t for other baboons: f r u its a n d vege tables, which a r e s u p p l e m e nted with meats to toke the place of the sma l l birds and m a m ma l s that t h e y eat in t h e w i l d .
OLD W O R L D MON KEYS-BA BOO N S
29
NEW WORLD MONKEYS a re tree d we l l ers of the tropics of South a n d Centra l A m erica and Mexico. I n contrast to O l d World m o n keys, th eir n ostri l s a r e m ore sepa rated a n d open to the sides rath e r t h a n downwa rd. They l a c k cheek pouches a n d ca l l u s pads o n t h e but tocks, a n d m a ny h a ve a long prehensile ta i l . Except for m a r m osets, they have a f u l l set of 36 teeth . In g e n e r a l , t h ey d o l ess we l l i n zoos.
WOOLLY MONKEYS, of the Ama z o n B a si n, have " c rew h ai rc uts" o n d woolly f u r. Thei r toi l i s sli g htly l o n g e r t h a n thei r 25-in. body. In the d ayti m e, troops of a d oz e n or more W o o l l y Mon keys c o m m o n l y f eed hi g h in tr ees on f r ui ts and l eaves, of ten wi th C a p uc hi ns and H ow l e rs. In c a p· ti vi ty, of ten i n ac ti ve, short- lived.
N I G H T MONKEYS a re b u shy toi l ed, soft-f u rred (13 i n.) m o n keys of c e n tro l a n d norther n South Americ a. They a r e c a l l ed Owl Mon keys beco use of t� ei r l a r g e eyes a n d facio l morki ngs a nd becau se, u n li ke other mon keys, they are noc! u rnol. In dey ti me, they sleep i n h o l l ow trees. 30
N EW WO RL D MON KEYS
B rown Cap uchi n
S P I D E R MONKEYS ( 1 8 i n .) hove a long toi l and sli m arms a n d l e g s . The e n d of the tai l lac k s hai r . U si n g a n l y the tai l , they cli n g to li mbs and pi ck u p ob j ec ts. G ro u p s of S pi d e r Mon keys move t h r o u g h treetops wi th g reat speed . Several females m a y be c aged wi th one mole.
CAP U C H I N S ( 1 2- 1 5 i n .) a re the
org a n g ri n d e r' s m o n key. B ec a use they coi l thei r long tai l in a ri ng, they a re of ten cal led Ri n g toi l ed Mon keys. They live in troops. Ca p uc hi n s o r e f a sci n a ti ng to watc h - b u t u s u a l l y are di ffi c u l t to keep as p e t s a n d eve n t u a l l y bec o m e u n m a n ag e a b l e . N EW WO RL D MON K EYS
31
SQU I RREL M O N K EYS (two s pe c ies of tropic a l Ce ntra l a n d South Am eric a) a r e s m all (12 i n.) b u t have a l o n g toil (16. i n.) . They eat f r u it o n d i nsec ts; i n c a ptivity, eggs a n d c a n n ed m eat.
( wa-c a r-e) a re bald, w r i n k l y fac ed , 21- i n . z o n m o n keys w i t h c h i n w h iskers, l a rge, s u n ke n eyes, a short ta i l. O ne speci es is red; a n other, nearly wh ite. U nc omm o n , shy, a n d d iffic ul t to keep i n c a ptivity. UAKA RIS
T I T I M O N K EYS (30 i n.) have a
sm a l l he a d , l o n g woolly fu r, a n d a very l o n g prehensile ta i l u sed i n c l i m b i n g . D e l ic ate a n d of ten shy, they do poorly i n c a ptivity, u s u a l l y l iving o n l y a f ew months. I n the w i l d , eat i n sects, eggs, birds, fru its, and l eaves. SAK I S are gentle b u t d el ic ate
and d i ffic u lt to keep. They re q u i re warm q u a rters a n' d branc hes f o r exerc ise to keep them healt hy. W h ite-faced Sakis (22 i n.) i n habit tropic a l f orests of northern South Americ a. Oth e r k i n d s a re the Monk, Wh ite headed, ond Red-bac ked .
Titi
.I d e n 1 rmoset
MARMOSETS a r e sq ui rrel- siz ed,
long-tai led m o n keys of Central a n d South Americ a. They have hooked c l aws i n stead of n ai l s on a l l exc e pt their bi g toes. F o r best c a re, they s h o u l d b e k e p t i n pai rs a n d provi d e d wi th ultra vi olet l a m ps and vi tami ns to s u p p l e m e n t the l ac k of s u n s hi n e. G o l d e n Marmosets (9 i n.) a re also c a l led li on-headed or Sil ky Ma rmosets beca u se of the l o n g , si l ky hai r that c overs thei r h e a d a n d s h o u l d e rs. T h e y li ve i n t h e tropic a l fo rests of B razil. C o m m o n Marmosets {9 i n.) have c o n s pic u o u s e a r tufts a n d a ri nged tai l. F a t h e rs often c a rry and c a re for the 1 to 3 y o u n g. A l l make a vari ety of hi g h pi tc hed n oi ses. L o n g-li ved a n d u s u a lly d oci l e i n ca ptivi ty. Pyg my Ma rmosets (6 i n.) are the smal lest of all m o n keys; they wei g h only 4\-2 o u nc e s. They fre q u e n t the hi g h e r b r a nc hes of tropic a l forests of the U p pe r Amaz o n regi o n.
Marmosets have c l aws rather t h a n n ai l s o n a l l exc e pt bi g toes. 33
TREE S H R EWS, from I n di a ,
laya, a n d the P h i li p pi nes, were o ri g i n a l ly c l assified a s sh rews. These c h i p m u n k-sized pri mate s w i t h l o n g t a i l s , a re carni vorous i n the wild b u t eat f r ui t a n d other f o o d s i n z oos. Several will live together in a cage. TARS I E RS, rat-siz ed, weig h 5 o u nce s. I n the b a m boo thi c kets
of the Phi l i p p i nes and East I n d i e� , they f eed at n i g h t on i n sects a n d l iz a rd s. Ca ptiv es d ri n k m i l k; eat l iz a rds, m ice, i n sects. Rare a n d short- l ived in z oos. POTTOS of West Af ri ca are a b o u t the size of h ouse cats . The y l ive i n t rees where they eat l eaves, frui t, i n sects, a n d l izards. Pottos sleep d u ri n g the day a n d move as sl u g gi s h ly a s sloths.
COMMON
34
P R I M I T I V E P R I MATES
GA LAGOS, or B ush B a bi e s (10 i n .), a re f u rry, thi n-ea red f o rest dwellers of Africa. All 4 species have long, b u sh y tails and are n octu r n a l. They tame read i ly; eat i nsects, cooked meats. They c a n c u r l a n d u n c u rl thei r ears.
Ri n g -to il e d Lem u r
R I NG-TA I L E D L EM U RS ( body 30
i n .; to i l 18 i n .) o re o n e of a b o u t 16 sp ecies of p ri m it ive pr imat e s t hat l ive o n l y o n Madagascar. A l l o re sq u i rrel-like i n ha bit s, app eara nce, a n d siz e . R i n g� to il ed Lem u rs are active d u r i n g t he d ay, d o w e l l i n capt ivit y, a n d o re a p op u l a r z o o sp ecies. Y o u n g ho n g o nt o t he a d u lt s as t h ey run a bout t he cage. M O N G O O S E LEMURS a n d B rown
L e m ur s ( body 24 i n .; tail 1 2 i n .) or e d i sp l ayed in a few z oos. T h ey m ove rap i d ly over t he i r cl i m b i n g p er c h es a n d a ro u n d t he sides of t h e i r cage, st aying off t he floor. L e m u rs eat vege· t a bles a n d fru it, ra rel y meat. RUFFED LEM U RS ( body 26 i n .; toil 14 i n .) o re b lo c k a n d w h it e wit h a coll a r o r r uff a b o ut t h e neck. O n e for m is r e d a n d b l a c k . T h is sp ecies n o r m a ll y feeds a n d moves a b o u t at n i g h t or i n d u sky lig ht. Rar el y d i sp layed . LOR I SES, of I n d o n esia and the P h i l i p p i n es, a re sl ow, sluggish, 14-i n . tr ee dwell e rs, act ive at d u sk or d ar k . They c u rl up d ur i n g t h e d a y t o sleep. F r u it is t he i r m a i n z o o food . i n capt ivit y.
SLOW
35
-
CARNIVORES a re flesh-eat i n g m a m m a l s with specia l ized teeth for g rasping prey and s h e a r i n g flesh . Som e h a v e lost the flesh-eati n g ha bit. Most a r e stro n g r u n n ers; many a re good c l i m bers. Bears, ra ccoons, wea sels, civets, hyenas, cats, a n d dogs a re carn ivores. BEARS are flat-footed , a l m ost ta i l - l ess. Some feed ex tensively o n fruits and i n sects. All except the Specta cled Bea r of South America l ive i n the Northern H e misp h ere. POLA R BEARS of norther n sno w a n d ice fi e l d s f eed mo stly o n sea ls a n d fish; m a les a tta i n a weig ht of 1,0 00 lb s. E xcellent swim m e rs, they enj oy f ro l ic ki ng in a p ool, s u m m e r or winter, a n d
see m i n g l y s u ff e r n o more from heat than d o cats o r othe r c a g ed a nimal s. The P olar B e a r's zoo d iet con sists of h o rse meat, fi sh, a n d br ead, to w h ich vit a· mi n supp l ements a re a d d e d .
BROWN BEARS h ave a p ro n o u nced h u mp between thei r should ers, l o n g claws o n the f ront f eet, and a h o l low f ace. Several k i n d s l ive in the n o rth ern p a rt of N orth America a n d E u rasia. These incl u d e the l a rg est carnivoro us l a n d m a m m a l�8 f t. i n l e n gt h, 4 ft. h i g h at the shou l d er, a n d 9 ft. high sta nd i n g on thei r hi n d f eet. At bi rt h t h ey are rat -siz ed a n d help l ess.
G rizz ly B e a rs, sli ght l y s m a l l e r b ut ot herwise si mi l a r to B rown B ears, l ive f a rther south in N orth America. B oth kinds a re u s u a l l y kep t o utdoors in m ooted cages the year a ro u n d . B e a rs may sleep f o r l o n g periods i n winter b ut d o not h i b e r n ate. Ad u l t bearr m a y eat 20 l bs. of meat , bread, a n d veget ables a day. V isit o rs s h o u l d never offer them food .
B l ack B e a r (t wo col o r p has es )
B L A C K BEARS ( a b o ut 5 ft . l o n g) are a N ort h American sp ecies , us u a l l y b l a c k i n color b ut sa me ti m es b rown, ci n n a mon , or n ear� ly w h it e . Their claws ar e not esp eci a l l y l o n g . B l ack B ears feed pr incip a l l y o n fr u its , i ns ects , s mal l a n i m a ls , a n d ha n ey, b ut ar e o m nivorous. D uri ng t he cold wint e r m o nt hs , t hey are oft e n d o r m a nt , a r o us i n g o n l y t o eat . D uri ng t he dor m a n cy, females give b irt h t o c u bs , each l ess t h a n a p o u nd-l ess t ha n V. p er cent of mot he r's weight .
S U N BEARS (4 ft . l o n g) ar e t h e s m a l l est bears a n d us uall y wei g h l ess t ha n 1 00 l bs . They li ve i n d e ns e j u n g les of Sout heast Asia. E xcell e nt cli m b ers. Cr escent on chest may r es e m bl e risi ng s u n, hence n a m e . S L O T H BEARS (SY2 ft . l o n g) a re s l o w - m o v i n g , s h a g g y- c o at e d bears of C eyl on a n d I n di a. Their diet i n n at ur e i n c l u d es h o ney, t er mit es , s ug ar cane, r o d e nts . Excellent cli m b e rs , feed i n trees as well as on gr o u n d .
Gia nt Panda
cub
G I A N T P A N DAS l ive i n th e d e nse bamboo j u n gles, 5,000 t o 1 4,000
ft . a bove sea l evel , i n T i bet a n d Ch i n a . Ad ult s a re n e a rl y 6 ft . l o n g , weigh 200 t o 380 l bs. C a p t ives a re fed b a m b o o sh oot s, th eir principal f ood in th e wil d , sup pl e m e nt e d with c o r n st al ks,
twigs, and eve n a por ridge of oat s, m il k, a n d cod-l iver oil. Giant P a n d a s a re sh own in z oos in Ch i n a and el sewh e re present l y o nl y i n Moscow a n d i n Lon d o n . G i a nt P a n d a s are now con si d er e d cl ose r el at ives of a n d i n th e s a m e famil y as th e bears.
RACCOON AND WEASEL FAMILIES include a number of small mammals kept in zoos. Raccoons, Lesser Pandas, Kinkajous, and Coatimundis have a long tail (usually ringed) and are flat-footed. Weasels, skunks, badgers, otters, and mink have scent glands and luxuriant pelts. lESSER P A N DAS, m e m b e rs of th e raccoon fa m ily, l ive in f or est s above 6,000 ft . in th e H imalaya Mount a i ns. Th ey are th e siz e of h o u se cat s b u t h ave a h eavier t a il a n d a re excell e nt cl imbers. I n ca ptivity, l esser Pandas ar e fed b a m boo l eaves a n d a va riet y of f r u it s a n d veget a bl es.
l esser Panda
W E ASEL S , RAC COO N S A N D
K I N KA J O U S ( 2 0 i n .) , m o n key-l ike r e l ati ves of th e Raccoon, live in C e nt ral a n d Sout h A m e r ica. I n capt ivit y, t h ey d o well b ut can not with sta nd co ld. The l o n g t a i l i s used as a n ext r a h a n d w h e n c l i m b i n g i n trees w h er e t hey m ove a b o ut wit h g reat dext erit y. They feed o n fruits a n d ho ney. Oft e n called H o ney B ea rs. COATIM U N D I S (24 i n.), a l so ca l l e d C oati s a n d C h u las, have l o n g , black- ri n ged t a i l s. They m ove a b o ut n oisily, searchi ng for wor m s o r g r u bs wit h t h ei r l o n g s n o ut . C oat is t ravel a n d feed d ur i ng t h e d a y , oft e n i n gr oups of 30 or mor e . They live fr om Sout h A m e r ica n o rt h t o Ar iz o na . O ft e n p art ia l l y tamed. RACCOONS (32 i n .) ar e fl at· foot ed, b lo c k- masked, r i n g-t ai l ed m a m m a l s of the Americas. They feed on cr ayfi sh, fr ogs, i n sects, f r u its, and r o d e nt s. Wash i n g their food i n wat e r is not a necessity, b u t t hey m a y do so. D og food, h o rse meat , fruit , a n d vit ami n s p rovi d e a sati sfact or y cage d iet. Raccoo n s often use h o l l ow t rees as dens. HOG-NOSED S K U N K ( 1 6 in.) is t he l a rg est skunk in N ort h Amer· ica. U ses h o g l ike s n o u t to r oot in gr o u n d for i nsects. Li ke a l l sku n ks, scent is st ored in two g la n ds u nd er t ai l. St rip e d S k u n k s ( 1 3 in.) a re c o m m o n i n m e a d ows a n d fence rows. Spott ed S k u nks (10 in.) a r e rea l l y st rip e d but short b a n d s giv� i l l u sion of sp ot s .
WOLV E R I N E S o re l a rge (32 i n.; 35 l b s.) wea sel s of N orth Amer i·
co n a n d E u rasian boreal for ests. T h ey kill g a m e of all sizes sq u i rrel s to deer. I n capt ivit y one will c o n s u m e n e a rl y 4 l bs. of meat a day. Lor ge cages p er m it t i n g exercise a re most s u it a bl e . F u r is used t o l i ne p a rka hood s, for it sheds m o istur e . or e t ree· cl i m b i n g , weosel·l ike a n imal s of t he A m e r· ico n tr op ics. Alt h o u g h ove r 3 ft. l o n g , a thir d of this is to il. T hey o re shor t·l egged and blo ck ex cept for t he l ig hter col or e d head a n d neck. To yro s o re act ive i n t h e d a yt ime. Th ey h u n t i n trees for t he small m a m m al s, b ir d s, a n d f r u it on which they feed . TAYRAS
H o ney B ad g er i n .). or Rot el s, o re f o n d of honey a n d r a i d nest s o f gr o u n d·dwell i n g bees, oft e n foll owing birds call ed H o n eyg u ides to fi n d these nests. H o ney B a d g er s l ive i n Africa a n d sout hern Asia. A m o n g t he several ot her k i n d s of b a d g ers, all short· l eg g e d , flo t· bodied, a n d excel· l e nt d i g g ers, or e E ur op e a n , Amer ican, a n d S a n d badgers. HO NEY
BADGERS (28
RIVER OTTERS o re fi n el y fu rred, a q u at ic, weosel·l i ke m a m m al s . T heir body is str eaml in e d a n d t heir feet webbed . S o m e otters o re cl awl ess. E x h i b ited sp ecies incl ude: America n River Ott er (about 2V2 ft. l o n g) a n d the Amaz o n Fl at-to il ed and Afr i c a n Gi a n t ot ters ( b ot h a b o u t 5 ft. l o n g). C apt ives eat fish o r h orse meat m ixed wit h veg eta bl es. I n t h e wil d , t he Afri c a n G i a nt O tter eat s m a i nl y shell fi s h .
Meerkat
B I NTURONGS, l a rgest af t he civets, a r e 4 Y2 ft . la n g , b ut near· ly half of t h i s l e n gth is a b ushy, grasp i n g tail u sed i n cl i m b i n g . T hey l ive i n t h e t rop ical fo rests of sout heast e r n Asia, and t hey feed m a i n ly o n fruit.
C I VETS A N D M O N GOOSES are slender-muzzled, long tailed animals of southern Europe, Africa, Asia. Their scent-gland secretion is used in perfumes. PALM C IVETS are cat- siz ed climb
MONGOOSES ( 2 4 i n.) a re coarse
ers of t h e forest s of Asia a n d e q u at o rial Africa. C i vets, l i ke s k u n ks, can d i sch a r g e a n a u seat i n g fl u id from sce nt g l a nds. All t he incl u d i ng civet s, palm Masked, do well in z oos.
h a i red a n i m a l s of E u rasia a n d Africa . G o o d rat k i l l ers, they have been i ntrod u ced for this p u rp ose and t he n become p ests. Laws p revent imp o r t to U.S. Re l ated Meerkat a l so b a n n e d .
42
C I V E T S AND MO NGOO S E S
HY ENAS a re n octu r n a l , 4-5 ft., dog l i k e a n i m a ls with large h eads, wea k h i n d q u a rters, and a g e n e ra l ly u n g ra cefu l a p p e a ra nce. The s h ort ta i l i s freq uently ca rried between the legs. Hyenas a re sometimes ca l led la u g h i n g Hyenas because t h e y m a k e a vari ety o f n oises resem b l i n g cri es, cack les, barks, a n d l a u g h s . Th ese scavengers pick over the scra ps that rema i n after the fea sts of other a n i m a l s, especia l ly of lions. They even eat l eftover bon es, usi n g their stro n g teeth and powe rfu l jaws to crush t h e b o n e s of a n te lopes a n d buffa loes. SPOTTED H Y E NAS, of C e ntr al a n d Sout h Afr ica, ho ve short , r o u n d ed ear s a n d d a r k sp ot s over most of t h e body. Y o u n g or e d ar k e r a n d m or e sp ott ed. Shy a n d r et ir i n g , t hey d o n ot d i s plo y well .
H Y E NAS, f o u n d from I n d io t o N o rt h Afr ica, hove a str ip ed body a n d l o n g ear s . Br own H y e n a s of Sout h Afr ica, not oft e n shown i n z oos, have str ip es o nl y an l egs and coar se hair on body. STR I P E D
H Y E NAS
43
CATS of m a ny d ifferent sizes a n d m a r k i n g s occur w o r l d wide except i n Austra l i a . A l l have s h a rp, s h e a ring teeth a n d claws that retra ct i nto sheaths (except C h eeta h s ) . C a t s fit i nto th ree g ro u ps: l i o n s a n d o t h e r large cats that roa r but ca n not p u r r; sma l l e r cats (lynxes, oce lots, and oth ers) that purr; C h eeta hs that give ba rking howls a n d bird l i k e c h i rps. I n captivity, cats a re fed raw meat fortified with vita m i n s a n d m i n e r a l s .
l io n FUR PATT E R N S OF CATS
44
C ATS
Tiger
S i b erian Tiger
Leopa rd
LIONS are a m o n g the m ost im p ressive c a r n ivorous m a m m al s a n d attract m uch att e ntion i n z oos. T h e y reach m at u rity at 5 or 6 years. Males have a m a n e that app ears at a b o u t 1 Y, years. M a n es i n zoo a n i m al s may be bushier t h a n t hose in the w il d since they a r e n ot t o r n b y t he b r u s h . N u b i a n L i o n s l a c k m a n es. L io n s b reed rea d il y in captiv it y, p ro d u c i n g cubs w it h sp ot s t hat usually d isapp ear in a b o u t 6 mont hs. L i o n s beg in to be ol d at age 1 0. I n cap ti vit y, h owever, t hey have l ived for more t ha o 25 years.
Lions h u nt and travel in g r o up s call ed p r ides. They l ive in m uch of Africa a n d formerl y al so from G reece t o I nd i a . Now o nl y a few rema i n i n I n d ia . Liens p refer t he op e n , g rassy pl a i n s and avoid the d e nse, trop ical forest s. They p rey m a i n l y o n h oofed m a m m al s-z e bras, even a n te l op es, wil d e beests, they h u nting, In b uffal oes. charge b u t d o not p u rsue l ong if t hey fail t o make the kill . A d u lt mal es weigh to 425 lbs., one rep o rtedl y over 500. Fe males are small e r, wei g h i n g t o a b o u t 250 l bs.
B e n g a l Ti g e r male
T I G E R S are the l a r g e cats with p r o m i n e n t, black or brown, strip es. T hey are common in j u n g les of I nd i a and J ava, but range as far as the s n owy, for· ested m o u ntains of Siberia. Si· berian T igers u s u a l l y have p ale, l o n g , t h ic k fur. B e n g a l Tigers of the trop ics have s horter f u r a n d brighter colors. Mature males u s u a ll y weig h around 400 l bs.; a Siberian T iger was re· p o rted Ia reach 650 lbs. l a rge a n i m a l s are about 3 ft. h i g h at the s h o u l d ers.
T igers u s u a l l y are sol itary h u nters. Very p owerf u l , they at· tack a n imals as large as y o u n g elep h a n ts, water b u ffa l oes, a n d crocod iles. T i g e r s are g o o d sw i m m e rs a n d enjoy water, ofte.n entering to cool off. I n captivity, they do not live a s l o n g as lions n o r p rod uce a n d rear y o u n g as successf ully. C u b s weigh between 2 to 3 lbs. a t b i rth. T hey mature i n a b o u t 4 yea rs. A male tiger a n d femal e l i o n m a y produce a li g o n ; the reverse, a l i g o n . Such hybrid s occ u r only i n zoos.
i nf re q u e nt l y called Panthers, are f orest i n h a b it a nt s o f Asia a n d Af rica . They a r e n ot esp eci a l l y l a r g e cat s, weig h i n g bet ween 1 00 a n d 2 0 0 l bs., b ut are good h u nt e rs, u s i n g st ealt h a n d a m b u s h . U s u a l l y t hey h u nt at n i g ht . T h e col o r is variable, b ut most commonly L eopards a re yel l owish w it h f ou r o r five d a rk b rown sp ots in rosett es. B l ac k i n d ivid u al s a re c o m m o n i n I n d i a . D ifferent c o l o r s a n d pat t e r n s m a y occ u r i n L eopard c u b s of t he s a m e l it ter. LEOPARDS,
S N O W L E O P A R D S (3 ft .) i n h ab it the cold p a rt s of t h e H i m a l aya a n d Alt a i m o u nt ai ns. Their coat is d e n se a n d l o n g . Zoo q u a rt e rs may need coo l i n g i n s u m m e r t o keep t he m c o mf o rt a b l e . A l so called t he O u nc e . C L O U D E D LEOPARDS, of S o ut h
east Asi a , have a mi xtu re of sp ots and strip es. Mature a ni mals wei g h l e s s t ha n 50 l b s. a n d a r e a b o ut 3 f t . la n g . Shy a n d reti r i n g i n c ap ti vi ty; active at ni g h t i n the wi l d . L EO PA R D S
47
JAGUARS, lar g est (5 ft.) of t he Americ a n c at s, weigh up to 300
lbs. They c a n r o a r, l i ke L i o n s a n d Tige rs. J a g uar s pr ey o n a variet y of a n i m a l s, inc l ud i n g fish a n d t he C ap y b a ra (p . 6 2 ) . T h e y l ive a l o n g wat er ways in j u n g les of tr op ic a l Amer ic a . Ex c elle nt cl im ber s and lea pers, t hey a re kept in well-barr ed c a g es, r ar e l y i n m oot ed cages. Kitt e n s heavily spott ed at bir t h . B l a c k p hases common; occ asio n a l l y n e a r l y w h it e ones occ u r.
48
JAG UAR, C H E ETAH
C H E ETAHS (5 ft.) , most u n usual
of t he c at s, ar e d o g l i ke in ap pear a nc e , make bar k i n g howls and, u n l i ke all ot h e r c at s, have no sheat hs i nt o whic h claws c a n r etr act . They l ive i n op e n c o u n t ry fr om sou i h er n A s i a t o Afr ic a . C heet a h s c a n r u n as fast as 70 miles per h o ur f or s h ort d is t a nc es, e n a bl i n g t h em to c atc h t he swift est of the a nt e lop es. I n I n d i a t h ey ar e tr a i ned a s h u nt er s. S e l d o m r epr o d uc e i n c aptiv ity; y o u n g ar e d iffic u lt to raise.
C a racal
CARACALS (3 ft.), fo u n d i n d es
ert s from Afri c a to I ndi a, have p oi nt e d , t uft ed ea rs. Good h u nt ers of small g a me, t hey wei g h up t o 4 0 l bs. I n z oos, req u ir e heated q u art ers d u ri n g col d m o nt hs. C a racals were used b y Arabi a n s as h u nti n g cat s. SERVALS ( 2V2 ft.) ar e l o n g l e g g e d , short -t a il ed Afri c a n cat s . T hey are yell owi s h wit h bol d bl ack st rip es a n d spot s. Se rva i s p rowl a t ni g ht i n m a rshes or al 'lng b a n ks. T hey rarel y repr od uce i n captivity. OCELOTS (3 ft .), commonest cat s o f t ropi cal A m e rica, a re short l egged tr ee- d w ell er s. T hey are someti mes call e d Ti ger C ats be cause of d ar k sp ot s, bl ot ches, and ri n g s . Ocel ot s tame easily.
•.,P'Jt]t'(!f/.f.]ltj�� G ol d e n C at
GOLDEN CATS (3 ft.), f o u n d fr om T i bet t o S u m atr a, ar e usually red d ish b rown, b ut some are spott ed, ot her s bl ack. A n ot he r sp ecies l ives in west -cent ral Africa. O ft e n displ ayed i n z oos.
SMALL C A T S
49
M o u nt a i n Lion
Jaguarundi
L Y N X E S ( 2 Y2 f t .) are broad-fool
ed, slump -t a iled cat s wit h p romi n e nt ear t uft s a n d a bl ac k-t ipp ed t a il . Young spott e d . l y n xes h u nt at n i g ht , p reying m a i nly on r a b bi ts. F o u n d i n nort her n pa rts of t he New a n d Ol d Worl ds, they can be kept o u td oors.
BO BCATS, al s o c a l led Wil dc ats or Bay l y nxes, are b o btail ed, li ke the l y n x , b ut ar e sli g h tly smaller, have smal l e r feet, and shor ter ear tufts. Bobc ats Iive i n m a n y parts o f N orth A m eric a . T h e y f e e d mai nl y o n rodents a n d bir d s; someti me s eat veg eta bl e s.
M O U N TA I N L I O N S, al so c all ed
JAGUAR U N D I S ( 3 Y2·4 ft.) have
Pant he rs, C o u g ars, P u mas, a n d other n a m es, ar e a soli d tan or br o w n . T h e c u bs ar e stri ped or spotted . F ou n d only i n North a n d South A m eric a, these l ar g e c ats ( t o 8 f t . ; 2 0 0 l bs.) scr e a m ; O l d Wor l d l i o n s r oar .
shor t l egs, a long tail, a n d a sli m body. They li ve i n t h e tr op ic s from southern m ost U n it ed Stales to South A m eric a . J a g ua r u ndi s var y i n col o r from r u st y r ed (often c all ed Eyra) t o gr ayi s h blac k a n d soli d blac k .
50
CATS
T H E DOG FAMILY is world-wide in distri buti o n . Mem
bers have long m uzzl e�, a bushy ta i l , and p r o m i n e n t c l aws; a l l a r e g o o d r u n ners. Most do we l l i n ca ptivity. Some a re n octu r n a l , hence s l uggish i n the d a yti m e . T h ey a re fed d og food or h o rse meat, with s u p p l e m e nts. WOLV E S (T i m ber o r Groy), lar g
D H O LES (Asiatic Wild D o g s or
est mem bers of the f a m i ly, are 4V2 ft. long, weigh up to 1 75 l bs. T h ey l ive in cold reg i o n s of North Amer ic a a n d E ur a sia. Wolves mate for l ife, a n d p up s r e m a i n with p ar e nts a year or more. T e n d to be q uar relsome.
Red D og s) ar e sociable, fr e q u e nt ly h u nting i n p acks of as m a n y as 20. P up s ar e d usky gr ay. Dholes (3 ft.) l ive fr om Russia to Korea and sout hward to Java. May br eed with d o mestic d o g s; U .S. i mp ortation p ro h i b ited .
COYOTES ( 3 ft.) live i n sp arsely wooded r e g i o n s of N or t h Amer · ic a; a r e most a b u n d a n t i n the West. Sometimes c a l l e d Pr a ir ie Wolves, they u s u a l l y weig h less than 60 lbs. They makel a var iety of eer i e howls. C oyotes w i l l eat n ear ly a nyt h i n g . P up s n u m ber up to 1 2 p er l itter .
J A C KALS ( 2 V2 ft.) are f o u n d i n
Asia a n d Afr ic a . I n h a b its a n d c h aracter istics, they ar e the c o u n terp arts of the North A m er i c a n C oyote. They ofte n feast o n w h a t is left after t h e b i g cats have made a k i l l . T her e ar e sev er a l k i n d s: Y e l low or Asiatic, Blac k- backed, a n d Sid e-str ip e d .
R E D FOXES (2 ft.) persist in n o r t h e r n Asia, E u rope, a n d North Ame rica. In a d d it i o n to red d i sh colored coats, there are b l a c ks, silvers ( b l a c k h a i r tipped with white), and "crosses" (red dish with black). Seve ra l foxes c a n be p e n n e d together.
GRAY FOXES (2 ft.), fo u n d in
N o rth American wooded reg i o n s, c a n c l i m b trees. They feed o n sma l l m a m m als, b i rd s, a n d ber ries, and freq u e n t l y dig b u r rows. Their g rayish-red coat and b l o c k t i p ped t o i l is c h a r a cteristic. Like most foxes, active ot n i g ht.
F E N N E C S ( l - l V2 ft.) a r e I o rge·
eared, d esert foxes of North Africa a n d t h e N e a r East. Kit Foxes of North America's western d eserts a re s i m i l a r. Both are shy. F e n n ecs d o best i n zoos. A R C T I C F O X E S (2-2V2 ft.)
white coats, m a tc h i n g the of t h e A rctic t u n d ra, b u t a re a lways b l u ish-gray Foxes). Their small ears a re near· ly hidden i n fur. U s u a l l y d o not l ive long i n c a p tivity.
52
FOXES
F e n n ec
B I G - E A R E D FOXES ( I V. ft.) a re a l so c a l l e d Bat-ea red a n d long eared foxes. In t h e i r native so u t h e r n a n d easte r n Af rica, these a n i m a l s feed on s m a l l m a m m a ls, reptil es, b i r d s, a n d i n � sects. T h e y d ig d e n s for s h e l t e r a n d rea r i n g o f t h e y o u n g .
D I NGO ES, o r A u stra l i a n W i l d D o g s , l o o k l i k e l a rge, red d ish c o l o red, d o m esticated d o g s . They c a n not lay their ears down, however, a n d they y e l p o r howl rather than bark. D i ngoes a re t h e o n l y n o n - m a r s u p i a l meat eati ng m a m m a l s in A ustra l i a .
M A N E D W O L V E S (4 f t . ) , from
CAPE OR AFRICAN HUNTING D O G S are l a r g e (3-3Y2 ft.), pow
t h e South A m e rican pam pas, are stra n g e l y p ro porti oned . They have s t i l t l i k e legs, a short tail, a n d long ears o n a fox l i ke h e a d . T h e y eat l izards, s n a kes, rode nts, and fru its. T h o u g h not common i n zoos, they a p pa re n t l y req u i r e no special care.
erful h u nters with r o u n d e d ea rs, a spotted body, a n d l o n g l e g s . I n t h e i r na tive A f r i c a , they c o m m o n ly r u n i n packs of 3 0 o r more, k i l l i n g a nt e l o p e a n d o t h e r big g a m e . T h e y re m a i n u nf r i e n d ly i n ca ptivity.
FIN-FOOTED (PINNIPED) carn ivores a re modified to live i n the water. T h e i r fl ippers a i d t h e m i n swi mming ; their s h o rt, t h i c k fur provides i n su lation; t h e i r torped o sh a p ed body h e lps t h e m g l ide t h ro u g h the water. I n c l u d es sea ls, sea lions, e l e p h a n t sea ls, a n d wa l ru ses. ELEPHANT SEALS are l a rge, fat, and d oc i l e in ca ptivity. Their l o n g n o s e d roops m a n y i n c h e s below t h e i r m o u t h , somewhat l i ke an e l e p h a nt's tru n k . This s n o u t is partia l l y i n flated as the a n i m a l exha l es. M a l e s m a y be 1 8 f t . long a n d weig h 2 Y2 t o n s . They l ive in Pacific coa sta l waters, north to southern C a l ifornia.
SEA L I O N S c a n turn t h e i r p a d d le-like h i n d fl i p pers forward and use them a s "feet" to p u l l themselves o u t o f t h e water t o s u n or to "wa l k" o n l a n d . The C a l ifo r n i a Sea Lion is com m o n i n zoos. Males m a y weig h 600 l bs.; f e m a l es, 200. They b a r k l o u d ly. Males eat a b o u t 8 l b s . of fish a day; f e m a l es, 4 .
WA L R U S E S l ive in waters of t h e Arctic C i rc l e . M a l e s h a v e l a rger tusks than fem a l e s and w e i g h more- u p to 1 Y2 to n s . T h e i r u p · p e r l i ps a re covered w i t h stiff b r istles. A d u lts a re w r i n kled a n d n e a r l y h a i r l ess; y o u n g have a t h i n coat of coarse h a i r . Alth o u g h t h e i r s i z e a n d u n u s u a l a p pear ance attracts attention, they re q u i re m uc h care and are n o t ofte n kept i n z o o s . A 1 ,000p o u n d a n i m a l may eat 40 l b s . of fi sh ( p refe r a b l y fi l l eted) a n d c l a m s p e r d a y . B e f o r e being fed to a Wa l r us, the food is e n riched with vita m i n s and m i n e ra l s .
HARBOR small are SEALS ( l e n g t h , a b o u t 5 ft.; weight, a b o u t 2 0 0 l b s .) and l ig ht c o l ored. They a r e shy, have d i ffi c u l ty movi n g o n l a n d , a n d u s u a l l y rema i n i n t h e water, mostly s u b m e r g e d . F o r these reasons, Harbor S e a l s a r e not com m o n l y k e p t i n zoos, t h o u g h t h e y a r e interest i n g a n d a l ways attract atte n t i o n when d is p layed . I n the coastal waters where they l ive, s e a l s feed o n fishes, mol l u s ks, a n d c r ustace a n s . In cap t ivity, two daily feed i n g s tota l i n g 5 l bs. o f fi s h , s o m e stuffed w i t h vita m i n capsu les, w i l l suffice.
RODENTS, mostly small mammals and excellent gnaw
ers, are found on every continent and from the tropi cs to the Arctic. Not only are there many kinds but many in dividuals, because most rodents mature rapidly and breed frequently. Nearly all rodents are active at night and hide or sleep during the daytime. These rodents are difficult to display in zoos. Some can be kept active in the daytime in cages that are dark except for small red lights. Many are kept in cages with glass fronts in small mammal houses where climatic conditions can be controlled throughout the year (pp. 60-6 1 ) .
BEAVERS a re l a r g e (2%-4 ft.),
water-dwel l i n g rodents with v a l u · a b l e f u r c o a t s . They f e e d o n b a r k , cattails, a n d a q uatic vege tati o n . Beaver pools with t h e i r b e a v e r h o uses i n t r i g u e zoo visi tors as m uc h a s d o t h e a n i m a l s . B eavers s l e e p o r a re s l u g g ish d u ri n g t h e day, h owever, a nd
u n less the p e n s o r e d a r k e n e d or the animals have a d j u sted to daytime c o n d itions, t h e i r activi ties a r e n ot seen by t h e visitors. North A m e r i c a n and E u ro p e a n beavers a re m uch a l ike. Leaves and b ra n c hes are a s u it a b l e f o o d , b u t a v a riety af vegeta b l e s con be s u bstituted . webbed foot
PORC U P I N E S ( 2 % ft.) have h a i r m o d i fi e d into sharp, strong spin es, called q u i l l s. These s p i n es, l i k e a l l h a i r, a r e shed period i c a l l y. They c a n not be th rown b u t do p u l l o u t easily a n d often lodge i n t h e flesh of attackers. B a r b s m a k e t h e spin�s difficult to rem ove from t h e fl esh. Porc u p i n es g n a w o n b a r k , roots, and f r u its. N o r t h American por· cu p i n e s often c l i m b h i g h into tr�es a n d m a y stay there for d a ys while feed i n g o n t h e i n n e r b a r k . At b i r t h t h e s i n g l e y o u n g i s l a rge a n d a l ready covered with spines. Few a n i m a l s prey o n
porcupines, b u t t h e wease l - l i k e F i s h e r fl ips t h e p o rc u p i n e ove r a n d attacks its u n p rotected b e l l y . C rested P o r c u p i n e s h a v e n e a r ly 2 f t . l o n g s p i nes o n t h e b a c k t h a t f o r m a c rest w h e n t h e a n i· m a l is d ist u r b e d . These s p i n es , freq u e n t l y erected a n d rattled o r v i b rated to w a r n pote n t i a l at· tacke rs, are s m o o t h o r g rooved and lack t h e b u rs o r b a r b s on s p i n e s of N o r t h America n P o r c u pi nes. E u ra s i a n a n d African por c u p i n e s u s u a l l y d e n i n b u rrows d u g by other a n i m a l s . Porcu· pines of Malayan region have shorter spines and only a t rear.
S Q U I R R E LS rest a n d n e s t i n u n d e r g r o u n d b u r rows b u t are active on warm days o n the su rface. T h i rtee n - l i ned Ground S q u i r r e l s (6 i n .) l ive o n o p e n prai ries, pastu res, a n d eve n g o l f cou rses of m idwestern North America . They sit e rect a l o ngside t h e i r h o l es, a l ert for e n e m ies. Antelope Ground S q u i r r e l s (5 in), with w h i t e sid e stripes and w h ite ta i l , are d esert i n h a bitants. Eur asian Ground Squi rrels, or S u s l i ks ( 1 0 i n .) , a r e f o u n d on s a n d y waste l a n d s a n d g ive a h i g h p i t c h e d w a r n i n g w h istle. GROUND
58
R O D E N TS
PRA I R I E DOGS a r e s q u i r r e l - l i k e
rod ents t h a t l ive i n c o l o n ies (dog towns) o n pra iries a n d i n m o u n ta i n mead ows of weste r n N o rth America. They l ive below g r o u n d i n d e e p b u rrows. Above g r o u n d , t h e y s u n a n d feed o n g rasses and see d s . A m o u n d of soil a s m u c h as a foot hig h b u i l t a r o u n d each e n t r a n ce, serves a s a l ook o u t p l atform and keeps out r a i n w a t e r . I n w i n ter, p r a i r i e d o g s h i be r n a t e i n u n d e r g ro u n d c h a m b e r s . Of t h e seve r a l species, t h e B l a c k-ta iled ( 1 2 i n .) is t h e o n e most com m o n l y s h own i n zoos.
Patago n i a n Cavy
A N D A G O U T I S, from South A m e r ica n o rt h to s o u t h e r n Mexico, h a v e l o n g h i n d f e e t w i t h hoofl i k e t o e s a n d a sca rcely visi· ble ta i l . They l ive i n c o l o n ies. Pacas (26 i n . ) , conspicuously spotted, d i g b u rrows for s h e l ters and nests, olten i n b a n ks of r iv ers or l a kes. A g o u t i s (20 i n .) , t h e s i z e of s m a l l r a b b its a n d with no visi b l e t a i l , travel by hopping or running. They t a m e rea d i l y . Aco uchies ( 1 4 i n .) a re s i m i l a r b u t h a v e a visi b l e t a i l . A l l eat g reen veg eta t i o n and roots; i n zoos, f r u i t, seeds, a n d b read.
PACAS
PATAGO N IA N CAV I E S ( 2 8 i n .) ,
native to s o u t h e r n S o u t h Amer· ica, a re m u c h l i ke l a rg e jackrab bits, dashing a bo u t i n h o p p i n g r u n s . Often t h ey a r e ca l l e d " h a res/' Cavies d o w e l l i n cap· tivity, t h riving o n a variety of fo ods i n c l u d i n g plant materia ls, and become q u ite tame. P r o m i n e n t lashes p rotect t h e i r eyes from the s u n 's g l a re . T h e i r f u r is l o n g a n d d e nse. Patag o n i a n Cavies rest a n d n e s t i n b'u rrows dug t h e mselves or by other a n i· mals. The s h o rt-leg ged G u i nea· pig ( 1 0 i n .) is a lso a Cavy. R O D E NTS
59
(20 i n .) , the Gro u n d h ogs of easte r n U . S. a n d C a n a d a , d ig u n derg rou n d homes n e a r rock piles and woo d s o r i n fi e l d s a n d pastu res w h e re they forage. I n weste r n U .S., the re· l ated Yel l ow·b e l l ied Marmot l ives i n m o u n ta i n val leys; others l ive in E u rasia, A l a ska, a n d C a n a d a .
the length is a nearly h a i r l ess ta i l . The t a i l is used as a b a l a nc ing organ when the a n i m a l s r u n o r c l i m b . Africa n G i a n t Rats a re o m n ivo r o u s a n d c a r ry food i n t h e i r l a r g e c h e e k p o u c h es, hence t h e i r n a m e, P o u c h e d Rat.
(6 i n .), brig htly colored, stri ped sq u i r rels, i n h a bit forests o r forest edges i n p a rts of N o rth America, Siberia, a n d n o rt h e r n J a p a n . Active o n l y d u r· ing the d a y, t h ey feed m ostly on n u ts and seeds. Some a re t ree· c l i m bers; others prefer to scam· p e r a b o u t o n the g ro u n d .
SP I NY M I C E ( 3 i n .) have s p i nes a n d mod ified hair on the back a n d sides. Th ese d oc i l e m ice, na· tive to Africa a n d I n d i a , are n ow com m o n l y kept as pels. The t a i l is easily broken a n d c a n n ever be replaced. S p i n y Mice eat a va riety af foods: seeds, f r u its, and m o u se c h ow.
WOODCHUCKS
C H I PM U N K S
A F R I C A N G I A N T RATS a re n e a r ly 3 ft. l o n g a n d m o re t h a n h a l f
B a n n e r-ta iled Ka n g a roo Rat
KANGAROO RATS ( 5 i n .) have
J E R BOAS (5 i n . ) , of N o rt h Afri
short front feet and c a n· j u m p a b o u t o n t h e i r l o n g h i n d feet, l i k e m i n ia t u re k a n g a roos. They have cheek p o u ch e s i n which they carry seed s to store i n t h e i r nests. Ka n g a roo R a t s a re in com pati b l e , h e nce only o n e c a n be k e p t i n each cage.
can and Asian d e se rts, have l o n g ears a n d a tufted ta i l . T h e y are good j u m pers but d ig b u rrows i n the sand and stay i n them d u r· i n g the daytime. C l awed G e r b i ls, o r J i rds (5 i n .), a re also ex h i b ited i n zoos and sometimes used as l a boratory a n i m a l s .
C H I N C H I LLAS are s q u i rrel-sized
GIANT
rod e n ts with sil ky fur u sed in m a k i n g e x p e n s ive coats, capes, and stoles. They are n o w rare in their native western South Amer· ica but are raised o n fur farms. C h i n c hi llas reproduce i n ca ptiv· ity, freq u e n t l y h a v i n g two l itters of one to f o u r y o u n g each year.
TREE SQU I RR E L, the Ratufa o r Mala b a r, of south east ern Asia, is � b o u t 3 ft. l o n g . Be cause of its l a r g e size a n d d ay time activities, it is p e r h a p s the most fre q u e n t l y d ispl ayed of tree s q u i rrels. In its n a t ive j u n g l es, the G i a n t Tree S q u i rrel is n oisy and c o n s p i c u o u s .
NUTR IA, or C o y p u , is a South
CAPYBARA, the l a rgest of a l l
American rodent that lives i n a n d nea r strea ms, l a kes, a n d swa m ps. I t is a n exce l l e n t swi mmer. The N utria has coa rse g ua rd h a i rs a n d fi n e, soft u n d e r f u r, used i n m a k i n g capes, coats, a n d other fur a p pa r e l . I t is raised o n f u r f a r m s i n N orth America. A N utria's t h i c k, r o u n d , a l m ost h a i r less ta i l is n e a r l y ps l o n g as i t s 1 Y2 to 2 f t . b o d y . Ca ptive n u trias h ave been l i berated o r esca ped a n d hove esta b l ished c o l o n ies i n the wild i n many pa rts of the worl d . Beca use they eat many kinds of g reen vege· lotion, they a r e sometimes pests. They a re active d u ri n g the day, thus a r e good zoo a n i m a l s.
rod e n ts, is pig-sized a n d may we i g h 1 60 lbs. In its native South Ame rica, t h e Ca pybara is u s u a l ly f o u n d a l o n g strea ms a n d la kes i n f a m i l y g ro u p s of a d oz. e n or more. Sometimes cal led Water H o g , it i s a n excel lent sw i m m e r a n d m a y ta ke to the water to esca pe e n e m ies. Natives often k i l l them for food. In the wild, the Ca pybara feeds m a i n · ly on w a t e r p l a nts a n d g rasses. In zoos, they are fed veg eta b les, hoy, a n d bread . This b i g , s l ow· moving, good-natu red r o d e n t ut· te rs low c l i c k i n g n o i ses or s h a r p whistles. I t is m o r e active at d us k a n d d u ri n g the n i g ht. C a pybaras are n o t c o m m o n in zoos.
SLOTHS (2 ft.) o re mem bers of o g ro u p sometimes cal led tooth less mammals. Some hove n o teeth and others, i n c l u d i n g sloths, hove peg l i ke, nearly f u ncti o n l ess, teeth. T h e i r coa rse, strow l i ke f u r may be g reen w i t h g rowths o f a l g a e . S l oths l ive i n the ra i n y j u n g l e s of t h e Ame rican tropics. They feed o n l eaves, creep a l o n g b ra nches, a n d e v e n s l e e p h a n g i n g u pside d o w n . T h e y o r e awkward o n t h e g ro u n d . Two toed S l oths h ove 2 claws o n each front foot; Th ree·toed S l oths, 3. GIANT ANTEATERS (4 ft.) ore l o n g · h o i red, b u s hy·to i l ed , j u n g l e d w e l l e r s of Central a n d S o u t h A m e r i c a . D u ri n g t h e i r d aytim e n a p s t h e y c u r l i n to o b o l l . They use the long claws o n their pow erful f r o n t legs to tea r o p e n term ite nests. T h e n o n e a r l y foot l o n g t o n g u e fl i c k s up the i n sects. In zoos t h ey o re fed o p u ree of m i l k, boiled e g g s, and meat.
Two-toed S l ot h AARDVARKS (4V,-5 ft .), p i g l i ke
Africa n m a m m a ls, hove I o rg e e a r s t h a t o r e f o l d e d d ow n w h e n the a n i ma l s d ig into the nests of term ites and a nts. A l o n g sticky tong u e gathers u p t h e i n sects. Excavated nests a lso serve a s homes. In ca ptivity A a r d varks, which hove no g ri n d i n g teeth, e a t fi ne l y chopped foods a n d cooked cerea ls.
EVEN-TOED h oofed m a m m a l s (Arti odactyla) s u pport th ei r w ei g h t o n two toes (th e i r 3rd and 4th toes). Many a re c u d - c h ewers ( r u m i n a nts) ; some h a ve h o r n s or a ntlers. I n c l uded a r e h i ppos, pigs, ca m e ls, deer, cattle, a n te lopes a n d g i raffes. HIPPOPOTAMU SES l ive i n the rivers and river va l leys of trop i c a l Africa . Wild h i ppos spend m u c h of the day time in water with o n ly their eyes and n o stri l s protru d i n g . T h e y a re exce l l e n t sw i m m ers a n d fl oaters a n d ca n even wa l k a l o n g t h e river botto m . O n land they can g a l l op when n ecessary.
COMMON H I P POPOTAMUS ( 1 2-
1 5 ft.) is t h e second l a rg est l a n d a n i m a l , r a n k i n g after e l e p h a nts. B u l l s u s u a l l y weig h between 3,500 and 5,000 l bs. In ca ptivity, they are d o c i l e a n d rea d i l y breed . Some ca ptives l ive o v e r 40 yea rs. In zoos, h i p po pota m u ses th rive o n d a i l y rations of hay (80 to 1 00 l bs.), d iced vegeta· bles (seve r a l q u a rts), and g r a i n ( a b o u t 1 0 l b s . i n p e l l e t form ) .
H I P P O POTAM U S (5-6 ft.) l ives a l o n g strea m s of the forested a rea of weste r n Africa, but it is n o t a s fond of water a s the C o m m o n H i p po . W i l d Pygmy H i p pos a r e q u ite secretive, u s u a l · ly fora g i n g a t n ig ht. At o n e time they were u nc o m m o n i n z o o s . Ca ptives eat a b o u t 1 /5 as much as C o m m o n H i ppos a n d sometimes become u n r u l y . M a n y n ever weig h m o r e t h a n 4 0 0 l b s . PYGMY
B U S H P I G S, or Red River H o g s (4Y2 f t . ) , h a v e a d istinctive b r i g h t
red d is h c o a t w h ich contrasts w i t h t h e i r w hite m a n e, w h ite eye r i n g s, a n d l o n g ear t u fts. They we i g h about 200 l bs. Bush P i g s l ive i n s m a l l h e r d s i n African forests. N o p i g s c a n be im po rted i n to the U . S . beca use af sw i n e d iseases, hence a r e not s h o w n i n American zoos. BAB I R U SAS (3 ft.) have u n us u a l tusks (ca n i n e teeth). I n t h e m o l e the u p pe r t u s k s g row o u t t h r o u g h the l i p a n d t h e n c u rve ove r the forehead, re a c h i n g a l e ngth of as m uc h as 17 in. Lower t u sks g ro w a l o n g si d e . The long tusks resem b l e a n tlers, so these j u n g l e dwel l ers of B u r m a a n d t h e Celebes a r e sometimes c a l l e d Pig-deer. U n c o m m o n i n zoos. 66
P IGS
COLLA R E D
PECCA R I ES
(3
ft.)
are wild, p ig l i ke a n i ma l s of Cen tral America north to Arizo n a . Ad u lts rarely weig h more t h a n 65 l bs . I n captivity, t h ey a re fed a l fa lfa, vegeta b l e s, fru it, a n d some meat-a d iet s u i t a b l e for a l l swi ne. Wh ite-l i p ped Peccar ies, w h i c h have a white streak from the c h i n to the eye, l ive i n the American tropics. WART H O G S ( 3 Y2 ft.) h ave g ro tesq ue wa rty b u m ps o n t h e i r scooped-out face, l a r g e t u sks, s m a l l eyes, and a nearly h a i r less b o d y . F o u n d i n Africa, they sleep in holes d u g by other a n i m a l s a n d feed p r i n c i p a l l y o n g ra sses a n d veg eta b l e m atter. They d is p l a y well i n zoos, a nd m a n y become g e n t l e . U s u a l l y prod uce p ig l e ts i n captivity.
CAMELS ( 1 0 ft. ) have been domesticated a s beasts of b u r d e n l o n g e r t h a n a n y oth e r m a m m a l s a n d c a r ry 400 to 600 l b s . as fa r a s 30 m i les a day. The h u m p s store fat that may be uti l i zed for wate r . C a m e l s a r e h a rdy i n cap tivity; water, fen ces, o r a moat a r e effective barriers. C A M E L S are two· h u m pe d . They are d o m esticated i n Asia where some a r e sti l l w i l d i n t h e G o b i Desert. I n zoos, they eat hays and g ra i n s with m i ne r a l a n d vita m i n s u p p l eme nts. BACTR I A N
C A M E L S a r e o n e· h u m pe d . Tod ay, fou n d o n l y i n d o mesticat i o n , t h e y m a y l ive a s l o n g as 28 yea rs b u t u s u a l l y l ess. The Dromed a ry is a l o n g - l e g g e d , r i d i n g -type of A r a b i a n c a m e l . ARABIAN
S O U T H A M E R I C A N "CAME LS" are the L l a m a s, A l
pacas, G u a n a cos, a n d V i c u n a s . A l l feed o n g ra sses a n d c h ew a cud but h a v e o n ly a t h ree-cha m bered sto m a c h , l i k e c a m e ls, n ot four- c h a m bered l i k e o t h e r c u d - c h ewers. T h ey have a n u n usua l ha bit of spitti ng when a n n oyed, w h i c h makes it d iffi c u l t to d i s p l a y them in some zoos. L la m a s and A l pacas a re d o m esti cated. Ca ptives eat 4 l bs. o r less of a lfa lfa a n d grains per day. LLAMAS ( 4-5 f t . ) , d om esticated
forms of G u a n acos, are com m o n l y used a s beasts of b u rd e n , c a r r y i n g p a c k s 1 5 to 20 m i les a d a y f o r 20 days in a row. They a r e rarely ridden since they b a l k 68
LL AMAS
a t heavy l oa d s . The fl eece i s used for c l oth, meat for food, hides f o r s a n d a l s, d r o p p i n g s for f u e l . I n zoos, u s u a l l y o n e m a l e l l a m a i s pen ned with sever a l f e m a l e s and their young.
ALPACAS (3-4 ft.) h ave fleecy
wool that m a y g row 2 ft. l o n g a n d t o u c h the g r o u n d . A l t h o u g h n o t as fi n e a s t h a t of V i c u il a , t h e w o o l is i n g reat d e m a n d . Al pacas a r e sln a l l e r t h a n L l a m a s b u t a r e a l so a d omesticated f o r m o f t h e G u a n aco. T h e y a r e b r ed f o r wool i n stead of t r a n s port. In the wild, A l p a c a s l ive mostly above 1 2,000 ft., higher t h a n Llamas. G U A N A C O S ( 5 f t . ) i n h a bi t m a n y
pa rts of the p a m p a s a n d A n d e s southward ·from Bol ivia a n d a c ross t h e p l a i n s of Patag o n ia n e a r l y to t h e s o u t h e r n m ost t i p of S o u t h A m e r ica . Wary a n d
seldom seen, they a r e beco m i n g r a r e r beca use of h u n t i n g a n d beca u se t h e i r p referred r a n g e s a re b e i n g f e n c e d off. T h e y o n ce l ived in herds of 200 or 300; now the herds a re m u c h s m a l l e r . V I C U NAS (4% ft.) l ive i n s m a l l
herds, h i g h i n t h e A n d es. Over h u n t i n g a l m ost e l i m i n ated these a n im a l s, b u t they a re now pro· tecte d . Vic u n a m a les weigh less t h a n 1 50 l b s . T h e soft, fine fleece i s used i n expensive coats. Males fight with females i n c a p tivity, so the sexes are p e n n ed s e p a rate ly. F i g h t i n g occurs i n t h e wi l d w h e n territory o f a g ro u p's dominant male is challenged.
ALPAC AS, V I C U N AS, G UA N AC O S
69
THE DEER FAMILY conta i n s t h e o n ly m a m m a ls with antle rs of s o l i d bone that g row o u t from t h e s k u l l under a layer of livi n g ski n (th e ve lvet) . Each year bucks s h ed o l d a ntlers a n d g row new ones. Fema l e Rei ndeer a n d C a ri b o u h a v e a n tlers, too. C h evrota i n s a r e a disti nct fa m i ly, sepa rate from the deer fa m i ly. W H I TE-TA I LED D E E R occ u r over
m u c h of North A m e rica and vary from the d og-sized F l o r i d a Key Deer to 250 lb. b ucks af n orth ern states. Spotted fawns a re b o r n in late s p r i n g . The w h ite u n d erside of the t a i l becomes c o n s p ic u o u s when the tail is raised. W h ite-ta i l s b rowse o n l eaves, fruits, a n d acorns; i n ca ptivity, they e a t hay a n d g r a i n s; n eed s a l t . Antlered males may i n j u re others in t h e p e n .
M U L E DEER is a weste r n A m e r i c a n species s l i g h t l y l a r g e r t h a n Wh ite-ta iled a n d h a v i n g a d iffer ent a r r a n g e m e n t of branches (tin es) o n the a nt l e rs . A ntlers in crease i n size with i ncreased vigor of the b uck. After a m a l e passes h i s p r i m e , t h e a ntlers be come s h orter but r e m a i n heavy. Part or all of the t o p of the tail i s b l ack. O n e kind of M u l e Deer n e a r the Pacific Coast i s c a l led the Blackta i l e d Deer.
Asian C h evrata i n
t h a n r a b bits (weig h t, a s l ittle a s 6 l bs.; heig ht, 1 2 i n . ) . Water C h evrota i n s of Central Africa l ive i n m a r s h t h i ckets; Asia n C hevrota i n s, i n thick forests. They lack a n t l e r s or horns.
BROCKETS, t r u e d e e r o f C e n t r a l a n d S o u t h A m e rica, sta n d o n l y 2 f t . h i g h a t t h e s h o u l d ers. T h e . a nt l e r s a r e s i m p le, u n b r a n c h e d s p i kes. C h a racte r i st i c of t h e sev eral species is the s h o r t tail a n d a rched b a c k . A l l l ive i n t h e d e n s e tropical forests.
o r B a r k i n g Deer, weigh up to 40 lbs. and sta n d a b o u t 20 i n . h i g h . T h e b u c k s h a v e s p i k e l i k e a n tlers, f o r k e d a t the tips, a n d a p a i r of protrud i n g tusklike u p p e r teeth. M u nt jacs l ive i n d e nse j u n g l es, es· pecia l l y n e a r streams, and o r e
d iffi c u l t to d i scove r . When a l a rmed, t h ey m a k e l o u d b a r k i n g s o u n d s . They b r owse o n leaves, twigs, a n d b a r k . I n zoos, they a re fed hay and pel lets. Seve ral species o cc u r i n s o u t h e r n Asia. M u n tjacs a r e d iffi c u l t to o b t a i n f o r m a n y zoos.
C H EVROTA I N S OR MOUSE D E E R a r e s m a l l , not m uch l a r g e r
M U NTJACS,
F a llow Deer (th ree col o r phases)
Deer
FALLOW DEER have a yel lowish o r reddish-b rown coat s p otted with w h ite. Some i n d ivid u a ls, h owever, a re dark b rown a n d l a c k spots; others a r e white. T h ey are exce ptio n a l j u m pers for their h e i g h t ( 3 ft.). A l t h o u g h n a tive to the Medite r r a n e a n c o u n tries, F a l low Deer h a v e been i n trod uced widely, from Sweden to New Zea l a n d . A l l ca ptive d e e r s h o u l d have t h e i r hay d iet s u p p l e m e nted w i t h p e l l e t s o f g ra i n , yeast, s a l t , a n d m o l a sses. 72
DEER
S J KA D E E R a re v a r ia b l e i n color; some a solid c o l o r, others with light spots a n d o r e often ca l led S potted Deer. About 3 ft. h i g h a t t h e s h o u l d e rs, t h e y weig h be tween 1 50 and 200 lbs. White h a i rs a t the base of t h e ta i l sta nd erect w h e n t h e a n im a l s a r e a l e rt. Sika D e e r J ive· a l o n g t h e easte r n coast a n d offshore i s l a n d s of Asia. T h e y h a v e b e e n introd uced i n to m a n y c o u ntries a n d d o w e l l i n ca ptivity, t h o u g h b u c ks may fig ht.
R E D DEER a re the Stag
Deer h u nted for centu ries i n E u rope by n o b i l ity. Once common from weste r n Russia and n o rthern Africa across all of E u rope, Red Deer have been m ostly exte rmi· n o ted . large sta g s ( m a l es) may weig h 300 lbs., r a r e l y 500; h i n d s (fe m a l es) a re s m a l l e r . American Wapiti o r " E l k " a re so similar to Red Deer that some peo p l e con· s i d e r them va rieties of o n e spe· cies. Elk males ( b u l ls) com m u n i · cote with "bugle" sounds.
MOOSE, c a l l e d E l k i n E u rope a n d Asia, l ive i n n o rt h e r n for ested regions of t h e New a n d t h e Old Worlds. largest of t h e deer, t h e y may w e i g h 1 ,BOO l b s . a n d be 6 f t . h i g h a t t h e s h o u l d e r s . The flatte n e d p a l m ate a nt l e rs s p read 6 ft. or m o r e a n d a r e s h e d e a c h y e a r . Moose l ive in m a rshy p l aces a n d in nearby forests. They eat a q uatic p l a nts, l eaves, and b a r k . S h o rt-necked, they kneel to feed o n low p l a nts. Poor breeders in captivity.
P E R E DAVI D'S DEER have never
A X I S D E E R a re attractive, g race
been k n own as wild a n im a ls. T hese 4 ft., 500 lb. deer were "d iscovered" by Father David in t h e 1 860's as captives in the g a r d e n s of t h e Summer Palace i n P e k i n g , C h i n a . D u ri n g the Boxer Rebel l i o n , this herd was d e stroyed exce pt for a b o u t 50 i n d ivid u a l s taken to England. T h e s e l o n g ·tai led, s l e n d er-ant l e red deer have done well e n o u g h i n ca ptivity so that there are now a b o u t 450 i n d iv i d u a l s i n some 30 z o o s a n d parks.
ful deer n a tive to I n d ia a n d C e y l o n b u t now in trod u ced into m a n y other c o u ntries. Their con spicuous wh ite s p ots acco u n t for the native name of C h ita l (s pot ted). A d u lts a re a b o u t 3 ft. h ig h a t the s h o u l d ers, w e i g h 1 50 to 200 l bs. Their a ntlers h ave very few bra nches. They l ive i n g rassy j u ng les, never far from water and i n herds of several h u n d reds. Axis Deer th rive i n c a pitivity, p a rtic u larly in wa rm a reas. A n t lered b ucks may fig ht.
74
DEER
SAMBAR D E E R of severo! k i n d s
ore f o u n d from I n d i o to the P h i l i p p i n es. I nd i o S o m b o r, the l a rgest, weig h s nearly 700 l bs. It l ives i n g r a ssy wood l a n d s of h illy or m o u n ta i n o u s a reas. The massive a ntlers hove only 3 S o m b o rs branches. rese m b l e A m e r i c a n Wa p iti, a n d a l s o u s e m u d w a l l ows to protect t h e m · selves f r o m biting i n sects. Bare spots b e l ow each eye are g l a nds. Sombars d o w e l l i n zoos but may become fat with i n activity. Fawns o r e not spotte d .
S o m b o r Deer
Eld's Deer
ELD'S DEER, a r Thomin, of south eastern Asia p refer o p e n p l a i n s or swa m p y c o u n try, b u t they show we l l i n zoos. M o l es sta n d about 4 ft. high at the shoul· d e r s a n d we i g h over 2 0 0 l bs.; f e . m o l e s are s m a l ler. F a w n s o r e spotted. E l d 's D e e r o re sensi· tive to cold weath e r and re· sem b l e other deer from tropical c o u n tries i n need i n g heated q u a rters i n cold, winter reg io n s . They o re sometimes easily a l a rmed or sta rtl e d . A n t l e r s ex tend prom i n e ntly over the brow.
R E I N DE E R o re k i n d s of Caribou d o m esticated i n northern E u rope a n d Siberia a n d i n trod uced i n to a rctic N o rt h A m e r ica. They p u l l sleds a n d p rovide m i l k , meal, a n d s k i n for cloth i n g . I n the wild they e a t R e i n d e e r Moss. They d o poorly in most zoos. P R O N G H O R N S are on exc l u sively
North American fa mily a n d ore not a nt e l o pes. They o re p l a i n s a n d d esert d w e l l e rs. H o rns, prese n t in both m a l es a n d fe. m a les, o r e shed a n n u a l l y . A b o n y core is beneath t h e h o r n .
h o r n of matted f fibers ___l_ bony core
76
r·
�
C A R I B O U , l i ke R e i n d eer, l ive i n
the a rctic reg ions a n d w e i g h u p t o 600 l bs. Both m a l e s a n d fe· m o l e s h ave I o r g e a ntlers. Some times t h o u sa n d s of C a r i b o u b a n d t o g e t h e r a n d m a ke l o n g mig rati o n s . C a r i b o u g e n e r a l l y d o not f o r e well i n c a ptivity. P r o n g h .; r n s o r e fast, n i m b l e r u n ners a nd can atta i n speeds of n e a r l y 60 miles p e r h o u r . Mo l es weig h ove r 1 00 lbs. a n d sta n d a b o u t 3 f t . at t h e s h o u l ders. P r o n g h o r n s u s u a l l y d o n o t d o we l l i n ca ptivity. Pronghorn
CATTLE, S HEEP, AND ANTELOPES, a l l of the fa m i ly Bovidae, have horns that are never shed. They a re
formed over a bony core atta ched to t h e sku l l . Th ese h orns, usua l ly present in both sexes, a re added to each yea r. Size, s h a pe, a n d con fi g u ration of h o r n s varies. B I SO N , o r American Buffalo, have shaggy h e a d s and h u m ped backs. They may weig h more t h a n a ton, the caws sma l l e r t h a n the b u l l s. I n f o r m e r times, t h o u s a n d s o f these socia b l e a n i m a l s gathered i n h e r d s . Some 60 m i l l i o n B i s o n roamed the p l a i n s a n d v a l l eys from Mexico t o weste rn C a n a d a a n d eastward to the A p p a l a c h i a n s . N e a r l y a l l were k i l l e d , b u t u n d e r p rotec tion they are i n c r e a s i n g . Wisent, o r E u ropean Bison , a re slightly l a rger t h a n American Bison and exist today both i n American a n d E u ropea n zoas.
MUSK OXEN, rare in zoos, are shaggy-haired, cow-sized a n i m a l s that l ive i n t h e barren p o l a r regions of N o rt h America. Their m u sky o d o r d u ri n g the breed i n g season may be the basis for t h e i r name. Their l o n g , heavy f u r c o a t s p rotect t h e m f r o m t h e s n ow a n d w i n d . F o r p ro tection a g a i n st wolves, they form a circle with t h e i r heads poi nted out towa rd the attackers, with the co lves inside t h e ci rcle. T h e i r h o r n s, to 2 ft. l o n g , a n d s h a r p h oofs a re effective wea p o n s . They eat wil low l eaves, m osses, a n d g rass.
YAKS are shaggy-coated, cattle
ANOAS, u nc o m m o n i n ca ptivity,
like a n im a l s of high m o u ntain plate a u s i n Central Asia . N atives use them as beasts of b u r d e n , eat their meat, d r i n k their p i n k m i l k, a n d weave w i t h their f u r . Long h a i r frequently covers their eyes and ears and forms a skirt a r o u n d their legs, p rotectin g t h e m from the c o l d . I n zoos, reg a rd less of t h e temperatu re, Yaks d o wel l . Domesticated Yaks g ru n t when overloaded, h e n ce the name Grunting Oxe n .
are s m a l l b u ffa l o of the Celebes. A wh ite cresce n t o n the throat a n d short h o r n s are c h a racteris tic. These a n i m a l s keep to t h e d a m p woods o f r e m o t e m o u n · I e i n s . T h e y may be a g g ressive, even d a n g e r o u s in the wild, a n d have attacked other a n im a l s in zoos. A n oas are sometimes called Dwarf Buffalo, since a d u l t males are n o l a r g e r t h a n calves of do· mestic catt l e . The larger P h i l i p p i n e Ta marou is nearly extinct.
GAURS, sometimes c o i l e d Sela d a n g s, a re l a rge, powerf u l w i l d cattle t h a t l ive i n I n do nesia. B u l ls are freq u e ntly 6 ft. high at the s h o u l d e rs . They have horns n e a r l y 3 ft. l o n g and a slightly devel oped dewlap, a fold of s k i n h a n g i n g from the throat. Gaurs l ive i n small herds in g r assy o r hilly forest cou ntry. G a u r s have n o t been domesticat ed, and they do not do well in ca ptivity. For this reason they are rarely seen' i n zoos.
WATER B U FFALOES, also cal led
Arnas o r I nd i a n B u ffa l oes, are native to I n d oc h i n a where they have been d o m esticated. They p refer g rassy o r m a rs h y areas n e a r rivers, i n w h i c h they fre quently s u b m e rg e except for their heads. Ox-sized, they m a k e f a i r d raft a n im a l s a n d h a v e been i n t r o d u c e d into other c o u n tries. C a p e o r Africa n Buffaloes of s o u t h e r n Africa have l a r g e r ears t h a n W a t e r B u ff a l o e s a n d have neve r b e e n d omesticated.
also c a l led Goat Antelopes (3-4 ft.), are sure footed rock c l i m bers of t h e Pyre nees, A l ps, a n d other h i g h m o u n t a i n s i n southeastern E u rope. B e s t k n o w n as a sou rce for soft ski ns, o r s h a m m ies. C h a m o i s travel i n h e r d s , b u t o l d m a l e s are solitary. D o p o o r l y i n ca p tivity, h e n ce rare i n zoos. C H A M O I S,
80
A O U DADS, or Ba rbary Sheep (4-6 ft.), are t h e o n l y shee p l i k e
or g oa t l i ke a n i m a l s of the Afri· can continent. They were once common in the rocky h i l l s of the Atlas Mountains a d jace n t to the Barbary Coast. Altho u g h c a l l e d s h e e p , Aoudads a re more g oal· l i ke . Goals u s u a l l y d iffer from wild sheep i n having longer ta i l s, a beard or g oatee, a n d more twisted horns. A o u d a d s e n joy water but are a b l e to withsta n d d e s e r t c o n d itions. They d o wel l in ca ptivity, eve n l iv i n g together i n closely confined herds. In the w i l d , t h e i r h e r d s con sist of sev e r a l f a m i l y g ro u ps. I n zoos, Aou· d a d s th rive a n a lfalfa, fresh vegeta b l es, and g ra i n s . U nd e r favo r a b l e c o n d i t i o n s l a m bs (us· u a l ly o n e) a re p rod uced yearly by mature f e m a l es.
H i m a l ayan Ta h r
M o u fl o n
MOU FLONS a re t h e w i l d sheep
of E u r o pe. At o n e time a l m ost exte r m i n ated, they a r e now p res· ent on seve r a l m o u n t a i n r a n g es in C e n t r a l E u ro p e a n d on t h e Med iterra n e a n isl a n d s of Sar· dinia a n d C o rsica. Only a b o u t 27 i n . at t h e s h o u l d ers, they a r e sma l l e r t h a n B i g h o r n S h e e p , which i n g e n e r a l they rese m b l e . H I MALAYAN TAH R S (3V, f t . ) are goatl ike a n i m a l s with t h i c k coats that p rotect a g a i nst the cold of the H i m a l ayas. They lack a goatee. Ta h rs do w e l l in zoos, prod u c i n g kids reg u l a r l y . N i l g i r i Ta h r of southern I n d i a a n d Ara b i a n T a h r, l e s s c o m m o n i n zoos, h a v e shorter coats a n d sm a l l e r h o r n s . Ta h rs a r e wa ry and u n a p proa c h a b l e i n the w i l d b u t a d j ust q u ic k l y to ca ptivity.
M A R K H O R S (4V2 ft.), goats of
southern Asia, l ive on rocky slopes where they are good c l i m bers and j u m pers. The h o r n s a re h eavy a n d twisted i n cork screw s p i r a l s . U n c o m m o n in zoos, but get along together i n s m a l l h e r d s w h e n c o n fi n e d . B I G H O R N S (4% f t . ) a re m o u n t a i n -dwel l i n g sheep of weste rn N o r t h America. They travel i n b a n d s , b u t t h e r a m s { m a l es) fre q u e n t l y keep a p a rt . A few zoos have been s u ccessf u l i n kee p i n g a n d rea r i n g Big h o r n s . D o l l S h e e p of Arctic America a n d Asia a re s i m i l a r b u t w h ite.
82
I B E X E S (4V, ft.) are the w i l d goats of E u rope, N o r t h Africa, and pa rts of Asia. All of the seve r a l k i n d s p refer steep cliffs a n d rocky s l o pes of m o u nta i n s . I bexes s t i l l s u rvive i n remote parts of the Alps and H i m a l ayas. Related to d o m estic goats.
ANTELOPES are swift- r u n n i n g , browsi n g a n d g razi n g , h o r n e d a n i m a ls of the grass l a n d a n d b u s h of Africa a n d southern Asi a . H o r n s , often present i n b o t h sexes, may be stra i g h t, s i c k l e-shaped, or g reatly twisted . Usua l ly disp layed i nd oo rs, at least in wi nter. T h ey eat h ay , g ra i n - m o la sses-yeast p e l l ets, a n d d i ced vegeta b les. N YA L A S (3 ft. at s h o u l d er), mem·
bers of t h e r i n g e d o r h a r n essed a nte l o p e g r o u p, h ave e n c i rc l i n g , h a r n ess- l i k e s t r i p e s o n t h e i r body. They c h a racteristica l l y have e rec tile w h ite h a i r on the back a n d a f r i n g e of h a irs o n throat. Red d i s h coat browns with age. Nyalas l ive i n iso l a ted p a rts of southeaste r n Africa. R a re i n zoos.
BONGOS l ive i n West Africa a n d weste r n Kenya w h e re t h e i r stocky b u i l d a id s them i n p u s h i n g t h ro u g h the d e nse bam boo for ests. like t h e E l a n d but u n l i k e o t h e r h a r n essed a n t e l o pes, both sexes of Bongos have h o r n s . These bea utif u l 4 f t . a n im a l s a r e se l d o m seen i n t h e w i l d , a n d o n l y 1 p a i r is i n a zoo at present.
ELANDS, the l a rgest a ntelo pes,
l ive i n the b u s h c o u ntry a n d o p e n w o o d s of South Africa . Ox like i n b u i l d , they may be 6 ft. h i g h at s h o u l d e rs and weigh a ton. A h e rd may n u m ber 200. Both m a l e s a nd fe m a l e s h a ve horns. B u l l s have a l a r g e d ew l a p , h u m ped s h o u l d e rs. E l a n d s have been tamed b u t have ne ver b e e n d o m esticated . K U D US, fo u n d n ow o n l y in East Africa, a r e nearly E l a n d-size b u t have l o n g (up to 5 ft.). s p i r a l e d h o r n s . U n l ike the
GR EATER
84
A NTELOPES
shorter-horned l e s s e r Kud us, a prom i n e n t m a n e h a n g s from t h e th roat. G o o d j u m pers, they may c l e a r a n 8 ft. fence. To avoid d e tection, a G r eater K u d u w i l l sta n d s i l e n t a n d motionl ess. S I TATUNGAS (3 %-4 ft. at s h o u l d e r ) , a l s o c a l led Marsh b u c ks o r Wate rkoed oes, are West African swa m p dwellers. Often rest a l most c o m p l etely s u b m e r g e d . l o n g hoofs e n a b l e t h e m to w a l k t h r o u g h m u d with o u t s i n k i n g . Buck's h o r n s may be 3 ft. l o n g ; f e m a les, h o r n l ess.
-
S i n g -sing Wate r b u c k
N I LGAIS, or B l u e B u l ls, o re c lose ly rel ated to Africa n h a rnessed a nte l o pes (p_ B3), b u t they l ive on the open p l a i n s of I n d ia . They a r e the l a rgest of I n d i a n a n te l o pes, sta n d i n g a b o u t 4V. ft. at s h o u l d e rs. Horns s h o rter t h a n i n o t h e r l a rg e a n t e l o p es, a b s e n t i n females. There i s a m a n e as we l l a s a f r i n g e o n t h e t h roat. WATERBUCKS
h ave heavily r i nged horns, present i n m o l e s o n ly. S i n g-sing W a t e r b u c k s (3Y24 ft.) l ive in m a rshy a reas a n d a l so o n hot, d ry p l a i n s o f e q u a -
Ior i a ! Africa. L e s s t i m i d more easily tamed, they s h o w n i n z o o s m o r e ofte n i s the C o m m o n Wate r b u c k . may a!Sociate with E l a nds, ras, a n d H a rtebeests.
a nd are than They Zeb
LECHWES, o r Lechwe's Water b uc ks(3 Y2· ft.), a r e a ntelopes t h a t p refe r swa m ps a n d g r a ssy fl ats a l o n g rivers. Freq uently feed o n s u b m e rged vegeta t i o n . L a r g e hoofs a i d i n getting t h ro u g h m u d . Kobs, o n e o f t h e sever a l s pecies i n eq uatorial Africa, have shorter f u r and h o r n s.
ANTELOPES
85
-
or Wild ebeests, are noticea b l y h i g her a t their shoul ders (3-4 ft.) than a t t h e i r hind q u a rters, as a r e H a rtebeests. Both sexes h ave heavy, cu rved horns, c o n s p i c u o u s c h i n w h is kers, a horse l i ke tail, and a broad, s a d - l o o k i n g face. Wh ite ta i l ed G n u s h ave been nearly ex term i n ated from the veld of South Africa but d o we l l in zoos. B r i n d l e d G n u s are more n u mer o u s than t h e Wh ite-ta i l e d . GNUS,
B L E S B O K S ( 3-4 ft. at s h o u lder). smaller relatives of H a rtebeests, have a wh ite face with a d a r k b a r exte n d i n g betwee n the eyes. 86
ANTELOPES
M a l e's r i n g e d h o r n s are a b o u t 1 V. f t . l o n g ; fema le's, sho rter. Once widespread i n South Africa but now l ive only i n zoos and p rotected a reas. Zoos have hel ped to p reserve this species. HARTEB EESTS (4-5 ft. a t s h o u l · der) are the m o s t c o m m o n a n te· lo pes of the Africa n p l a i n s . They travel in s m a l l h e rds, often with zebras and g n us. They are fast b u t u n g a i n l y r u n n e rs, using a l u m b e r i n g , h a lf-sid eways g a l l o p to d e p a rt a n a rea w h e n they sight o r sce n t t r o u b l e . H a rte· beests are rare ly s h o w n in l a rg e n u m bers i n zoos.
--
D U I K ERS a re sma l l Afric a n a n te l o pes, va rying from d o n key-size to j a c k ra b b it-size . Some k i n d s a re reddish; o t h e r s a r e b l u e g ray. Both sexes have s p i k e l i k e horns. D u ikers l ive i n t h i c k b r u s h a n d esca pe p r e d a t o r s by d iving into the u nderbrush ( d u i k e r is C a p e D utch for "div er") . They u s u a l l y travel a l o n e o r i n twos a n d t h rees. D u i k e rs are a l l shy, h e n c e they a r e d iffi cult to d is p l ay i n zoos.
a r e rock-c l i m b g a z e l l e - l i k e a ntelopes ( p . 8 8 ) o f tropical Africa. O n l y 2 0 i n . h i g h a t t h e s h o u l d e r, t h e i r t i n y hoofs p r o v i d e s u re-footed ness, like that o f the C h a m o i s a n d the America n M o u nta i n Goat. They feed o n p l a nts a n d req u ire l ittle water. F e w seen in zoos, as captives d o poorly. KLIPSPRINGERS
ing,
D I K- D I K S a r e s m a l l , weig h i n g o n ly 6 o r 7 l b s . a n d sta n d i n g 1 4
i n . a t the s h o u l d e r s . H o r ns, p res ent o n l y in m a l es, a re short a n d p o i n t bac kwa r d . A fl e x i b l e nose projects beyond their l i ps. D i k d i ks h i d e i n t h i c k A f r i c a n b r u s h . Z o o s rarely h a v e D i k-d iks to e x h i bit, as ca ptive s p e c i m e n s a r e u s u a l l y sho rt- l ive d . S P R I NGBOKS ( 2 V2 f t . a t s h o u l d e r) , l i k e g a z e l l e s a n d t h e I m p a l a , a r e exce l l e n t j u m pers. They make vertical leaps of a s m uc h as 1 0 f t . S p r i n g b aks g raze a n o p e n plains of South Africa where giant herds once m a d e g reat m i g rations. Sti l l the n a t i o n a l e m b l e m of the U n io n of South Africa . S p r i n g boks have been widely exte r m i nated.
ANTELOPES
87
DORCAS GAZELLE, o n e of the
GRA NT'S G A Z E L L E S (2%-3 ft. at
fleet-footed , s m a l l ( 2 ft. at s h o u l d e r s ) a n te l opes, is f o u n d i n des erts of N o rth Africa, Syria, a n d P a l esti n e . G a z e l l e s forage o n g ross a n d leaves of desert p l a nts, prefe r r i n g o p e n c o u ntry where they c a n o u t r u n predators. Most hove b l o c k - and - wh ite facial m a r k i n g s. In ca ptivity, gazelles hove less room to d isplay their g race, s peed, a n d jumping a b i l i t i e s . D o r c a s G a z e l l e s tome read i l y when the young o re h a n d reared. I f t h e wi nters ore c o l d , z o o s p rovide heated q u a rte rs for these d e l icate antelopes.
s h o u l d e r) have the l o n g est h o r n s ( t o 30 i n .) of a l l t h e gazelles. Both sexes have horns. H e r d s Ire · q u e ntly c o n g regate a r o u n d water holes and sometimes wander i n to the spa rse acacia forests. Gere n u ks, or Wa l l er's G a z e l l es, hove an espec i a l l y long neck and l egs. I n feed i n g , they sta n d o n t h e i r h i n d l e g s a n d m u n c h o n ch oice b u t otherwise u n o bta i n a b l e tree leaves o n twi g s . The horns ( m a les o n l y) o re heavily ringed. Both G r a n t's Gaze l l e a n d Gere n uks l ive i n East Africa. Few a re shown in zoos.
IMPALAS o re n oted for t h e i r j u m pi n g a b i l ity, a s t h e s e 3 ft. a n i m a l s ofte n l e a p 8 ft. i n t he a i r a n d sometimes s p r i n g as f o r a s 35 f t . They s e e m to j u m p f or the f u n of it. Once c o m m o n i n m a n y po rts o f Africa, they now o re seen p r i n c i p a l ly i n East Africa and i n sanctua ries. Herds of a s many a s 1 00 m a y be f o u n d i n the s p a rse b u s h c o u ntry. l m · p a l o s a r e o favorite food o f l io n s . O n l y m a l e s h o v e h o r n s (to over 30 i n .) . Most zoos hove not been s uccessfu l i n esta b l i s h i n g h e r d s . I m pa l a s u s u a l l y l ive l e s s t h a n 4 yrs. i n ca ptivity .
THOMSON'S GAZELLES are the
c o m m o n sm a l l a ntel o pes (2 ft. a t s h o u l d er) of C e n t r a l Africa . T h o u s a n d s of t h e m c o n o f t e n be seen o n the o p e n plains. They c a n b e recog n i zed by t h e i r reddish u p perpa rts sepa rated from t h e w h i t e u nd e r p a rts by a c o n s p ic uous jet- b l o c k b o n d . K n o w n to m a n y a s ''Tom my's," these go· zelles hove long been h u nted b y m a n a n d by m a n y c a r n ivores. like other g a z e l l es, they a re ex c e l l e n t r u n n e rs. 11To m m y's'' a re p r o b a b l y t h e most c o m m o n g a zel l e s i n zoos. I n c a ptivity they l ive l ess t h a n 10 yea rs.
GAZ E L L E S
89
GEMSBOKS (5Y2-6 ft. at s h o u l der) h a v e stra i g h t h o r n s, 4 ft. l o n g . I n eq uato r i a l S o u t h Africa, s m a l l herds oft e n travel i n a trot, s i n g l e fi le. C l osely related is t h e Beisa O ryx. Neither i s com m o n i n U . S . zoos. B LAC K B U C K S ( 4 ft.) are I n d i a n g a ze l l es. M a l e s have cor kscrew s h a ped h o r n s . They l ive i n sm a l l h e r d s on t h e o p e n p l a i n s where they have a bette r c h a nce of esca p i n g such e n e m ies as t h e c h eeta h . I n captivity, t h e y e a t h a y , g ra i n , a n d g rasses. 90
SABLE A N T E L O P E S of eq u a t o r i a l (5 f t . ) , c u rved
Africa have long horns. These 500 in many ways the of t h e a n telopes. sought after b u t i n m o s t zoos.
l b . a n imals are most h a n dsome T h e y a r e much are u ncommon
SAIGAS (sig h '-gas) a r e g a z e l l e l i ke a n telopes (5 ft. at s h o u l d e r)
of the C e n t r a l Asia n step pes. They h a ve a b u l bo us, s l i g htly p e n d a n t n ose, s h o r t legs f o r s u c h a t h i c k body, heavily r i n g e d h o r n s . Z o o s m u st l e a r n m o re a b o u t d iet to keep t h e m s u ccessf u l ly .
G I R A F F E S , ta l lest of a l l a n i m a ls, ca n browse on twi g s a n d l eaves m o r e t h a n 1 8 f t . a bove g ro u n d , fa r o u t o f rea c h o f oth e r g r o u n d - d we l l i n g a n i m a ls . T h ey p l u c k t h e s e l e a v e s with a very l o n g ( u p t o 1 8 i n . ) t o n g u e a n d m o b i l e l i p s . To d ri n k o r t o feed f r o m t h e g ro u n d , a g i ra ffe sprea d s its front l e g s far a p a rt a n d b e n d s d o w n . Ca ptives d o w e l l o n a d i e t of hay, g ra i n p e l l ets, d i ced vegeta b les, a n d fruits. G i ra ffes are native to C e ntra l a n d South Africa w h e r e they live i n s m a l l h e rd s . W h e n they r u n , both l e g s on t h e sa m e s i d e swi n g i n ta n d e m , g i v i n g t h e g i raffe a ro l l i n g g a i t . G i raffes a re n e a r l y m u te but c a n g r u n t o r w h i m pe r a n d a l so prod u c e a w h i stle- l i k e so u n d . ·"'
:\,'- lQ ���-:" J::'--, ;
'
S k u l l of g i raffe shows a r r a n g e-
horns on g i raffe skull
,.,;t\ ·� ...... t,��\·� "':� � ' < 'J'I·�e ,·
·•· · '
ment o f h o r n s (act u a l l y s k i n · covered b o n y k n o bs). T h e re a re two m a i n h o r n s, often a m e d i a n b u m p . T h e B a r i n g o a l so h a s two smaller horns.
-. : , .,
�� �� ��t, �
'•
...'hi
OKA P I S a r e s m a l l
( o n l y 5 ft. high), s h o rt-necked rel atives of the g i raffes w i t h s i m i l a r s k i n cove red h o r n s a n d a l o n g tong ue. T h e y l ive i n t h e d e n se forests of t h e C o n g o . U n known u n t i l 1 90 1 , O k a p i s a r e sti l l f a i r l y G I RA F F E S
91
G I R AFFES ( 8- 1 2 ft. at s h o u l .
der) i n d ifferent p a r t s of Africa vary in color a n d pal· tern, b u t there a r e ove r l a p s in these features. N ubian Gi raffes are s potte d . Masai Giraffes have irreg u l a r, leaf. l i ke spots.
N ubian Gi raffe
Retic u l a ted G iraffes have a net wo r k ( retic u l ation) of l i g ht-c o l ored l ines d ivid i n g a d a r k-brown coat. The retic u l ation is less pro n o u nced and the l e g s a re a l ig hter c o l o r in Ba r i n g o G i raffes. Distin ctive coat pa tte r n s ore l ost when t h e r e i s i n te r b reed i ng of the d iffe r e n t k i n d s of g i raffes.
Reti c u l a ted G i raffe
HYRAXES, a l so c a l l ed Conies o r Da ssies, a r e ra b b it-s ized hoofed m a m m a ls with eve n -toed forefeet a n d odd -toed h i n d feet . A l t h o u g h d i sta n t l y r e l a ted to ele p h a nts a n d ho rses, they be have more like s m a l l goa ts, easi l y c l i m b i n g r o c k y c l iffs a n d even trees . H y raxes a r e found in Africa a n d Sy ria .
h oofed m a m m a l s (Pe rissod a cty l a ) ca rry m ost of t h e i r w e i g h t o n one toe (th e i r t h i rd ) a n d d o not chew a cud. I n c l u ded are ta pi rs, h orses, and r h i nos. O D D-T O E D
TAP I R S l o o k much
like m i n i a t u re e l e p h a nts o r over g rown pigs. A d u lts may reach 8 ft. in l e n g t h and w e i g h 500 l bs. T h e n ose exte nds beyo nd t h e m o u t h i n a s h o rt p r o boscis. I n captivity, t h ey ca n be fed h a y, g ra i ns, and given veg eta bles with vita m i n s u p p l e m ents. Keepers fi nd they u s u a l l y a re d o c i l e . TAP I R S d o well in many zoos but in cold weather n e e d heated q u a rters. Young a r e spotted and striped . SOUTH AMERICAN
MALAYAN TAP I R S of southern
a n d p e n i n s u l a r Asia a r e becom� i n g scarce. Zoos a r e a n i m po r tant sanctu a ry for t h i s s p ecies.
H O R S E S b e l o n g to a fa m i l y conta i n i n g a si n g le g e n us, E q u u s . It i n c l ud e s a sses a n d zebras a s we l l a s t h e fa m i l i a r
dom esti c horse. O N A G E R S (a bove) a r e w i l d asses
P R Z E W A L S K I ' S H O R S E (about 4
of C e n t r a l Asia. They have short ears and a long ta i l without m u c h h a i r , Ad u l t m a l es seldom weigh m o r e than 5 0 0 lbs. The cl o se l y rel ated K i a n g of Tibet a n d Nepal is sometimes shown i n zoos. W i l d asses of Africa a re s m a l l e r b u t have l a rger ears. L i k e t h e i r Asiatic relatives, they have a short, stiff m a n e . Do· mestic d o n keys a r e d e sce n d a nts
ft. at the s h o u l d e r) is stoc k i l y b u i l t, with a b l a c k , e r e c t m a n e a n d a l o n g · h a i red t a i l . I t s l eg s a r e b l a c k t o t h e k n ees, a n d t h e s u m m e r c o a l sh ows a b l a c k s t r i p e down t h e b a c k . A few of these neve r·domesticated horses l ive wild i n rem ote p a rts of the Gobi Desert. C a ptives a n d t h e i r off s p r i n g are so r a re t h a t all of t h e m ( a b o u t 1 00) a re l i sted i n a s p e c i a l stud b o o k .
of Afric a n s p e c i e s .
Z E B RAS (4-4 V2 ft. at s h o u l d er) a re w h i te h o rses with
b l a c k stripes and e rect m a n es. T h e stripes serve as camouflage o n t h e g ra ssy Afri c a n p l a i n s . Foa l s h a ve sa m e m a r k i ngs as a d u lts. Often atta cked by l i o n s, zebras defend t h e m se lves by k i c k i n g a n d biti n g . H u nted a l so by m a n , zebras a re beco m i n g scarce except i n p a r k s a nd sa n ctua ries. I n captivity, they need r u b b i n g posts a n d ro l l i n g p i t s t o k e e p tri m . C a n not t o l e rate c o l d . G R EVY'S Z E B R A is o n e o f the t h ree species of zebras. Size a n d patte rn of t h e stripes a r e useful i n d i sti n g u i s h i n g t h e d i fferent k i n d s . Grevy's has n a rrow stripes 96
Z E B RAS
exte n d i n g down to its h oofs, a wh ite b e l l y , l a r g e ea rs, a n d s p i n a l str ipe exten d i n g o n to t h e ta i l . Z o o d i et is h a y a n d oats, p l u s d iced vegeta b l es and salt.
C h a p m a n 's Zebra a farm of B u rc h e l l's
B U R C H E L L'S Z E B R A S a re of sev e r a l varieties: Gra n t's (with b o l d , contrast i n g stripes), C h a p m a n 's (with b rownish stri pes between the b l a c k o n es), Burchel l 's proper (with n o m a r k i n g s o n the lower legs)- Although sometimes d is p layed in l a rg e e n closu res with a n te l o pes, sta l l i o n zebras may bother other a n i m a l s . MOUNTA I N Z E B R AS, a d i sti nct
species smaller have a lap) on
of South Africa, a r e t h a n other zebras a n d sma l l fold of s k i n (d ew the throat. Broad stripes
m a r k the fl a n ks and band the legs to t h e hoofs. M o u n ta i n Z e bras have been exte r m i n a te d i n some areas a n d a r e u n c o m m o n i n p rotected a r e a s a n d i n zoos. Z E B RAS
97
RHINOCEROSES a re t h i c k-ski n n e d , n e a r l y h a i rless a n i m a l s o f l a r g e size (sh o u ld e r h e i g h t, t o 6% ft. ; w e i g h t, to 4,500 l bs . ) . T h e i r o n e or two horns a r e n ot true bony o utg rowths; t h ey consist of h a rd e n ed and c o m p ressed h a i r l i k e fi bers on a bony base at the fro n t of the s ku l l . These conti n u e t o g row through out t h e life o f t h e a n i m a l . I n t h e w i l d , r h i n o s m a y b e bad-tempered, b u t ca ptives u s u a l l y a re fairly doci l e . When a n noyed, a l o n e r h i noc eros m a y atta c k a tra i n o r a car, c h a r g i n g at speeds to 30 m i les p e r h o u r. Zoos keep them i n mooted o utd oor cages and h eated i n door wi nter q u a rters.
I n d i a n R h i n oceros
98
W h ite R h i n oceros
I
AFRICAN OSES ( 1 1
BLACK
R H I NOCER
ft. long; 5\12 ft. a t s h o u l d e r) have t w o h o r n s, the front o n e larger and, if intact, up to 50 i n . l o n g . The hide is d a r k brown, not b l a c k . Some times they a re ca l led H o o k-l i p ped R h i n o s because of their pec u l iarly shaped upper l i p, a d a pted for g r a s p i n g twigs and l eaves. They l ive i n thorn cou ntry t h r o u g h o u t m uch of Africa. M o s t z o o s s h o w the B l a c k R h i no, w h i c h is the most n u m e r o u s of the five recog n ized species of r h i nos.
are R H I NOCEROSES INDIAN o n e- h o r n e d a n d l a r g e ( 1 4 ft. l o n g ) . The leathery s k i n is sepa rated i n to p l ates by d e e p fold s a n d is covered with h a r d k n obs. Only a few, p e r h a p s n a more than 600, remain i n I n d i a , As sam, and N e p a l . R H I NOC EROSES, a l so ca l l e d S q u a re-l i p ped R h i nos, a re two-horned, p l a i n s d w e l l ers of e q u a torial Africa . They may be 14 ft. l o n g , 6 \12 ft. a t s h o u l d ers. Rarely d i s p l ayed i n zoos. W H ITE
E L E P H A N TS, t h e la rgest l i v i n g l a n d a n i m a ls, m a y eat a q u a rter of a ton of fora g e a day. Food i n c l u d es leaves, roots, fruits a n d , in ca pti vity, hay a n d g ra i n . The e le p h a nt's tru n k is · its n ose, a d o u b le-tu bed fl exi b l e p robos cis with nostri ls a t t h e end. Water and even food ca n be sn uffed p a rt way u p a r e often cal led I n d i an E l e p h a nts . F o u n d in the Oriental region, south of the H i m a l ayas from B u r m a and I n d ia to S u m a t ra, they l ive in slig htly h i l l y forests, partic u l a r l y these favorite with m u c h bam boo-a . foo d . Males weig h u p to 6 tons, sta n d about 10 ft. ta l l, and have sma l l ears. C o m m o n l y trained a s work a n i m a l s. ASIAN
E L E P HANTS
single fi n g e r
1 00
E L E P H A N TS
sma l l ears
b a c k h u m ped '
r1
/!
( ,'( \
_ _./
- - ....
the p ro boscis a n d b l ow n i n to the m o uth . Tusks, l a rg e r i n m a l es, a r e m odified upper i n cisor teet h . Usua l ly a s i n g l e woo l ly y o u n g is b o r n , wei g h i n g a bout 2 0 0 lbs. It soon becomes nearly h a i r less. A d a i l y hosing a n d a m a ssage with a stiff broom keeps a n e l e p h a nt's s k i n i n g ood conditi o n . large ea rs
A F R I C A N E LE P H A NTS h ave l a r g e
sway-backed \ --
ears a n d tusks. M a l e s weig h u p 7 tons. F o u n d south of the S a h a ra Desert i n Africa, they a r e of t w o varieties: B u s h E l e p h a nts, with ma les that may sta n d 1 1 ft. t a l l a t t h e s h o u lders; a n d Forest E l e p h a n ts, the m a l e s to 8 ft. t a i L Pyg my E l e p h a nts usu ally are yo u n g Forest E l e p h a n ts; they are not a d istinct k i n d . Ia
101
G i a n t fl i g h t cage at the N a t i o n a l Zoo in Wash i n g t o n , D . C .
B I R D S Birds a re t h e o n l y a n i m a l s with feath ers. Most of t h e m o re t h a n 8,500 species a re e ffi c i e n t fl i e rs . H o l low o r spongy bon es, e n l a rged breast m u s c l e s to move t h e wings, a n d l o n g , stro n g w i n g feathers e n a b l e b i r d s t o fly. A f e w k i n d s c a n fl y faster tha n 1 00 m . p . h . , a n d m a n y c a n t rave l g reat d i stan ces w i t h o u t r esti n g . B i r d s l a y h a rd - sh e l l ed eggs ; usua l ly i n s o m e k i n d of n est. Many zoos feat u r e spacious fl yways, o r fl i g h t cages, that can h o use 1 00 o r more birds. T h e c a ptives can exercise freely, and so m e even m a te, b u i l d n ests, a n d ra i se you n g . I n s o m e zoos, visitors c a n e nter t h e flyways and m i n g l e with the birds in t h e o p e n . 1 02
F L I G H T L E S S ( RA T I T E ) B I R D S b e l o n g i n g to severa l g r o u ps, or orders, s h a re the loss of a bi lity to fly. A l l have a fl a t ra ther t h a n raised, o r k e e l e d , brea stbo n e for atta c h m ent o f powerf u l fl i g h t m u scles. T h e i r w i n g s a r e s m a l l a nd u s e l ess, b u t t h e i r legs a r e stro n g for r u n n i n g . In these b i rds, m a l es i n c u bate t h e e g g s, with the exce pti o n of some Ostri ches. OSTR I C H ES a r e t h e l a rgest ( t o 8
ft. t a l l a n d m ore t h a n 300 l bs.) of all l iv i n g birds. T h e i r eggs may weig h a s m uc h a s 3 lbs. a n d a r e i n c u b ated f o r a b o u t 40 days. B i r d s m a t u re i n 3 to 4 years. M a l e s a r e b lack, with w h ite w i n g t i p s and tail p l u mes; femal es, b r ow n i s h . Ostriches trav-
el across C e n t r a l Africa n d ese rts i n b a n d s of up Ia 50, ofte n with herds of ze b r a s and a nt e l o pes. W h e n th reate n e d , a n Ostrich w i l l r u n -as fast a s 30 m . p . h . Os· !riches i n c a p t ivity will h i ss a n d kick. T h e y d o w e l l i n zoos, w h e r e some h a v e l ived for m o re t h a n 25 years.
CASSOWA R I ES, a b o u t 5 ft. ta l l ,
a re s h y fo rest-d wel l e rs o f north· e r n A u stra l ia a n d New G u i n e a . A r i d g e d , b o n y "hel met" covers t h e i r forehead, and long q u i l l s on t h e i r s m a l l w i n g s stick o u t be yond their body feathers. T h e i r n o r m a l d iet is fru it, b u t t h e y may a lso h u n t rodents. KIWIS ( 2 ft. ta l l ) l ive i n t h e forests of New Ze a l a n d . R a r e l y seen i n t h e w i l d a n d d isplayed i n o n l y a few zoos o utside their na tive c o u n try, w h e re they a r e the n a t i o n a l e m b l e m . Their n os t r i l s o r e at the t i p of t h e i r 6 i n . bill with which they probe in soft d i rt a n d l eaves f o r worms. 1 04
F L I G HTLESS B I RD S
R H E A S sta n d 4 to 5 ft. t a l l b u t weig h o n l y a b o ut 50 l b s . Often c a l l e d A m e r ica n ostrich es, they l ive i n t h e g rassl a n d s and b r u s h l a n d s of S o u t h America. T h e y h a v e softer feath e r s t h a n t h e Ostrich, h ave t h ree t o e s i n stead of two, and l a c k tail p l u m es. I n ca ptivity they becom e t a m e . EMUS l ive i n t h e d eserts a n d g rassl a n d s of Austra l i a . A b o u t 6 ft. to l l a n d weig h i n g u p to 1 20
lbs., they ra n k second to the Ostrich i n size. The frie n d l iest of the fl ig htless b i r d s, Emus often g ra z e with cattle o r with k a n g a r o o s . The eggs, 7 to 1 2 i n a cl utch, a r e g re e n i s h b l a c k .
PENG UINS a re swi m m i n g b i rds that live i n t h e coa sta l waters of t h e Southern H e m i s p h e re, i n c l u d i n g A n t a rcti ca . O n e species, t h e Ga l a p a g os Pen g u i n , lives o n Paci'fl c i s l a n d s a s fa r n orth a s t h e equator. T h e i r fl i p p e r l i k e n e a r l y feath e r l ess w i n g s propel t h e m t h r o u g h t h e water a s fa st a s 25 m . p . h . EMPEROR P E N G U I NS, l a rgest of
the p e n g u i n s , sta n d 4 ft. ta l l . They s p e n d most of t h e i r l ife a t s e a off Anta rctica, c o m i n g ashore o n l y to reprod u c e . The fe m a l e l a y s a s i n g l e e g g , which the m a l e holds o n h i s f e e t a n d i n c u bates by press i n g it into a fold of s k i n o n h i s bel ly. l a t e r the fema l e ret u r n s f r o m sea to h e l p feed t h e c h i c k . The K i n g P e n g u i n is the o n l y other t h a t m a ke s n o nest.
KING P E N G U I N S , a b o u t J V2 ft. tall, l ive o n i s l a n d s near Anta rc tica, sometimes a p pe a r i n g off New Zea l a n d and South A m e r· ica. I n zoos, they m u st be h a n d f e d ; o t h e r peng u i n s w i l l eat fi sh from pools or from the g r o u n d . H U M B O LDT P E N G U I NS, l e s s t h a n
2 f t . t a l l , l a y t w o eggs i n a n est. Live o n i s l a n d s off the west coast of South America, n o rth to P e r u .
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E u ropea n W h ite Pelican
F I S H - E A T I N G B I R D S have broad a re g ood fl iers. Most c a n swi m s h o rt legs and wa l k c l u m s i l y on are c o n n ected by webs, and they m ost h ig h ly d evel oped i n p e l i c a n s .
w i n gs, l o n g b i l l s, a n d w e l l , b u t t h ey have l a n d . Their fo u r toes have a th roat p o u c h ,
CORMORA NTS,
o r S h a g s, l ive a l o n g coasta l wate rs, l a kes, a n d rivers a l l over the w o r l d . They d ive and t h e n swim u n d e rwater to catch fi s h . W i n g s p a n about 5 ft. Bones a r e heavier t h a n those of p e l icans, hence birds s i n k q u ic k l y . O f t e n s w i m w i t h o n l y head a n d neck a bove su rface.
B R O W N PELICANS have a wing s p a n of m o r e t h a n 6 ft. They soar 10 to 30 ft. over t h e sea, then d ive stra i g h t d ow n to scoop up a fi s h . Their pouch can h o l d t w o g a l l o n s of w a t e r . C a ptives eat fi sh, meat scra ps, and mice. Brown P e l i c a n s a r e found o n l y in the A m e ricas.
W H I T E P E L I C A N S have a w i n g s p a n of a b o u t 9 ft. O n e species
A N H I NGAS, o r S n a ke b i r d s, have a long, slim neck, s m a l l h e a d , a n d poi nted b i l l . W i n g s p a n a b o u t 4 f t . They spea r fi s h with t h e i r b i l l w h i l e swi m m i n g u n d erwater. Q u ic k l y become watersoaked, h e n ce ofte n seen with w i n g s spread to d ry i n s u n .
l ives i n the New Wo r l d ; a n other i n the O l d Worl d . Wh ite Pelicans n est o n i n la n d la kes. Severa l b i r d s work tog ether to herd fi sh i n to the s h a l l ows to catch t h e m . They d o not d ive. 1 06
F I SH-EAT I N G B I RDS
WA D I N G B I R DS ( h e r o n s a n d t h e i r a l l i es) have l o n g
legs, n e c k , a n d bi l l . T h e i r ta i l i s s h o rt, t h e i r w i n g s broa d . Most a r e fi s h -eaters. I n zoos, storks a r e h esita n t eaters and m a y n o t get their share of food. S H O E B I L L STO R K S, o r W h a l e heads, sta n d a bo u t 4 ft. ta l l . T h e i r b i l l s, 8 i n . l o n g a n d n e a r l y a s w i d e , a re used to p r o b e i n t h e m u d for food . T h e y are n a t i v e to t h e swa m py l o w l a n d s o f the U p per N i l e R i v e r of Africa.
J A B I R U S , ta l l est ( 4 % ft.) of t h e
American storks, a r e f o u n d from Mexico to A r g e n ti n a . T h e b i r d ' s featherl ess, b l u e- b l a c k neck h a s a red o r o r a n g e b a s e . A d u lts have wh ite p l u m a g e ; t h e y o u n g a re brow n i s h .
STORKS, from tropi ca l Africa, sta n d nearly 4V2 ft_ ta l l . They have a y e l l ow, sad d l e-sha ped shield o n top of t h e i r l o n g , red-a n d - b l a c k b i l l .
SADDLE-B I L L E D
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GREAT B L U E H E RONS, of North Ame rica, sta n d a b o u t 4 Y2 ft. ta l l .
They freq u e n t l y are called "cra nes." I m pe r i a l a n d G i a n t herons of Asia a n d Africa a re s i m i l a r in size a n d e q u a l l y h a n d som e . A l l h e r o n s h o v e l o n g , sharp bills. C O M M O N E G R ETS, a b o u t 3 ft.
to l l , o r e o i l -w h i te h e r o n s of worm reg i o n s t h r o u g h o u t the w o r l d . The o n e f o u n d i n the New Wo r l d is c a l l e d A m e r i c a n E g r e t . T h e y sta l k i n sects, frogs, a n d fishes i n s h a l lows or m a rshes. 1 08
WAD I N G B I RDS
W H ITE STORKS w i n t e r i n Africa
a n d nest i n t h e summer o n roof tops in E u rope, w h e re they o re considered o good-l u c k o m e n . These to l l ( 3 Y2 f t . ) w h ite b i r d s h o v e b l o c k w i n g feathers a n d o red b i l l a n d legs. Wh ite Sto rks a r e beco m i n g sca rce. WOOD STORKS, o r Wood I b ises (4 ft. to l l ) , a r e fo u n d from south
ern U n ited States to northern South America. Live i n c o l o n ies and b u i l d I o rge nests h i g h in trees i n m a rshes. Seve r a l dozen may build i n some tree.
Roseate S p oo n b i l l
S P O O N B I LLS, f o u n d o n l y i n t h e A m e ricas, scoo p u p f o o d by swi n g i n g o p e n ed b i l l b a c k a n d forth i n s h a l l ow water. Near tip, spoon-shaped bill is broader t h a n the b i r d ' s head. E u ra s i a n S p oo n b i l l is similar i n s i z e (3 ft.), h a s a s h a g g y m a n e . R O S EATE
SCARLET I B I S E S ( 2 f t . t a l l ) are
n ative to South A m e r ica, where g r eat n u m b e rs have been k i l l ed for their feathers. Strays n orth Ia southern U . S . I b ises have a t h i n , down-cu rved b i l l used to catch i n sects a n d c r u staceans.
GREATER FLA M I NGOS ( a b o u t 4
ft. ta l l ) l ive i n s u btropical re g i o n s . They invert their head to sieve food from m u d d y waters through their bent-down, flat topped b i l l . To preserve t h e i r b r i g h t color i n ca ptivity, t h e y a r e f e d a m i x of c a r rot j u ice, p a p r i k a , b o i l e d beets, a n d raw s h r i m p . The s a m e is fed to spoon bills a n d i b ises. Without this, their color fades to a washed-out pink. F l a m i n g o s build mud nests 2 ft. o r m o r e tall a n d lay t h e i r s i n g l e egg i n t h e s h a l l ow de pression on its top. WAD I NG B I RDS
1 09
SWA N S , G E E S E , A N D D U C KS typ i ca l ly h ave a l o n g neck and a s h o rt, flat bi l l . T h e i r legs a r e s h ort
and
their feet web bed for swi m m i n g . D u c k s a n d swa n s feed by d a b b l i n g or divi n g . Geese fora ge m a i n ly o n l a n d , eati n g g rasses a n d roots. I n zoos, t h e s e waterfowl are fed p e l l ets of laying 'h e n feed a n d "greens." M U T E SWANS, p u re w h ite w i t h
a b l a c k k n o b on t h e i r b i l l , a re native to E u ro p e a n d Asia b u t h a v e been i ntrod uced to North America and A u stra l ia, where some have gone wild. A n a l b i n o f o r m is com m o n . M u t e Swans c a n hiss a n d m a ke f e e b l e " b a r k i n g " so u n d s . W i n g s p a n , 5 ft.
BLACK S W A N S c a n t r u m pet. They have wh ite wing feathers that show only w h e n the birds a re i n fl ig ht. Black Swa n s are n a tive to Australia and Tas m a n i a . They ore raised in cap tivity, however, a n d h ave been i ntrod u ced i n to New Z e a l a n d a n d o t h e r reg i o n s. SWANS, of southern South America a n d the F a l k l a n d I s l a n d s, a re s m a l ler t h a n other swa n s . The black neck and red bill are d isti n ctive. BLACK-N E C K E D
M ute Swa n 60 i n .
CANADA
G E ESE, the l a rgest North American g aose, weigh a s much a s 1 3 ¥2 l bs. I n s p r i n g , l a rg e fl o c k s m i g rate to n o rthern n est i n g g r o u n d s, m a k i n g l o u d h o n k ing s o u n d s as they fly. U n l i k e d u cks, both m a l e s a n d females have s a m e c o l o r in g .
BLACK-N E C K E D SCREAMERS of South America o r e swan-sized, a q u atic b i rd s . Day and n ig h t they h o n k noisily. A i r c e l l s be twee n skin a n d body g ive them u n u s u a l buoyancy. Each wing has two wel l -developed s p u rs, w h i c h c a n i n fl ict p a i n f u l w o u n d s .
R E D-BREASTED G E E S E a r e brig ht ly colored, s m a l l geese that n est in the S i b e r i a n t u n d ra a n d w i n ter n e a r the C a s p i a n Sea. B a r · nacle G e e s e of n o rthe r n E u rope are closely related to the Red breasted Goose. Both are related to the C a n a d a Goose.
T R E E D U C KS, or W h i s t l i n g D u c k s,
have g oose l i ke post u re, perch i n trees n e a r water, and feed i n nearby fi e l d s . A l l h a v e a s q u e a l i n g wh istle. T h e p i n k- b i l l e d B l a c k bellied Tree Duck (wingspan, 3 ft.) r a n g e s from southern Texas to northern A r g e n t i n a .
C a n a d a Goose 22-43 i n . B l a c k-n ecked
Goose
M A N D A R I N D U C KS, from Asia and J a p a n , spend more time in trees than d o most d ucks, even nest i n g i n tree holes. Both sexes have long feathers o n back of head . Wood D ucks, closely re lated, a l so n e st in tree holes. Wingspan of both a b o u t 2 ft. S H ELDUCKS (wing· s p a n , 3 ft.) a r e goose l i k e d ucks of E u rasia. Males have a l a rge knob o n their red b i l l . S h e l d ucks l a y smooth eggs i n nests i n u n · d e r g r o u n d b u rrows. Other spe cies i n Africa and A u st r a l i a a re sometimes c a l l ed S h e l d r a kes. COMMON
S H O V E L E R S a r e d a b b l i n g d ucks
with large spoon-shaped bills. They feed i n s h a l l ows u s i n g the comblike teeth o n edges of b i l l t o stra i n t i n y p l a nts, seeds, a n d c r u stacea n s f r o m water. Females: mottled brown w i t h blue on w i n g s . Wingspan, 2 Y2 ft. MALLARDS (wingspan, 3 ft.) are
Northern H e m i s p h e re, r iver-a n d · p o n d d ucks t h a t feed by "tip· ping up" to - p u l l p l a nts and m o l l u sks from u n d e r t h e water. U s u a l l y nest o n d ry ground near water. Blue w i n g patches bor· dered with w h ite ide ntify t h e m .
DIURNAL BIR DS OF PREY i n c l ud e hawks, ea g l es, a n d oth er flesh-eati n g h u nters w i t h h ooked bi l l s a n d sharp ta lo1 1�. Vu ltu res a re i n c l uded but a re m a i n ly carrion eaters. I n zoos, these birds a re fed a vita m i n-spri n k led, prote i n d i et. Keepers ofte n m ust force t h ese birds to exercise to keep them l ea n . LAMM ERGEYER, o r Bearded Vul tu re, with b e a d l i k e b r i stles be neath the b i l l , cnrry bones cleaned of flesh by other a n i m a l s high into t h e a i r, then d rop them onto rocks, and extract a n d e a t the m a r row. T h is 4 f t . kite l ives i n the Old World. K I N G V U LT U R ES, fo u n d from Mexico to Argentina, a r e about 2 V2 ft. long. They have a color ful, featherl ess head and neck. Like oth e r v u l t u res, they are ex c e l l e n t soarers. K i n g Vultu res are soc i a b l e with cage mates except at feed i n g time.
S E C R ETARY B I R DS, from Africa,
eat s m a l l a n i m a l s, i n c l u d i n g sna kes w h ic h t h e y sta m p o n to keep them from coil i n g a n d w r ig g l i n g . N e a r l y 4 f t . t a l l a n d with p e n l ike q u i l l s b e h i n d t h e i r head, they c a n w a l k faster t h a n a man con run.
L a m m e rgeyer
BALD EAGLES, n a t i o n a l e m b l e m
of t h e U n ited States, are n o t b a l d , b u t t h e white fe athers o n t h e ad ult's h e a d a n d n e c k g ive them a b a l d a p pea r a n ce. Males have a w i n g spread of n e a r l y 8 ft. B a l d E a g l e s b u i l d h u g e sti c k nests h i g h i n dead t r e e s or o n rock ledges. The f e m a l e l o y s 2 o r 3 eggs. T h e yo u n g a re a strea ked b rown a n d do n o t d e v e l o p a d u l t p l u m a g e for 3 years. Ba l d Eagles live in North A m e r ica a n d n ortheastern Asia, b u t o re beco m i n g exceed i n g l y r a r e . Most a b u n d a n t i n Alaska.
EAGLES, a b o u t the s a m e s i z e a s the B a l d E a g l e , c a t c h mon keys, p a r rots, a n d sloths in tropical forests of Central and South America. I n ca ptivity, sleep a l l day; active at n ig ht. BATA L E U R EAGLES, s m a l l · e r a n d with s h o r t ta i l a n d b r o a d w i n g s, a re s k i l l f u l acrob ats a nd exce l l e n t soarers. They h u n t t he g rassl a n d s a n d open for ests of Africa, swoo p i n g down from h i g h i n t h e a i r to p rey o n s m a l l g a m e, sna kes, or locusts.
1 14
B I R D S O F P R EY
P E R EG R I N E FALCONS, or D u c k
H awks, d ive o n fly i n g d ucks o r o t h e r b i r d s a t a s p e e d o s g reat a s 1 75 m . p . h . They strike with t h e i r feet, causing t h e prey to fa l l to e a r t h w h e r e t h e falcon t h e n retrieves t h e m . They have been trained a s h u n t i n g 11hawks." Pereg r i n e Falcons (wi n g s p a n a b o u t 3 f t . ) a re fo u n d a l o n g cl iffs n e a r water t h r o u g h o u t the world b u t a r e nowhere a b u n · d a n ! . Fa lcons h a v e l o n g , pointed wings, lower l e g s free of feath e rs, and a n otch o r tooth i n the upper bill. T h e S pa rrow H a w k is a common falcon fo u n d t h r o u g h o u t t h e Americas.
CARACARAS are fa l c o n s that feed i n flocks, p r i m a r i l y o n car casses of d e a d a n i m a l s as vul t u res d o . A u d u bo n's Caracara, national b i r d of Mexico, a n d seve r a l other k i n d s a r e fo u n d from so u t h e r n U n ited States to central S o u t h America. W i n g s p a n to 4 ft. R E D - TA I L E D HAWKS, found f r o m Alaska to P a n a m a , a re l a rge, slow-fly i n g hawks that feed mainly o n rode nts and rab b its. With broad wings (span to 4 ft.) and a s h o rt, round tail, they ca n soar, l i k e v u l t u res, but spe n d m ost of their t i m e perc h e d .
B I RDS OF PREY
1 15
FOWL-LI K E B I R D S , a l l m u c h l i k e c h i c k e n s i n t h e i r h a bits, have stout legs and stro n g feet with w h i c h they scratch
o n the g r o u n d to find t h e i r food . They can run fast a n d c a n a l so fl y-but o n l y f o r short d ista n ces. A l l have a t h i c k , down-curved bi l l . PEAFOWL a re native t o I n d i a
a n d Cey l o n b u t well k n o w n t hro u g h o u t the w o r l d . M a l e s a re peacoc ks; fema les, pea h e n s . C o m m o n l y g ive n free r u n i n
z o o s . Males l ift train of l o n g , spotted u p per t a i l f e a t h e r s a n d s p r e a d them as a f a n i n c o u r t i n g d ispl ays. To 7 ft. l o n g , i n c l u d i n g t h e handsome t a i l .
GREAT C U RASSOW is a tur key
P H EASANTS ( a b o u t 2 Y2 ft. long)
sized forest dwel l e r from south e r n Mexico to E c u a d or. C u res sows u s u a l l y stay in trees a n d r u n a g i l e l y a l o n g the branches. like othe r c u rassows, all easily ta med, the Great C u rassow h a s a feathered c rest. Males h a v e a fleshy knob on top of b i l l .
are n ative to Asia b u t have been i ntrod uced to most pa rts of wo r l d . M a l e s have g a ud y p l u m a g e a n d a l o n g , pointe d o r a rched ta i l . Brow n i s h f e m a l e h a s a shorter t a i l . G o l d e n P heasa nts are common in zoos b u t a l m ost extinct in their n ative C h i n a . Silver Pheasants, f r o m m o u n ta i n o u s southeastern Asia, a r e si lvery wh ite w i t h b l a c k u n d e r pa rts. T ra g o p a n s a r e short-ta i l e d pheasa nts o f the H i m a l ayas. Males have two large h o r n l i ke wattles u n d e r a crown of feath ers. Other colorful p h easants are a lso kept i n zoos.
Q U A I L a n d partridg es, fo u n d throughout t h e w o r l d , are sma l l chicken-like birds close l y related to pheasa nts. Males of seve ra l species h ave conspicuous head p l u mes. Where s u cc u l e n t pla nts are ava i l a bl e , some q u a i l can do without water for months.
Gol d e n Pheasa nt
F OWL-L I K E B I R D S
1 17
C R A N E S a r e l o n g - legged bi rds, a nd t h e i r b i l l i s u s u a l ly
longe r tha n t h e i r h e a d . I n fl i g ht, the rath e r t h a n crooked as in h e rons. kept f r o m fl ying b y w i n g c l i p p i n g , fences. B u stards a re c l o s e l y related CROWNED CRANES (3 ft. tall) have powerf u l , boom i n g voices. The h a n d so m e crown is thin b u t stiff a n d strawl i k e i n a d u lts; s m a l l e r a n d n o t well formed in the y o u n g . They eat i nsects a n d reptiles a n d have been tamed and kept i n gardens for this p u r pose. N a tive to Africa, they l ive i n m a rs h y areas a n d b u i l d b u l ky nests o n g r o u n d . Beco m i n g r a r e w h e r e wetla n d s a re d ra i n e d .
n e c k i s h e l d strai g ht Ca ptive c ra n es a r e but t h ey sti l l j u m p to c ra n es.
SAR U S C R A N E S ( a b o u t 5 ft. ta l l )
ra n g e from I n d ia t o P h i l i p p i n e s . Pairs m ate for l i fe, a s d o o t h e r cranes. A l l a l s o p e rform d a nces. B U STARDS, s h o rter legged t h a n other cra n es, are among the heaviest of flying birds. Males weig h 2 5 to 3 5 l bs.; fem a l es, 1 1 t o 1 3 l b s . Great Bustards h a ve been exte r m i nated i n most of E u rasia.
GR EAT
SHOREBIRDS are l o n g - l eg g ed , we b-footed g r o u n d n esters that live i n m a rs h e s o r a l ong s h ores. T h e y eat a variety of s m a l l a n i m a ls. BLACK-N E C K E D S T I LTS are sma l l
( 1 4 i n .) wad i n g b i r d s with l o n g , sti l t l i k e legs. They probe i n m u d w i t h s l e n d e r b i l l s f o r food . B u i l d n ests o n ma rshy g r o u n d . They l ive in North America a n d n orth ern South America. CROCO D I L E B I R DS, o r B l ack backed C o u rsers (9 i n .), l ive o n s a n d y b a n ks o f Africa's rivers. Reputedly, tho u g h n o t a ut h e nti cated, they e n ter crocod i l es' m o u t h s lor food . These b i r d s g e n e ra l l y b u ry t h e i r eggs i n moist sa n d w h e r e they a r e i n c u bated by the s u n's heat. SAN D P I P E R S a r e 6 i n . birds t h a t a r e fo u n d a l o n g coast al m u d flats of N o r t h America. There a re many kinds of s a n d pi pers a n d a n y of sever a l may be d is p l ayed i n zoos a s avail able. In the w i l d , s a n d p i p e r s f o r a g e for f o o d i n l a r g e flocks. LEAST
G U L LS ( m o re t h o n 40 species)
l ive a l o n g coastal areas t h r o u g h o u t the wo r l d . T h e c l o s e l y re l ated terns a re s m a l l e r and more g raceful fliers. G u l l s ea t mostly dead fish and other c a r r i o n ; terns eat m o s t l y l ive fi s h . H e r r i n g G u l l s ( w i n g s p a n n e a r l y 5 f t . ) are f o u n d along t h e coa sts and some i n l a n d waterways i n Northern Hem is p h ere . l a u g h ing G u l l s, n a med for u n us u a l ca l l, occ u r o n both coa sts o f t h e A m e ricas . M a n y k i n d s of g u l l s a r e shown in zoos.
C rocod i l e Bird
PIGEONS AND DOVES are mem bers of t h e s a m e fa m i ly. Doves a r e sm a l l a n d gracefu l ; pigeons ei re c h u n ki e r . B o t h g e n era l ly m a k e cooi ng so u n ds, a n d u n l i ke oth e r bi rds, t h e y d ri n k b y s u c k i n g water u p th roug h t h e bi l l . Parents feed t h e yo u n g "pigeon's m i l k" w h i c h is com posed of fat c e l l s from the l i n i n g of t h e crop. P IG E O N S ( 1 4 i n . ) a re brig htly colored tropica l forest dwel lers of the Old Worl d . They feed on f r u its a n d b e rries, rarely coming to the grou n d .
FRUIT
B L E E D I N G H EART P I G E O N S ( 1 2
i n .) h ave a b r i g h t red s p l a s h , re· se m b l i n g b l o o d , o n an otherwise a l l white breast. G RO U N D DOVES ( 7 in.), slig htly l a rg e r than spa rrows, i n h a bit warmer parts of America. Ta i l is short and broad .
C R O W N E D P I G E O N S, 3 ft. l o n g , are the l a r g e st a n d m o s t s p ec· loc u l a r of the p i g e o n s . These New G u i n e a birds h ave a l acy crown of head feathers a n d have b e e n h u nted for p l u mes. M O U R N I N G DOVES ( 1 2 i n .) are fo u n d from C a n a d a to Mexico. They l ive close to h u m a n h a b i · tati o n s a n d h a v e a soft cooing ca l l . H u nt i n g reg u l a t i o n s make it less l i kely that t h ese b i r d s w i l l b e c o m e e x t i n c t a s d i d P asse n g e r Pigeon, which they rese m b l e .
TOURACOS, Africa, have a u n i q u e coppery-red pig ment (turaci n ) o n t h e i r wings. It is said to be water sol u b l e . Touracos are a l so ca l l ed P l a n ta i n ( b a n a n a ) Eaters but a p pe a r to l i ke b e rries a n d seed s best. They g l i d e from tree to tree and run along the branc hes l i k e sq u i rrels i n sea rch o f food. B I R D S , tou racos of sa va n na s and fo rests of ea st central Africa, repo rted ly fo l l ow h u nters a n d f r i g h te n off q u a rry by cryi n g "Go·awo y . " la rgest tou raco i s t h e B l u e , 3 ft. l o n g . GO-AWAY
PARROTS AND THEIR ALLIES have a l a rg e head, h ooked bi l l, a n d heavy legs a n d feet. T h ey use t h e bi l l a s a n utcra cker o r rasp, m ovi ng the lower a g a i n st t h e u p per. T h e i r feet a r e used f o r c l i m bi n g o r to h o l d food . Ma ny c a n learn to i m i tate the h u m a n voi ce, some k i n d s better t h a n oth e rs. Their gaudy c o lors, c l ow n l i k e be h avior, and m i m i c k i n g voices have endea red t h e m as pets since a n c i e n t times. Cockatoos have crests a n d sh ort ta i l feath e rs, Macaws h ave a long ta i l , n o crest. Pa rakeets a n d lorikeets a re long-ta i led a n d s l i m bodied. SCARLET MACAWS (36 i n .), n a tive to tropical America, a re h a rdy, l o n g - l ived, vivi d l y colored, and p o p u l a r pets. Trained to tal k, these pa rrots can make a wide r a n g e of soft so u n d s, t h o u g h t h e i r n a t u ra l voice is h a rsh. They a re playf u l ; need wood to shred to keep b i l l trim.
1 5 i n . ) l ive in the C o n g o a n d G o l d Coast r a i n forests. Their voices s o u n d very h u m a n , and they are consid e red t h e best tal kers. In ca ptivity, they may l ive for more t h a n 50 yecrs. I n the w i l d , roost i n flocks o r i n pairs; d estructive to g r a i n fields.
GO LD-AN � -8LUE MACAWS (30
YElLOW- H E A D E D AMAZONS ( 1 5
S U L FU R - C RESTED
COCKATIELS ( 1 5 i n .) , f r o m A us tra l i a , are g e n t l e a n d affection a t e . T h e y a r e f a i r ta l kers , a n d g o o d w h istle rs, easy to c a r e for.
i n .) , from n o rthern South Amer ica, are a l ert, i n t e l l i g e n t, s h a rp voiced m i m ics. Active fliers, these birds m ust b e g iven plenty of roam to exercise · in ca ptivity. COCKATOOS
( 1 8 in.) a r e loud, hardy A u stra· l i o n b i r d s . These h a ndsome b i r d s a r e k n o w n to l ive to 30 yea rs. 1 22
P A R R OTS
AFRICAN GRAY PARROTS ( 1 2-
i n .) are o n e of m a n y so-c a l led Amazon p a r rots fo u n d from Mexico to South A m e r ica. All are g re e n i s h . T h e Ye l l ow-headed is a good tal ker, if trained y o u n g .
B U D G E R IGARS, of A u st r a l ia , a r e
k n o w n a l s o a s B u d g ies, S h e l l Para keets, a n d eve n as A u s · t ra l i a n Love b i r d s . T h r o u g h sel ec tive breed i n g , m a n y varieties have been deve l o p e d . Some a re pred o m i n a n t l y b l u e, others yel l ow, yel l owish-green, c o b a l t, even a l b i n o . I n the w i l d , they l ive i n c o l o n ies. They feed on all k i n d s of sm a l l seeds, lay u p t o n i n e eggs, a n d sometimes raise two broods i n a year. Their notes o re a buzzing whistle o r a wa r b l e . T r a i n e d b u d g ies c a n wh ist l e a t u n e . B u d g ies are com m o n pets throughout worl d . About 7 in. long. LO R I K E E T S c r u s h fl owers f o r nec tar a n d j u ice, w h i c h they l a p u p as cats d o m i l k . T h e i r t o n g u e i s b r u s h l i ke a t t h e t i p . Lori keets l ive in the A u stra l a s i a n j u n g les. O n e of the m ost colorf u l is the Rain bow Lorikeet ( 10 in.). May be fed s u g a r water o r h o n ey . PARAKEETS, from S o u t h e a s t Asia,
are s m a l l { a b o u t 8 in.) par rots with a pointed t a i l . Largest is the I n d i a n R i n g -necked ( 1 6 i n . ) , a p o p u l a r cage bird since R o m a n t i m e s . M o s t of t h e m a n y k i n d s l ive i n l a rge fl ocks a n d f e e d on the g ro u n d . Members of one g r o u p feed and sleep h a n g i n g u p s i d e down from branches. m i n ia t u r e (5 i n .) p a r rots of Africa, h ave been tamed for c e n t u r ies and a re f o u n d i n ca ptivity t h r o u g h o u t the worl d . Pairs of Love b i rd s may show g reat atta c h m e n t, sitt i n g for h o u rs b i l l to b i l l . T h e c a l l n o t e is s h r i l l a n d stro n g . LOV E B I RDS,
1 24
PARROTS
I n d ia n R i n g -necked P a r a keet
P A RROTS
FROGMOUTHS, rela ted to n i g h t hawks a n d w h i p - p oor-wi l ls, live i n forests of A ustra l i a a n d ea ster n Asi a . U n l i k e n i g hthawks, frog mouths catch their food - beetles, scorpions, caterpi l l a rs, and even Tawny Frag mouth m i ce - on the g ro u n d . 18 in. Ca l l is a low boo m i n g . OWLS a re n octu r n a l birds of p rey t h a t l i v e i n a l l pa rts of the world except Anta rcti ca. T h e i r si l e n t fl i g h t is d u e to t h e i r soft p l u m a g e . K e e n hearing a n d sig ht, a n d s h a rp, c u rved claws e n a b l e t h e m t o seize rod ents, i n sects, birds, even fi s h i n d a r k n ess. O w l s swa l l ow p rey w h o l e a n d later reg u rg itate u n d i g ested p e l lets of feathe rs, fur, and bone. Ca l l s ra n g e from h oots to screech e s a nd so u n d s l i ke sn ores a nd coug h s . Malay Fishing Owl
F I S H I N G OWLS of seve ral species
a r e found i n Asia and Africa. They roost i n trees along streams to prey o n fi sh, frogs, a n d crabs. They a l so eat s ma l l m a m m a l s.
BARN OWLS, a lso c a l l ed Mon
key-faced Owls, have a hea rt s h a ped r i n g of feathers a r o u n d the eyes. T h e i r y o u n g are often ra ised i n d eserted b a r n s o r attics. Calls a re screeches and squeaks. S NOWY OWLS, of the Arctic, can
be d is p l ayed best in zoos be cause they are more active in daytime than other l a rg e owls. Females a r e l a rg e r a n d more powe r f u l than m a l es. Their light color m atches s n owy h a bitat.
TROGO N S live i n t h e tropi c a l ra i n forests o f Asia, Africa, a n d t h e A m ericas. Ma les a re colorf u l ; t h e fe ma les l e s s stri k i n g . A l l a r e s l u g gish, poor fl iers. T h e y a re mai n ly i n sect eaters, t h o u g h s o m e eat fruit. The ornate Q u etza l ( p . 3). nati o n a l e m b l e m of G u a te m a la, is m ost h a n d s o m e of tro g o n s .
Ba r·la i l e d Trog o n 1 0 iri.
H U M M I N G B I R D S , t h e sma l l est of a l l birds, beat t h e i r w i n g s so ra pid ly t h a t they a ctua l ly m a k e a h u m m i n g noise. T h e y c a n fly forwa rd, backwa rd, sid eways. T o feed, t h ey h over over a flower, i n sert t h e i r b i l l , a n d s u c k u p necta r. I n ca ptivity, they a re g i v e n a m i x of h o n ey or s u g a r a nd water, fruit fl ies, a n d c o n d e n sed m i l k . Males a re m o re brightly c o l o red t h a n fem a les. About 300 species, a l l New World, fo u n d m ostly i n t h e tropics.
K I N G F I S H E RS A N D T H E I R A L L I E S a r e f o u n d t h ro u g h
out t h e world b u t m a i n ly i n t h e tropics a n d subtropics. A l l are stocky birds with a stout bi l l . S o m e live in t h e forests a n d e a t i n sects and rodents. Others l i v e n e a r w a t e r a n d a re m a i n l y fi sh eaters. MOTMOTS a r e ja y·sized b i rd s . M o s t h a v e racket·sha ped t a i l f e a t h e r s kept trim a n d parti a l ly ba re by constant p r ee n i n g . They feed o n i n sects, liza rds, and fruit. Motmots l ive i n t h e l o w l a n d forests of the New World tropics. H O R N B I LLS a r e from I n d ia and southeastern Asia. Mates select a h o l low in a tree, a n d the cavity is sealed with mud to i m p rison t h e f e m a l e . The m a l e feeds h e r t h r o u g h a s l i t o pe n i ng u n t i l after the c h icks h a t c h . K I N G F I S H E R S have l a rg e h e a d s a n d s h o r t t a i l s . Belted K i n g fish· ers, of North A m e rica, have a t h i n , p o i n ted b i l l a n d feed m a i n · ly o n fi s h . The Australian Kooka· b u rro, o r l a u g h i n g J a ckass (be· ca use of fi e n d ish c a l l s), is a forest k i n g fi s h er, w h i c h have broader bills a n d feed o n i n sects, l i z a rd s, a n d other l a n d a n im a l s .
1 28
K i n g fi sh e r 12 in.
WOO D P EC K E R S A N D A L L I ES a r e fo u n d m a i n ly i n t h e tropics t h r o u g h o ut the world (except A u stra l i a ) ; s o m e l ive i n c o l d e r c l i m ates. They n e s t i n h o l e s chiseled i nt o trees o r d u g i n the g r o u n d , are m a i n l y i n sect eaters, and typica l ly have two toes i n front, two b e h i n d . B A R B ElS a r e c o l o rfu l , stocky b i r d s with b ristles a r o u n d t h e i r b i l l . T h e y l ive i n t h e d ry b u s h c o u n try a n d a l o n g t h e edges o f t r o p i c a l forests. B a r bels a r e very n o isy, some k i n d s repeating t h e i r "ti n n y 1 1 c a l l s for h o u rs.
use t h e i r c a n o e s h a p e d b i l l s, h a l f t h e l e n g t h of t h e i r body, to s k i n f r u i t ( t h e i r p r i n c i p a l f o o d ) , d ri l l wood, probe i n t h e m ud , o r t e a r flesh . W h e n it slee ps, a t o u c a n t u r n s its head so that its long bill rests o n i t s b a c k, t h e n fol d s its long tail n e a t l y over it.
TOUCANS
W O O D P E C K E R S probe with t h e i r
Y e l l ow-shafted F l ic ke r N .A. 12 in.
l o n g , b a r bed tong u e to g e t g r u b s, a n ts, o t h e r i n sects from the h o l e s they d r i l l . In captivity, they are fed a su bstitute d ie t of c h o p ped eggs a n d ho rse meat. Red-headed Wood peckers a n d sa psuckers feed i n trees; fl ickers, mostly on the g r o u n d . Va rious wood peckers m a y b e d is p l ayed i n zoos, d e p e n d i n g a n t h e i r avai l a b i l ity. WOO D P E C K E R S A N D A L L I ES
1 29
PERCHING BIRDS m a k e u p a bout th ree-fifths of t h e world's l i v i n g bird population. Sma l l to m e d i u m -sized, a l l a re l a n d birds. When a perching bird "sq u a ts" o n a bra n c h , tendons in each foot tighten its toes a r o u n d the perc h . T h ey a re l oosened o n ly w h e n the b i rd sta nds u p . Ma n y k i n d s of perchi n g b i rd s a re d i s p l ayed i n zoos; a few of the m ost colorf u l a re s h own here. BLAC KBIRDS tota l m o re t h a n 9 0 species, a l l A m erica n . Grackl es, orioles, cowbirds, a n d mead ow l a rks a re i n c l u d e d i n the g r o u p . M o s t blackbird s are o m n ivorous, other but Oro p e n d o l a s and orioles of the American tropics a re fruit eaters. Orioles b u i l d ela borate h a n g i n g n ests. The Oropen d o l a s m a y be 6 ft. l o n g . CROWS A N D JAYS a re a cos
mopolitan g r o u p of a bo u t 1 00 s pecies, i n c l u d i n g t h e m a g pies and the rave n , l a rg est of the perc h i n g birds. All a re o m n ivo rous, and most have harsh c a l l s . T h e y are a m o n g t h e m o s t clever of the birds.
ore colorful, s m a l l New W o r l d b i r d s of ove r 200 species. Most o re poor singers . T h e y prefer fru its a n d i n sects. Most t a n a g e rs b u i l d s h a l low n ests, i n a tree or a b u s h . TANAGERS
use their b r o o d b i l l to s e i z e i n sects w h i l e i n flig ht. T h e 3 6 5 species, a l l o f the New W o r l d , a re no ise-m a kers rather than true s o n g b i r d s . I n c l u d e s k i n g birds a n d phoebes.
FLYCATC H E R S
STA R L I NGS of some 1 00 species
l ive in E u rope, Asia, and Africa. They were i ntrod uced into the U .S. Mynas w h istle and I m i tate s o u n d s . Wattled Sta r l i n g s s h e d h e a d feathe rs, g r o w fleshy wattles i n breed i n g seaso n . Su perb Sta r l i n g is s h i n y, m eta l l i c .
P E RC H I N G B I RD S
b i r d s from t h e t r o p i c a l a n d s u b tropical forests of Africa to the P h i l i p p i n e s . T h e Red-whiskered B u l b u l , of southeastern Asia, pre· fers living i n o r near towns.
BABBLERS a n d t h e i r a l l ies a r e a l l O l d World species (except pos sibly t h e Wrentit of western U . S . ) . T h e i r n o i sy c hatter g ives them their n a m e . The P e k i n Rob i n is one of the best s i n g e rs.
COTI NGAS AND MANA K I N S in·
F I N C H ES
B U L B U L S a r e c h atte ring, s i n g i n g
elude the colorf u l cocks-of-the rock, b e l l birds, and u m b re l la· birds. F e m a l e s a r e usu a l l y d r a b . All a r e fo rest i n h a b itants of trop· ical America.
AND
SPARROWS
( a b o u t 300 s pecies) a r e mostly small b i rds, found m a i n l y i n the Americas. I n c l u d ed a re g ros bea ks, b u n t i n g s/ c a rd i n a ls, a n d t h e m a n y k i n d s of spa rrows.
Saffron
1 32
Easte r n U . S . , Mex.
WEAVE R B I R D S A N D O L D W O R L D S E E D E A T E R S ( a b o u t 3 0 0 species)
include g o l d fi n c h es, w a x b i l l s , a n d weave r b i r d s . M o s t c h i r p rather t h a n s i n g , a n d m a n y o r e colon i a l nesters. A l l a r e s m a l l , b u t some m e m b e r s of t h i s g r o u p have l o n g t a i l feathers.
C hestn u t Mannikin S o u t h eastern Asia
Africa 1 33
OF PARADISE ( 1 8 i n .) , relatives of the c rows, i n habit the forests of New Guinea and neighboring a reas. A l l the m a les have brig htly colo red p l u mage. Some species have to p k n ot feath e rs more than twice a s lang as the entire bird; others have twa wirelike ta i l feathers. Some h ave broad p l u mes on the neck o r broad tail feathers, which they f a n out. They ass u m e u n us u a l positio n s i n d isplaying their p l u mage; o n e eve n hangs up side dawn .
B I RDS
BOW E R B I R D S ( 1 2- 1 5 i n . ) are less colorful than the rel ated Birds of P a radise. They eat most ly fruit b u t a l so seeds a n d in sects. The m a l e s build e l a borate bowers i n which they court the females. Some add bright ber ries, s h e l l s, or other objects to the bowers and eve n b r i n g fresh flowers, replacing them w h e n t h e y w i l t . Some species b u i l d a bower as h i g h as 8 ft. a n d use the same structure year after year. The 1 9 species live in damp forests of New Guinea a n d Austra l i a .
RE P TI L E S
A ND
A M P HI BIANS
Repti les a n d a m p h i bians a re c o l d - b l ooded a n i m a l s-tha t i s , t h e i r b o d y temperature is a l m ost t h e s a m e a s t h e temperature of t h e i r surro u n d i ngs. A m p h i bi a n s a r e t h e more p ri m i tive of the t w o g roups, occu pyi ng a n evo l u tionary position between fishes a n d reptiles. Typica l ly, they spend a part of their l ives deve l o p i n g i n water and breath i n g through g i l ls. Most adult a m p h i bi a n s l ive near water a n d have a moist s k i n . Repti les have c o m p l eted the tra nsiti o n to l a n d . A d ry skin covers their sca les o r p lates, a n d they have l u n g s (so m e on ly o ne) a n d breat h e a i r . E v e n t h o s e t h a t l ive i n water m ust come to t h e s u r face for a i r . AMP H I B I A N S are s a l a m a n d ers,
n ewts, frogs, toads, and the prim itive, w o r m l i k e caeci l i a n s . Sa l a m a n d'e rs a n d n ewts have long ta i l s; a d u l t frogs a n d toa d s d o n o t . A m p h i b i a n s h a v e neither tr u e claws n o r scales. At mating time, even those that live on l a n d ret u r n to water ( o r to a d a m p p l ace) to lay e g g s . T h e y o u n g , or tadpol es, d o not re se m b l e the a d u lt.
Frogs and Toad s 1 ,800 species S a l a m a nders and Newts 300 species
Caecilia n s 1 00 species
R E P T I L E S i n c l u d e s n a kes, l izards,
t u rtles, crocod i l i a ns, and the nearly extinct and rarely ex h i b ited Tuatara, or Sph enodon, of New Zea l a n d . S n a kes a r e typ ica l l y l e g l ess, b u t a f e w k i n d s h a v e vestiges of legs. M o s t rep tiles l a y r u bbery-s h e l l ed eggs, b u t some g ive birth to l ive y o u n g . I n either case, the yo u n g rese m b l e t h e a d u lts.
S n a kes 2,900 species Lizards 3,000 s pecies
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C R OC O D I L I A N S a re
l o ng-sn outed, l o n g-ta i l ed, f o u r legged repti les with hor ny, p l ate l i ke sca les a n d n u merous c o n i ca l teet h . F o u n d i n o r n e a r water i n tropi ca l a n d su btropi ca l regions, this group i s d ivided i n to ( 1 ) crocodi les, (2) a l l igato rs a n d ca i m a n s, a n d (3) gavials. A l l use thei r ta i l for swi m m i n g . On l a n d t h ey l i e fl at on t h e i r bel ly, but they c a n l ift t h e m se lves o n t h e i r legs t o w a l k-or ca n even r u n ra p i d l y for short d i sta n ces. Except w h e n feed i n g , they spe n d m ost of thei r t i m e s u n n i n g a l o n g t h e shore. I n a l l crocod i l i a n s, t h e n ostri l s a n d e y e s a re o n bumps o n t h e top of the h ea d , perm itti n g the big repti les to breathe a n d to s e e w h i l e the body ( i n c l u d i n g a l l of t h e h e a d except t h e s e b u m ps) is u n d e r the water. As "fl oati n g logs," they d rift a t t h e surface a n d c a t c h t h e i r prey u naware. Ca ptive a l l i g ators have lived for more than 50 yea rs, s l i g h t l y l o n g e r tha n a n y of the crocod i les.
CROCODI LES a re t h e largest (not l o n g est) of all l iving rep tiles, some wei g h i n g m ore t h a n a ton a n d rea c h i n g a l e n g t h o f m o r e t h a n 2 0 feet. American Croco d i les l ive i n sa lt-water marshes a n d a l o n g brackish wa terways from the southern t i p of F l o r i d a to n o r t h e r n S o u t h A m e r i c a . The America n C roco d ile has a n arrow, p o i n ted s n out; the Am erica n A l l igator, a broad, rounded snout. Crocod i l es in Africa a n d Asia h ave rather broad s n o u ts, but in a l l, the fourth lower tooth on each side sti l l s h ows when the jaws a re c l osed, d isti n g u i s h i n g them f r o m the a l l igators a n d also from the c a i m a n s. The False Ga vial, of the M a l a y a n P e n i n sula, h a s the most pointed snout of a l l t h e true crocod iles.
a l l igator
ALLIGATORS a re fo u n d i n o n l y t w o p l aces: T h e American A l l i g ator ( 1 0- 1 9 ft.) from t h e Ca ro l i n a s southward a n d a r o u n d t h e G u l f to Texas, a n d t h e s m a l l e r C h inese A l l ig a t o r i n t h e Y a n g tze River and its t r i b u taries. Both l ive m a i n l y i n fresh water, some times in b r a c k i s h . The related South America n c a i m a n s - B l a c k , S pectacled, a n d Smooth-fronted -ore about t h e same size. I n c a i m a n s a n d a l l igators, a l l u p p e r t e e t h show w h e n jaws a r e c l osed, b u t the fourth lower tooth on each side is h i d d e n i n a pit. GAVIALS, of tropical southeast
ern Asia, reach a l e n g t h of more t h a n 20 feet, much l o n g e r than t h e F a l se Gavi a l . They use t h e i r s l i m , g a rfi s h - l i k e s n o u t for c a t c h i n g fish, t h e i r m a i n food .
.. .,_. .r-v:,)
croco d i l e
CROCOD I LIANS
1 37
TURTLES, a n a n cient g roup dati n g to t h e days of t h e dinosau rs, l i ve i n such varied p l a ces a s h ot, dry deserts, swa m p s a nd m a rshes, open sea , a nd fresh-water strea ms, la kes, and ponds. land turtles a re mai n l y vegetaria ns; most aq uatic turtles a re fl esh eaters. T u rtles have an upper s h e l l , or carapace, formed over the pa rtia l l y fused ri bs, and a l ower s h e l l , o r plastron . T u rtles lack teeth , b u t t h e horny edges o f their jaws a re q u ite sharp. The l a rg est of t h e t u rtles are t h e sea d we l l i n g leath er backs that may wei g h up to 1 ,500 l bs. and m easure a bout 9 ft. l o n g . All turtles lay eggs i n nests d u g i n sa nd or i n l oose soi l , a n d t h e eggs a re i n c u bated by t h e earth's wa rmth . Turtles a re longer lived in ca ptivity t h a n a re any oth er backboned a n i m a ls. There i s evidence that they may live for at least 1 50 yea rs; so m e well-authenti cated records exceed 80 yea rs. MATA MATAS, l a rg e, South American sna ke-necked tu rtles, have a short ta i l , 1 6-in . s h e l l , o l o n g neck, a n d a broad head covered with g rowths. T u b u l a r n ostri l s se rve as snorkels. Whe n turtle o pe n s its Iorge mouth, fish o r other a n imals a re caught by i nrush of water.
1 38
TU RTLES
A U STRALIAN SNAKE - NECKED T U R T L E S h a v e a neck that i s a l
m o s t os l o n g a s t h e i r 6-i n . shells. To hide their head, these tu rtles tuck it into the l oose s k i n . The l o n g neck is Joshed out snakelike to capture food . These docile fresh-water tu rtles have l ived for 35 years i n zoos.
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...
Ele gant S l i d e r
Pointed T u rtle
S L I D E R S (8- 1 2 i n .) ore c o m m o n
PAINTED TURTLES ( 6-8 i n . ) ore colorfu l l y m a r ked with red and yel l ow. Color varies with the re· g ion (Mo i n e to Mexico) . They often sun for h o u r s o n logs or rocks, d ropping off into the water q u ickly when d i sturbed.
N o r t h A m e r i c a n a q uatic turtles. Moles use long fi ng e r n a i l s to lop female's head i n courtship. Com m o n l y bask o n rocks a n d logs. Y o u n g sl iders o r e commonly sold in pet shops. TURTLES, or Sti n k pots, emit a stron g , m u sky odor. These small (3-6 in.) t u rtles l ive in slow-movi n g stre a m s and m ud d ) p o n d s w h e r e they f e e d o n sma l l aq uatic a n i m a l s, l iving o r dead .
MUSK
DIAMO N D-BA C K E D
TERRA P I N S
(8 i n .) - r i n g s o n s h e l l sugg est their n a m e s - l ive in salt m a rshes a n d tidal waters of Atl antic and G u l f coasts. They were once raised for their meat. TURTLES ( 1 2- 1 6 in .) , of. N o rth A m erica, Africa, and Southeast Asia, are flat a n d ro u n d . Their shel l s are i m bedded i n fleshy, r u b b e ry material, like leather. The i r s n orkel-l i ke snout hides stron g jaws that con infl ict a p a i n f u l b ite, a n d their neck is slim and s n a k e l i k e .
SOFT-S H E LL E D
A L L I GATOR
SNAPPERS
(24-30
i n . ) are the l a rg est of the fresh water tu rtles, weig h i n g up to more than 200 l b s . They l ive in the slow strea m s a n d swa m py p o n d s of sout heaste r n U n ited Stoles. A wo r m l i ke bit of flesh o n turtle's to n g u e m a y e n tice fi s h to the opened m o u t h .
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c l osed
BOX TURTLES, if not too fat, can close their 5 - i n . h i n g e d s h e l l s tightly. They do well in cap· tivity a n d w i l l e a t fru it, meal, and i n sects. All b u t o n e of the seve ral species of box tu rtles are l a n d dwel lers.
TORTO ISES, with a pattern of r a d i a t i n g y e l l ow o r ora n g e b a n d s o n t h e cara pace, are large ( 1 8 in.) d o m e-she l l ed, l a n d -d w e l l e r s of M a d a g a s c a r . Like other tortoises, they e a t fru its a n d vegeta b l e s . RAD IATED
TORTO I S E S w e i g h as m u c h as 500 lbs. A l d a b ra Giant Tortoises, f r o m i s l a n d s i n the I n d ia n Ocea n near M a d a g ascar, a r e common i n zoos. T h e G i a n t Tortoises of the G a l a p a g os Is· l a n d s were so r u t h lessly s l a u g h tered for t h e i r m eal, e g g s , a n d oil t h a t t h e y w e r e n e a r l y exte r m i. n o t e d . These g i a n ts a r e so d oc i l e that c h i l d re n are ofte n perm it ted to ride them in zoos. G I A NT
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L I Z A R D S a r e typica l ly l o n g - bodied, sca l y repti l e s with mova b l e eye l i d s, f u n cti o n a l ear o pe n i n g s, and f o u r wel l-developed l i m bs. A few k i n d s l a c k legs a n d r e sem b l e s n a k e s o r worms. M o s t l i z a rd s c a n s h ed t h e i r ta i l a n d g row a new o n e . T h e more t h a n 3,000 species of l i z a rd s va ry i n size from 2 in. to 1 0 ft. and a re fou n d i n wa rm reg i o n s t h r o u g h o u t t h e world. a r e g ia n t d r a g o n l i ke l i zards with a t h i c k tail, powe rful l i m bs, a n d a n excep ti o n a l l y long, forked to n g u e . Most m o n itors l ive n e a r water and o re exce l l e n t swimmers. The Komodo D r a g o n , found o n several I n d o n esi a n isla nds, m a y r e a c h l e n g t h of 1 0 ft.; N i le Moni tor of tropical Africa, 6 ft. MON ITORS
MEXICAN BEADED LIZARDS A N D G I LA M O N S T E R S ( 2 ft.) a r e
the o n l y v e n o m o u s l i zards i n the worl d . T h e i r sca l e s are in "beaded" rows a l i g n i n g cross wise a n d d i a g o n a l l y . Beaded Liz a rd, a l most b l ack, h a s more b a n d s o n its ta i l t h a n t h e p i n k i s h G i l a Monster.
a r e swift-footed South American lizards t h a t m a y ex ceed 3 ft. i n l e ngth and wei g h u p t o 2 l bs. T h e y e a t s m a l l a n i m a l s, fru it, a n d eggs. U n l i k e o t h e r g r o u n d l i za rds, Teg u s c l i m b trees a n d ofte n l a y e g g s i n ter m ite n e sts. The s m a l l e r race r u n n e r s a n d w h i pt a i l l i z a r d s of t h e U n ited States a re c l o s e l y relate d . TEGUS
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I G U A N I DS a r e a large f a m i l y of l izards ( a b o u t 700 speci es) that l ive i n t h e w a r m a n d tempe rate reg ions of the New World a n d o n Madag ascar, t h e Tonga a n d F i j i i s l a n d s . Most species a re s m a l l , b u t some reach a l e n g t h
of 6 ft. or more. A m o n g t h ese l a rge l i za rd s a re the C o m m o n I g u a n a a n d the G r o u n d a n d M a r i n e i g u a n a s of tropical Amer ica. Basi l i sks, a n ol es, and fence lizards a r e all m e m b e rs of the i g u a n id fa m i l y. BAS I L I S KS, espec i a l l y m a l es, have
crests d ow n t h e back and ta i l . T h e y l ive close to water i n tropi ca l America. Basilisks c a n run on t h e i r hind l e g s semi-upright a n d e v e n "wa l k11 o n w a t e r for a short d i stance. A b o u t h a l f of t h e i r 2 ft. l e n g t h is ta i l . A N O L E S a r e t h e l izards k n o w n
as A m e rica n C h a m el eo n s b e c a u se they c a n c h a n g e color from b rown to g re e n . They a re not related to t h e O l d World c h a m e l e o n s . A West I n d ies spe cies reaches a l e n g t h of 1 B i n . A n o l e s a r e s hort-l ived . F E N C E L I ZARDS (6-1 0 i n .) , often c a l led Swifts, are r o u g h -sca led, swift-moving, i n sect-eating l i z a rd s of t h e U . S . a n d Mexico. Some males have patches of b r i g h t b l u e on the u n d e r'ii d es. Most species are fo u n d i n warm, d ry areas. In ca ptivity, they can be fed niealworms, fl ies, beetl es, cate r p i l l a rs, and g rasshoppers.
TOKAY G E C K O S (about 1 2 · i n . l o n g ) a r e n atives o f southeastern Asia and t h e Malaya n I s l a n d s . T h e y b a r k , g iv i n g a s o u n d l i ke "to-key." Geckos hang onto the sides or tops of cages by m ea n s o f m icrosco p i c a l l y s m a l l h o o k l i k e struct u res o n t h e p a d s of thej r feet. They c a n eve n c l i m b g l ass. C H AM E L E O N S a re sl ow-movi n g creatures. T h ey w a i t f o r i n sects to come i n to view of t h e i r t u r ret l i ke eyes, w h i c h swivel i n d e p e n d · ently of each other. To n g u e shoots o u t a s m uc h as 1 3 i n . (twice t h e l e n g t h o f t h e l i zard's body) to c a p t u re p rey. C h a n g e of c o l o r i s a reaction to heat, l ig h t, and emotio n . SLOW-WO RMS o r e 1 8 i n . s n a ke l i ke, l e g l ess l i z a r d s of E u rope and weste r n Asia. In t h e wild they feed extensively on sl ugs; i n ca ptivity, they ore fed i n sects a n d worms. BLU E-TO N G U E D S K I N KS ore 2 ft.
STUMP-TA I L E D
long g r o u n d d w e l l e r s with a broad, b l u is h tong u e a n d a smooth ski n . W h e n a p proached, t h e longue i s exte n d e d a n d a h issi n g ; o u n d is m a d e . Yo u n g a re b o m a l ive. T h i s A u stra l i a n l i zard d oe s w e l l i n ca ptivity.
l a rge, wri n k l ed sca les a n d a st u m py t a i l . They eat i n sects, raw meat, f r u i t . Native to t h e w o r m e r pa rts of A u stra l i a , t h e y req u i r e h e a t e d q u a rters, a s d o other reptiles i n cool c l i mates. Over-a l l length is about 1 2 i n .
S K I N KS
1 43
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a r e l e g l ess, l o n g - bodied repti les t h a t l a c k b o th ear o p e n i n g s and eye l i d s . Some k i l l t h e i r prey by c o n stri cti ng it in one o r severa l body coi l s . Others i n ject a v e n o m t h a t e i t h e r k i l l s or pa ra lyzes. A n d som e si m p ly h o l d t h e a n i m a l down with loops of t h e i r body and swa l l ow it a l ive. A sna ke's lowe r j a w can be swive led free ly at t h e back, and t h e two h a lves are co n n ected i n front by a stretc h a b l e l i g a m ent. This, p l u s the l oose ly j oi n ed b o n e s i n t h e s k u l l , permits s n a k e s t o swa l l ow a n i m a l s severa l t i m e s l a r g e r a ro u n d t h a n t h e m s e l v e s . T h e p rey i s h e l d i n the s n a k e's m o u t h b y t h e n u m e ro u s teeth t h a t c u rve backward . T h e s n a k e moves its jaws backward fi rst o n o n e side and then the other to keep the prey m o v i n g downward. S n a kes do n ot req u i re l a rg e a m ou nts of food a n d , i n zoos, a re usua l l y fed o n ly once a week. T h ey d o n e ed water, and thei r cages a re provided with sto n e s or oth e r rough obj ects on w h i c h they r u b t o l o o s e n t h e i r s k i n a n d s l i d e o u t to s h e d . S N A KES
....
A N A C O N D A S o r e p r o b a b l y the
la rgest and heaviest of all the s n a kes. N o n e over 25 ft. { a b o u t 250 l bs.) h a s been a u t h e n ti cated, b u t they have been re ported to reach a length of 37 ft. These g ia n t boas l ive i n the swa m p s and rivers of tropical South America. T h ey feed on birds and m a m m a l s and m a y eat more than 1 00 l bs. a t a m e a l . T h e y d o n o t e a t ofte n , h owever. B O A C O N S T R I CTORS, of Central a n d South A m e r i c a n t r o p ics, a r e t h e m o st f a m i l i a r of t h e s n a kes that k i l l by c o n stricti o n . They reach a l e n g t h of a b o u t 1 2 ft. A l l of t h e boas g ive b i rth to their yo u n g . EMERALD T R E E BOAS, a b o u t 4 ft. l o n g , a r e tree d w e l l e rs. They move f r o m tree to tree without c o m i n g to t h e g ro u n d .
.....
.
of PYTHONS, southeastern A s i a , a r e t h e l o n g e s t {a uthentic r e c o r d s to 3 3 ft.) of the true pyt h o n s . They c a n swa l low a n i m a l s a s l a rg e a s s h e e p . U n l i ke b o a s , t h e y l a y e g g s , a n d t h e f e m a l e coi l s a r o u n d them t o h e l p with t h e i r i n c u bation . I n zoos the e g g s o r e h a t c h e d i n i n c u bators. A l a r g e Retic u lated Pyt h o n m a y l a y a s m a n y a s 1 00 e g g s . R E T I C U LATED
PYT H O N S l ive i n t h e g rassl a n d s a n d for ests of t r o p i c a l Africa. I f t h e y a r e kept w e l l f e d i n zoos, they a re s l u g g i s h a n d docile. B o t h boas a n d py t h o n s have the i n t e r n a l b o n y r e m n a nts of some p a r t s of t h e h i n d legs. Pa rtic u l a rly i n m a l es, ''claws'' may show at each s i d e of the a n u s . M a n y i n d ivid u a l s e x c e e d 20 ft. i n l e n g t h ; o n e report edly over 30 It. ROCK
POISONOUS SNAKES K I N G COBRAS, n atives of I n d i o a n d M a l a ysia, o re the l o ngest (to 1 8 ft., overage 8 - 1 0 ft.) of a l l t h e v e n o m o u s s n a kes. W h e n d is t u rbed a n d d is p l a y i n g t h e i r hood, they may r a i s e t h e i r b o d y a bout a t h i r d of i t s l e n g t h o ff t h e g ro u n d . K i n g C o b r a s ore t h e o n l y n e st-b u i l d i n g c o b r a s . T h e n est h a s t w o c h a m b e r s . The fe m a l e l ays eggs in the l ower c h a m b e r, covers them with sticks and leaves, and then l ies on top o r nea r by on g u ard until they hatch. K i n g Cobras feed m a i n l y o n o t h e r k i n d s o f s n a kes. I n z o o s t h e y o r e fed r o t s a n d mice. SPECTA C L E D CO BRAS, o r I n d i a n Cobras, ore the kind used by s n a k e c h a r m e r s . Propo rtionate t o t h e i r l e n g t h ( t o 8 ft . ) . t h e y hove the l a rg est hoods of all the c o b ras. The black ma rks on the h ood form a s h a p e l i ke u pside d own spectacles.
Specta c l e d Cobra
S P IT T I N G C O B R A S (6-8 ft. l o n g ) c a n eject t h e i r v e n o m f r o m t h e specia l o p e n i n g s i n t h e front o f t h e i r f a n g s . They a i m for t h e e y e s a n d a r e accu rate u p to 1 0 ft. The venom w i l l c a u se b l i n d n e ss if not w a s h e d o u t i m m e d i . o t e l y . H a n d l ers w e a r special masks w h e n w o r k i n g with these s n a kes. Newly c a p t u red spitt i n g cobras m a y s p i t at spectators and s potter the g l oss cage front.
mask
s n a ke stick
...
KRAITS (6-8 ft.) o r e f o u n d from southern C h i n o to Ma laya and I n d i o . The attractive B o n d e d K r a i t h a s a potent venom b u t r a r e l y b i t e s e x c e p t a t n ig h t w h e n it m a y be a c c i d e n ta l l y d is t u rbed . D u r i n g the day, it u s u a l ly r o l l s u p t i g h t l y a n d d oes n o t all em pi to d e fe n d itself e v e n i f kicked. I n ca ptivity, t h e seve r a l species o f K r a i t s are q u iet a n d i n offensive b u t s e l d o m l ive l o n g . BOOMSLANGS (4-5 ft.) o r e rear f a n g e d snakes that l ive i n the o p e n c o u n try of Africa. Their venom is c h a n n e l e d into the bite t h r o u g h g rooves i n their u p per rear teet h . M a n g rove S n a kes are a l so rea r-f a n g e d s n a kes often kept i n zoos. These 6-ft. s n a kes l ive in the coasta l areas of Ma l aysia and I n d o c h i n a .
MAMBAS s o o n b e c o m e a d j u sted
to cage l ife but nevert h e l ess do not l ive long i n ca ptivity. Seve r a l species o f t h e s e a g i le, s l e n d e r , l o n g -bod ied (to 1 4 f t . ) sna kes l ive i n Africa. The B l o c k M a m b o is o n e of t h e most a g g ressive of the poiso n o u s s n a kes and is g reatly fea r e d . The s m a l l e r tree d w e l l i n g Green Mambo is less agg ressive. Mambos e a t birds a n d small m a m m a l s .
.,..
-
- ....
FER-DE-LA N C E S (6-8 ft.) n a m e d f o r t h e i r l a nce-s h a ped head, cause seve r a l t h o u s a n d deaths a n n u a l l y i n C e n t r a l a n d South America . T h e f a n g s a r e l o n g and s h a r p . They a re p r i m a r i l y g ro u n d d w e l l ers, g ive b i r t h to y o u n g rather t h a n l a y e g g s , a n d feed o n birds and s m a l l m a m m a l s .
GABOON V I P ERS, brig ht-colored sna kes of tropica l Africa, may be extre m e l y d ocHe b u t t h e i r b i t e is d a n g e rous. T h e i r broad head is a l most 4 in. wide, their body 6 in. i n d ia m eter and 6 ft. l o n g . The bac k-cu rved, movable, need l e - l i k e f r o n t fangs a r e a l most 2 i n . l o n g .
P U F F A D D E R S (3-4 f t . ) m a k e w h e e z i n g a n d p u ffi n g sou n d s a s t h e y ra p i d l y i n h a l e a n d e x h a l e air. They are found in the open c o u n t r y s o u t h of t h e S a h a r a a n d i n A s i a M i n o r . The v e n o m is sl ow-acti n g but neverthel ess d e a d l y to h u m a n s .
R U SS E LL'S V I P E RS, of t h e I n d i a n P e n i n s u l a , a r e u s u a l l y l ess t h a n 6 ft. l o n g . They p r e y o n s m a l l sometimes m a m m a l s, frogs, birds. Active at nig ht, they in· fl ict deadly bites Ia bare-legged natives. Also c a l l ed J u m p i n g Vipers o r D a b o ias.
Easte r n D i a m o n d · back Ralllesnake
EAST E R N D I A M O N D B A C K RAT T L E S N A K E S (to 8 ft.) u s u a l l y
frighten off e n e m ies by ralll i n g . T h e ratlle g a i n s a seg m e n t each l i m e the snake s h eds, seve ral times a year. Easte r n D i a m o n d b a c k s prefe r d ry, o p e n l a n d o f southeaste r n U . S . Weste r n D i a · m o n d backs a r e s l i g h t l y s m a l l e r . COTT O N M O U T H S, o r W a t e r Moe· casi n s (4 ft.), do well i n cap·
tivily a n d eve n reproduce. The y o u n g are b o r n a l ive. T h ey have n o w a r n i n g rallle. T h i s south· easte r n U . S . s pe c i e s h a s a cotto n y w h ile l i n i n g i n its m o u t h . I t feeds o n fi s h a n d frogs.
Timber Rattlesnake
T I M B E R RATTLES N A K E S (to 5 ft.) have dark crossba n d s o r c h ev· rons across the back. C o m m o n i n wooded eastern U . S . The a p · proximately 1 5 species of rallle· s n a kes i n North A m e rica a r e a l l poiso n o u s to m a n . T h e bite m a y be fata l if t h e v i c t i m is n ot treat ed at once. C O P P E R H EA D S ( 2 - 4 ft.) l ive in the wooded u p l a n d s of easte r n U . S . a n d n o r t h e r n Mexico. T h e i r v e n o m is l e s s d e a d l y to m a n t h a n t h a t of ratt l e s n a k e s o r col· t o n m o uths. T h e i r c o p p e ry c o l o r l o o k s l i ke fa l l e n brown leaves. I n winter they h i b e r n ate.
Copperhead
N .A. P O I S O N O U S S N A K E S
1 49
I nd i g o S n ake
HARMLESS SNAKES I N D I G O S N AK ES, of southern North America to northern South A m e r i c a , a re a m o n g t h e l a rgest (over 9 f t . ) of th e n o n ve n o m o u s sna kes. Doc i l e a n d rea d i ly t a m e d , their b l u e c o l o r i s brigh test j ust a f t e r t h ey s h e d .
E u ropea n Water S n a k e
EUROPEAN WATER SNAKES (2-
4 f t . ) , o l so c a l l e d G ro ss S n a kes, defend t h e m selves by i n flating their body and flatte n i n g t h e i r heads, t h e n stri k i n g . They a l so e m i t a f o u l odor. Africa n Egg-Eati n g S n a k e
A F R I C A N EGG-EAT I NG S N A K E S ( 1 -2 f t . ) c a n o p e n t h e i r m o u t h
w i d e e n o u g h to swa l low l a rge eggs, cracking t h e shell by s h a r p spines on the n e c k verte brae. The s h e l l is spit out. B U L L SNA KES, c a l l e d P i n e S n a kes
or G o p h e r S n a kes, are l ig ht-col ored with b l otches of d a r k g ray to b l a c k . Thick bod ied and 5 ft. l o n g , these North- American sna kes d o we l l i n c a ptivity. K I N G SNAKES (2-4 ft.) va ry i n color a n d patte r n d e p e n d i n g on the species. They k i l l prey by constriction a n d feed l a rgely on f.tlil....,.. other s n a kes ( i n c l u d i n g venom ous), l i z a rd s, and rode nts.
,
RAT S N A K E S prey m a i n l y o n birds and rod e nts in their n ative s o u t h easte r n Asia and Malaya. In ca ptivity they remain n e rvous and ofte n refuse to eat. Some Oriental Rat S n a kes are n e a r l y 8 ft. l o n g .
O R I E NTAL
C O R N S N A K E S (2-4 ft.) a re d o c i l e i n ca ptivity a n d feed o n rats, m ice, e g g s, frogs, a n d y o u n g chicks. F o u n d i n fi e l d s a n d t h ickets a n d c a n c l i m b trees. I f d i sturbed, h iss a n d vib rate t a i l . HOG-NOSED S N A K E S ( 1 -3 ft.)
have a h a r d , t u r n e d - u p s n o ut. They are a l s o called P u ff A d d e r s b e c a u s e they fl a t t e n t h e i r h e a d s and hiss if t h reate n e d . If touched, they p l a y d e a d . ELEP HANT'S T R U N K S N A K E S a r e 6 f t . l o n g a n d heavy bod i e d . They l ive i n b r a c k i s h est u a r i e s a n d i n oce a n s of southeastern Asi a . F e m a l es g ive b i rt h to their y o u n g while i n t h e water. R A C E R S (3-5 ft.)
a r e slender, swift-movi n g s n a k e s of U .S. and Mexico. They l ive i n d ry, o p e n p l aces a n d eat m ice, e g g s , l iz· a rd s 1 or other s n a kes. Racers vi b rate tail r a p i d l y if d isturbed .
FROGS AND TOADS fo ld t h e i r h i n d l e g s t i g h t l y u nd e r them, m a k i n g a spring boa rd for j u m p i n g . Ad u lts lack a ta i l or have o n l y a very s h ort tai l . T R E E FROGS o f m a n y d ifferent
species l ive i n trees and s h r u b s i n or n e a r wate r . Some c a n c h a n g e c o l o r to m a t c h back g r o u n d . Feed o n i n sects a n d m a k e l o n g j u m ps to catch t h e m . C a l l s may be croa ks, t r i l l s, o r b l e a ts. Mast a r e 1 -2 i n . S U R INAM TOADS (5 i n . ) , flat frogs with very broad feel, l ive in the A m a z o n a n d O r i n oco river va l l eys of South A m e r i c a . W h e n mating, a p a i r somersau lts i n t h e water, a n d t h e e g g s d ro p on the fe m a l e's b a c k . They si n k i nto the s k i n , develop, a n d hatc h . TOADS measure nea rly 9 i n . a n d weig h seve ra l p o u n d s . T h e i r native ha bitat is the foot h i l l s of sou thwestern C o l o m b i a . These l a rge, h a n d s o m e t o a d s are not t i m i d , a n d they d o w e l l i n c a ptivity. BLOMBERG'S
ARROW-P O I S O N FROGS (2 i n .)
have a poison in t h e i r s k i n g l a nd s sufficiently strong to i m m o b i l ize a n a n i m a l a s l a r g e a s a m o n key. Newly l a i d e g g s a re attached to m a le's back where y o u n g hatch and ta d po l e s g row. B U LLFROGS, t h e l a rgest U . S . frogs, h a v e a 4 to 6 i n . body and long legs. Ad u l t size is reached i n 5 years. B u l l frogs l ive i n swa m py a reas o r i n s h a l l o w l a kes. T h e h i n d l e g s a r e c o n s i d e r e d a d e l icacy.
S A LAMA N D E RS have a ta i l a n d t h e i r front a n d h i n d l e g s a r e n e a r ly e q u a l i n size . A l l sta rt l i fe i n water, but s o m e a re l a n d -dwe l l e rs a s a d u lts. GIANT
the SALAMA N D ERS, l a rg est of all l iv i n g a m p h i b ia n s, reach a l e n g t h of 5 ft. a n d a re n ative to J a p a n ; a n other k i n d to C h i n a . Entirely a q u atic, they feed o n fi sh, worms, rodents, and other s a l a m a n d e rs. They m ust su rface to breathe.
k n o w n a l so a s C o n g e r-eels o r L a m p e r E e l s1 a r e f o u n d i n southeastern U . S . T h e y h a v e t i n y , u s e l e s s l e g s o n a 3ft. long, eel-l i k e body. They l ive i n d ra i n a g e d itches and s l o u g h s . Ad u lts l a c k g i l l s a n d m u st s u r f a c e to breathe a i r .
SALA S P OTTED EUROPEAN MANDERS (4-6 in.) h i d e u n d e r
M U D P U P P I ES,
d a m p l o g s or rocks a n d feed on s n a i l s and i n sects. They h i ber nate d u r i n g w i n te r . S k i n c a n pro d u ce a poiso n o u s excret i o n . Yo u n g possess g i l ls; a d u lts have l ost them and leave t h e wate r.
AMP H I UMAS,
or Water D o g s , l ive i n l a kes a n d st reams of ea st ern U . S . a n d C a n a d a . T h e b u s hy, r e d g i l l s a r e reta i n e d a n d u s e d t h ro u g h o u t l ife . Hatch l i n g s a r e about 1 in. l o n g ; a d u lts, 1 2 i n . A r e l a ted s o u t h e r n E u rope s p e c i e s l ives i n caves.
1 53
N EAR-MAX I M U M AGES FOR SOME ZOO A N IMALS to 10 yrs.
20 to 3.0 yrs.
30 to 40 yrs.
Tarsier 3 ( 1 2? ) P i g m y Marm oset 5 Tasman i o n Dev i l 5 Mamba 5 Tree Shrew 6(?) Pron g h or n 8 Giant Panda 8 + C a pybara 9 Polio 9 Rock H yrax 9 Komodo Dragon 91/4 +
American Badger 20 B l a c k Swan 20 Brown C a p u c h i n 20'12 C a l ifor n i a Sea Lion
L a m mergeyer 30 Scarlet Macaw 30% R e d a nd B l u e M acaw
10 t o 20 yrs. Spr i n g b o k 10 N orth American Beaver 10 Rose ate Spoonb ill
1 0112
Dhole 11 C o m m o n M armoset
1 1 112
Red Fox 12 Rock W a l l aby 12 Specta c l e d Cobra
1 2 '/,
S i l ver P he a s a n t 13 Lesser P a n d o 13 Aardvark 13+ P l atyp u s 14 Kookab urra 14 G i a n t Anteater 1 4'/, Ce>ati m u n d i 1 43/.1 M o n itors 1 5+ Muntjac 15 Agouti 1 5112 Ao u d a d 1 5112 Wh ite-ta i led G n u 16 Bul l frog 16 Wolf 1 6'14 C o m m o n Waterbuck
1 6'12
Weaver B ird 1 6112+ Red K a n g aroo 17 C l ouded leopard 17 Mallard 17 Star l i n g 17 Spi der Monkey 18 Binturong 18 Gemsbok 18 B a b ir u s a 19 V i c u ii a 19 Ti ger 1 9112
1 54
20112
Sun Bear 201h Budgerigars 2 1 D i a m on d-backed Terr a p i n 21 + N i lgai 2 1 112 Dr i l l 22+ Y a k 22 C h a m o i s 22 Ret i c u l ated Python 22 F a l se G a v i a l 23 Two-toed Sloth 23 Peafow l 23 Boa Con strictor 23 Cockatie l 24 E urope a n Spotted S a l a mander 24 Green Guenon 24 G i l a Mon ster 24112 H a madryas Baboon
24+
Sn owy Owl 241(, Spotted Hye n a s 25 Common E la nd 25 Brown le m u r 25112 Wombat 26 Bactr i a n C a mel 26 Bison 26 Caracara 26 K i n g Pe n g u i n 26 Sar u s Crane 26 Rave n 26 C a pe Buffalo 26'/, Mandr i l l 26112 Amph i u m a 27 C h a c m a Baboon 27112 Black Caiman 28 Moor Macaque 28 Bar i n g o G iraffe 28 Herr i n g G u l l 2B Ara b i a n Camel 281/2 Afr i c a n B l a c k R h i n oceros 28+ Rhesus M o n k e y 29 lion 29 Onager 29 An aconda 29 S u l fur-crested Cock atoo 291/.1 Wate r Buffa l o 291/l 291i2 Brown Pe l i ca n
30%
K i n g V u l ture 3 0 + C a ssowary 3 1 Wh ite- h a n d e d G i bbon
3 1 1/2
Gr i z z l y Bear 3 1 1/2 Shoe b i l l Stork 31 + Emu 32 Ora n g utan 32'12 C o a stal G or i l la 331/2 P o l a r Be a r 33'/, Brown Bear 37 African E l e p h a n t 38 P i g m y H i ppopota m u s
391J2
40 to 50 yrs. C h i mp a n zee 40 I n d i a n Rh i n oceros
40 + ?
G i a n t Salamander
40+
A l l i g ator S n a p per 42 G o l d - a nd-blue Macaw
43
European F l a m i n g o
44
A s i a n E le p h a n t 48 Crowned P i geon 49 Wh ite P e l i c a n 49 Echidna 491/2 H i ppopota m u s 49112 A fr icon Gray P a rrot
49'13 +
over 50 yrs. C h i nese A l l i g ator
50+
Amer i c a n A l l i g ator
56+
over 60 yrs. Giant Torto i se
3 1 % + ( 1 00?)
A l d abra Torto i se
68 ( 1 00?)
Box Tur t l e 80+ R a d i ated Tort o i se
85?
S C I E N T I F I C NAMES The sc ie nt ifi c n a m e s o f the s p ecies i llustrated in t h i s b ook are l ist ed a s nearl y a s p o s s i b l e i n t h e order i n which the a n i m al s appear o n t he d e s i g nated p a g e . Al ternate generic or species na mes a re i n bracket s .
1 4 P l ot.: Ornithorhynchus anotinus E c h i d. : Tachyglossus aculeatus 15 Ta s m a n . : S arcophilus harrisii Wombat: Vombatus hirsutus Koa l a : Pha scolarctos cinereus 16 Red : Macropus rufus Great Gra y : M . conguru major 17 B r u sh - : Petroga/e pen icillata R i n g - ta i l e d : P . xonthopus Red - : Wallabia rufogrisea 18 Tree : Dendrolagus matschiei Wo l l o ro o : Osphranfer robustus Amer.: Didelphis marsupia/is M o u s e : Marmosa mexicana 19 Gorilla gorilla 2 0 Or ang uta n : Pongo pygmaeus W h i t e - h a n d ed : H y/obates /or S i a . : Symphalangus syndactylus 2 1 Pan troglodytes 22 Ce l eb e s : Cynopithecus niger Barbary : Macaca sylvana 2 3 Brown S tu m p . : M . speciosa Rhesus: M . m u latto J o va n : M . irus mordox P i g - ta i l e d : M. n e m estrino 24 Mono: Cercopithecus mona D e Brazza ' s : C . neglectus D i a n a : C . diana Green : C . aethiops 25 M u stached: C . cephus S p o t - n o s ed : C . n i ctitans Palo s : frythrocebus [C.] palos 26 J a v o n : Pre sbytis pyrrhus Guereza : Colobus polykomos 27 G ra y - : Cercocebus olbigeno Wh ite- : C . torquatus torquotus Sooty: C. fu/iginosus 28 Chacm o : Papio ursinus G e l a d a : Theropithecus ge/ada H a m o d r y o s : Popio homodryos 29 Dr i l l : Mandril/us leucophaeus Mandri l l : M . sphinx 30 Wool l y : L a g othrix pygmaea N i g h t : Aotus trivirgotus 3 1 Brown : Cebus opel/a B l a c k - c o p p e d : C . nigrivittatus W h ite-throa ted: C . copucinus S p i d e r : Ateles geoffroyi 32 S q u i r re l : S o i m iri sciureus Red : Cocojoo r u b icundus W h i t e : C . colvus Red Titi : Collicebus cupreus W h i te-faced: Pithecia pithecio 33 G o l d e n : Leontocebus rosalia Com m o n : Collithrix iocchus Pig m y : Cebue//a pygmaea
34 Tree Shrew: Tupaia g/is Tarsier: Tarsius spectrum Potto: Perodicticus p o tto Galago: Go/ago senegolensis 35 R i n g -to i l e d Lemur: Lemur cotta Mongoose lemur: L. mongoz Ruffed Lemur: L. voriegotus S l o w l o r i s : Nycticebus couco n g 3 6 Tholarctos maritimus 37 Brown B e a r : Ursus arctos Gr i z z l y Bear: U . horribilis 38 B l . : U . [Euo rctos] omericonus S u n : H e larctos m a l o y o n u s Sloth: Melursus ursinus 39 G i a n t : A i luropoda m elo noleuco Lesser: A ilurus fulgens 40 K i n ko j o u : Potos IJovus Coot i m undi : No sua n orica Raccoo n : Procyon lotor Hog-: Conepatus mesoleucus Striped: Mephitis mephitis Spotted: Spilogale putorius 41 W o l v e r i n e : G u l o gulo Tayra : fira [Tayra] barbara Honey: Mellivora copensis Amazo n : Pteronuro braziliensis Amer. River: Lutra canadensis 42 Binturong; Arctictis binturong Pa l m C i v e t : Pagumo larvata Mongoose: H erpestes javanicus Mee rkot: Suricata suricatto 43 Sp otted H y e n a : c ; ocuta crocuto Striped H y e n a : Hyaena h y a e n a 44 P a n t h e r a [Felis] leo 46 P . [Felis] tigris 47 leopard : P. [Felis] pardus Snow leopard : P. [Felis] uncia C l ouded : P . [Felis] n e b u /osa 48 J a g u a r : Felis [ Pa nt hera ] onc a C h eeta h : Acinonyx jub a t us 49 Cora. : Felis [Corocal] caracal Serval: f. [ L eptailurus] servo/ Ocelot: F. [ L eopardus] pardalis Go ld en C a t : F . temminckii 50 Lyn x : L y n x canadensis Bobcat: L. rufus Mounta i n Lion: Felis concofor J a g . : F. [Herpoilurus] eyra 5 1 W o l f : Canis lupus Dhole: Cuon a/pinus Coyote: C a nis latrans Ye l l o w Jacka l : C . [Thos] aureus 52 Red : Vulpes vulpes Gra y : Urocyon cinereoargenteus fennec: fennecus zerda
155
Arct i c : A lopex lagopus Kit: Vulpes macrotis 53 B i g · e a r e d : Otocyon mega/otis Di n g o : Canis dingo M a n e d : Chrysocyon jubatus C a p e H u n t i n g : L ycaon pictus 54 Sea L i o n : Zalophus californ i an u s Sea l : M i r o u n g a an g ustirostris 55 W a l r u s : Odo benus rosmarus Harbor Sea l : Phoca vitulina 56 Castor canadensis 57 N . A . : Erethizon dorsatum Crested : H ystrix crisfata 58 A n t e l o p e : Cite/Ius /eucurus T h i rt. : C . tridecemlineatus B l a c k · : Cynomys ludovicianus 59 Paca : Cuniculus [Agouti] poco Pata . : Dolichotis patagona Sooty : Das yprocta fuliginosa A g o u t i : D . punctate G u i n ea Pig: Cavia porcellus Acou c h y : Myoprocta acouchy 60 Woodc h u c k : Marmota monax Africa n : Cricetomys gambia nus Eastern : Tamias sfriatus Spiny Mouse : Acomys cahirinus 61 Ko ng . : Dipodomys specfabilis Jerboa : )oculus iaculus C l a w e d : Meriones unguiculatus C h inch i l l a : Ch inchilla laniger Giant Tree: Ratufa indica 62 Nu tria : Myocasfor coypus C a p . : H ydrochoerus h ydrochaeris 63 Two- : Choloepus hoffmanni Ant.: Myrmecophaga tridactyla Aard v a r k : Orycteropus afer 64 H ippopotam u s amphibius 65 Choeropsis liberiensis 66 Bush: Potamochoerus porcus C o l l a r e d : Tayassu tajacu B a b i r u s a : B a b irussa bab yrussa Wart: Phacochoerus aefhiopicus 67 Bactr i a n : Came/us bactrianus A r a b ia n : C . dromedar ius 68 L a m a g/ama 69 A l pa c a : L . pacos Guanaco : L . huanacus Vic u ii a : L . [Vicugna] vicugna 70 W hite- : Oclocoileus virginianus M u l e Deer: 0 . hemionus 71 A s i a n : Tro gulus javanicus Red : Mazama americana M u n t j a c : Munfjacus m untjak 72 Fa l l o w Deer: Dama dama S i ka D ee r : Cervus nippon 73 Red Deer: C . elaphus Moose: Alces alces 74 Pere: Elaphurus davidianus Axis Deer : Axis axis 75 Sambar: Cervus [Rusa] unicolor
1 56
E l d ' s Deer: C. e/di 76 R e i n d e e r : Rang ifer tarandus Pro n g . : Antifocapra americana 77 Bison: B ison bison M u s k O x : Ovibos moschatus 78 Ya k : Poephagus grunniens Dwarf: Anoa depressicornis 79 Gaur: Bib os [8os] g a u r u s C a p e : Bub a lus [Syn cerus] coffer Water Buffa l o : 8. b u b o /is 80 Cha m ois: Rupicapra rupicapra Aoudad s : Ammotragus lervia 81 Mou flon : Ovis musimon Ta h r : Hemitragus iemlahicus 82 Markhor: Capra falconeri Ibex: C . ibex sibirica B i g horn : Ovis canadensis 83 N y a l a : Trage/aph u s angasi B o n g o : Boocercus euryceros 84 E l a n d : Taurotra gus oryx Kudu: Strepsiceros strepsiceros S i tatun g a : L imnotragus spekei 85 N i l . : B o selaphus tragocamelus S i n g · s i n g : Kobus defassa Lechw e ' s : K. leche 86 Gnu: Connochaetes taurinus B l e s . : Oama/iscus dorcas phil/ipsi Ha rte . : Alcelaphus buselaphus 87 Duiker: Sy/vicapra grimmia K l i p . : Oreotragus oreotragus D i k - d i k : Madoqua kirki kirki Spri n g . : Antidorcas marsupial is 88 Geren u k : Lit oc ra nius walleri G ra nt ' s Gazel l e : Gazella granti Dorcas Gaze l l e : G . dorcas 89 I m p a l a : Aepyceros melampus Thomso n ' s : Gazella thomsoni 90 Gemsbok: Oryx gaze//a A nte l o p e : H ippotragus niger B l a c k b u c k : Anti/ope cervicapra S a i g a : Saiga tatarica 91 Okapia johnstoni 92 Nub.: G iralfa camelopardalis Masa i : G . c . trippelskirchi 93 Reticul ated : G . c . reticufata Baring o : G . c . rothschildi 94 H y rax : Procavia capensis S.A. Ta p i r : Tapirus terresfris Ma l a y a n Ta p i r : T . indicus 95 O n a . : fquus hemionus onager Prze . : E . cabo/Ius prze walskii 96 E. grevyi 97 C h a p . : E . b u rchelfii a nt iquorum Grant's: E. b . bohmi Mounta i n : E . zebra 98 Diceros bicornis 99 I nd i a n : Rhin oceros un icornis W h i t e : Diceros simus 1 00 Elephas maximus 1 01 Loxodonta africana ofricana 1 03 Stru fhio came/us
1 04 C a s so . : Casuarius casuarius Common R h e a : Rhea americana K i w i : Apteryx australis Emu: Dromiceius novae� hollandiae 1 05 Emperor: Apfenodytes lorsferi K i n g P e n g u i n : A. pafagonica H u m . : Spheniscus h u m boldti 1 06 Shag: Phala crocorax arisfotelis Great Cormorant: P . carbo White: Pelecanus onocrotalus Brown : P . occidenfalis A n h i n g o : A n h i n g a anhinga 1 07 S h o eb i l l Stor k : Balaeniceps rex Sadd l e : Ephippiorh ynchus senegalensis J a b i r u : Jabiru m ycferia 1 08 Heron : Ardea herodias Wh ite Stork: Ciconia ciconia Wood : Mycteria americana Egret: Casm erodius alba 1 09 Roseate Spoo n b i l l : Ajaia ajaja F l a m i n g o : Phoen icopferus ruber Sca r l e t I b i s : fudocimus ruber 1 1 0 Mute Swa n : Cygnus olor Black: C . atrata Black-necked: C . melanocoriphus 1 1 1 C ana d a : Bronte canadensis Screa m e r : C hau n a chavaria Red - breast: Branfa rulicollis Tree: Dendrocygna aufumnalis 1 1 2 Manda r i n : A i x galericulafa � n e l d u c k : Tadorno tadorna M a l l a r d : Anas platyrhynchos Wood Duck: A i x sponsa S h o v e l e r : Anas clypeata 1 1 3 Lam.: Gypaetus barbatus K i n g : Sarcorh omphus papa Sec.: Sagittarius serpen farius 1 1 4 Ba l d : Haliaeefus leucocephalus Harpy: Harpia h arpyja Bata l e u r : Terafhopius ecaudatus 1 1 5 Pere . : Falco peregrinus Red-ta i l ed : B u teo jama icensis C a racara : Polyborus cheriway 1 1 6 Peafo w l : Pavo cristafus Great C u ra s s o w : Crax rubra C a l i f . : Lophorfyx calilornicus 1 1 7 G o l d e n : Chrysolophus pictus Trag opa n : Tragopan femmincki S i l ve r : Lophuro n y cthem era 1 1 8 Crowned : B a learica pavonio Sarus Crane: Grus antigone Great B u stard : Otis fordo 1 1 9 Sti l t : H i m a n topus mexicana Croc. B i rd : Pluvianus aegypfus least: Erolia m i n utilla H erri n g : Larus argentafus Lau g h i n g : L. atricilla 1 20 Fr u i t : Megaloprepia magnifica B l e ed . : Gollicolumba luzonica
121
1 22 1 23
1 24 1 25
1 26
1 27
128
1 29
1 30
131
1 32
1 33
1 34
Gr.: Columbigallina passerine Crowned : Goura victoria Mourn i n g : Zenaiduro mocroura K n y s n a : Tauraco corythaix Go-Away B i r d : T. corythaixoides leucoga ster Coca#uo galerita Sca r l e t Macaw: Ara macao G o l d - a n d - B l u e : A . arorouna Yel . : Amazona ochrocepholo Africa n : Psittacus erithacus Cock . : Nymphicus hoffandicus Parakeet: Brotogeris jugularis Lori . : Trichoglossus haem atodus B u d . : Melopsittacus undulatus L o n g - ta i l e d : Psiffacula kromeri Barred : Bolborhynchus lineola I nd i a n : Psitfocula torquato Masked : Agapornis personate Ta w n y : Podargus strigoides Malay F i s h i n g : Bubo ketupu Barn O w l : Tyto alba Snowy O w l : Nyctea scandiaca Bar-ta i l e d : Trogon co/loris White-: H y locharis leucotis R u b y - : Selasphorus flammula V i o let-hea d e d : K lais guimeti V i o - c . : Amazilia violiceps Costa R i ca n : Panterpe insignis Motmot: fumomofa superciliosa Great: B u ceros bicornis Kookaburra : Dacelo gigas Belted : Mergaceryle alcyon B l ack-col . : L y bius torquatus loco Touca n : Ramphastos loco Red- headed Woodpecker: Melanerpes erythrocephalus F l i c k e r : Colaples auratus Red- breasted : L e isfes militaris Oro . : G y m n o stinops montezuma Troup i a l : Icterus icterus B l a c k - b i l l ed Ma g p i e : Pica pica Formosa n : Cissa caerulea S i l ve r - b e a k : Ramphocelus carbo Blue Ta n a g e r : Thraupis virens K i skadee: Pitangus sulphuratus Watt l e d : Creatophora cinerea Superb: Spreo superbus H i l l Myna : Grocula religiose Red - w h i s k . : Pycnonotus jocosus Pekin R o b i n : Leiothrix lutea Cock-of- : Rupicola rupicola A n d ea n : R . peruviana Saffron F i n c h : Sicalis fl a v i o la Ca rd . : Richmondena cardinalis Di a . : Taeniopygin castanofis C h estnut: L o n chura lerruginosa Go u l d i a n : Poephila gouldiae B i s h o p : Pyromelana orix R ed - : Uraeg inthus b e n g a lensis Great: Paradisaea apoda
1 57
Bow. : Ptilonorh ynchus violaceus 1 36 Allig.: Alligator mississippjensis Crocod i l e : Crocodylvs acutvs 1 37 Spect . : Caiman sclerops Gav i a l : Gavialis gangeticus 1 38 S n a k e - : Emydura macquari Matam ala : Chelys fimbriata 1 39 E l . : Pseudemys scripta elegans Pa i n t e d : Chrysemys p icta M u s k : Sternotherus odoratus Terra p i n : Malaclemys terrapin Soft - s h e l l e d : Trionyx spiniferus Al l i g . : Macroclemys temmincki 1 40 B o x Turt l e : Terrapene carolina Radiated : Testudo radiata A l d a b ra : T. gigantea 1 41 G i l a : Heloderma suspectum leg . : Tupinambis n i grop unctofus Komodo: Vara n u s komodoensis 1 42 C o m m o n : Iguana iguana Basi l i s k : Basiliscvs plvmifrons A n o l e : Anolis stratulus Fence: Sceloporus undulatus 1 43 Tokay Gecko: Gekko gecko C h a m . : Chamaeleo chamaeleon S l o w - w o r m : A n g u i s fragilis B l u e - : Tiliqua scincbides Stump-ta i l ed : T . rugosa 1 44 Emerald Tree: Boa canina Boa : Con strictor constrictor Ret i c . : P y thon reticu/atus 145 Anacon d a : Eunectes murinus Rock Pyth o n : Python sebae
1 46 K i n g : Ophiophagus h a n n a h Spectacled : Naja n a j a S p it. : H e m a c h a t u s h e m a c h a t u s
1 47 Kra i t : B u ngarus fasciafus
1 48
1 49
1 50
151
1 52
153
Black: Dendroaspis polylepis Gree n : D . a ngu sticeps Mangrove: Boiga dendrophila Boom s l a n g : Dispholidus typus Fer- d e - l a n c e : Bot hrops atrox Gaboon Viper: B itis gabonica Puff Adder: B. arietans Russe l l ' s V i p e r : Vipera russelli Easte r n : Crotalus adamanteus Timber: C . horridus Cot. : Ancistrodon piscivorus C o p p e r h e a d : A . contortrix I n d i g o : Drymarchon cora i s E u r . Wate r : N a t r i x n a trix African E g g - : Dasypeltis scober Bu l l : Pituophis melanoleucus K i n g : La mpropeltis getulus O r i e n ta l Rat: Ptyas mucosus Corn S n a k e : Elaphe guttata H og - : H e terodon platyrhinos E l e . : Acrochordus javanicus B l a c k Racer: Coluber constrictor Gray Tree Frog : Hyla versicolor S u r i n a m Toa d : Pipa p ipa Bl om b erg ' s : B u fo blombergi P o i s . : Dendrobates trivittatus B u l l frog : Rona catesbeiana Giant: Megalobatrachus japonicus Spot. : Sa/ama ndro salam andra C o n g e r - ee l : Amphiuma means Mud . : Necturus maculosus
I N DEX Aardvark, 63 Acouchy, 59 Adder, puff, 1 48 Agoutis, 59 Al l i g ators, 1 36, 1 37 A l paca, 69 A m a z o n , 1 23 A m p h i bi an s , 1 35,
1 52- 1 53
A m p h i u m a, 1 53 A n a c o n d a , 1 44, 1 45 A n h i n g a , I 06 Anoa, 78 A n o l es, 1 42 A n teaters, 1 4, 63 Antelope s, 83-90 Aoudad, 80, 8 1 Apes, 1 9-22 A rna, 79 Babblers, 1 32
B a b i r u s a , 66
1 58
Baboons, 28-29 Badgers, 39, 41 Barbels, 1 29 Basil isk, 1 42 Bears, 36-38 Beavers, 56 B i g h o r n , B2 B i n turong, 42 B i rds, 1 02-1 34 Birds of para d i se, 1 34 Bi s hop b i r d , red, 1 33 B i s o n , 77 B l a c k b irds, 1 30 Blackbuck, 90 Bl esbok, 7, 86 Boas, 1 44, 1 45 Bobcat, 50 Bongo, 83 Booms l a n g , 1 47 Bowerbi rds, 1 34 Brackets, 7 1 Bu d ger ig a r, 1 24, 1 25
Buffal oes, 77, 78, 79 B u l b u l s , 1 32 B u l l frog, 1 52 B u stards, 1 1 8 C a ec i l i a n s , 1 35 Ca i m a n s, 1 37 C a m e l s , 67 Capuchins, 3 1 C a p y b a ra, 62 C a r a c a l , 49 C a racaras, 1 1 5 C a r d i n a l , 1 32 C a r i b o u , 70, 76 C o rn ivores, 36-55 Ca ssowa ry , 1 04 Cats, 44-49 Cattle, 77-90 C a v i e s , 59 C h a m e l eo n s , 1 42, 1 43 C h a m o i s , 80, .B 1 C h eeta h , 44, 48
C h e v rota i n s , A s i a n , 7 1 Chinchilla, 61 C h i m p a n zee, 2 1 C h i p m u n k , 60 C h ital, 74 C i vets, 42 Coat i m u n d i , 39, 40 Cobras, 1 46 Cockatie l , 1 22, 1 23
C ockatoo, 1 22 Cock-of-the- rock, 1 32 Conies, 94 Conge r-ee l , 1 53 Copperhead, 1 49 C o rd o n - b l e u , 1 33 Cormorants, 1 06 C o t i n g a s , 1 32 Cotto n m o u t h , 1 49 Cougar, 50 C o u r ser, 1 1 9 Coyote, 5 1 Coypu, 62 Cranes, 7, 1 1 8 C rocod i l e s, 1 36, 1 37 C rocod i l e b i r d , 1 1 9 C rocod i l i a n s , 1 35 ,
1 36- 1 37
C rows, 1 30 C u rassows, 1 1 6, 1 1 7 Dassies, 94 Deers, 7, 70-75 Dhole, 51 D i k - d i k s , . 87 D i n g o , 53 Dogs, 51 -53 Doves, 1 20- 1 2 1 Dragon, Komodo, 1 4 1 D r i l l , 29 Ducks, 1 1 0 - 1 1 2 Du ikers, 87 E a g l es, 1 1 4 Echidna, 1 4 Eg rets, 1 08 E l a n d , 84 E l e phants, 1 00 - 1 0 1 Elk, 73 E m u , 1 04
Fa l c o n s , 1 1 5 Fer- d e - l a n ce, 1 48 Finches, 1 32, 1 33 F l a m i n g o , 1 09
F l icker, ye l l ow-sh afted,
1 29
F l y catchers, 1 3 1 Foxes, 52, 53 Frog mouths, 1 26 Frogs, 1 3 5, 1 52 Ga lagos, 34 G a u r, 79 Gav i a l s, 1 37 G a ze l l es, 88, 89, 90 Geckos, 1 43 Geese, 1 1 1 Gemsbok, 90 Ger b i l , c l a wed, 6 1 Gerenuk, 8 8 G i b b o n s , 20 Gila m o n s ter, 1 4 1 G i raffes, 9 1 -93 G n u s, 7, 86 Goats, 80, 8 1 , 82 Go-away bird, 1 2 1 Go r i l l a s , 7 , 1 9 Grosbeak, 1 32 G r o u n d h o g , 60 G r o u n d s q u i r r e l s , 58 G u a n a co, 69 G u e n o n s , 24, 25 Guerezas, 26 G u i nea pig, 59 Gul l s, 1 1 9 Hartebeest, 86 Hawks, 1 1 5 Herons, 1 08 H i p p opota m u ses,
7, 64, 65
Hogs, 66 Hor n b i l l s , 1 28 Horses, 7, 95-97 H u m m i n g b i r d s , 1 27 Hyenas, 43 Hyraxes, 94 I bex, 82 I b i ses, 1 08, 1 09 l g u a n i d s , 1 42 I m p a l a , 89 J a b i r u , 1 07 Jackals, 51 J a ckass, l a u g h i n g , 1 28 J a g u a r , 45, 48 J a g u a r u n d i , 50
J a y s , 1 30 Jerboas, 6 1
J i rd, 6 1
K a n g a roos, 1 6- 1 8 K i a n g , 95 K i n g fi s h ers, 1 28 K i n k a j o u , 39, 40 K i w i , 1 04 K l i p s p r i n g e r, 87 Koa l a , 1 5 Kobs, 85 K o o k a b u rra, 1 28 K r a i t s , 1 47 K u d u s , 84
L a m m e rg eyer, 1 1 3 L o n g u r s , 26 Leatherb ack, 1 38 L e m u r s , 35 Leopards, 45, 47 L i o n s , 44-45, 50 L i za r d s , 1 35, 1 4 1 - 1 43 L l a m a , 68 L o r i k eets, 1 24 Loris, s l ow, 35 L o v e b i r d s , 1 24- 1 25 L y n x e s , 50 M a c a q u e s , 22�23 M a c a w s , 1 22, 1 23 Mafj p i e , 1 30 Ma l l a r d , 1 1 2 M a m b a s , 1 47 M a m m a l s, 1 4- 1 0 1 Mo n o k i n s , 1 32 Mandarins, 1 1 2 M a n d r i l l , 29 M a n g a b eys, 27 Ma n n i k i n , 1 33 M a r k h o r , 82 M a r m o sets, 33
Marmots, 60 Marsup i a l s , 1 5 Mata m ata, 1 38 Meerkat, 42 Mocca s i n , water, 1 49 Mongooses, 42 Mon i tors, 1 4 1
M o n k e y s , 22-33 Monotremes, 1 4 Moose, 73 M o u fl o n , 8 1 Mou se, s p i n y , 60
1 59
Motmots, 1 28
M u d p u p py, 1 53
Muntiacs , 7 1 Myna, h i l l , 1 3 1 Nene, 7 N i l g a i , 85 N u t r i a , 62 N y a l a , 83 Ocel ot, 49 Okapi, 9 1 Onager, 9 5 Opossums, 1 8
Orangutan, 2 0
O r o p e n d o l a s , 1 30 Oryx, 7, 90 Ostrich, 1 03 Otte rs, 4 1 Owl s, 1 26 Ox, m u s k , 77 Pacas, 59 P a n d a s , 39 P a n t her, 50 Para keets, 1 24, 1 25 Parrots, 1 22, 1 23 Partridges, 1 1 7
Peafo w l , 1 1 6 Pec c a r i e s , 66 P e l i c a n s , 1 06 Pe n g u i ns, 1 05 Pheasants, 1 1 7 Pies, 1 30 P i g s , 66 P i g e o n s , 1 20, 1 2 1 P l a c e n ta l s, 1 9 - 1 0 1 P l a ty p u s, 1 4 Porcu p i n e s , 57 Polio, 34 Pra i r i e d o g s , 58 P r i m ates, 1 9-35 P r o n g h o r n , 76 Przewa l s k i ' s horse,
7, 95
P u m a , 50 P y t h o n s , 1 44, 1 45 Q u a i l s, 1 1 6, 1 1 7 Raccoons, 39, 40 Racers, 1 5 1 Rats, 60, 6 1 Ratel, 4 1 Rattlesnakes, 1 49
1 60
Ratufa, 61 Re i n d eer, 70, 76 Reptiles, 1 35- 1 5 1 Rhea, 1 04 R h e s u s monkey, 2 3 R h i noceroses, 7, 98-99 R o b i n , Pe k i n , 1 32 Rodents, 56-62 S a i g a , 90 S a k i s, 32 S a l a m a nders, 1 35, 1 53 S a n d p i pers, I 1 9 Sapsuckers, 1 29 Screamer, 1 1 1 Secretary b i r d , I I 3
Sea l i ons, 54, 55 S e a l s, 54, 55 S e r v a l , 49 Shag, 1 06 Sheep, 8 1 , 82 S h e l d ucks, 1 1 2 Shovel ers, 1 1 2 S h rew, tree, 1 9, 34 S i a m a n g , 20 S i t a t u n g a , 84 S k i n ks, 1 43 S k u n k s , 40 S l iders, 1 39 S l oths, 63 S l o w - worm, 1 43 Snakes, 1 35, 1 44- 1 5 1 Snapper, a l l igator, I 39 Sparrows, 1 32 Spoon b i l l s, 1 09 S p r i n g bok, 87 S q u i r r e l s , 58, 6 1 Starl i n g s , 1 3 1 S t i l t, 1 1 9 S t i n k pot, 1 39 Storks, 1 07, 1 08 S u s l i k, 58 S w a n s, 7, I 1 0 Ta h r s , 8 1 Tamarou, 78 Ta n a g e rs, 1 3 1 Tapirs, 94 Tarsiers, 1 9, 34 Ta s m a n i a n d ev i l , 1 5 Ta y r a, 4 1 Teg u s , 1 4 1 Terra p i n s , 1 39 Tigers, 44, 46
T i t i , 32 Toa d s , 1 35, 1 52 Tor i o i s e s , 7, 1 3, 140 To u c a n s , 1 29 Touracos, 1 2 1 Tra g o p a n , 1 1 7 Trog o n s , 1 27 Trou p i a l , 1 30 Turtles, 1 35, 1 38 - 1 40 U a k a r i s, 32 V i c u n a , 69 V ip ers, 1 48 V u l t u res, 1 1 3 Wa l l o b i e s , 1 6, 1 7 Wa l l aroo, 1 8 W a l r u s , 55 Wapiti, 73, 75 Waterb u c k s, 85 Water dog, 1 53
Wease l , 39 Weaverbirds, 1 33 W i l dcat, 50 W i l debee st, 86 W i s e n t, 7, 77 Wolverine, 4 1 Wolves, 5 1 , 5 3 Wombat, 1 5 Wood c h u c k , 6 0 Woodpeckers, 1 29 Yak, 78 Zebras, 96-97 Zoos, g e n e r a l b a r - l e s s e n c l o s u res,
8
breed i n g , 6 c h i l d r e n 's, 1 3 c o n servat ion o f r a re species, 7 d iets, 1 0, I I d i s p l a ys, 8, 9 fl y w a y s , 8, 1 02 foods, 1 0- I I large st, 4 med i c a l care, 1 2 moots, 8 o b ta i n i n g a n i m a l s, 5 o l de st, 4 p u rpose, 4 shows, 1 3 total n u mber, 2
G
H
ZOO AN I MALS A
Golden Nature Gu ide
DO N A L D F . H O F F M E I ST E R , Ph . D . i s Di rector of the M u s e u m of N at u ra l H i story a n d Professor of Zool ogy at the U n i ve rs ity of I l l i no i s . From 1 964 to 1 966, h e served as p resident o f t h e American Soci ety of M a m m a logists ; fro m 1 963 to 1 964, as pre s i d e n t o f t h e M i dwest M u se u m s C onference. I n a d d i t i o n to m o re t h a n 80 tec h n ic a l pa pers, he has a uthored 5 books, i nc l u d i ng th e Golden Natu re G u ide MAM MALS and the Golden Books h e l f of N a t u ra l H i story M A M MALS.
H E R B ERT S . Z I M , Ph . D . , Sc . D . , i n it i ated t h e G o l d e n G u i d e S e r i e s a n d was both a ut h o r a n d ed itor f o r m a ny yea rs. A u t h o r of some n i n ety books a n d editor of a bo u t a s m a ny, h e i s n ow Adj u n ct Professor at the U n iversity of M i a m i and Ed ucatio n a l Co n s u ltant to t h e A m e rica n Friends Service Co m m ittee and oth e r o rga n izat i o n s .
H e wor ks o n educat i o n , popu l at i o n
a n d envi ro n m e nta l pro b l e m s .
ARTH U R S I N G E R i s perhaps best know n for h i s ex cel l e nt i l l u strat i o n s in B I R DS OF THE WO R L D a n d the G o l d e n F i e l d G u i d e B I RDS O F N O RTH A M E R I CA. As a n a t u re a rt i st, however, h i s s u perb i l l u st rati o n s ra n ge t h ro u g h t h e com plete a n i m a l a n d p l a n t ki ngdo m s . He i s a m e m be r of lead i n g natu re a n d scientific o r ga n izati o n s . He wa s th e fi rst rec i pient of t h e Coo per U n ion A rt Sc hool ' s meda l for d i sti nguis hed work.
T H E
G O L D E N
N A T U R E
G U I D E S
are an introduction to the world of nature, a guide to the most common, most easily seen, and most in-· teresting a spects of the world around us. Each guide combines the authority of eminent scientists and ex perts i n science education. These 1 60 p a ge books overflow with accurate full color illustrations and concise, double-checked inform ation which makes identification and understanding the sub j ect easy and enj oyable.
