Wallabies
Macropus rufogriseus
Origin
Bennetts Wallabies are widely distributed across Australia and Tasmania in shrub, forest and open country areas
Diet
Herbivores
Eat grasses, herbs and leaves
Wallabies are marsupial mammals belonging to the macropod family. They are smaller than kangaroos and can survive a wider range of habitats.
Did you know?
Male wallabies are called Boomers, females are called Flyers, and young wallabies are called joeys.
When a joey is born she only weighs one gram and is about the size of a jellybean!
Most species of wallabies are social and live in groups or mobs.
Wallabies have a very specialised reproductive system. A female wallaby can alter the composition of her milk depending on her joeys needs and developmental stage. She can also produce two different kind of milk simultaneously one for the new born joey and one for older joey still spending time in the pouch.
Conservation
The IUCN lists Parma Wallabies as lower risk, near threatened
Ankole Cattle
Bos taurus
Origin
Grasslands of Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda
Diet
Herbivores
Ankole cattle are sometimes called Watussi cattle because they have been traditionally kept by Watussi African tribesmen. The cattle are considered sacred to the tribes people and are therefore seldom eaten. The tribesmen will milk them though and even drink their blood!
Why are their horns so large?
Their horns can grow to be over 4 ½ feet in length and from horn tip to horn tip can measure 12 feet! The horns are hollow otherwise they would be too heavy for Ankole to carry. Both females and males have horns.
Did you know?
· The only animal large enough to bring down an adult Ankole cow is a lion!
· The flap of skin hanging from their necks is called a dewlap.
· That large hump behind their necks is an example of a physical adaptation. It is made up of muscle and bone and helps to support the head and those large, heavy horns.
Conservation
Not threatened in their native habitats
Guanaco
Llama guanaco
Pronounced gwah-NAHK-oh
Origin
South America from the northern Andes to the southern tip of the continent; Guanacos are right at home in arid, usually mountainous, areas. They can be found living at altitudes of 13,000 feet.
Diet
Herbivores
Eats grasses, leaves and buds
Guanaco live in small herds made up of lead male, several females and their offspring. Males will fight for herd dominance. They will swing their necks and bite each other. The losing male will have to leave the herd and the winning male will then take over.
Guanacos are one of the largest mammals in South America and the puma and humans are their only predators.
Did you know?
· Guanacos emit a high pitched sound when danger is present.
· When guanacos are upset they will spit!
· They can run very fast almost 35 miles an hour.
Fortunately Guanacos can tolerate really extreme conditions! Our youngest Guanaco was born on a treacherous, rainy and chilly night on November 9th, 2008!
Conservation
Guanaco numbers have been drastically reduced mainly due to human impact such as habitat encroachment, habitat destruction, and hunting. They used to be hunted for their thick and warm coats.
Meerkats
Suricata Suricatta
Origin
Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa
Diet
Mainly insectivorous (eat insects); will consume variable items though such as vertebrates, eggs, lizards, spiders and plants.
Meerkats are small mongoose that exist in tight-knit groups called bands of between 2 to 40 individuals. Each band shares a complex system of burrows in which they sleep, raise their young and escape for protection. Bands will fiercely defend their burrows from any intruders including meerkats that are not part of their colony.
Did you know?
· Meerkats assign sentries or look outs to keep an eye out for predators
· Meerkats communicate using complex vocalizations or sounds. They have different sounds for different types of predators. For example, an eagle alarm call will sound different to an alarm call for an approaching snake.
· Meerkats spend most of their day foraging. Long nails and strong feet enable them to dig easily into the earth to look for grubs and other burrowing insects.
Conservation
Not threatened
Cape or Painted Hunting Dog
Lycaon pictus literally means painted or ornate wolf
Origin
Grasslands, savannas and open woodlands of Africa, south of the Sahara Desert.
Diet
Carnivores: Tend to prey on animals that are about twice their weight or sick larger animals such as wildebeest and zebras.
Why are they called Hunting Dogs?
Painted hunting dogs are one of the few carnivores in the world that use cooperative hunting methods to catch their prey. They hunt in packs led by the alpha (dominant) male. Hunting dogs use their keen sense of sight, not smell to locate their prey. When prey is spotted they will chase it down until it tires.
Did you know?
· Hunting dogs live in close knit packs and rely on cooperation for their survival.
· Hunting dogs have a bone tooth to help them dispose of entire carcass.
· They have the largest brains (per head size) of all canids.
Conservation
Painted Hunting Dogs are the most endangered carnivore in Africa. Only about 3,000 individuals remain.
Kafue Flats Lechwe
Kobus leche kafuensis
Origin
Marshes, floodplains and rivers of Kafue Flats, Native to Botswana, Zambia and South east Zaire
Diet
Grass and aquatic plants
Lechwe are medium sized antelope. Males have long swept back horns. Lechwe form large herds of 1000 or so animals. Living in herds helps protect them from their major predators: cheetahs, lions, leopards, hunting dogs and large birds of prey.
Did you know?
· Lechwe are capable of impressive speed and great leaps.
· Lechwe are very comfortable in the water and are great swimmers. They will take refuge in water and can even fully submerge themselves with only nostrils showing above the water!
· Their legs are covered in a water repelling substance making it easier for them to move through water.
Conservation
This small antelope was placed under threat when, in 1978, the Kafue gorge hydroelectric scheme reduced its numbers signifcantly
Ring-tailed lemurs
Lemur catta
Origin
Gallery Forests (forests found along streams and rivers) of South West Madagascar
Diet
Omnivores: They feed on plants, leaves, flowers, fruit, and even sap and bark. Occasionally they eat insects.
Behaviour
Ring-tailed lemurs are social animals and typically live in mix sex groups of 3 24 individuals. Females are dominant. This means they have first choice when it comes to food and even mating. Individuals especially females will form close bonds with other members in the troop and these bonds are reinforced with grooming.
Those magnificent tails!
Can you count how many alternating black and white stripes are on each tail? Lemurs use their tails to communicate! Occasionally they will even engage in "stink battles" with one another, where secretions from scent glands are rubbed onto the tail, then wafted at opposing animals.
Did you know?
· Ring-tailed lemurs will sunbathe! The group will gather in open sunny areas and sit in a yoga position facing the sun.
· A group of lemurs is called a troop!
Conservation
IUCN lists Ring-tailed lemurs as near threatened. Major cause of threat is habitat loss and degradation.
Black and White ruffed lemurs
Varecia variegate
Habitat
Lowland to mid altitude rainforest in eastern Madagascar
Diet
Ruffed Lemurs consume more fruit than other lemurs but will also eat nectar, leaves, flowers, buds, fungi and even soil. Ruffed lemurs fill an important ecological role in Madagascar. The undigested fruit seeds in their droppings eventually sprout and grow to replenish forest vegetation.
Did you know?
· Produce an alarm call when startled; one individual can start it and then it spreads so that all ruffed lemurs within hearing range are alarm calling.
· The troop will defend their home range and are aggressive to outsiders.
Conservation
Critically endangered. Main reason is loss of habitat due to logging for cooking fuel and building materials, slash and burn farming. Madagascars forests have been reduced by as much as 85%. Ruffed lemurs are also hunted for food.
Brown lemurs
Eulemur fulvus
Origin
Deciduous forests of eastern and northern Madagascar
Diet
Mainly folivorous (leaf eating) but will eat fruit, flowers and bark
Brown lemurs live in social groups of up to 12 individuals with the males being dominant. Brown lemurs, like most lemurs are primarily arboreal meaning they will spend most of their time up in trees.
Did you know?
· The word lemur comes from old latin and refers to spirit or ghost. Their nocturnal habits, large eyes and peculiar vocals lead early observers to believ they were spirits.
· Brown lemurs have scent glands located on wrists and throat for olfactory communication
· Brown lemurs use a complex communication system. Different vocals carry different meanings.
Ohn: a nasal sound used to maintain group cohesion
Cree: high-pitched sound used as a territorial call
Crou: alarm call
Conservation
IUCN classified as low risk/ near threatened
The fate of the brown lemur, like all lemur species, will depend on the preservation of their native forest habitat..
Ostrich
Struthio camelus
Origin
Open habitats such as wooded grasslands and savannahs of East and Southern Africa
Diet
Ostriches are omnivores and will eat what is available in their habitat depending on the time of year. They mostly eat roots, leaves, and seeds, but they also munch on insects and small animals such as lizards. Ostrich will also swallow small stones to help them to digest their food. Ostriches get most of the water they need from the plants they consume although they will drink water when it is available.
Did you know?
· Ostriches are the largest and heaviest living bird. They are flightless but can run incredibly quickly on those long, thick, powerful legs. A claw on each foot and a powerful kick can kill a lion.
· Ostriches use their wings for balance whilst running. Wings will also be waved during displays and courtship, along with tail feathers. A dominant ostrich will hold its head up high and lift its wings and tail feathers. When submissive, all droop.
· Ostriches have loose, soft feathers that dont join together like other birds. They do not have a preening gland that most birds due to water proof their feathers so when it rains their feathers get drenched.
Conservation
Not threatened
Emu
Dromaius novaehollandiae
Origin
Found throughout Australia except in rainforests
Diet
Omnivores: mostly eat flowers, shoots, fruit, seeds, berries and insects. Emus are nomadic meaning they travel, often long distances, to search for available sources of food and most importantly water.
After the ostrich, the emu is the second largest living bird. Like the ostrich, they are flightless. The emu in this enclosure is quite easy to identify as he is quite a bit smaller than the ostriches. If you happen to see him run, notice he carries his head low and out in front of him as opposed to the ostriches that carry their heads quite high in a run.
Adaptations
· Emus have long, strong legs that allow them to cover long distances. They can reach speeds of about 30 miles an hour.
· It is the male who incubates the eggs and takes care of the chicks. The female plays no part in the parental role.
· Emu are capable of storing large amounts of fat when food is abundant. The male will use these reserves during the 8 weeks of incubation when he will not eat at all.
Conservation
Not threatened
Nyala
Tragelaphus angasii
Origin
Forested areas of Southern Africa
Diet
Herbivores: grass, leaves, fruit and flowers
Nyala live in small family groups of up to ten individuals
Nyala are examples of extreme sexual dimorphism. Males are larger and more gray in colour whereas females are chestnut in colour. Nyala tend to be quite shy so may be difficult to spot. Males are generally larger than females.
Conservation
IUCN lists Nyala as conservation dependant
Raccoon dogs
Nyctereutes procyonoides
Origin
Native to China, Japan, Korea and Siberia. Due to the remote areas they inhabit, population statistics are unavailable.
Diet
Omnivorous; will eat just about anything they can find including lizards, frogs, birds, seeds, fruit, berries, rodents, insects and spiders. They can even eat toxic frogs and toads.
Raccoon dogs are one of the most unusual canids in the world. They may look like raccoons but they are not closely related to them, and they are only distantly related to dogs.
Did you know?
· Raccoon dogs are nocturnal
· Raccoon dogs do not bark but will growl when threatened.
· They are monogamous; a pair will bond for life.
· In areas such as Finland, raccoon dogs will hibernate during the winter.
Conservation
Not threatened at present. In many countries they are legally hunted.
Worlds Farm Animals
Goat
Capra aegagrus hircus
Origin
The domestic goat is believed to have descended from the wild goats of Iran.
Diet
Herbivores that can handle an extremely varied diet; more browsers than grazers.
Goats were one of the words first animals to become domesticated. Around 10,000 years ago, Neolithic farmers in the Near East began keeping herds of goats for their milk and meat. Their dung was also used for fuel, and other body parts were used to make materials for building and clothing. Today there are over 300 species of goats and they can be found in many different habitats throughout the world.
Fun facts
· Goats are ruminants or cud chewing animals.
· A group of goats is called a trip!
· Female goats are called nannies or does, males are bucks and baby goats are called kids.
· About 1,000 years ago, goats roaming the Ethiopian hills discovered coffee beans.
Sheep
Ovis aries
Origin
Likely descendents of the wild mouflon of Middle East and Asia
Diet
Herbivores; primarily grass, hay and oats.
Sheep are the first known animals to become domesticated for a source of food. This occurred about 9,000 years ago in the Middle East.
Fun facts
· Male sheep are called rams, females are called ewes, and young sheep are called lambs.
· There are now about 1,200 breeds of sheep throughout the world.
Zebu
Bos primigenius indicus
Origin
Thought to have originated from the Asian subspecies of Aurochs and are believed to be the worlds oldest cattle breed.
Diet
Herbivores
Fun facts
· There are 75 known breeds of Zebu
· They are very resistant to heat and ticks
· The flap of skin hanging from their necks is called a dewlap.
· The hump above their withers is believed to be similar to a camels hump. During food shortage, the humps may act as a fat reserve.
Red Deer
Cervus elaphus
Origin
Throughout Europe and Asia
Diet
Herbivores
Notice that one animal in this enclosure is a little bit different than the others. The single red deer seen here is not considered a domestic or farm animal. This female belonged to the previous owners of this facility. Deer are usually herd animals but this female has bonded with the Llamas!
Fun facts
· Only the male deer (stags) have antlers. These are shed and re-grown every year.
Llama
Llama glama
Origin
Andes mountains of South America
Diet
Herbivores
Llamas live in herds of which there is a dominance hierarchy, although the hierarchy changes constantly. Males will fight for dominance, often crashing against each other and swinging their necks.
Fun facts
· Baby llamas are called crias. Llamas will give birth with the females of the herd gathered around to protect it from potential predators.
· When llamas are annoyed they will spit!
· Llamas are intelligent animals that can be easily be trained when young.
Limousin cattle
Origin
These cattle are believed to have originated in Europe. In fact, cave drawings in the Lascaux Caves in France, estimated to be 20 000 years old, show similarities to the cattle in this enclosure.
Diet
Herbivores: grass, hay, grain
Fun facts
· These cattle are popular in the UK as they are a sturdy and easy to maintain breed of cattle.
· Limousin cattle were first brought to the UK (Scotland) in 1971.
Donkeys
Equus asinus
Origin
The donkey was domesticated from the wild ass in northeastern Africa about 6,000 years ago.
Diet
Herbivore
Fun facts
· A female donkey is called a jenny, a male donkey is called a jack and a baby donkey is called a foal.
· Donkeys are said to have incredible memories that expand over 25 year periods.
· Donkeys have a very loud call which other donkeys can hear many miles away.
Chickens
Gallus gallus
Origin
It is believed that the chicken first became domesticated from the Indian and South East Asian jungle fowl about 6,000 years ago.
Diet
Omnivorous
Fun facts
· Today there are over 100 breeds of chicken.
· They are the most common domestic animal in the world and number about 24 million individuals worldwide.
· The chicken is the closest living relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex
· The most eggs laid by one chicken in a day is seven.
· Chickens have a huge vocal repertoire and communicate using around 200 different vocalizations.
· Alektorophobic is the fear of chickens.
Guinea fowl
Origin
Originally from Africa
Diet
Omnivorous
Geese
Family anatidae
Origin
Most domestic geese are descended from the wild Greylag goose. They were first domesticated about 3,000 years ago in Egypt.
Diet
Omnivores
Fun facts
Ducks
Family anatidae
Origin
The farming of ducks began thousands of years ago probably in Asia. Most domestic dabbling ducks descend from mallards.
Diet
Aquatic plants, small amphibians, worms and insects
Fun facts
· When you see ducks with their heads under the water and their bottoms sticking up in the air its called dabbling.
