Forest Explorers Facts.indd

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FACTS
ANIMAL
Western Lowland Gorilla
Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Classification and Range
Diet
The western lowland gorilla belongs to the family
Pongidae, which includes the great apes: gorillas,
chimpanzees, bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees) and
orangutans. There are two recognized species of
gorilla, the Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), and the
Eastern gorilla (G. beringei). Further classification
results in two subspecies of Western gorilla, the Cross
River gorilla (G. g. diehli) and the
Western lowland gorilla (G. g.
gorilla). There are three subspecies
of the Eastern gorilla: the mountain
gorilla (G. b. beringei), the Eastern
lowland gorilla (G. b. graueri) and
an undesignated subpopulation
in Congo and Uganda called the
Bwindi Gorilla (G. beringei).*
In the wild: Trees and herbaceous vegetation
including leaves, shoots, stalks, stems, vines, bark,
fruits and berries, and occasionally invertebrates such
as termites.
At the zoo: Vegetables, fruits, leaf eater biscuits,
browse (cut branches from a variety of trees,
herbaceous plants, alfalfa, ferns, clover), non-fat milk
and yogurt, along with a vitamin
and mineral supplement.
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Reproduction
All subspecies of female gorillas
sexually mature in the wild between
the 7 to 8 years old and in captivity
at about 5 1⁄2 years old. Males
8 to 9 1⁄2 years old and in captivity
as early as 6 1⁄2 years old. Males are
not considered fully mature until
they are about 15 years old. Gorillas
do not have a distinct breeding
season. Gestation lasts from 250 to
Dennis Conner
270 days. In the wild, female gorillas
usually deliver their first offspring at
10 1⁄2 years old and at four-year intervals thereafter.
She normally gives birth to just one infant, as twins
are rare.
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The western lowland gorilla
lives in six countries across west
equatorial Africa; these include
Angola, Cameroon, Central African
Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea
and Gabon.
Habitat
All gorillas live in primary and secondary tropical
rain forests. Different subspecies range throughout
various altitudes, from sea level to 12,500 feet
(3,810 m).
Life Cycle
Arm Span (fingertip to fingertip)
At birth, infants weigh 4–5 pounds (1.8–2.3 kg) and
have sparse hair covering their pink-gray skin. At
about nine to 10 weeks of age, they begin to crawl on
their own and soon walk on all four limbs. A white
patch of hair appears on the rump of gorilla infants
at about the same time they begin to walk. The white
patch helps the mother keep track of the infant and
assists other group members in identifying the gorilla
as an infant. The rump patch begins to disappear at
about age 3, the same age that weaning usually begins.
Females remain with their natal group until about age
8 or 9, and then join an unrelated group or a solitary
Adult male: Approximately 8 feet (2.4 m)
Adult female: Approximately 6.5 feet (2 m)
Weight
Adult male weight: 350-600 pounds (159-272 kg)
Adult female weight: 150-300 pounds (68-136 kg)
Life Span
Estimated up to 50 years in the wild. Average 30–35
years in zoos, while the record is 54 years.
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male. Males remain with their natal group until about
age 12, and then begin to go off on their own. Solitary
males try to attract females from other groups to form
their own group.
Woodland Park Zoo has two gorilla groups, both of
which can be viewed at the zoo’s Tropical Rain Forest.
All in the Family
A family group includes one dominant silverback
male, several adult females, adolescents, juveniles
and infants. The group may also include one or
two subordinate silverbacks. All adult males are
silverbacks. A dominant male silverback and group
females usually stay together for life. Although gorillas
are normally not aggressive, they can exhibit certain
aggressive actions when disturbed. Adult males
perform elaborate territorial displays to frighten off
an intruding male or other threat. These displays
include chest beating, running sideways and tearing
up vegetation. Males also use these displays as a show
of dominance within the group. Adult females can
become aggressive when defending their infants, or
while helping each other drive off rowdy, young adult
males. The silverback is the peacekeeper and stops
occasional squabbles between females.
All gorillas are endangered.** The estimated
population of wild western lowland gorillas is
less than 100,000, and the estimated population
of eastern lowland gorillas is less than 5,000. The
Bwindi subpopulation and the Cross River gorillas
are the critically endangered, with either subspecies
numbering less than 500. Mountain gorilla
populations are also very low, with less than 700
individuals.
The primary reason gorillas are endangered is
because of habitat destruction caused by logging and
agricultural expansion. Logging causes more damage
by facilitating the bushmeat trade. The bushmeat
trade has become an immediate threat to the western
lowland gorilla population, particularly in Cameroon.
Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ) participates in the
Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species
Survival Plan (SSP) for gorillas. We have helped
diversify the captive gene pool with our breeding
efforts. The zoo also works to educate the public
about gorillas and this is the first step to gorilla
conservation.
Vegetarians with Muscles
Gorillas are incredibly powerful, as they are the largest
of the great apes in the world. Regardless of their
imposing appearance, they are actually quite shy,
gentle animals. Gorillas are virtually vegetarian and
forage throughout the day in search of a variety of
plants to consume.
How You Can Help!
The hair of the western lowland gorilla is grayishblack and usually reddish on their head (this is
particularly prominent in adult males). At about age
10, males begin to grow the distinctive silver-white
saddle of hair on their back, which in western lowland
gorillas continues to extend down the rump and
thighs as the male gets older. In contrast, mountain
gorillas have darker, longer hair.
Woodland Park Zoo contributes information to the
captive breeding, husbandry and public awareness
of this remarkable species. The effort to save
endangered species like gorillas requires cooperation
and support at the international, national, regional
and individual levels. You can help in this cause. Join
and become active in Woodland Park Zoo and other
conservation organizations of your choice. Let your
elected representatives know your views on protecting
endangered species and wild habitats. Please do not
buy products made from wild animal parts.
Every night, gorillas build a nest out of plant material
to sleep in and a day nest for their midday rest!
* Taxonomic classification varies between references. Classification information used in this fact
sheet was taken from the 2006 IUCN (The World Conservation Union) Red List of Threatened
Species, available online at: http://www.iucnredlist.org.
Adult male gorillas eat about 70 pounds (32 kg) of
food per day. Adult females eat about two thirds of
that amount!
**There are several international and federal agencies that determine the endangered status
of species. WPZ designates a species as endangered if it is listed as endangered on the IUCN
(International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List, the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s
Endangered Species List, or on Appendix I of CITES (Convention on the International Trade of
Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna).
Gorillas can make up to 22 vocalizations such as
grunts, laughs, hoots, barks and screams; each
vocalization has its own specific meaning!
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Yellow-spotted Side-necked Turtle
Podocnemis unifilis
At the zoo: Greens and fruits, “raptor diet” (a ground
meat diet intended for birds of prey), and “turtle
jello” which contains fish and generous amounts of
vitamins and minerals.
Turtles and tortoises make up the order Chelonia.
Side-necked turtles (suborder Pleurodira) are found
only on the island of Madagascar and continents of
Africa, Australia and South America. Most of the
turtles we are familiar with are more closely related
to each other than to side-necked turtles. Yellowspotted side-necked turtles belong to the family
Pelomedusidae, one of two families
which make up the suborder of
side-necked turtles.
Yellow-spotted side-necked turtles
(Podocnemis unifilis) are found
throughout the Amazon and
Orinoco drainages.
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Reproduction
A male yellow-spotted side-necked turtle courts a
larger female by nipping at her feet and tail. He then
swims above her and curls his relatively longer tail
around the edge of her shell. His
copulatory organ emerges from his
cloaca and introduces semen into
the cloaca of the female.
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A few weeks later, under cover of
darkness, the female lays about
two dozen hard-shelled, slightlyelongated eggs in a nest she has dug
on the riverbank. The babies, which
are slightly larger than a 25-cent
piece, hatch out in a little over two
months.
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Habitat
They usually are found in the
tributaries of larger rivers. During
the flood season, they avoid
fast-moving waters by taking up
residence in lakes and in flooded
forests.
Life Cycle
Ryan Hawk
A few days after hatching, the baby
turtles begin looking for food
on their own, while trying to stay away from the
many animals who prey on very small turtles: birds,
snakes, large fish and frogs, and even many kinds of
mammals. The baby turtles have very obvious yellow
spots on their heads, which become reduced as they
grow. Males keep some of the yellow spotting; females
lose their spots altogether.
Length and Weight
A turtle’s “length” is expressed as the length of its shell
from front to back in a straight line, not measured
over the curve of the top of the shell. The largest
yellow-spotted side-necked turtles are females, and
the maximum length for a female is about 18 inches
(45 cm). Females at Woodland Park Zoo are slightly
smaller than the record length and weigh about 14
pounds (6.5 kg). Males weigh about 5-6 pounds (2.52.8 kg).
Side-necked: What “S” That All About?
Most of the familiar kinds of turtles, members of
the suborder Cryptodira, protect themselves from
danger by pulling their heads and necks back into
their shells by curving their cervical spine (the bones
of the neck) into an “S” in a vertical plane. You’d be
able to see that “S” if you X-rayed a turtle from the
side. A side-necked turtle is so-called because it does
not pull its head and neck directly back into its shell;
Life Span
Up to (approximately) 70 years
Diet
In the wild: Mainly vegetable matter, grasses, fruits
and leaves, but also carrion (dead fish and other
animals) and mollusks
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instead, it tucks its head and neck under the edge (the
margin) of the shell to one side, curving its neck in a
horizontal plane.
individual levels. You can help in this cause. Join
conservation organizations of your choice. Don’t
buy products made from wild animal parts. Don’t
buy wild-caught turtles and other animals for pets.
Contact your elected representatives and express your
views about conservation of endangered species and
wild habitats.
Yellow-spotted side-necked turtle babies which hatch
from eggs incubated at less than 90° F (32° C) will all
be males, while eggs kept just slightly warmer at 92°
F (33° C) will produce exclusively females!
Contact Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org
to find out other ways you can support conservation
programs at the zoo. Discover more about turtles by
contacting the Society for the Study of Amphibians
and Reptiles at 303 W. 39th St., PO Box 626, Hays,
KS 67601. Learn other ways you can help conserve
wildlife and the habitats they require for survival
by visiting our How You Can Help page under
“Conservation” at www.zoo.org.
Compared to many other water turtles, yellowspotted side-necked turtles are very aquatic, only
rarely coming out of the water to bask!
All turtles lay eggs; none give live birth (as many
snakes and lizards do)!
Yellow-spotted side-necked turtles are on exhibit in
two locations at Woodland Park Zoo: a number of
immature turtles can be seen in one of the aquatic
exhibits in the Tropical Rain Forest. A group of
approximately 24 adults and juveniles inhabits the
large turtle pool in the Day Exhibit, where this species
has lived for more than 25 years and where more
than 70 babies have been produced since 1985. Other
turtle species that can be seen in the Day Exhibit are
the Egyptian tortoise, redfooted tortoise and Western
pond turtle.
Reptiles as Pets
We do not recommend reptiles as pets for most
people as they require very specialized diets and
environments. We also receive hundreds of requests
each year to take former pet iguanas, boas and other
reptiles but we cannot accept these due to space,
health and unknown backgrounds. If you need to
find a reptile or amphibian a new home, we suggest
you contact a local herpetological group in your
area. In the Puget Sound region, contact the Pacific
Northwest Herpetological Society as a resource. If
you do choose to get a reptile as a pet, please learn as
much as possible about their care and the best species
before making your decision and never accept wildcaught animals as pets or release non-native reptiles
or amphibians into the wild.
Although the yellow-spotted side-necked turtle is
an internationally protected endangered species,*
it is also an important food resource for the people
who live in Amazonia, who harvest eggs and hunt
the turtles for their meat. The Brazilian government,
however, has undertaken an ambitious protection
program. Armed guards are used to protect the
important nesting sites of this and other hunted turtle
species. This allows the turtles to nest safely and the
eggs to hatch without human interference. As a result
of this successful program, hundreds of thousands
of these endangered turtles are expected to hatch in
these protected areas each year and disperse into the
waterways of the Amazon river system.
*There are several international and federal agencies that determine the endangered status
How You Can Help!
The effort to save endangered species like the yellowspotted side-necked turtle requires cooperation and
support at the international, national, regional and
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FACTS
PLANT
Cycads
Classification
and at high elevations in eastern Africa. Cycads
presently grow in tropical and subtropical regions
of North America, South America, Africa, Asia and
Australia. Although they are widespread worldwide,
cycads generally grow in small, localized populations.
Cycads are descendents of a very ancient group of
early seed-bearing plants. Cycads appeared on the
earth during the Pennsylvanian period, from 310
to 285 million years ago. Presently, there are three
families of cycads (Cycadaceae, Stangeriaceae and
Zamiaceae) containing 11 genera and approximately
185 species. However, 150 million years ago during
the Jurassic period, cycads were at their prime and
covered vast areas of the earth’s
surface. During this period, cycads
coexisted with dinosaurs and other
animals, such as amphibians. While
most species of dinosaurs were
extinct by 65 million years ago,
cycads continue to survive on this
earth.
Physical Characteristics
Cycads have single stems with a crown of large
pinnate (similar to a feather with leaflets extending
from each side of the axis) leaves
and appear somewhat similar to
palms, though they are not closely
related. Most cycads are rather
large, some species reaching up to
60 feet (18 m) or more in height.
Cycads carry male reproductive
structures (pollen grains) and
female reproductive structures
(seeds) on different plants. Both
pollen and seeds are borne in cones,
similar to the cone-bearing trees of
the Pacific Northwest. Cycad seeds
are large with a brightly colored
outer coat and a hard stony inside
Woodland Park Zoo
Habitat and Range
Cycads grow scattered in habitats
such as the understories of tropical
rain forests and seasonally dry
forests, loose stands in grasslands,
• Only one species of cycad, Zamia pumila, has a range that extends into the United States. The distribution of
this Caribbean species includes southeastern parts of Georgia and southern parts of Florida where it is currently
endangered.
• Seminole Indians of the southeastern United States made use of the starchy matter in the stems of the cycad
Zamia pumila as an ingredient in bread. Most cycads contain toxic compounds within their tissues. Like other
cycads eaten as food, the starch was ground and leached in order to decrease the toxicity prior to consumption.
• The roots of cycads host symbiotic bacteria that fix nitrogen from the air into a form usable by plants.
• Cycads were long thought to be pollinated by the wind. It has been shown, however, that beetles, particularly
weevils, and small bees are important pollinators of these plants. Some cycads produce heat or odors to attract
these insects.
• Although the leaves of cycads resemble those of palms the two groups are not closely related. Cycads have
naked seeds borne in cones. Palms are flowering plants whose seeds develop in fleshy fruits. Ån example of the
popular confusion of these two groups is the use of the common name “sago palm” for both a cycad species
(Cycas revoluta) and a palm species (Metroxylon sagu).
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How You Can Help!
layer. Animals, attracted by the colors of the seeds,
will often eat the outer coat, leaving the inner part to
germinate).
The effort to save endangered species requires
cooperation and support at the international,
national, regional and individual levels. You can help
in this cause. Join and become active in Woodland
Park Zoo and other conservation organizations of
your choice. Recycle forest products. Eliminate or
reduce pesticide use.
Cycads are becoming increasingly endangered.
Currently, approximately 80 species of cycads are
listed under Appendix I to CITES and are thus
considered to be endangered. These represent roughly
44 percent of all known cycad species. Cycads are
vulnerable for a number of reasons. These plants tend
to grow in habitats such as tropical forests that are
significantly altered by habitat destruction. Cycads
grow slowly and reproduce infrequently. In addition,
cycads have been extensively collected from the
wild. Because of their close relationships with their
insect pollinators, the decline of cycad species may
also influence the populations of these insects. Some
of these insect pollinators are as ancient as cycads
themselves, thus, the close relationships between these
organisms have developed over millions of years.
to find out about ways you can support conservation
efforts at the zoo. Learn other ways you can help
conserve wildlife and the habitats they require for
survival by visiting our How You Can Help page
under “Conservation” at www.zoo.org.
Several institutions are now involved in breeding
and conservation programs for threatened cycad
species. If you are a fan of cycads and wish to include
them in your garden, be sure that the seeds or plants
you buy were not collected from the wild. Educate
yourself and others about these fascinating plants
and promote their conservation. Woodland Park Zoo
exhibits cycads in its bioclimatic zones, including
Tropical Rain Forest and Tropical Asia. Through
its naturalistic bioclimatic zones and educational
materials and programs Woodland Park Zoo fosters
an understanding and appreciation of endangered
plants, animals and their habitats.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Cougar
Puma (Felis) concolor
of age; males at 3 to 4 years. Cougars are solitary
and only pair up for three to four weeks during the
mating season, which normally occurs during winter
months. Gestation lasts about 90-95 days. Females
usually give birth in late winter or early spring to two
or three cubs, but litters can be up to six cubs. Males
take no part in the rearing of cubs, and have been
known to kill unattended cubs.
Cougars, also called pumas, panthers or mountain
lions, belong to the family Felidae, which includes 36
species of cats.* Cougars are the sole member of the
genus Puma. Only the jaguar is larger than the cougar
in the Western Hemisphere.
Other than humans, cougars are the most widely
distributed land mammal in the Western Hemisphere.
Cougars range from northwestern
Canada to Patagonia, South
America.
Life Cycle
NORTH
Habitat
Cougars inhabit areas from sea
level to 19,000 feet (5,800 m) in
the South American Andes. They
inhabit steep, rocky canyons,
tropical rain forests, prairies,
deserts, coniferous forests and
swamps.
PACIFIC
OCEAN
SOUTH
AMERICA
OCEAN
Length and Weight
Adult male length (including tail)
is up to 9 feet (2.8 m); females up to
7 feet (2.1 m). Male cougars weigh
150-230 pounds (68-104 kg); females weigh 80-130
pounds (36-59 kg).
Dennis Dow
Cougar cubs are born with their eyes
closed. Opening at about two weeks,
their eyes are blue and take about
16 months to change to a greenishyellow. Cubs weigh 1 pound (454
gr) or less at birth, nurse for about
three to four months, but can eat
meat at about 6 weeks. Their coats
have dark spots, which begin to fade
after about six months. Cubs usually
remain with their mother for 18
to 24 months; thereafter they seek
to establish their own unoccupied,
individual territory. After leaving
their mother, littermates often stay
together for four months or more.
A male’s territory, seldom overlapping with another
male’s territory, may be up to 200 square miles (520
km2), and it overlaps or encompasses many smaller
territories of females. They mark their territories
by scrapes on trees or in the soil, which are usually
sprayed with urine.
Life Span
Approximately 15 years in the wild; over 20 years in
captivity
Diet
The Cougar-Wolf Connection
In the wild: Cougars primarily hunt from dusk till
dawn, and prey on a wide range of large and small
mammals including deer and other hoofed animals,
raccoon, rabbits and rodents, birds and invertebrates.
With the absence of wolves at Yellowstone National
Park since the early years of this century, cougars
were able to move from their normal range of
steep, rocky mountain sides to flat valleys. With
the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone in
1995, however, cougars have found the valleys an
undesirable place. Other than humans, wolves are
the only natural predators of cougars. Wolf packs at
Yellowstone have been observed tracking cougar and
At the zoo: Horse meat, mutton, chicken, rabbit, beef
and knuckle bones.
Reproduction
Female cougars sexually mature at about 2.5 years
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stealing their prey. On a less frequent basis, wolves
have killed cougars. Today, cougars are returning to
their normal steep, rocky habitat. Wolves are helping
to restore the predator/prey balance of nature at
Yellowstone.
supplies diminish, deer and other prey animals starve
at massive levels. At the human level, animals that
were once eaten by cougars and other predators
destroy crops.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save endangered animals requires
your choice. Limit the construction of roads into
pristine areas that allow human access into remote
cougar habitat. Contact your elected representatives
and express your views about conservation of
endangered species and wild habitats.
From a sitting position, cougars have been observed
springing upward 18 feet (5.5 m) onto a tree branch.
They can leap horizontally 40 feet (12.1 m)!
The weight record for the leopard, a member of
the genus Panthera, is 233 pounds (105 kg). Some
cougars, however, can weigh over 300 pounds (135
kg)!
After a cougar has eaten its fill, it will bury the
remains of the kill and save it for a later date!
Contact Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.
org to find out ways you can support conservation
programs at the zoo. Learn more about endangered
cats by contacting the IUCN Cat Specialist Group
at their Web site. Learn other ways you can help
Although capable of many vocalizations, cougars
cannot roar. Their most familiar call sounds much like
a human scream!
Woodland Park Zoo no longer exhibits cougars.
Other cats seen at the Trail of Adaptations include
the clouded leopard and Sumatran tiger.
Sources and Suggested Reading
Alderton, David. 1993. Wild Cats of the World. Facts
on File, Inc. New York, NY. 192 p.
There are fewer than 50 Florida panthers (Puma
concolor coryi) left in the wild, and they are listed as
critically endangered. The Costa Rican puma (Puma
concolor costaricensis) and eastern puma (Puma
concolor couguar) are also listed as endangered.**
To a lesser degree, cougar populations are
vanishing from large areas throughout the Western
Hemisphere. As humans move into established
cougar territories for agricultural and residential
purposes, negative human/cougar encounters
increase. Cougars consider livestock and pet animals
as prey. Cougar attacks escalate as humans build
homes and recreate in once remote cougar habitat.
As a result, these predators are increasingly viewed
as dangerous pests that must be exterminated. To
control their numbers, some states allow cougars to
be legally hunted with the use of dogs.
Kitchener, Andrew. 1991. The Natural History of the
Wild Cats. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithica,
NY. 280 p.
Landau, Diana, ed. 1996. Clan of the Wild Cats.
Walking Stick Press. The Nature Company,
Florence, KY. 191 p.
Sleeper, B. 1995. Wild Cats of the World. Crown
Publishing, Inc., New York, NY. 216 p.
For Kids!
Clutton-Brock, Juliet. 1991. Cat
Cat. Eyewitness Books,
Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, NY. 64 p.
Wexo, John Bonnett. 1998. Little Cats. Zoobooks,
Wildlife Education, Ltd., San Diego, CA. 16 p.
The removal of cougars, however, has a detrimental
effect on nature’s intricate balance. Where cougars
are eliminated, populations of prey animals (such
as deer) expand. As prey numbers increase, limited
vegetation is soon overgrazed. As adequate food
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
Weight
Wolves belong to the order Carnivora and the family
Canidae, which includes 36 species in 16 genera.
Canids originated in North America during the
Eocene period, 54 to 38 million years ago. They
evolved for fast pursuit of prey in open grasslands.
In this family, species range in size from the fennec
fox to its largest member, the gray wolf. Wolves once
roamed almost the entire world
north of the equator. This is no
longer the case.
Adult male: 85-115 pounds (39-52 kg) and can reach
130 pounds (59 kg); adult females are about 50-100
pounds (23-45 kg) lighter and rarely weigh more than
110 pounds (50 kg)
Life Span
13 years in the wild; up to 20 years in zoos
Diet
In the wild: Wolves are carnivores.
In Alaska, moose, deer or caribou
are their primary food, with Dall
sheep being important in some
areas. During the summer, they
include voles, lemmings, ground
squirrels, snowshoe hares, beavers
and occasionally birds and fish in
their diet.
In North America, gray wolves, also
called timber wolves, have been
hunted near to extinction in the
United States with the exception
of Alaska and small populations in
Minnesota and Wisconsin. There is
still a healthy population in Canada,
but only unconfirmed remnant
populations are thought to exist
today in Mexico.
At the zoo: Whole chickens and
rabbits, horse meat, knuckle bones
and a few trout.
Dennis Conner
Habitat
Reproduction
Wolves breed in February and
March, and normally mate for life. Litters averaging
about five pups are born in May or early June, in a
den excavated as much as 10 feet (3 m) into welldrained soil. Adult wolves center their activities
around dens while traveling as much as 20 miles
(32 km) away in search of food, which is regularly
brought back to the den. Wolf pups are weaned
gradually during midsummer. In mid or late summer,
pups are usually moved some distance away from the
den; by early winter they can travel and hunt with
adult pack members.
In the past, gray wolves were at home everywhere
except in tropical regions and in deserts. They
flourished in forests, and on prairies, grasslands and
tundra. They continue to live in these areas, but in far
smaller numbers.
In March 1998, 11 Mexican gray wolves were released
in eastern Arizona. The range of these wolves once
extended from southwest United States to central
Mexico. Gray wolves are currently reintroducing
themselves naturally in the northern Rocky
Mountains and North Cascades. Human efforts over
the last few years to reintroduce wolves into the Rocky
Mountains have also been successful.
Life Cycle
Wolves are highly social animals, usually living in
packs that include parents, pups born that year,
some yearlings from the year before and often other
adults. Social order is characterized by a dominance
Length
Head and body: 40-64 inches (102-163 cm)
Tail: 14-22 inches (36-56 cm)
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hierarchy with a separate ranking order among males
and females. Although pack size usually ranges from
six to 12 animals, packs of as many as 20 or 30 wolves
sometimes occur. In most areas, wolf packs tend to
remain within a home range. In Alaska, the home
range may include some 200 to 600 square miles
(520-1560 km2) of habitat.
years of testy debate before a compromise allowed
the reintroduction of wolves to central Idaho and
Yellowstone National Park in 1995. Headed by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reintroduction efforts
were successful. By 1997, there were about 300 wolves
in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.
In December 1998, however, a Wyoming judge ruled
that the experimental reintroduction of wolves into
central Idaho and Yellowstone was illegal and should
be revoked, and ordered all reintroduced wolves
removed from the wild. The judge stayed his order,
pending an appeal from the U.S. Government.
Wolf Talk
Wolves keep in touch by howling. This type of
communication among wolves has several meanings.
It serves as a warning to other packs to stay away
from their hunting ground. A howl is used to call the
pack together after a hunt is over. Sometimes wolves
howl just for the pleasure of it, and to reinforce ties
between members of the pack.
On January 13, 2000, the Tenth Circuit Court of
Appeals oveturned the 1998 ruling. The ruling
stated “We reserve the order and judgement of the
district court, vacate the district court’s stay order,
and remand with instructions to the district court
to enter an order upholding the challenged wolf
reintroduction rules... Discerning no conflict between
the challenged experimental population rules and
the Endangered Species Act, we reserve the district
court’s order and judgement.” The court solidly
supported the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s wolf
reintroduction program.
Wolves have an incredible sense of smell. With the
right wind, they can detect moose 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
away!
Wolves hunt prey up to 10 times their size and can
gorge 20 pounds (9 kg) of food in a single feeding!
A wolf’s powerful jaws can exert about 1,500 pounds
per square inch, about twice that of a dog!
How You Can Help!
During the hunt, each wolf of a pack plays a crucial
role in capturing their prey!
national, regional and individual levels. You can
help in this cause. Join and become active in a
conservation organization of your choice. Don’t
buy products made from wild animal parts. Let
your elected representatives know your views about
protecting endangered species and wild habitats.
The zoo’s gray wolves can be viewed from a number
of locations at the zoo’s award-winning Northern
Trail. Woodland Park Zoo has exhibited wolves
for over 50 years. Since 1976, 24 wolves have been
born here. Other mammals that can be seen at the
Northern Trail are brown bear, elk, mountain goat
and porcupine.
programs at the zoo. Discover more about wolves
by contacting Wolf Haven at International through
its Web site: www.wolfhaven.org. Learn other ways
you can help conserve wildlife and the habitats they
require for survival by visiting our How You Can Help
page under “Conservation” at www.zoo.org.
Wolves are considered endangered** in 47 of the
lower 48 states (the exception is Minnesota, where
they are considered threatened). Wolves are in dire
peril due to human encroachment and unwarranted
fears about these predators. For example, by 1930,
gray wolves were eliminated from Montana, Idaho
and Wyoming, primarily because of conflicts
with livestock ranchers. As a result of Canadian
restoration programs, wolves returned to northwest
Montana beginning in the 1980s. It took nearly 20
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Animal Fact Sheets
FACTS
ANIMAL
Brown Bear
Ursus arctos
At the zoo: Canine diet, yams, carrots, apples, oranges,
romaine, celery, kale, omnivore biscuits, leaf eater
biscuits and bread
Brown bears belong to the family Ursidae, which
includes eight species.* Brown bears have the widest
range of any species of bear in the world. Their range
covers northwest North America; across northern
Europe and Asia from Scandinavia to eastern Russia;
central Europe, including the Pyrenees, Alps, Abruzzi
and Carpathian mountain ranges; and from Syria
through the central Asian republics to the countries
of China, Tibet and Nepal.
Reproduction
Breeding occurs in May or June after two to 15 days
of courtship. However, the fertilized egg does not
begin its embryonic stage of development inside the
womb until October or November. Bears give birth
to the smallest of all mammalian
young in proportion to the size
of the parent. The young are born
helpless and weigh about 13 ounces
(369 g). Between January and
March, the female gives birth to two
or three cubs. After birth, the cubs
remain with their mother up to four
years (up to five in Alaska). The sow
generally gives birth to another litter
the first spring after separating from
her cubs.
Habitat
Brown bears prefer mountain forest,
tundra and coastal habitats.
Physical Description
Brown bears have a head and body
length of 68-112 inches (173-284
cm), and their tail is 2.5-8.5 inches
(6-22 cm) in length. Brown bears
range from 209-1,716 pounds (95780 kg) in weight. Adult males
normally weigh more than adult
females.
Life Cycle
Under most circumstances, brown
bears live as lone individuals,
except for females accompanied by their cubs.
Siblings sometimes remain together for a while
after separating from their mother. Despite their
propensity for solitary existence, brown bears
congregate where food is abundant, such as at salmon
streams or garbage dumps.
Dennis Conner
The fur of a brown bear has many variations of
color, from cream to cinnamon and brown to black.
The brown bear has a concave outline to the head
and snout, small ears on a massive head, and high
shoulders that produce a sloping back line. The bear’s
sense of smell is much more acute than its hearing
and sight.
Winter Rest
Life Span
Bears experience a period of dormancy beginning
in November or December, ending in April or May.
They spend the dormancy period in their dens. Their
body temperature drops, and their general metabolic
rate decreases as well. This is not considered complete
hibernation. They occasionally emerge from their
dens to forage, particularly during spells of warm
weather or during years when food is scarce prior to
denning.
20-25 years in the wild; somewhat longer in zoos
Diet
In the wild: Brown bears are omnivorous and eat
several different available plants and animals. This
includes herbs, tubers, berries, insect grubs, small
rodents, salmon, trout, carrion (dead animals),
young hoofed animals (moose, elk, deer, caribou)
and occasionally livestock.
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Are Brown Bears and Grizzly Bears the Same?
Species Act in the lower 48 states. They are not
protected in Alaska.
All grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) are a
subspecies of brown bears, but not all brown bears
are grizzly bears. Worldwide, brown bears are found
throughout the northern hemisphere in North
America, Asia and Europe. The North American
populations of brown bears living in the interior
portion of this continent are referred to as grizzly
bears. This distinguishes them from brown bears
living on the coastal areas of Alaska. As brown bears
living in the interior become older, the ends of their
hair tips turn silvery-gray, giving them a “grizzled”
appearance. Hence, the reference to them as grizzly
bears.
Brown bears inhabit less than 2% of their original
range. Furthermore, the current population is less
than 2% of its original level. Today, there are between
40,000 and 50,000 brown bears left in the wild. This
drop in numbers can be partially attributed to habitat
loss and hunting. Fear and ignorance of bears has led
to their extermination. An increase in the poaching
of bears has also greatly affected bear populations.
Poachers harvest bear body parts to provide
ingredients for traditional Asian medicines. As a
result of their low birth rate combined with a high
death rate of cubs (up to 50% mortality), brown bear
populations are not recovering from this dramatic
decline.
Are there any Grizzly Bears in Washington?
Researchers suspect that grizzly bears do live in
Washington state. However, experts in animal
tracking and wildlife sciences can rarely get confirmed
sightings. Research indicates that grizzly bears likely
live in the North Cascades and the northeast corner of
the state, wandering in and out of Canada.
How Woodland Park Zoo Is Helping
Woodland Park Zoo supports field-based
conservation projects that aim to help animals, plants
and habitat in brown bear’s range. Including the
Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP). For more
information on our involvement with GBOP, visit
that page in our Conservation section.
A brown bear can eat 25-35 pounds (11-16
kg) of food per day, about 2% of their body
weight!
How You Can Help!
Woodland Park Zoo contributes information to
the captive husbandry and public awareness of
this intriguing native species. The effort to save
endangered species requires cooperation and
The claws of a brown bear can reach almost 5
inches (12.7 cm) long!
A bear can run at bursts of speed of up to 30
miles per hour (48 km/h)!
The zoo’s two brown bears are grizzly bears. They
can be viewed from a number of locations within the
Northern Trail. Woodland Park Zoo has kept brown
bears for nearly 100 years. During this time, these
bears have successfully raised 13 cubs.
to find out how you can support conservation efforts
at the zoo. Learn other ways you can help conserve
Brown bears are listed as an endangered species in
the countries of Bhutan, Mongolia and China.** The
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife
also lists the brown bear as endangered. Brown bears
are considered threatened under the U.S. Endangered
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Animal Fact Sheets
FACTS
ANIMAL
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
river otters have a delayed implantation cycle, which
differentiates them from any other related otter
species. Although gestation takes only 60-63 days,
the total period of pregnancy can vary from 245-380
days. Pups are born in April or May. Two or three
young are born in a secluded den. However, litters
may range from one to five pups. Females rear young
alone.
Otters belong to the family Mustelidae, which also
includes badgers, mink, martens, skunks, weasels and
wolverines. Otters are classified under the subfamily
Lutrinae, which has a total of 13 species in seven
genera.*
North American river otters are found throughout
Alaska, Canada and the contiguous United States.
Life Cycle
Habitat
Otter pups weigh about 4.5 ounces
(128 g) when born. Pups nurse for
three to four months, and begin
to swim two months after birth.
Young otters swim naturally, but
the mother must coax them into the
water for their first swim. During
the first days of swimming, a pup
often climbs onto its mother’s back.
Pups leave their mother when they
are 1 year old, and ready to look for
their own territory.
North American river otters live
in a variety of habitats, but they
spend most of their time in or near
streams, rivers, lakes and marshes.
They often build a den or a burrow
in their home territory. They will
if necessary, however, travel great
distances over land and through
water to find food.
Length
Adult length, with tail: 2.5-5 feet
(76-152 cm)
Dennis Dow
Superior Swimmers
Otters have adapted perfectly
to an aquatic life-style. They are
well suited to swim and dive, and their slippery
hydrodynamic form exemplifies the perfect
adaptation to an amphibious way of life. Otters have
webbed feet, with small dexterous front feet and large,
powerful hind feet. The muscular tail is thick and flat
at the base, tapering to a point. Otters use their hind
limbs and undulating movement of their tail as the
main source of propulsion through water, but they
may also use their forelimbs for paddling.
Weight
Adult weight: 10-30 pounds (4.5-13.6 kg)
Life Span
Life span in the wild is 10 years; up to 18-20 years in
zoos
Diet
In the wild: Birds, crabs, crayfish, fish, frogs, rodents,
turtles, and aquatic invertebrates. Otters eat whatever
is readily available and easiest to catch.
All otters have sleek, waterproof fur. The hair is short,
dense and soft. Otters have excellent vision, especially
underwater, which helps them catch prey. Stiff
whiskers, which are sensitive to water turbulence, are
another adaptation to finding prey in muddy or dark
waters. The thumbs on the front paws show freedom
of movement, and can be opposed when picking up,
holding small objects or assisting in eating their prey.
At the zoo: Trout, chicken parts, horsemeat and
occasionally commercially prepared trout chow.
Reproduction
Otters sexually mature at about 2 to 3 years of
age. Mating occurs in the fall or spring, with birth
taking place the following year. North American
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Unlike other species of otter (notably the well-known
sea otter), North American river otters catch their
prey with the mouth, not with their hands. Although
otters are quick swimmers, their skill is shown better
in their ability to maneuver rapidly, which helps them
chase down their prey. Additionally, otters have an
accelerated metabolism that gives them seemingly
endless energy, but it also means that they must hunt
and feed frequently.
Other animals that can be seen along the Northern
Trail are wolves, mountain goats, bald eagles and elk.
Excessive fur trapping is the single greatest threat to
all otter species. As recently as the mid-1980s, over
30,000 pelts were taken each year for the valuable
skin of the North American river otter. Hunting of
other otter species continues worldwide. All otter
populations continue to decline as a result of water
pollution, overfishing of commercial stock and habitat
destruction. Today, all otter species are considered
threatened, while at least five of the 13 otter species are
listed as endangered. Although the North American
river otter is not an endangered species, its population
has been severely reduced or eliminated from much of
its range. However, since 1976, efforts have been made
to reintroduce the North American river otter into
several of the interior states of the U.S. Nevertheless,
as their numbers continue to decrease, the future
existence of all species of otters in the wild is in
jeopardy.
Slippin’ and a Slidin’
Although otters forage mostly in the water, they are
equally at home on land, and can run quickly. When
otters move on land, they bound in a loping fashion,
with their backs arched. Whenever possible, otters
combine running with a slide in the mud, ice or snow.
This has added to their reputation of being the most
playful of the Mustelidae. Otters are also very vocal,
and communicate to one another with a large variety
of calls, such as whistles, buzzes, twitters, staccato
chuckles and chirps.
As they mature and become solitary, otters use scent
marking to distinguish territorial boundaries. Otters
have a pair of scent glands at the base of their tail
which gives them a heavy, musky smell. Scent marking
also communicates identity, sex and sexual receptivity.
A male can follow the scent markings of a female in
estrus for over 5 miles (8 km) during the breeding
season. Although they can be tolerant of other otters,
males do compete for breeding privileges. There is
little overlap of territorial boundaries between adults
of the same sex. However, a male’s territory may
overlap the territories of several females.
How You Can Help!
Woodland Park Zoo is helping to contribute
information to the captive breeding, husbandry and
public awareness of this captivating native species.
The effort to save animal species requires cooperation
conservation organizations of your choice. Please do
not buy products made from wild animal parts.
org to find out how you can support conservation
survival by visiting our How You Can Help page under
Otters may swim in circles, creating a whirlpool
which brings up fish hiding on the bottom of the
river or lake!
When running, otters can attain speeds of up to
18 mph (29 kph)!
sheet was taken from Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic And Geographic Reference, edited
by Don E. Wilson and Dee Ann M. Reeder, Second Edition, 1993.
Woodland Park Zoo’s North American river otters are
located in the Taiga Viewing Shelter of the Northern
Trail. The otter exhibit allows visitors an up-close
observation of the feeding habits and swimming
abilities of otters. Also in the Taiga Viewing Shelter,
visitors can see brown bears frolicking in the water.
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Animal Fact Sheets
FACTS
ANIMAL
Northern Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascensis
of sticks, branches and other plant material, in the
fork of a large tree or cliff side. The nest may be used
and added to year after year, eventually becoming a
massive structure up to 9 feet (2.7 m) in diameter and
weighing as much as 2,000 pounds (900 kg). Females
lay a clutch of two, or occasionally three eggs, between
November and mid-March. Incubation duties are
performed by both parents but primarily by the
female. Chicks hatch after a 34 to 35 day incubation.
The bald eagle belongs to the family Accipitridae
which includes hawks and eagles. Bald eagles are part
of the group of eagles known as fish or sea eagles.
Bald eagles are found only in North America where
they once ranged from Canada and Alaska down
through at least 45 of the lower 48 states. Currently
bald eagles are primarily found in Alaska, Canada’s
western provinces, the Pacific
Northwest, the upper Great Lakes,
Florida and near Chesapeake Bay.
A smaller number of bald eagles is
scattered throughout the rest of the
continental United States.
Life Cycle
Wingspan
Adult male: 6-6.5 feet (1.80-1.95 m)
Adult female: 6.5-7.5 feet
(1.95-2.25 m)
Weight
Adult male: 8-10 pounds
(3.6-4.5 kg)
Ryan Hawk
Adult female: 10-14 pounds
(4.5-6.3 kg)
Young eagles remain at the nest for
10-12 weeks. At about 3 months of
age the fledgling eagles are able to fly
but the parents continue to feed and
protect the young birds for another
two to three months. Although
young birds know instinctively how
to hunt, lack of experience and
skill means they often cannot catch
adequate prey. Starvation, disease,
bad weather and accidents, often
due to human interference, mean
that many young eagles do not
survive their first year.
Bald With Feathers on Top
Life Span
Bald eagles are not bald. The term bald comes from
the Old English word “balde” (bal-duh) which means
“white.” The name “balde headed” eagle later became
shortened to bald eagle. The white head and tail
contrast sharply with the dark brown body of adult
bald eagles, making them easy to distinguish from
other large birds. Adults can also be distinguished
by their pale yellow eyes; powerful yellow feet with
long sharp talons; and sharply hooked yellow beak.
The distinctive white head and tail are not attained
until a bird reaches 4 to 6 years of age, consequently
immature birds are often confused with golden eagles.
Bald eagles are commonly called fish eagles because
of the large proportion of fish in their diet which they
catch by swooping down and thrusting their feet into
the water. Even with powerful feet, sharp talons and
Bald eagles may live 30 years or more in the wild and
even longer in captivity
Diet
In the wild: Primarily fish when available, but will
also hunt waterfowl and other aquatic birds, as well as
small mammals. Bald eagles will also steal prey from
other eagles and osprey, and feed on carrion.
At the zoo: Salmon, trout and quail
Reproduction
Bald eagles reach sexual maturity at 5 or 6 years of
age and then form a pair bond and mate for life.
After pairing, the birds construct a nest, or aerie,
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Animal Fact Sheets
textured, slip-resistant feet, bald eagles often miss their
slippery prey. In addition to fish, bald eagles prey on
ducks, geese and rabbits. Carrion such as spawned-out
salmon, is especially important in winter when other
food may be scarce.
Species Act. By 1995, the lower 48-states population
approached 5,000 nesting pairs, and the bald eagle was
downlisted from endangered to threatened. In 1998,
about 600 nesting pairs were counted in Washington
state.
All-American Bird
When DDT was banned in 1972 after scientists
discovered the chemicals negative effect on eagle eggs,
bald eagle reproductive success began to improve.
Protective laws and intensive efforts by federal agencies
assisted bald eagle recovery. Private, local and state
agencies assisted by acquiring important nesting and
wintering habitat such as the Skagit River Bald Eagle
National Area in Skagit County, Washington.
The bald eagle is a symbol of strength, independence
and dignity, becoming the national bird of the United
States in 1782. Wildlife experts estimate that at the
time the bald eagle became our nation’s symbol there
may have been 25,000 to 75,000 nesting pairs of bald
eagles in the lower 48 states. Many native American
peoples admired bald eagles, and feathers are still used
in tribal religious rites. Feathers must now be obtained
by permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
which distributes them only for cultural or scientific
purposes.
Woodland Park Zoo began the rehabilitation of
injured and sick eagles in 1971. Since that time more
than 200 bald and golden eagles, peregrine falcons and
other birds of prey have been received. More than 70
eagles and many of the other birds were rehabilitated
and returned to the wild. The eagles at Woodland Park
Zoo are wild birds that were brought here because of
injuries and cannot be released. If a bird cannot be
released, it is sent to a wildlife facility that will use it to
educate people about birds of prey.
Eagles have excellent eyesight and may be able
to see six to eight times better than humans!
The Latin word “raptare” means to grab or
seize. Eagles are called raptors because they
use their feet to catch and kill their food!
Bald eagle numbers have increased significantly in
recent years, and in 1995 the bald eagle was upgraded
to threatened status on the federal list of Endangered
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants throughout most
of its range. With more than 10,000 pairs, the eagle
was removed from the endangered list on June 29,
2007. Despite this, eagles are still at risk from habitat
destruction and other factors.
Bald eagles can be seen at the zoo’s Raptor Center and
at the Northern Trail.
How You Can Help!
Efforts to save threatened and endangered raptors
require cooperation and support at international,
your choice.
Bald eagles were delisted by the US government
from the endangered species list on June 29, 2007.*
By the early 1900s, bald eagle numbers had declined
significantly due to shooting and habitat destruction.
In 1940, bald eagles faced a new threat when the
pesticide DDT was introduced to the environment.
DDT built up in the food chain and accumulated in
tissues of many top predators. Pesticide accumulation
caused them to lay abnormally thin-shelled eggs,
which often broke during incubation. With a sharp
decline in reproductive success, bald eagle populations
disappeared from many states. In 1963, only 417 eagles
were found in the lower 48 states.
Contact the Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.
org to find ways you can support conservation
programs at the zoo. Discover more about raptors by
calling the Peregrine Fund (208) 362-3716. Learn other
ways you can help conserve wildlife and the habitats
they require for survival by visiting our How You Can
Help page under “Conservation” at www.zoo.org.
*There are several international and federal agencies that determine the endangered status of species.
WPZ designates a species as endangered if it is listed as endangered on the IUCN (International
Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List, the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species
List, or on Appendix I of CITES (Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of
Flora and Fauna).
In 1978, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service declared
the bald eagle endangered under the Endangered
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Reproduction
Barn owls belong to the family Tytonidae. There
are 12 species in this group. Barn owls are one of
the most widely distributed owl species, inhabiting
woodlands, farmlands and savannas on every
continent, except Antarctica.
Owls do not build their own nest; rather they take
over nests of other animals, such as squirrels or
woodpeckers. Barn owls often prefer tree cavities,
belfries, barns or abandoned buildings for nests, and
seem to choose sites which have been occupied by
other barn owls in the past. These owls appear to
mate for life, and will not take another mate as long
as their current mate lives. The
female lays a clutch of five to 11
chalky white, unmarked eggs at twoday intervals. Eggs are incubated for
32-34 days. Eggs hatch in sequence
of laying, so a barn owl nest may
contain young of widely varying
ages.
Habitat
Barn owls prefer warm climates
with mild winters. They often make
their homes in buildings, especially
barns, near ample supplies of
rodents and other small prey. They
also nest in tree cavities or in rock
cavities.
Life Cycle
The pale gold-brown barn owl
stands approximately 14 inches
(35 cm) tall. Females weigh up
to 24 ounces (670 gr), males up
to 20 ounces (560 gr). Barn owls
have long wings and long, lightlyfeathered legs. These owls are
nocturnal hunters and are equipped
with eyes that have extra light-sensitive rods to
enhance night vision. They also have extremely acute
hearing. Asymmetrical ears allow the bird to use
triangulation to locate its prey. Downy feathers and
ridged primary feathers muffle the sound of their
flight, enabling them to swoop silently down upon
unsuspecting prey.
The female spends most of her time
at the nest, while the male helps
feed and guard the young. After
about 60 days, young become fully
fledged and are able to leave the nest
Dennis Dow
and hunt for themselves. Northern
populations of barn owls have been
observed flying south to winter. Living mostly solitary
lifestyles, barn owls may gather in groups at favorite
roosting points. While migrating, up to 50 barn owls
have been observed roosting together at one time.
Barn owls are occasionally preyed upon by great
horned owls, and less frequently by prairie falcons
and other diurnal raptors.
Life Span
Who Gives a Hoot?
Although they have lived over 20 years in captivity, it
is unusual for one to live to be 10 years in the wild.
For most people, a series of hootscomes to mind
when thinking about the call of an owl. Although this
may be true for most species of owls, the barn owl’s
call is anything but a hoot. Instead, during the night
a person might hear overhead a barn owl’s drawnout screeches and raspy hisses. Barn owls even have
chuckling noises, purrs and twittering sounds in their
vocabulary.
Diet
In the wild: Mice, voles and shrews are this owl’s
primary prey, but it will rarely catch young rabbits,
birds, bats, frogs and large insects.
At the zoo: Mice, small rats and crickets.
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Barn owls, as well as other members of the family
Tytonidae, have several visible anatomical differences
from other typical owls. Barn owls have longer, lightly
feathered legs and wings, smaller eyes (which are
not yellow like some typical owls), no ear tufts and
a middle toe with a serrated edge, which is used for
feather care.
supplying nest boxes. As a result, the presence of owls
reduces the populations of pest rodents.
Many raptor populations are declining. Human-caused
changes in land use are escalating, and this affects the
habitats and migratory corridors required by some
raptors for survival. For the barn owl, loss of farms to
housing and shopping malls is removing their needed
habitat. For other raptor species, critical shoreline
and riparian zone habitats are rapidly converted by
expanding human communities and agricultural
needs. Shooting and trapping are also lowering raptor
numbers. It’s only a matter of time until more raptor
species may face extinction, unless we take measures to
protect their habitats.
Barn owls are better than cats at controlling
rodent pests. A family of barn owls can kill
about 1,300 rats a year!
The disk shaped face of owls collects and
concentrates sounds in the bird’s ears, so the
owl can precisely gauge the direction and
distance of hidden prey.
Humans need raptors. Here are only a few of the
benefits raptors provide:
• Raptors help keep animal populations in balance.
Barn owls, like most birds that nest in cavities,
lay white eggs since there is no need for
camouflage!
• Raptors consume many animals that humans
consider as pests, including mice, rats and
destructive species of insects. This helps to control
disease and damage to crops.
Unlike other raptors that carry prey in their talons
and rip it apart before eating, owls often carry
their prey with their bill and often swallow their
prey whole. Bones, fur and other indigestible
items are regurgitated as pellets!
• As top predators of their food chain, raptors are
an indicator species of the overall health of the
ecosystem in which they live.
• Of equal importance, witnessing wild raptors
enriches each of our lives. Imagine what life would
be like if we could no longer hear the haunting
evening call of the owl.
Owls can be seen in the zoo’s Temperate Forest
bioclimatic zone; a barn owl at the Family Farm and
a great gray owl adjacent to Bug World. Birds that can
be viewed at the zoo’s Raptor Center include the bald
eagle, gyrfalcon, Harris’s hawk, turkey vulture as well
as great horned, spectacled and barred owls. The zoo’s
Eagle Release Program has rehabilitated and released
back into the wild more than 80 eagles, plus other
raptor species.
How You Can Help!
your choice. Eliminate or reduce pesticide use. Let
the conservation of migratory birds and their wild
habitats.
contacting the Peregrine Fund at their Web site www.
peregrinefund.org. Learn other ways you can help
Barn owls are widespread throughout the United
States and often do very well in areas inhabited by
people. Barn owls can even be found in city parks and
neighborhoods. Farmers in recent years, recognizing
the great pest control rewards of having barn owls in
their buildings, have encouraged nesting barn owls by
leaving openings for owls to enter their barns and even
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Reproduction
Barred owls, along with 12 other species belong to the
genus Strix, which is part of the family Strigidae or
“typical” owls.* This genus of owls characteristically
has large, rounded heads and well-developed facial
discs. Barred owls range throughout the United States
east of the Rocky mountains, southern and western
Canada, and the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho
and northern California.
Barred owls nest in tree cavities or the abandoned
nests of hawks, crows or squirrels. The same nest will
often be used for several years. They lay two to four
white eggs. Incubation is done mostly by the female
for approximately 28 days. The young food begging
call sounds like steam escaping from a tea kettle. After
six to eight weeks, young are able to fly well enough
to begin hunting on their own but
may occasionally receive food from
parents for up to four months.
Habitat
Barred owls typically inhabit both
broadleaf and coniferous forests
and woodlands, especially near
water. They prefer woodlands which
include trees of a large enough
diameter that can be used as nest
sites.
Life Cycle
The usual call of a barred owl is a
series of nine hoots sounding like
“who cooks for you? who cooks
for you-all!” A barred owl hunts
and calls mostly at night, and can
be heard best in early spring when
breeding begins. They also are
occasionally active during the day.
Barred owls are large owls with
round heads and dark eyes. They are
named for the plumage pattern on
their chests which is cream-colored
with brown barring. The remainder
of the body is brownish-gray with pale speckling. This
body coloring helps barred owls roost in thick foliage
without being detected. They are 16-24 inches (40-60
cm) in length with a wingspan of 38-45 inches (95113 cm). Females weigh up to 2 pounds (905 gr), and
are larger than males.
Invasion From All Sides
Dennis Conner
Barred owls are flexible in their
habitat requirements, and have
expanded their range in recent years. They are now a
regularly seen species in the states of Washington and
Oregon, where 30 years ago they were not found.
Unlike northern spotted owls which require large
stands of old-growth timber to nest, barred owls
readily nest in second-growth forests. Aggressive
cutting of old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest
reduced these stands into small forest units not
suitable for spotted owl nesting. As a result, the
northern spotted owl is tied to the last remaining
large stands of ancient forest. Logged areas now allow
larger, more aggressive barred owls the opportunity
to invade the edges of the northern spotted owls’
shrinking old-growth territory, further reducing
suitable nesting sites for northern spotted owls.
Life Span
A banded barred owl lived in the wild for 14 years.
Woodland Park Zoo’s barred owl is currently over 14
years old.
Diet
In the wild: Barred owls are generalists, feeding on
a wide variety of prey including rats, mice, voles,
chipmunks, lizards, frogs, fish, birds and large insects.
At the zoo: Mice, small rats and occasionally quail.
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When threatened, barred owls raise one wing
and hold the other close to their body. This
may give the owl the appearance of a mammal
rather than a bird!
The spine-chilling shrieks, silent flight and
nocturnal habits of some owls have led many
people to believe that owls are magical or evil
omens. Some people even believe that owls are
able to predict births and deaths. These and
other superstitions have led some humans to
kill owls out of fear!
How You Can Help!
reduce pesticide use. Support breeding programs for
endangered birds of prey at zoos and other animal care
organizations. Let your elected representatives know
your views about the conservation of migratory birds
and their wild habitats.
In some cultures, owls are considered wise and
are worshipped. In Greek mythology, Athena,
goddess of wisdom, has an owl as her symbol!
A barred owl can be seen at the zoo’s Raptor Center.
Other birds that can be found at the Raptor Center
include the bald eagle, gyrfalcon, Harris’s hawk, turkey
vulture and spectacled owl. Additionally, owls can be
seen in the zoo’s Temperate Forest bioclimatic zone; a
great gray owl adjacent to Bug World and a barn owl at
the Family Farm. The zoo’s Eagle Release Program has
rehabilitated and released back into the wild more than
80 eagles, plus other raptor species.
sheet was taken from “A Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World,” written by Richard Howard
and Alick Moore. Second Edition, 1991.
Many raptor species are in danger. Human-caused
changes in land use are escalating, and this affects
the habitats and migratory corridors required by
some raptors for survival. Vast forests are removed
for timber and other paper products, and industrial
emissions pollute water and air resources. Critical
shoreline and riparian zone habitats are rapidly
converted by expanding human communities and
agricultural needs. Shooting and trapping are also
lowering raptor numbers. It’s only a matter of time
until more raptor species may face extinction, unless
we take measures to protect their habitats.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Northern Spotted Owl
Strix occidentalis caurina
age of 1 year, but usually do not breed until age 2 or 3.
These birds are monogamous and pairs bond for life.
Courtship activities, which include special posturing
and bobbing, begin in February or March. Nests in
old-growth forests, preferably in the darkest part of
the woods, high in a tree, tree cavities or old nests.
Early nesters lay eggs in March, but the majority
of nesting occurs in April. One or two oval white
eggs are normally laid. The small clutch size results
in a low reproductive output for
this species, however, there will be
less competition for food between
owlets in the nest.
The northern spotted owl belongs to the family
Strigidae, which includes about 120 species of owls.
All owls, except the barn and bay owls, belong to this
family. Three subspecies of spotted owl are classified:
northern (Strix occidentalis caurina), Mexican (Strix
occidentalis lucida) and Californian (Strix occidentalis
occidentalis).
The northern spotted owl is
distributed throughout the
northwest mountains of California,
Oregon, Washington and southwest
British Columbia.
The female does all the incubation
of the eggs and the male hunts for
food for his mate. Incubation lasts
approximately 28 days. Eggs hatch
in late April or early May. After the
eggs hatch the female sits with the
owlets and the male hunts for food
for the family. Owlets are born with
their eyes closed and are covered
with fluffy, white, downy feathers.
Michael Townsend
As the owlets reach adult size, their
feathers gradually turn dark brown,
with a barred tail, and white spots on the head and
breast.
Habitat
The northern spotted owl prefers
mature old-growth forests. It
especially likes densely wooded
areas which have large trees with a
multilayered canopy enclosure.
Length and Wingspan
Length is 16.5-19 inches (41-48
cm). Wingspan is approximately
45 inches(114 cm). The northern
spotted owl is the largest of the three spotted owl
subspecies.
Life Cycle
Weight
Owlets fledge in June and remain with their parents
until late summer or early fall. Upon leaving the nest,
owlets disperse across the forest and usually establish
their own winter feeding range. The following spring
they establish a new range in an area away from their
parents’ range. The range size for adult owl pairs and
adult individuals can range two to 24 square miles
(3.4-38.2 sq km).
17-34 ounces (490-950 gr)
Life Span
Up to 15 years in the wild; longer in captivity
Diet
In the wild: Rats, white-footed mice, deer mice, birds,
red tree mice, small bats, moths, crickets, large beetles
and flying squirrels
Whoo-hoo Are You?
At the zoo: Mice and small rats
The northern spotted owl has dark, black-brown
eyes which are surrounded by white facial disks that
look like half moons. These facial disks aid the owl
when hunting by directing sounds to the ear holes.
Reproduction
Northern spotted owls reach sexual maturity at the
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The northern spotted owl is a nocturnal hunter, and
seldom takes prey during daylight hours. This owl
has a distinctive four-note hooting call, which sounds
similar to the baying of a hound. The northern spotted
owl also uses a squeaking “whee-whee” whistle to
communicate with other owls. The female owl’s call is
higher pitched than the male’s.
These activities cause habitat fragmentation, which
isolates spotted owl pairs and decreases the size of
their home ranges. Research has shown owls need large
areas of land to range. Fragmentation also disrupts the
distribution of owlets to new, vacant home ranges.
It is still unclear exactly why spotted owls prefer oldgrowth forest habitats. Some reasons may be that oldgrowth forests have diverse vegetation, multilayered
canopies, abundant prey, and plentiful nesting/
perching sites. Northern spotted owls use multilayered
canopies for thermal cover (shade in summer and
shelter in winter). Old-growth forests also provide
protection from predators, such as great horned owls,
which prefer young stands of trees and edges of clearcuts.
Nighttime Vision
Northern spotted owls have remarkable night vision,
and can see better than most birds. They usually sleep
during the day, partly because their eyes are sensitive to
bright sunlight. The owl’s eyes have limited movement
in their sockets because the eyes are very large and
tubular shaped to accommodate all the highly sensitive
optical nerves. This shape restricts movement because
the owl’s eyes cannot roll in their sockets as oval
human eyes can. To enable it to see in all directions,
the northern spotted owl, like most owls, has the
ability to turn its head 270 degrees.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save threatened and endangered owls
requires cooperation and support at international,
your choice. Don’t buy old-growth forest products or
products made from wild animal parts. Contact your
elected representatives and express your views about
conservation of endangered species and wild habitats.
Northern spotted owls use their powerful claws
to grasp prey off the ground or from the air!
Owls often swallow their prey whole, then
regurgitate the bones, hair and skin that can’t
be digested!
Northern spotted owls have a saw-toothed
edge on their primary (flight) feathers, which
helps them to fly silently!
Woodland Park Zoo no longer exhibits spotted owls,
but great gray owls can be viewed near the Habitat
Discovery Loop in the Temperate Forest. A barn owl
can also be viewed at the Temperate Forest’s Family
Farm area. Other owl species can be viewed at the zoo’s
Raptor Center, including the spectacled, barred, great
horned and western screech owl.
The northern spotted owl is a threatened species,
primarily due to habitat destruction, caused by
activities such as logging, road and home construction.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
birds, but they also catch fish and large insects. Redtailed hawks also steal prey from other raptors and eat
carrion (dead animals).
Red-tailed hawks are part of the family Accipitridae,
which includes hawks, eagles, kites and Old World
vultures. Hawks of the genus Buteo, such as the redtailed hawk, are generally medium- to large-sized
hawks. There are 14 recognized subspecies of redtailed hawks.* Red-tailed hawks are found throughout
North America, (excluding very northern Canada and
Alaska) as well as Central America
and the Caribbean.
Reproduction
Red-tailed hawks appear to mate for life, and will not
take another mate as long as their current mate lives.
The mated pair usually returns to the same nesting
territory each year and both partners will defend the
nest. They will often build several
alternative nest sites within their
territory. Nests are normally built in
trees (or sometimes on cliffs) and
reach 2.5-3 feet (75-90 cm) across. A
clutch of two to three white, brownspotted eggs are laid. Eggs are
incubated for 30-35 days, and young
first fly when 43-48 days old.
Habitat
They are found in almost every
habitat type including fields, open
woodlands, alpine meadows and
deserts, and along road sides. The
only place they are not found is in
high arctic regions and large tracts
of dense forest.
Life Cycle
Red-tailed hawks may spend long
periods soaring in search of prey.
They are superb soarers and make
John Farrell
extensive use of thermals to fly for
long periods without flapping their
wings. When they do flap, their wing
beat is powerful, but slow and shallow. In addition
to hunting while soaring, red-tailed hawks also hunt
from perches or from a hover. Northern populations
may migrate south during the winter.
Red-tailed hawks are large, stocky
birds with long, broad wings and
short, broad tails. Although there
is tremendous regional and even
local variation in plumage, the “typical” red-tail has a
brown back, dark head and light breast with a darker
belly band. The upper surface of the tail is red in
adults, giving the hawk its common name. Red-tailed
hawks have a wingspan of 3.5 to over 4.5 feet (105135 cm). They weigh between 1.5-3.5 pounds (.7-1.6
kg). As with most raptors, females are larger than
males.
Aerial Courtship
One does not soon forget the sight of a pair of redtailed hawks involved in their aerial courtship. While
continually calling to one another, the partners soar,
barrel roll and dive in mock combat at each other.
They may even lock talons as they spiral downward
toward the ground. Following their amazing dance in
the sky, they usually fly in unison to a tree where they
copulate.
Life Span
A banded red-tailed hawk lived 23 years in the wild. A
captive red-tailed hawk lived 29 years.
Diet
In the wild: Red-tailed hawks are the ultimate
generalists, living in a diversity of habitats and eating
equally diverse types of prey. Their prey consists
primarily of rodents, rabbits, snakes, lizards and small
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of extinction.
Red-tailed hawks are the most common and
widespread hawk in North America, and can be
found year-round in all of the lower 48 states.
Red-tailed hawks are commonly sighted in
Washington along highways!
Red-tailed hawks vary in color from the Krider’s
red-tailed hawk with a whitish head and tail (and
mottled with white throughout), to the primarily
coal-black Harlan’s red-tailed hawk!
enriches each of our lives. Imagine what life
would be like if we could no longer gaze upon the
grandeur of raptors soaring high above.
Woodland Park Zoo does not currently have a redtailed hawk. However, birds that can be viewed at the
zoo’s Raptor Center include the bald eagle, gyrfalcon,
Harris’s hawk, turkey vulture as well as spectacled and
barred owls. Additionally, two owls can be seen in the
zoo’s Temperate Forest bioclimatic zone; a great gray
owl adjacent to “Bug” World and a barn owl at the
Family Farm. The zoo’s Eagle Release Program has
How You Can Help!
80 golden and bald eagles, plus other raptor species.
In contrast to many North American raptors (birds
of prey), red-tailed hawk populations have remained
stable or even increased in some areas in recent
decades. Red-tailed hawks have benefited from
increased tree growth in areas that were once purely
grasslands, and from the increase in human-made
perches along roadsides. In some areas, red-tailed
hawks are displacing red-shouldered, ferruginous and
Swainson’s hawks.
to find ways you can support conservation programs
at the zoo. Discover more about raptors by calling the
Peregrine Fund (208) 362-3716. Learn other ways you
can help conserve wildlife and the habitats they require
for survival by visiting our How You Can Help page
until more raptor species will be pushed to the brink
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Sowbugs & Pillbugs
There are many different genera and species
At the zoo: Apples, oranges, romaine lettuce and
monkey chow
Although their common names contain the word
“bug,” sowbugs and pillbugs are not really bugs.
They’re crustaceans which are mostly aquatic
invertebrates, such as the crab, lobster, crayfish and
barnacle. Crustaceans breathe through gills, and
have a hard exoskeleton and jointed appendages.
Sowbugs and pillbugs are in the order Isopoda. They
are technically termed isopods,
which means “the legs are alike.”
Sowbugs and pillbugs are found
in most regions of the world, and
are widespread throughout North
America.
Reproduction
Sowbugs and pillbugs begin reproductive efforts
in March and April. Two to three broods are raised
during the summer. Each brood consists of 30-40
young, which are incubated for 34 days in the brood
pouch. The brood pouch is located
under the female’s body, between
the second and fifth pair of legs.
The pouch is filled with fluid which
protects the young while they are
developing.
Habitat
Life Cycle
Moist micro-climates, including
damp, dark spaces and wooded
areas. Prime habitats are under
stones or in decaying wood. In
cities, they frequent gardens, along
house foundations and basements.
Sowbugs and pillbugs are active
parents. The male guards the
family’s burrow, while both parents
gather food and clean the burrow
of debris. It takes approximately
one year for young to become
adults (nymphs look similar to their
parents). Once adults, sowbugs
Woodland Park Zoo
and pillbugs continue to molt
approximately every 28 days. However, a breeding
female molts less often to permit time to incubate
her young. Sowbugs and pillbugs molt in two phases.
First they lose the rear half of the exoskeleton, and
approximately 12 hours later, they lose the front half.
After molting, they eat the discarded exoskeleton
shell to recycle the calcium, which will be used to
strengthen their new exoskeleton.
Both animals are approximately
0.5 inch (12.5 mm) in length. They have one pair of
jointed antennae, a flattened body, fused abdominal
segments and seven pairs of legs. They are gray
to brown in color and covered with armor-like
plates, reminiscent of miniature armadillos. Like all
crustaceans, sowbugs and pillbugs are wingless.
Life Span
Average about 2 years, but can live up to 5 years
Predators include many species of birds and some
amphibians. To camouflage themselves from
predators, sowbugs and pillbugs are colored to blend
into their environment. As an added defense, the
exoskeletons of pillbugs have 10 freely articulating
segments that enable them to roll up into a ball. On
the other hand, sowbugs lack the capability to roll
into a ball; instead they flee to evade predators. Some
Diet
In the wild: Predominately vegetarian, but considered
omnivorous, feeding on fungi and live or decaying
vegetation and animals. During periods of drought,
sowbugs and pillbugs are capable of switching to a
scavenger-like diet.
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species of sowbugs even secrete a noxious substance
that discourages other animals from eating them.
They return nutrients to the soil when they eat
decaying matter and then defecate. In gardens, they
benefit humans by circulating soil without eating
garden plants.
Staying Wet Out of Water
Although they don’t live in water, sowbugs and
pillbugs are still highly dependent on water for
survival. They need to stay moist to survive, so they
actively scavenge for food only in the cool of the night.
To prevent dehydration during the day, they seek dark,
moist areas to hide and rest. Sowbugs and pillbugs
often gather in groups, huddling together to reduce
evaporation. Some even burrow into the ground to
How You Can Help!
The effort to save animals and their habitat requires
cooperation and support at the international, national,
regional and individual levels. You can help in this
cause. Join and become active in Woodland Park
Zoo and other conservation organizations of your
choice. To conserve habitat for sowbugs, pillbugs and
other arthropods, reduce your use of pesticides and
herbicides, and work to preserve vegetation in your
neighborhood and in tropical regions.
Sowbugs and pillbugs lack spiracles (small
openings on the sides of their bodies used for
respiration), which are possessed by many other
arthropods!
Like reptiles and amphibians, all arthropods,
including sowbugs and pillbugs, are coldblooded. Their body temperature is regulated
by the temperature of their environment!
keep their gills wet. Gills are the primary breathing
apparatus for all crustaceans, and must remain moist
in order to function.
Amazing sowbugs and pillbugs are on view at
Woodland Park Zoo’s Bug World. You’ll go “buggy”
while viewing exciting seasonal displays that take you
on a journey to different bioclimatic zones around
the world. You may come face-to-face with recycling
cockroaches, assassin bugs, web-spinning spiders or
scuba diving beetles, to name only a few. The only
way you’ll find out which bugs you’ll encounter is by
visiting Bug World. Don’t miss it!
Sowbugs and pillbugs are often considered pests in
greenhouses because they nibble at the roots of stems
and seedlings. However, sowbugs and pillbugs are
valuable arthropods because they provide food for
other animals. As scavengers, they also play a critical
role in maintaining the health of their environment.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Black and White Colobus Monkey
Colobus guereza
offspring every 20 months. Infants are born with eyes
open, weighing about 0.9 pound (0.4 kg) and will
occasionally cling to the mother’s waist like a belt.
More often the mother carries them higher, using
one arm to secure them while they are very young.
Mothers will allow other females in their troop to
handle and sometimes even suckle their infants soon
after birth. Offspring are born with “natal fur” which
is fluffy and white. From 4 to 12 months the infant
will acquire adult coloring. Adults
are glossy black with a white Ushaped mantle of fur on the back
and a white tip on the tail. Adults
also have a ring of white fur around
their faces.
Black and white colobus monkeys belong to the
subfamily Colobinae. Four different species of black
and white colobus monkey are recognized; the
guereza (Colobus guereza), Angolan colobus (Colobus
angolensis), Guinea forest black colobus (Colobus
polykomos) and the satanic black colobus (Colobus
satanas).* Black and white colobus monkeys are
found across equatorial Africa.
Habitat
Guereza monkeys are found in
a diversity of habitats including
primary and secondary deciduous
forest, montane forest, lowland
swamp, coastal forest, moist savanna
and gallery forest.
AFRICA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Life Cycle
Guerezas usually live in groups of
three to 15 individuals. Groups are
made up of one adult male (rarely
two) and females with offspring.
Females’ troop membership is
stable but males must earn their
status. Young males are forced by
Dennis Dow
the lead male to leave their natal
troop before breeding age. Lead
males are occasionally ousted by young mature males
that grew up with them or moved in from an outside
troop. Intragroup relationships are usually friendly
and reinforced with lots of grooming. Troop home
ranges are about 35-74 acres (15-30 ha). Guerezas
defend their ranges vigorously. Males do most of the
defending by displaying through the trees with leaps
and roars which can be heard a mile (1.6 km) away.
Head and Body Length
18-28 inches (46-71 cm)
Tail Length
20-40 inches (51-101 cm)
Life Span
In the wild: up to 20 years
At the zoo: up to 30 years
Diet
In the wild: Leaves, stems, bark, flowers, buds, shoots,
fruits and some aquatic plants. In one study area,
young leaves of the hackberry tree (Celtis durandii)
are the food of choice for guereza monkeys.
At the zoo: Monkey chow and a leafy diet with daily
browse (herbaceous plants).
Intergroup meetings are usually hostile, mostly
between males, which will make defensive gestures,
vocalizations and occasionally chase or fight each
other. Rarely, two troops will share a water hole or
other resource.
Reproduction
Guerezas have no known breeding season. In the
wild, females reach sexual maturity by age 5 and
males by age 8. Females initiate courtship by tongue
smacking. The gestation period is approximately
six months. Females give birth to an average of one
Mutilated Monkey
The name “colobus” is derived from the Greek word
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Animal Fact Sheets
meaning “docked” or “mutilated.” Colobus monkeys
once were thought to be abnormal because they have
no thumb, or only a small stub where the thumb
would usually be. This is actually an adaptation rather
than a mutilation which allows colobus monkeys to
easily travel along the tops of branches quadripedally.
Black and white colobus monkeys are not an
endangered species** but are vulnerable to habitat
destruction and human overpopulation. Also, many
colobus monkeys are killed for their meat and skins.
Woodland Park Zoo participates in the Association
of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan
(SSP) for the black and white colobus monkey, which
manages the species and works to educate the public
about this and other threatened and endangered
species.
Strange Stomach
Colobus monkeys have unusual stomachs which are
similar to the digestive systems of cows. The important
feature of a colobus’ stomach is that it has three or
four different regions. The upper “sacculated” regions
are very large and are separated from the lower acid
region. The sacculated stomach and the specialized
bacterial microflora enables the monkeys to digest
large volumes of leafy material. If the stomach was not
as large as it is these monkeys would not be able to get
ample nutrition from their food. Colobus monkeys
always have a belly full of food which is in the process
of being digested. The contents of the stomach can
constitute up to a quarter of the weight of an adult and
half the weight of an infant monkey.
How You Can Help!
cause. Join and become active in Woodland Park Zoo
and other conservation organizations of your choice.
Please do not buy products made from wild animal
parts. Contact your elected representatives and express
your views about conservation of endangered species
and wild habitats.
Each morning and evening guereza males
roar to maintain spacing between groops and
advertises group size to neighbors!
To find out about ways you can support conservation
programs at the zoo contact Woodland Park Zoo at
webkeeper@zoo.org. Learn other ways you can help
Guereza monkeys have hairless faces and they
have gray skin!
Woodland Park Zoo’s black and white colobus
monkeys can be viewed in the Tropical Rain Forest.
Other animals which can be viewed in the Tropical
Rain Forest are the western lowland gorilla and red
ruffed lemur.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Red-flanked Duiker
Cephalophus rufilatus
seeds, flowers, leaves and branches, fungi and
seedlings or shoots, along with the occasional small
bird or other animal. They sometimes scramble up
vine-covered shrubs to reach particularly tasty treats.
Red-flanked duikers are tiny antelopes, classified in
the family Bovidae and the subfamily Cephalophinae.
There are two genera in the subfamily: Sylvicapra,
which contains only one duiker species, and
Cephalophus, which includes all the approximately 20
remaining species.*
At the zoo: Alfalfa, commercially prepared herbivore
pellets, assorted fruits and vegetables as treats.
Reproduction
Red-flanked duikers range from Senegal to
southwestern Sudan and from
northeastern Uganda south to
Cameroon and northern Zaire.
Red-flanked duikers reach sexual
maturity at about 9 months old, at
which time they begin the process
of finding and bonding with a mate.
Courtship includes a number of
displays performed by the male,
including lip-curling and diagonal
sideways strutting. The pair also
engages in long circular chases,
mutual face rubbing, and grooming
of each other’s heads and shoulders.
Although both participate, the male
is almost always the initiator of
mutual grooming.
AFRICA
Habitat
Red-flanked duikers typically
inhabit the margins of forests, but
can also be found in areas with
adequately dense cover, such as
drainages with elephant grass or
thick shrubbery.
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Red-flanked duikers are among
the smallest antelope species. Both
sexes are the same size, 13.7-14.8
inches (34-37 cm) tall and 26.5-30.9
pounds (12-14 kg). Their bodies are approximately
twice as long as their height.
The female red-flanked duiker’s
period of estrus is only one half to
one day long. Once pregnant, the
female carries her single calf for 32-35 weeks. The
gestation period, combined with the time required
to develop a relationship with a mate, results in most
females having their first young at 2 years old. At
birth, calves typically weigh between 1.5-2.5 pounds
(0.68-1.13 kg). When not nursing, red-flanked duiker
young engage in “lying out” behavior, where they lie
silently hidden in the grass or brush away from their
mother.
Dennis Conner
Both sexes have backward-directed horns that are 23.5 inches (5-9 cm) long. They have blue-gray legs, a
gray back, and orange-red sides and neck. Their faces
have tiny white markings on the lower jaw, upper lip
and ears, a black streak up the middle of the face and
a tuft of black hair between their horns. They also
have long, coarse neck hair they may ruffle as part of
courtship or threat displays.
Life Cycle
Life Span
Red-flanked duikers are territorial, and normally
live in pairs, pairs with one dependent youngster, or
alone. The only times they form groups larger than
three are at water sources, salt licks, or fruit falls that
occur at territorial boundaries. Males are particularly
territorial, and are combative with one another if
They can live 10-15 years in captivity. Life span in the
wild is unknown.
Diet
In the wild: Red-flanked duikers eat fallen fruits,
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Animal Fact Sheets
they come into contact. Red-flanked duikers do a
great deal of scent marking, using a substance secreted
from the maxillary glands near their eyes. A duiker
will rub its face on grass, twigs, bark or other surfaces
to mark its territorial boundaries, or even on its mate
or calf to ‘“label” the other animal. This species has
deeper maxillary glands than any other duiker species,
suggesting that marking behavior may be stronger in
this shy and elusive species.
rain forest home is under constant threat by human
encroachment, putting them at risk of future
endangered status. Agriculture and logging place
significant pressure on all species that depend on
the tropical rain forest, but red-flanked duikers face
additional risks. The species is one of the primary
targets of the bushmeat trade and is popular among
trophy hunters. Both of these activities have had a
significant negative impact on other species in the past.
Darwin’s Delight
How You Can Help!
The red-flanked duiker enjoys an exceptionally useful
body shape for its habitat and way of life. The duiker’s
body is wedge-shaped, with a narrow head and neck
gradually widening to the hips. This helps the animal
to plunge quickly through dense cover, splitting the
brush like an axe might split a log. This body shape is
so useful, in fact, that they have it in common not only
with other, closely related duiker species, but also with
numerous unrelated animals all over the world! This
is a phenomenon called convergent evolution. Species
as varied as tapirs in Indonesia and large rodents
called capybaras in South America have evolved nearly
identical wedge-shaped bodies because it makes
survival more likely in dense, brushy habitats.
The effort to save African mammals requires
cooperation and support at the regional, national and
international levels. You can help in this cause. Join
and become active in a conservation organization
of your choice. Don’t buy products made from wild
animal parts. Tell your elected representatives on the
national, state and local levels about the importance of
preserving wild habitats and endangered species.
about supporting conservation programs at the zoo.
Learn other ways you can help conserve wildlife and
habitats by visiting our How You Can Help page.
The red-flanked duiker’s voice is a shrill bark!
The name “duiker” means “diving buck,” and
refers to their quick leaps into dense cover
when surprised!
Red-flanked duikers can be viewed in the Tropical Rain
Forest near “lemur island.” Other species that can be
viewed in the Tropical Rain Forest include western
lowland gorillas and red ruffed lemurs.
Red-flanked duikers, along with most other duiker
species, are quite numerous, but rarely seen due to
their shy habits. However, nine duiker species are
considered vulnerable, threatened or endangered.
While red-flanked duikers are not considered
threatened or endangered, they depend on healthy,
non-fragmented habitat for survival. Their tropical
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FACTS
ANIMAL
DeBrazza’s Guenon
Cercopithecus neglectus
and body length is 15.5-21.5 inches (39-54 cm); tail
length 18.5-22.5 inches (46-56 cm). Their tail length
is longer than their combined head and body length.
DeBrazza’s guenons (African forest monkeys) are
classified in the order Primates, and within the family
Cercopithecidae. There are 18 genera in this family,
including the genus Cercopithecus. There are 19
species within this genus, including the DeBrazza’s
guenon (Cercopithecus neglectus).* Common names
vary—they are sometimes called DeBrazza’s monkeys.
They range from southeastern
Cameroon eastward through the
Central African Republic, Zaire,
Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and
western Kenya, northward to
Ethiopia and Sudan. They are also
found in northern Angola, Gabon
and Equatorial Guinea.
Life Span
Life span in the wild up to 22 years; in captivity up to
30 years.
Diet
AFRICA
In the wild: Up to 75% of their
diet are fruits and seeds. They
also consume leaves, mushrooms,
flowers, and small animals such
reptiles and arthropods.
At the zoo: Greens, fruits and
monkey biscuits.
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Habitat
Reproduction
DeBrazza’s guenons prefers dense
swamp, bamboo and dry mountain
forests associated with streams,
rivers and dense vegetation. They
are found at elevations up to 6,890
feet (2,100 m).
DeBrazza’s guenons reach sexual
maturity in 5 to 6 years. They have
a primarily polygynous mating
system, although some appear to be
monogamous. They are the only Old
Dennis Conner
World monkey known to practice
monogamy. DeBrazza’s guenons
breed throughout the year. After a gestation period of
about 168-187 days, a single infant is born; twins are
rare.
Their gray-green coloring offers excellent camouflage
from predators such as leopards, eagles, pythons
and other primates. Adults are nearly identical in
appearance, each having distinctive white lip whiskers
and long beard, and a orange-red crescent-shaped
patch on the brow. They have a white rump and white
thigh strip. Individual animals recognize each other
by variations in patterns around the face, and at times
on the rear. Males have a bright blue scrotum.
Newly born infants are born with eyes open and
covered with light brown fur. Infants cling tightly to
their mother’s stomach for security and protection
from predators. Although they are not weaned for
about a year, young do begin to nibble solid foods
after about 2 months of age.
Weight
Life Cycle
The average weight for a male is 15 pounds (7 kg),
female weight is approximately 10 pounds (4.5 kg).
Although a troop can number up 35 individuals, 1015 is more common. Troops are normally comprised
of one dominant male, one or more females and their
young. Smaller family groups of one male and one
female are not uncommon. Females may stay with
their troop for their entire lives. Younger males that
Males are noticeably larger than females. Male head
and body length is 19-23.5 inches (47.5-52 cm); tail
length is 23-31 inches (57.5-77.5 cm). Female head
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have not achieved full adult coloring can also remain
with their troop.
DeBrazza’s guenons are not currently being exhibited.
Other species you will find as you stroll through the
outside portion of the Tropical Rain Forest are the redflanked duiker, black and white colobus, and western
lowland gorilla.
Troop territories overlap, with no known territorial
defense between DeBrazza’s guenon troops. Males
become very territorial when another monkey species
approaches their food trees. Fights are not uncommon,
and the whole troop may take part in forcing the
intruders from their territory.
DeBrazza’s guenons are diurnal, spending the majority
of their time low in the forest canopy or on the forest
floor eating berries, leaves, fruits and invertebrates.
Foraging normally takes place around dawn and dusk.
They have cheek pouches in which they quickly store
food with their hands as they forage in exposed areas.
Only later, when they are in a safe area will they take
the time to eat their food.
Throughout the majority of its range, DeBrazza’s
populations are at a healthy level. Their numbers,
however, have drastically dropped in recent years in
some areas. This is primarily due to the fragmentation
of its habitat caused by the clearing of forests for
agricultural expansion or commercial logging. Their
capture for the pet trade is also having an impact.
Recent escalation of logging and bush meat trade,
however, poses a potential threat to their survival
throughout their range.
What a Face
The French word guenon means “fright”, and refers
to the variety of facial expressions this animal uses, in
various combinations, to threaten or when anxious.
To threaten they can stare with fixed eyes, raised
eyebrows and stretched back facial skin, they may stare
with open mouth, or they might bob their head up
and down, or yawn and expose their large canines. A
submissive signal might be retracted lips to bare their
clenched teeth. Head-shaking also takes place when
tension is high within the troop.
Many international organizations are working with
African countries to establish and secure wildlife
habitats, and to curb the rampant bush meat trade. In
North America, the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’
(AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) manages the
population of this species. Woodland Park Zoo is not
currently breeding their DeBrazza’s guenons because
of the herpes-B potential.
How You Can Help!
Call of the Wild
Males are by far the noisier sex. The troop leader can
produce a deep, humming boom, which is enhanced
as he inflates his vocal sac. The male also has a couple
methods for warning troop members of the approach
of a predator. He may produce a loud chattering
bark, quickly followed by single barking croaks. Or
he may loudly shake the branches of a tree. These
actions are believed to be attempts by the male to
draw the predator’s attention away from the troop. As
a last resort, the male may even attack the predator in
defense of this troop.
the habitats they require for survival by visiting our
How You Can Help page under “Conservation” at
www.zoo.org.
Debrazza’s guenons are excellent swimmers!
Like most Old World monkeys, its tail is too
weak to be used for hanging. It is only used for
balance!
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Golden Lion Tamarin
Leontopithecus rosalia
Reproduction
The golden lion tamarin belongs to the family
Leontopithecus which includes four distinct species;
the golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia),
the golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus
chrysomelas), the black-faced lion tamarin
(Leontopithecus caissara) and the black lion tamarin
(Leontopithecus chrysopygus). While the golden lion
tamarins are the most abundant,
they only number about 600 in the
wild. They are currently found only
in a small area of Brazil northeast of
Rio de Janeiro.
Females will reach sexual maturity at 18 months,
males at 24 months of age. Golden lion tamarins are
seasonal breeders, with mating taking place May-July.
The gestation period is 132-134 days. In captivity, a
female produces one or sometimes two litters a year,
usually consisting of twins.
Habitat
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Tropical humid forest. Golden lion
tamarins prefer mature primary
forest but can utilize various kinds
of secondary forests. They tend to
select areas with heavy vine growth
for cover and with tree holes for
sleeping sites.
Head and body length:
7.9-13.2 inches (200-326 mm)
Tail length:
12.4-15.7 inches (315-400 mm)
Life Cycle
The young cling to the mother
for the first week or so, and then
SOUTH
are taken over by the father, being
AMERICA
transferred back to the mother
for nursing. Infants from previous
births also provide assistance
carrying for the young. The
experience gained by the juveniles
assisting in the care of the infants
is essential in developing the skills
necessary in rearing their own
young when they mature. This will
continue for about three months;
by 4 months the young are fully
Ryan Hawk
independent with full adult size
being obtained by 1 year of age.
Adults of the same sex are extremely aggressive
toward one another. The adult male and female of a
group form permanent pair bonds.
Life Span
Tamarins tend to be monogamous and remain with
the same mate. This breeding pair forms the base
for a family group of two to eight family members,
with temporary associations of 15-16. Tamarins have
a wide variety of vocalizations which they use in
communicating in the dense forest.
Approximately 15 years in the wild; longevity record
in a zoo is about 30 years and still living.
Population Control!
Weight
Adult male weight: 15.4-25 ounces (437-710 g)
Adult female weight: 12.7-28 ounces (361-794 g)
Reproduction by subordinate females is suppressed
behaviorally by the dominant female in a group. This
gives the dominate female’s infant unrestricted access
to the available resources, especially hard-to-find
foods to insure adequate nutrition.
Diet
In the wild: Primarily insects and fruit, but also
spiders, snails, small lizards, birds and bird eggs
At the zoo: Canned marmoset diet, fruits, mealworms
and crickets
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have been released in the Poco das Antas Biological
Reserve and surrounding areas since 1984. Animals
from several different zoos are typically first sent to
the National Zoo in Washington, DC, where they are
given a taste of independence. They are “free-ranged”
in a patch of woods on the zoo grounds, constrained
only by a “psychological cage” which keeps them near
a nest box and food source. After a few months of this
training they are sent to the Golden Lion Tamarin
Project Headquarters at Poco das Antas. There they
are provided with nest boxes and food, but the food
is moved farther and farther away and gradually
reduced to encourage natural foraging. Out of those
successfully reintroduced, 30 have survived to date,
and have successfully raised 95 offspring. Some
offspring are the result of pairings between captive and
wild-born animals. Included within those animals that
have been reintroduced and have reproduced are two
tamarins born and reared here at Woodland Park Zoo.
Golden lion tamarin males’ weight increases
in May before breeding and decreases during
June-July!
The females’ milk is richer in protein and ash
than other primate groups!
Golden lion tamarins have claws instead of
fingernails, a trait shared by all tamarins!
Golden lion tamarins are on exhibit in the Tropical
Rain Forest building and the Day Exhibit. Other
animals in the Tropical Rain Forest are the ocelot,
poison dart frog, several bird species and the yellow
anaconda, among others.
How You Can Help!
cause. Join and become active in a conservation
organization of your choice. Don’t buy products
made from wild animal parts. Let your elected
representatives know your views about protecting
The golden lion tamarin is an endangered species.*
This tamarin’s position in the wild is very unstable.
The Atlantic coastal rain forest has been almost
completely developed for plantations, cattle grazing
and housing. Only a few isolated forest tracts remain.
Golden lion tamarin have also been captured for sale
as pets in nearby cities. This species is also susceptible
to many human diseases like measles and various
viruses.
programs at the zoo. Discover more about the golden
lion tamarin and other primates by contacting
Conservation International, 1015 18th St. NW, Suite
1000, Washington, DC 20036; 202.429.9489; www.
conservation.org. Learn other ways you can help
Golden lion tamarins reproduced poorly in captivity
until studies determined the best group size and
organization for reproduction and rearing. They also
suffered a high mortality rate in captivity until zoos
discovered that they need insects or meat protein in
their diet and vitamin D from sunlight. The numbers
in North American zoos have multiplied from 70
tamarins in 1969 to around 500 animals in 1995. The
number of institutions involved in the international
management programs now totals 140 worldwide in
North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, the Middle
East, Asia and South America.
Flora and Fauna).
A golden lion tamarin biological reserve was created
in Brazil in 1974. Poco das Antas is a 14,826 acre
(6,000 ha) reserve located about 60 miles (100 km)
northeast of Rio de Janeiro. About 40% of the reserve
has mature forest. Nearly 140 captive-bred animals
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Jaguar
Panthera onca
knuckle bones and commercially prepared feline diet,
ground meat and vitamins.
Jaguars belong to the family Felidae, which includes
36 species of cats. Jaguars are classified under the
genus Panthera which includes four species of “big
cats”, the jaguar, tiger, lion and leopard.*
Reproduction
Female jaguars sexually mature at about 2 years
of age; males at 3 to 4 years. Mating in the wild or
in captivity may occur at any time; the female is
receptive for about 6-17 days. Gestation lasts about
93-110 days. Female jaguars usually
give birth to one to four cubs,
averaging two young per litter. She
gives birth in a den surrounded by
a dense thorn thicket, or under tree
roots.
There are eight subspecies of jaguar. Jaguars are
considered the equivalent of leopards in the New
World, and are the largest species of cats in the
Western Hemisphere.They are
distributed throughout most of
Mexico, Central and South America,
while lone individuals are rarely
seen in the southwestern United
States.
Habitat
Life Cycle
Mostly deciduous and tropical rain
forest, but jaguars can range from
montane areas to the wet savanna.
Jaguars are often found near fresh
water where they hunt fish.
Jaguar cubs are usually born with
their eyes closed, weigh about 25-29
ounces (700-900 gr), and are highly
dependent upon their mother for
survival. After about two weeks, a
cub’s eyes open. Soon thereafter,
Woodland Park Zoo
jaguar young may leave the den,
only to explore and play not far
from their mother. Cubs continue to
suckle until they are 5 to 6 months old. Cubs start to
follow their mother on hunts when they are about 6
months old, but will not hunt alone until they are one
to 2 years of age. By that time, they are ready to leave
their mother’s side to look for their own territory and
mate.
Head/Body Length and
Shoulder Height
Adult length (including tail): 5-8.5
feet (1.6-2.6 m)
Adult height: 27-30 inches (68-76 cm); females are
smaller
Weight
Adult weight: 79-348 pounds (36-158 kg); females
weigh less
On Their Own
Life Span
Jaguars, like most species of cats, are solitary animals
who occupy large areas of land. Large territories are
more likely to contain sufficient numbers of prey
species to sustain them. They mark their territory
with urine, scent markings, and by scratching nearby
trees. In areas of high prey density, jaguars may share
limited parts of their home range with other jaguars.
Mothers with young, subadult siblings, and courting
or mating individuals are the few occasions that
In the wild, about 11 years; up to 22 years in zoos
Diet
In the wild: Deer, peccaries, monkeys, tapirs, birds,
reptiles, amphibians, fish, small rodents and domestic
stock if readily available. Jaguars can survive on
anything from herd animals to insects.
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jaguars spend time together.
When a female is ready to mate, she will stray from her
own territory to find a mate. In order to locate a mate,
males make a mewing cry. While a female is searching
for a mate, she may sometimes be accompanied briefly
by several males.
Jaguars are an endangered species. Estimates indicate
that over 10,000 still exist in the wild. However, their
numbers are decreasing rapidly as a result of habitat
destruction and the commercial fur trade. In many
areas, they are near extinction. Although large resident
populations still exist in the Amazon rain forests, the
key to the jaguar’s continued survival is its ability to
adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Silent Solitary Stalkers
Jaguars are nocturnal hunters, and do most of their
stalking on the ground. They are also excellent
climbers, leaping from a tree or a ledge to ambush
their prey. Jaguars have a compact body, with a large
broad head and powerful jaws. With large prey, jaguars
commonly bite the head and puncture the skull with
their canine teeth. Jaguars dispatch smaller prey by
simply breaking their necks. Large carcasses are either
buried or hidden in a sheltered area, for the jaguar
will return to eat when it is hungry again. The jaguar
is also a patient hunter of fish. It waits by the water’s
edge, occasionally hitting the surface of the water with
its tail, which inadvertently attracts fish. As the fish
approach the shore, the jaguar swats at them, spearing
the fish with its sharp claws.
The zoo participates in the Association of Zoos &
Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for
jaguars. The primary focus of the jaguar SSP, which
manages the captive population in North America,
is education and conservation of the species in its
countries of origin. For more information on the
Jaguar SSP, visit its Web site at www.jaguarssp.org.
How You Can Help!
You can help preserve and protect wildlife and their
habitat. Join and become active in Woodland Park Zoo
and wild habitats.
Jaguars are one of the few species of wild cats
that have melanistic (black) individuals!
programs at the zoo. Discover more about endangered
cats by calling the International Society for
Endangered Cats, Inc. at 1-800-465-6384 or (403) 2795892 or at their Web site. Learn other ways you can
help conserve wildlife and the habitats they require for
Jaguar is from the American Indian word
meaning “killer that takes its prey in a single
bound!”
Like most big cats, jaguars enjoy water. Jaguars
are strong swimmers, and will follow their prey
into the water during the chase!
Woodland Park Zoo’s jaguar is located in the Jaguar
Cove exhibit at the entrace to our Tropical Rain Forest
zone. The exhibit contains the upper fallen portion of
a kapok tree, a limestone cave, a flowing stream, a pool
with live fish, sandy shoreline, a waterfall, abundant
plants and naturalistic shelters. Outside the exhibit
is a research tent to provide education programs and
informal learning.
*Taxonomic classification varies between references. Classification information used in this fact sheet
was taken from Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic And Geographic Reference, edited by
Don E. Wilson and DeeAnn M. Reeder, Second Edition, 1993.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Ocelot
Leopardus (Felis) pardalis
Reproduction
Ocelots belong to the family Felidae, which includes
36 species of cats. Ocelots are classified under the
genus Leopardus. Leopardus includes three species of
“small cats,” the ocelot, margay and little spotted cat.
Felis pardalis is still an accepted scientific name for
the ocelot.*
Ocelots sexually mature at about 20-24 months.
Mating in the wild or in captivity may occur at any
time, usually once or twice a year. Gestation lasts
about 70 days. Female ocelots usually give birth to
one to four kittens, averaging two young per litter.
Females give birth in well protected areas such as a
dense thorn thicket or hollow tree.
There are 11 subspecies of ocelots. They are
distributed throughout Mexico,
Central and South America to
northern Argentina, with remnant
populations still in the southwestern
United States.
Life Cycle
Ocelot kittens are highly reliant
upon their mother for survival,
and the mother cares for her
young alone. When it becomes
necessary for her to hunt, the
mother will conceal the litter in a
den surrounded by thick shrubs.
Kittens are dependent on their
mother for five to six months. At
around 6 months of age, kittens
start to practice hunting techniques
alongside their mother, but they will
not hunt alone until 18-24 months
Woodland Park Zoo
of age. By that time, they are ready
to leave their mother’s side to look
for their own territory and mate.
Habitat
Ocelots are found in several
different kinds of habitats, from
jungle areas and tropical rain forests
to dry scrub and chaparral zones.
They prefer marshes and riverbanks
to open country.
Adult length (including tail): 2.5-5
feet (74-152 cm)
Weight
Independent Individuals
slightly less
Ocelots are solitary animals who occupy small,
exclusive areas of land, approximately 20 square miles
(52 sq km). They mark their territory with urine
and scent markings. Male ocelot ranges are often
larger than that of a female. Male ocelots avoid other
male ocelot territories; however, they will overlap
into other female ranges. Although individuals
roam and hunt separately, research indicates that
ocelots will frequently contact one another and
probably maintain a network of social ties. The ocelot
communicates by meows, and during courtship,
yowls in a manner similar to that of a domestic cat.
Life Span
About 10-13 years in the wild; up to 20 years in zoos
Diet
In the wild: Young deer and peccaries, monkeys, birds,
reptiles, fish, rabbits and small rodents
At the zoo: Ground turkey, quail, chicks, mice, rats
and commercially prepared feline diet. Occassionally
they are given knuckle bones and rabbit. The ocelots
are fed live trout twice a week as enrichment.
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Out at Night
primary focus of this group is to establish a Species
Survival Plan (SSP) for the ocelot, which will help
manage the captive population in North America for
research and education. Additionally, the zoo seeks
to encourage and assist in the conservation of the
ocelot in its territories of origin, including the highly
endangered Texas subspecies.
Ocelots have a strong body with short, sleek hair. They
have an extraordinary sense of vision at low light
levels, as well as an acute sense of smell and hearing.
It is not surprising then, that ocelots are nocturnal
hunters. However, they will sometimes venture out
during the day for a drink of water. Ocelots do most
of their hunting on the ground, their slender bodies
enabling them to capture prey in the thickest thorn
brush. Although they are mainly ground hunters,
ocelots will expertly climb trees for birds or squirrels,
and can easily swim in rivers and ponds for fish.
How You Can Help!
and wild habitats.
The ocelot’s tail is usually one-third the length
of its body!
Ocelots are three to four times the size of an
average domestic cat!
Contact Woodland Park Zoo webkeeper@zoo.org to
find out about ways you can support conservation
Endangered Cats, Inc. at 1-800-465-6384 or (403) 2795892 or at their Web site at www.wildcatconservation.
org. Learn other ways you can help conserve wildlife
and the habitats they require for survival by visiting
our How You Can Help page under “Conservation” at
www.zoo.org.
Ranchers consider the ocelot an asset on the
range because it preys on rodents and rabbits,
but does not kill livestock!
Woodland Park Zoo’s ocelots are located in the
Tropical Rain Forest building exhibit.
sheet was taken from: Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic And Geographic Reference,
2nd edition, edited by Don E. Wilson and Dee Ann M. Reeder, 1993. Smithsonian Institution Press,
Washington, D.C. 1,206 p.
** There are several international and federal agencies that determine the endangered status
(International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red list, the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s
Ocelots are an endangered species.** They are still
in high demand for the fur industries in Europe and
Asia, which leads to abuse of the already existing
laws protecting ocelots and other small cats. Ocelot
numbers are also decreasing rapidly as a result of
habitat destruction and the black market pet trade.
Threatened throughout their entire range, ocelots are
also becoming exceedingly rare in several areas. In the
U.S., ocelots once ranged throughout the southwest
from Arizona to Louisiana, yet now less than 100
ocelots are estimated to be left in Texas.
Since 1973, 21 ocelots have been born at Woodland
Park Zoo. Most have been sent to other zoos to mate
with other unrelated ocelots. Since the future of the
ocelot is uncertain, zoos with breeding pairs play an
important role in the ocelot’s survival. Woodland Park
Zoo also participates in the Association of Zoos &
Aquariums’ (AZA) Felid Taxon Advisory Group. The
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Pygmy Marmoset
Callithrix pygmaea
primates fill the same niche as our North American
sapsucker birds.
Monkeys are divided into New World and Old
World families. Pygmy marmosets belong to the
New World monkey family Callitrichidae. They are
classified under the genus Callithrix, which includes
nine distinct species.* New World monkeys have
nostrils spread far apart, and never develop ischial
callosities—the hard sitting pads on the lower side of
the buttocks evident on Old World
monkeys such as black and white
colobus. Pygmy marmosets live in
the upper Amazonian region in
Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and
Bolivia.
At the zoo: Canned marmoset diet, yams, fruits, gum
arabic (sap), browse and insects.
Reproduction
Breeding may take place at any time of the year. In
the courtship display, the male walks with his body
arched, smacking his lips and
pushing his tongue in and out.
Habitat
They prefer floodplain forests and
the natural tropical forest edge.
Pygmy marmosets are the world’s
smallest monkeys, weighing just
4-7 ounces (113-198 g) when fully
grown, and reaching less than 6
inches (15.2 cm) in head and body
length, with a 7-9 inch (17-23 cm) bushy tail. Pygmy
marmosets have fine, silky coats of gray with touches
of black, brown and tan. They have long hairs on their
cheeks and head, which form a mane that conceals
the ears.
Dennis Dow
Nonidentical twins (sometimes
triplets) are born twice a year. Male
marmosets take excellent care of
the young. They carry the babies on
their hips and shoulders until the
young are about 2 months old, at
which time they are independent
of both parents. The females care
for the young only when nursing
or cleaning. After two months, the
young spend their time playing,
wrestling and chasing each other
and other members of the group. At
6 months, they have reached adult
size.
Life Span
Pygmy marmosets are active during the day. Most
activity takes place on cool mornings and in late
afternoons. They gallop along branches and can leap
three feet or more. They sometimes rest by piercing
their nails into the bark of a tree. They sleep at night
in hollowed trees or tangled vines.
Life span in the wild is unknown; captive marmosets
have lived up to 15 years.
Life Cycle
Pygmy marmosets form small groups of up to 15
individuals, consisting of lifetime breeding pairs and
their offspring. Offspring often stay in the group after
reaching adulthood, and help care for their young
siblings.
Diet
In the wild: Pygmy marmosets feed on berries, buds,
fruits and flowers. They also have the habit of sap
sucking, which involves gnawing holes into a favorite
tree trunk and drinking the sap which is a very
important source of food. Family units are territorial,
with groups having one or more sap producing trees
in their range which they defend. These tropical
This is My Territory!
Marmosets have special scent glands for marking
their territories. When two male marmosets of
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different groups meet, they threaten each other with
rapid flattening and erection of the ear tufts. They will
walk near each other with their backs arched, pulling
back the corners of their mouths, and flattening the
ear tufts.
inhabit degraded forests. This species has a chance
for recovery if the current rate of deforestation can be
slowed.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save threatened and endangered species
requires cooperation and support at the international,
in this cause. Join and become active in a conservation
organization of your choice. Support the conservation
of endangered species and wild habitats, and do not
buy products made from wild animal parts. Learn
other ways you can help conserve wildlife and the
habitats they require for survival by visiting our How
You Can Help page under “Conservation” at www.zoo.
org.
Pygmy marmosets also have at least 10 different forms
of vocal expression; including a trill to communicate
over long distances, a high, sharp warning whistle and
a clicking sound for threats. They also communicate
with facial expressions, body posture and hair erection.
Marmosets also defend their territory by chasing and
displaying their rumps with the tail raised and the fur
fluffed.
Group members help carry and bring food to
the young. Helpers gain parental care skills
while they wait for the opportunity to have
young of their own!
The word marmoset is said to be adapted from
a French word meaning a grotesque image or
mannequin!
An alarmed marmoset turns its head in all
directions!
The pygmy marmosets at Woodland Park Zoo
are prolific. One of the breeding females had
twins every five months. The troop ranges
from eight to 10 individuals, with the older
offspring of the breeding female and her mate
remaining in the group for about two years. As
they mature, these offspring are sent to other
zoos, where they will mate with other unrelated
marmosets!
The pygmy marmosets at Woodland Park Zoo can be
seen in the Adaptations Building.
Due to extensive tropical rain forest habitat
destruction, the breeding and feeding areas of
most marmosets are disappearing, and all species
of marmosets are vulnerable. Fortunately, many
marmosets are highly adaptable to change and can
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Red Ruffed Lemur
Varencia variegata rubra
smell, vision and hearing.
Lemurs are primates placed in the suborder
Prosimiae. There are five distinct families of lemurs:
Lemuridae (ring-tailed lemurs), Indriidae (woolly
lemurs), Daubentoniidae (aye-ayes), Megaladapidae
(sportive lemurs), and Cheirogaleidae (fat-tailed
dwarf lemurs). The red ruffed lemur is a member
of the Lemuridae family, which includes 10 species
in four genera. There is one other
subspecies of ruffed lemur, the black
and white ruffed (V. v. variegata).
Life Span
Life span in the wild is 15-20 years; they live up to 19
years in captivity
Diet
In the wild: Fruits, leaves, nectar and seeds. Their diet
varies, depending on the season.
At the zoo: Fruits, leaf-eater chow
and various greens (i.e., kale,
romaine, spinach, etc.)
AFRICA
All lemur species live on the African
island nation of Madagascar.
Reproduction
Habitat
Red ruffed lemurs reach sexual
maturity at about 2 years of age,
and have young at about 3 years of
age. In the wild, breeding season
occurs from May through July, yet
the female is in estrus for only a few
days and fertile only one day during
this time. Gestation lasts 90-102
days; a period remarkably short
Ryan Hawk
for this large of a primate. Ruffed
lemurs are the only primates that
produce litters of young. The most common litter
size is three. Young are born in September or October
at the beginning of the wet season, when food is
plentiful. Unlike most primates, the female red ruffed
lemur may build several nests for her young, padding
them with her own body hair. Newborns have fur, and
are wide-eyed at birth, however, they are not mobile
at birth. The mother may park them in one of her
satellite nests while foraging. At 7 weeks, youngsters
can follow their parents through the treetops.
Weaning occurs when young are about 4 months old.
Madagascar
Red ruffed lemurs live in deciduous
tropical forests of the Masoala
Peninsula in northeastern
Madagascar, at elevations up to
3,300 feet (1,006 m).
Red ruffed lemurs are the largest
members of the Lemuridae; both
sexes average 43-47 inches (110-120
cm) in length including a bushy, 22-25 inch (56-65
cm) tail. Adult males weigh 7-10 pounds (3.2-4.5
kg). Females are usually heavier. Slender bodied and
long legged, red ruffed lemurs have a narrow, fox-like
snout and small ears that are hidden by a ruff of hair.
The soft, woolly body fur is a deep rusty red while
their extremities, forehead, crown, belly and tail are
black. They have a patch of white fur on the nape of
the neck and may have additional white patches on
the feet, digits or mouth. Red ruffed lemurs (and all
prosimians) lack extensive digit coordination, so they
groom themselves and each other with their teeth.
Six bottom teeth form what is called the toothcomb.
A specialized claw on the second toes of their hind
feet is used to brush their long, fluffy coat. Red ruffed
lemurs have scent glands on their rump used for
group identification. They also have acute senses of
Life Cycle
Lemurs live in social groups consisting of two to 16
animals. They stay within a common home range,
aggressively defending it from other groups of red
ruffed lemurs. As the dominant individuals, females
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form the core of the group, and are the defenders of
their territory. During the wet season, red ruffed lemur
groups will increase in size, only to disperse as the dry
season approaches and food becomes scarce.
The island nation of Madagascar is an area of great
biodiversity, rivaling the ecosystems found in Brazil
and Indonesia. Madagascar separated from Africa over
160 million years ago, and most of the animal species
living there today are endemic, evolving in isolation.
It is vital to preserve the habitat of this nation for all
the unique species living in Madagascar. Fortunately,
red ruffed lemurs breed well in captivity. Over 300
individuals are currently held by at least 70 institutions
worldwide. Woodland Park Zoo participates in the
Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Prosimian
Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) and the Malagasy
Faunal Interest Group (FIG). It is critical for zoos to
support captive breeding efforts in order to ensure the
continued survival of this species.
Who Goes There!
Red ruffed lemurs warn each other with a complex
system of at least 12 different vocalizations. These
alarm calls can be low grunts, gurgling sounds or a
cackle-like roar. Red ruffed lemurs can even recognize
the alarm calls of their co-subspecies, the black and
white ruffed lemurs. Both subspecies will cooperate
in warning the other’s group. Predators of red ruffed
lemurs include snakes, raptors, large mammals and
humans.
How You Can Help!
or other conservation organizations of your choice.
Do not buy products made from wild-caught animal
and wild habitats. Support sustainable Madagascar
industries that protect rainforest resources.
Female dominance in primates is unique to
prosimians like the red ruffed lemur!
The Malagasy names for red ruffed lemurs are
varimena or varignena!
Since the arrival of humans on Madagascar, at
least 15 species of lemur have gone extinct!
programs at the zoo. Learn other ways you can help
Red ruffed lemurs are located outside, on the African
rain forest trail section of the Tropical Rain Forest.
All lemurs are endangered species**; the red ruffed
lemur is considered critically endangered, and is
protected under Appendix I of the Convention on the
International Trade in Endangered Species, (CITES).
Scientists estimate that only 1,000 to 10,000 red
ruffed lemurs remain in the wild. Habitat destruction,
hunting and live capture for the pet or animal trades
place severe pressures on lemur populations and
are the leading causes of endangerment. Because
the red ruffed lemur has a small geographic range
and low numbers of wild specimens, it is one of the
most endangered of the Malagasy lemurs. Although
some red ruffed lemurs live in a protected area of
Madagascar, the Masoala Nature Reserve, most of
them occur outside this reserve.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Common Vampire Bat
Desmodus rotundus
are very strong, enabling this bat to easily crawl, hop
and jump.
Common vampire bats are classified in the order
Chiroptera, and within the family Phyllostomidae.
Desmodus rotundus is the only species in the genus
Desmodus.* There are two other vampire bat species:
the white-winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi), and
the hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata). The
common vampire bat makes up about 99% of the
entire vampire bat population.
The common vampire bat ranges
from northern Mexico to Argentina
and Chile. They are also found
on the islands of Trinidad and
Margarita off the coast of Venezuela.
Life Span
Life span in the wild is up to 9 years; in captivity
about 20 years
Diet
In the wild: The common vampire bat feeds on the
blood of mammals, and sometimes
domesticated birds. Host animals
might be cattle, horses or pigs.
Wild animals are also a valuable
blood source, and humans have
sporadically supplied a tasty blood
meal.
SOUTH
AMERICA
PACIFIC
OCEAN
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Habitat
At the zoo: Cow blood
Common vampire bats live in
subtropical and tropical regions,
and inhabit humid tropical forests
to arid desert habitats. They live
at elevations of up to about 7,500
feet (2,288 m). These bats roost in
secluded, nearly dark areas such as
caves with fissures, tree hollows,
abandoned wells and buildings, and
deep mine shafts.
Reproduction
Common vampire bats sexually
mature at about 9 months of age,
and mate throughout the year.
When the male finds a receptive
Joy Spurr
female, he climbs upon her back.
Then he holds her wings with his,
and grabs the back of her neck with his mouth.
Gestation lasts about 7 months, after which a single
young is born; twins occasionally occur. The mother
suckles her young for the first month, after which the
young also receives regurgitated blood meals from
the mother. Young develop quickly, accompanying
their mother on hunts by 4 months of age. Young are
fully grown by 5 months and are fully weaned by 10
months of age.
Females are a bit larger than males, but otherwise
both sexes are nearly identical in appearance.
Brown, gray, or brownish-red fur covers their body;
it is lighter on the underside. They have large eyes,
large pointed ears and no tail. Their nose appears
compressed and has two large nostrils. Their sense of
smell is acute. The mouth has very sharp canine and
incisor teeth.
Life Cycle
Common vampire bats are social animals. They roost
alone, in small groups, or in colonies of up to 2,000
bats. When colonies are larger than about 50 bats,
they split up into smaller groups consisting of females
and their young. A single male often roosts close
to each female group and attempts to maintain his
Common vampire bats weight between 0.5-1.8
ounces (14-51 g). Average head and body length is
approximately 2.7-3.5 inches (7-9 cm), the size of an
adult human’s thumb. Wing span averages 8 inches
(20.3 cm). The thumb on each wing is well developed.
Unlike most bats, the legs of the common vampire bat
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right to breed with the females of the group. Clashes
between males frequently occur; they are hard-fought
battles that involve biting, kicking and battering with
wings.
Vampire bats are in the Night Exhibit. After the zoo
closes, the light in this exhibit is gradually brought
up to an artificial “day” lasting between 10-14 hours.
During this “day” the nocturnal vampire bats sleep.
They become active during the zoo visitor’s day as
their “night” begins. The lights are gradually dimmed
to simulate dusk, then darkness.
Social bonds are enhanced by grooming, this normally
occurs between females and young, and female to
female. A female grooms another female for several
minutes, after which the recipient regurgitates part
of their blood meal for the other to consume. This
practice proves important since one in three bats are
unsuccessful in finding a blood meal each night. A
vampire bat dies if it does not get a blood meal in two
to three days. One strategy for survival is to groom
or beg from another bat, in order to receive a much
needed blood meal.
Vampire bat populations are healthy throughout their
range. In many Latin countries, however, governmentsponsored programs attempt to eradicate vampire bats.
Over the last several decades, cattle ranches spread
throughout Mexico, Central and South America.
Vampire bat populations soared and their range
expanded, as cattle are easy targets. Unfortunately,
vampire bats can transmit rabies and other diseases to
cattle. Annually, over 100,000 cattle die from the bites
of vampire bats, and ranchers lose millions of dollars
in revenue. During these eradication programs, people
kill other harmless bat species mistaken for vampire
bats. Additionally, many species of bats are in trouble
due to destruction of their habitat and roosting sites.
Dinner on the Hoof
Flying about 3 feet (0.9 m) off the ground, the bat’s
sharp sense of smell and echolocation find a “victim”.
Echolocation happens when the bat sends ultra-high
frequency sounds through its nose. The sounds reflect
off objects in their surroundings, bouncing back to the
bat’s sensitive ears. The bat determines the distance
to its target by how long it takes the sounds to return.
This bat is lucky—there’s a sleeping cow right ahead!
All bats have an enormous ecological significance.
Insect-eating bats consume huge quantities of flying
insects — a single bat may consume 500 mosquitoes in
an hour. Nectar-feeding bats are important pollinators.
Fruit-eating bats disperse seeds over great distances in
tropical forests, ensuring food supplies for other forest
inhabitants.
So as not to alert the cow, the bat lands on the ground
and easily crawls or hops to its snoozing dinner using
their thumbs, forearms and wings. It lightly climbs
onto the cow and uses heat sensors in its nose to find
where blood is near the skin’s surface. The bat licks
the site clean with its tongue and then trims the cow’s
hair with its teeth. It then painlessly cuts through the
skin and injects saliva containing a chemical to prevent
blood clots. The bat then laps oozing blood with its
tongue. The bat soon becomes engorged with blood
and is too heavy to fly away. It crawls off the cow and
moves along the ground to a safe place while digestion
lightens its heavy load.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save bats and other animals requires
and become active in a conservation organization of
your choice. Tell your elected representatives on the
Draculin, a blood-thinning drug developed
from vampire bat saliva, helps prevent strokes
and heart attacks in humans!
www.zoo.org.
The common vampire bat is the only bat that
can take off vertically!
Common vampire bats avoid attacking dogs
because canines can detect a bat’s highfrequency sounds as they approach!
sheet was taken from Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference; Don
E. Wilson and DeeAnn M. Reeder, Second Edition, 1993.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Sunbittern
Eurypyga helias
Life Span
The sunbittern is the only member of the
Eurypygidae family of birds and is related to rails and
bustards.
Life span in the wild is unknown; up to 15 years in
zoos
Diet
The sunbittern’s range is confined to the tropical
areas ranging from Guatemala to northern Brazil.
In the wild: Sunbitterns are usually found singly or
in pairs, walking with a deliberate gait along the
muddy stream or lake shores, among rocks, rushing
water, or wading in shallow waters.
Sunbitterns hunt fish, amphibians,
crustaceans and insects, which they
catch by striking quickly, using their
long necks and spear-like bills.
Habitat
The sunbittern frequents the wellwooded banks of streams and creeks
with shallow wading water and is
found at elevations up to 3,000 feet
(909 m).
At the zoo: Soaked dog chow, baby
mice, smelt, greens, fruit and tofu.
The sunbittern is an elegant bird
with long legs, a slender heron-like
neck and a long bill. It is about 18
inches (45.7 cm) in length, with a
stout body and relatively small head.
The sunbittern’s body plumage is
full and soft with an intricate design
of colors. The head is almost all
black with white striping above
and below its ruby-red eyes. The
sunbittern’s neck, breast and shoulders are brown,
and the belly, throat and undertail are a pale buff
white. Hidden under the brown plumage is a rich
orange-chestnut patch near the tip of each wing. The
lower jaw and legs are a bright orange color.
Reproduction
Nests are usually built in a tree or
bush, 10 to 20 feet (3-6 m) above
the ground, and less frequently
on the ground. Nests are made of
sticks, mud and decaying vegetable
material. The shallow cup of the
Dennis Conner
nest contains a clutch of two or
three eggs. The eggs are light brown
or buff with dark spots and blotches. Both parents
take turn incubating the eggs, which hatch after 27-28
days. The male and female protect and feed the chicks
in turn during the first two weeks, never leaving the
nest unattended. Thereafter, chicks are left alone for
several hours each day as both parents hunt for food.
The size, coloration and decoration of the sunbittern
does not differ between males, females or even
juveniles. As a sunbittern spreads its wings, it reveals
conspicuous patches of chestnut and orange on the
primary wing feathers and bands of the same color
across the tail. This spectacular frontal display is for
threat or defense rather than courtship and is usually
accompanied by a low hiss and bowing.
Graceful Flight
The sunbittern’s flight is light and graceful with slow
wing beats. They walk for the most part, periodically
making short flapping flights across deep water. When
frightened, sunbitterns will fly to perch high in trees.
With its slow, deliberate walk on orange-colored legs
and its long neck held parallel to the ground, the
sunbittern resembles the sun-flecked forest interior.
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When the sunbittern unfolds its tail, a sunburst
of color and an enormous eye-like design are
revealed. The “eyes” are often used to frighten
predators!
Sunbitterns are difficult to locate in the wild,
partly because they rarely socialize with more
than one other bird!
Sunbitterns are known to make noises which
resemble mechanical rattling!
Woodland Park Zoo’s sunbitterns are located in the
Tropical Rain Forest. As visitors enter the Tropical
Rain Forest, they are immersed in a garden of tropical
rain forest plants such as fan palms, bananas, cocoa,
figs and hanging liana vines. Look closely at the
floor of the sunbittern’s exhibit because they are well
camouflaged.
While not currently endangered or threatened,
sunbittern populations are diminishing due to habitat
loss.
How You Can Help!
Recycle forest products. Eliminate or reduce pesticide
use.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
easily locate covered carcasses not visible from the air.
Turkey vultures and other New World vultures
belong to the family Cathartidae, in the order
Ciconiiformes.* New World vultures make up the
subfamily Cathartinae and are mostly large, longwinged, brownish-black birds with bare heads. Other
members of this subfamily include the Andean
condor, king vulture, black vulture and the highly
endangered California condor.
Turkey vultures range from
southern Canada to South America.
At the zoo: Mice, rats, quail, trout and stockbones
Habitat
Turkey vultures are commonly
seen near farms, open areas and
woodlands soaring on thermals.
They nest in rocky, forested
locations.
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Reproduction
Prior to pairing up, turkey vultures often take part
in a group “dance.” Gathering in large numbers on
open ground, they hop, with wings trailing, toward
one another. Turkey vultures do not make nests.
Instead, clutches of about two eggs
are laid in a variety of locations,
including bare ground in the brush,
the floor of caves, on rock shelves,
or in rotted-out logs. Both parents
incubate the eggs, which takes 38-41
days. Both parents feed the hungry
chicks with regurgitated food. Young
stay in the nest for about six weeks.
NORTH
AMERICA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Breeding range
Year-round range
Life Cycle
Turkey vultures spend much of
the day soaring in the sky in search
of carrion. Although primarily
scavengers, turkey vultures may
Dennis Conner
rarely attack insects or small, sick
animals. At night they often gather
in large roosts. Turkey vultures living in the northern
reaches of their range tend to be migratory, and
usually assemble in flocks of up to several hundred
individuals for the fall and spring migration to
and from wintering grounds in the southern states,
Mexico, south to South America.
Adult turkey vultures are 24-28
inches (60-70 cm) in length with a
wingspan of 5-6 feet (150-180 cm).
They usually weigh between 3.5-5
pounds (1.6-2.7 kg). The turkey
vulture’s plumage is dark brown with a blue, green or
purple iridescence. The underside of the wing is twotone with dark brown or black on the leading edge of
the wing, with silver-gray flight feathers. Adults have
a small, bare, red head; juveniles have blackish heads.
The legs are also pale red and bare. Their feet are
weak with blunt toenails and a small hind toe.
Clumsy on the Ground - Agile in the Air
Life Span
These large birds move awkwardly on the ground,
walking or hopping clumsily with a sideways hitch.
When preparing to take flight, a turkey vulture leans
forward, takes a few steps, hops and then pushes off
with its legs while flapping its wings.
Can attain an age of 20 years in captivity.
Diet
In the wild: Unlike true birds of prey, vultures rarely
catch live prey. Vultures seek out carrion (dead
animals) and will eat most anything they come upon.
Soaring high above ground, they use their acute
vision to locate food. The turkey vulture has a more
developed sense of smell than most birds, and can
Once airborne, turkey vultures become birds of grace
and agility. Using their large, broad wings to ride
warm air thermals, they soar upward and rarely have
to flap their wings.
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Turkey vultures are easy to identify in flight. Their
wings are held in a V-shape, or dihedral, over their
back. Because they are very light for their size, they
tend to teeter back and forth in the wind.
Turkey vultures are widespread, and are not considered
endangered. Turkey vulture numbers declined in
the 1950s and 1960s, most likely due to pesticide
contamination. The current increase in turkey vulture
populations may be a result, in part, to the more
controlled and safe use of poisonous pesticides.
Table Manners?
Vultures are social animals. Several dozen turkey
vultures may flock to a large carcass within minutes
after its death. Although turkey vultures are usually
silent, this all changes when they gather to eat. Silence
is replaced with shoving, hissing, grunting, growling
and squabbling, and fighting between vultures breaks
out at times. Injury, however, rarely occurs during the
upheaval of the feeding frenzy.
All vultures play a valuable role in nature as scavengers.
Vultures quickly remove carcasses from the landscape
before they rot and turn foul-smelling. The genus
name Cathartes comes from the Greek word Kathartes
which means “purifier.” Vultures can eat animals that
have died from diseases such as anthrax or botulism
and not get sick themselves. In this way they help to
prevent the spread of disease.
The bare head of a turkey vulture is an adaptation for
its scavenging life style, and helps keep the head clean
when the vulture sticks its head inside the carcass of a
large animal.
How You Can Help!
Efforts to save threatened and endangered birds
endangered bird species at zoos and other animal care
A turkey vulture alarmed by a potential predator
will often regurgitate its food. This startles the
predator and lightens the turkey vulture so it
can fly away!
Turkey vultures are one of the few birds with a
well-developed olfactory sense which they use
to locate carrion. Turkey vultures have been
used to detect the location of natural gas leaks,
because they will circle over the leak lured by
the rotten-meat odor added to the gas!
Contact Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to
find ways you can support conservation programs at
the zoo. Discover more about raptors by contacting the
Peregrine Fund at their Web site www.peregrinefund.
www.zoo.org.
No animal is known to prey upon adult turkey
vultures!
Turkey vultures can be seen at the zoo’s Raptor Center.
Other birds that can be viewed at the Raptor Center
include the bald eagle, gyrfalcon, Harris’s hawk as
well as great horned, spectacled and barred owls.
Additionally, owls can be seen in the zoo’s Temperate
Forest bioclimatic zone; a great gray owl adjacent
to Bug World and a barn owl at the Family Farm.
Woodland Park Zoo’s Eagle Release Program has
80 eagles, plus several other raptor species.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Yellow Anaconda
Eunectes notaeus
18 inch-long (45 cm) young, may be born at one
time.
The yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) belongs
to the family of snakes, Boidae, which contains the
world’s largest snake species including pythons, boas
and anacondas. The family Boidae is further divided
into several subfamilies; anacondas belong to the
subfamily Boinae. There are four species of anaconda
in the genus Eunectes.
The range of the yellow anaconda
covers the Paraguay Basin from
southwestern Brazil to northeastern
Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay.
Habitat
Life Cycle
Yellow anacondas are constrictors that will generally
lay and wait at the water’s edge for unsuspecting prey
to come along and drink. The prey is quickly grabbed
and constricted and suffocated, or pulled under water
to drown. Anacondas may also actively hunt on land.
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
PACIFIC
OCEAN
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Anacondas live in aquatic
environments including swamps,
marshes and brush covered banks of
slow moving rivers and streams.
Intergroup meetings are usually
hostile, mostly between males,
which will make defensive gestures,
vocalizations and occasionally chase
or fight each other. Rarely, two
troops will share a water hole or
other resource.
Snake With Legs?
The yellow anaconda like other
members of the boa family is a
relatively primitive snake retaining
a vestigial pelvic girdle and hind
limbs. The “limbs” are present as
Dennis Dow
external spurs located on either
side of the common excretory and
reproductive tract. Spurs are larger in males and are
used in courtship and mating to stimulate the female.
Yellow anacondas have a pattern
of dark brown or black blotches,
spots or streaks against a yellow
or greenish-yellow background.
Though the yellow anaconda is
not as large as its more soberly colored relative, the
common anaconda, it is a sizeable snake reaching an
average length of 10 feet (3 m).
Life Span
The yellow anacondas in the Tropical Rain
Forest exhibit live on the forest floor. Here the
anacondas can be seen in the water or dangling
from the riverbank waiting for prey!
15-20 years in the wild and zoos
Diet
In the wild: The diet of the yellow anaconda consists
of a variety of prey, from birds and small mammals,
to reptiles including an occasional turtle or caiman.
Juvenile anacondas also feed on fish.
The yellow anaconda’s larger relative, the
common (green) anaconda, is the largest snake,
reaching a length of up to 30 feet (9.1 m)!
At the zoo: Small rabbits, rats, quail, chicks and fish.
Anacondas are sometimes referred to as water
boas because they spend so much of their lives
in or near water! Courtship, mating and birth
frequently take place in water!
Reproduction
Like other boas, female anacondas retain their eggs
and then give birth to live young. Up to several dozen,
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Animal Fact Sheets
Woodland Park Zoo’s yellow anacondas are located in
the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit. As visitors enter the
exhibit, they are immersed in a garden of tropical rain
forest plants such as fan palms, bananas, cocoa, figs
and hanging liana vines. The anacondas can be seen in
the water or dangling from the riverbank, waiting for
prey.
www.zoo.org.
Reptiles as Pets
health and unknown backgrounds. If you need to find
a reptile or amphibian a new home, we suggest you
contact a local herpetological group in your area. In
the Puget Sound region, it is the Pacific Northwest
Herpetological Society.
Yellow anacondas, as all reptiles, play an important
role in nature’s web of life. Habitat destruction,
dam building and other development along rivers,
and hunting for skins to make tourist products or
souvenirs contribute to the decline of the yellow
anaconda and other reptiles. The pet trade is also
lowering numbers of certain reptile populations to
the point where they may become extinct in the wild.
Each of us needs to take action to protect wild habitats
so snakes and all animals can continue to perform the
vital roles they play in maintaining the delicate balance
of nature.
Humans need snakes and other reptiles. Here are only
a few of the benefits they provide:
• Reptiles help keep animal populations in balance.
• Reptiles consume many animals that humans
• Snake venom is used in medical research and
provides effective medicines to fight certain
human diseases.
How You Can Help!
and wild habitats.
programs at the zoo contact us at webkeeper@zoo.org.
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Animal Fact Sheets
FACTS
ANIMAL
Bushmaster
Lachesis muta
Bushmasters are venomous snakes belonging to the
class Reptilia, family Viperidae, subfamily Crotalinae
and genus Lachesis.* There are four bushmaster
subspecies. Bushmasters are native to southern
Central America and almost all the northern half
of South America. The range of the two Central
American subspecies begins in southern Nicaragua
and continues south to northern
Colombia. The two southern
subspecies are found from central
Colombia to central Bolivia,
extending from the eastern half
of Ecuador and northeastern
Peru to the coastlines of northern
Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana and
Pacific Ocean
Surinam. They are also found on
the island of Trinidad and along the
southern coast of Brazil.
The bushmaster is a potentially dangerous snake
to humans. Their venom kills by causing internal
bleeding. It is fairly weak compared to that of other
closely related species, but the bushmaster is able to
produce very large quantities of venom. The species is
elusive, however, and rarely encountered by humans.
As a result, there have been very few recorded human
fatalities from bushmaster bites.
Life Span
Life span in the wild is unknown. In
captivity, they typically live 12-18
years, with a recorded maximum life
span of 24 years.
South
America
Diet
In the wild: Primarily small
mammals.
At the zoo: Domestic rats
Habitat
Reproduction
Bushmasters are found in relatively
cool, moist tropical forests from
mountainous areas to coastal
lowlands.
The bushmaster is an oviparous
species, which means they lay eggs
Woodland Park Zoo
rather than bear live young. The
bushmaster is the only egg-laying pit
viper in the Americas.
Bushmasters are solitary except when mating. Males
find receptive females by following scent trails left
by females. Finding a female, he rubs his head and
flicks his tongue along the sides of her body to state
his intentions and make sure she is receptive. If so,
he flips his body upside down on top of hers and
rubs his spinal ridge back and forth in a sawing
motion against her body to stimulate her. If she is
coiled up, he may also strike her with the side of
his body to encourage her to loosen her coils and
allow him access. When she uncoils, they wrap their
bodies around one another and mate in that position,
sometimes remaining together for five or more hours.
When a female bushmaster is ready to lay her eggs,
she finds a burrow built by another small animal
to claim as her own, sometimes sharing the burrow
This species is the largest of all venomous snakes
in the Americas and the longest viper in the world,
sometimes reaching a length of 12 feet (3.6 m). As
with other members of its subfamily, the bushmaster
has hinged fangs that lie flat on the roof of the
mouth when not in use. Because of this adaptation,
their fangs can be very long, reaching as much as 1.4
inches (35 mm) in a large individual. Their bodies
are slightly flattened, with broad, wedge-shaped
heads and a short tail ending in a bony spur. When
agitated, they may shake their tail tip against foliage
to make a threatening sound. They have a light tan
background color with large, darker brown to black
diamond-shaped patterns on their backs. Their
scales are bumpy, with a pronounced ridge of hard,
sharp scales running down the center of their back.
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Animal Fact Sheets
with the animal that built it. She then lays eight to 12
eggs, each of which is white and slightly larger than a
chicken egg. After laying her eggs, the female coils her
body around them and guards them until they hatch
76-79 days later. She will not leave her eggs even to
hunt during this period.
forests and difficult terrain they typically inhabit. The
extensive degradation and destruction of the tropical
rain forests of South America is a major threat to this
and many other plant and animal species.
Humans need snakes!
By preying upon rodents and insects that eat our crops
and spread diseases, snakes help to control populations
of these rapidly breeding animals, keeping them within
the carrying capacity of their habitats. Snake venom
is used in medical research on blood clotting, and to
make certain anesthetics and medications.
Life Cycle
Newborn bushmasters are about 20 inches (50 cm)
long. They are pale-colored, with a bright orange or
yellow tail tip they gradually lose as they get older.
This may help the young bushmasters attract small,
insectivorous mammals to eat. The colors of the young
bushmaster will usually change to their dark adult
pattern when the snake is between 1-2 years old. Sexual
maturity is typically reached around 4 years.
How You Can Help!
and wild habitats.
Feel the Heat
The bushmaster, like other pit vipers, has a special
adaptation that helps them detect their warm-blooded
prey. They have two heat-sensitive pits, one on each
side of their heads, halfway between their eye and
nostril. These pits allow the snake to sense the heat
difference between a small mammal and the cooler
rocks, plants and other objects in the area. When a
warm-blooded animal ventures closer than 20 inches
(50 cm), the bushmaster can detect the prey entirely by
its body heat, even aiming its strike without any other
sensory information.
To learn other ways you can help, contact Woodland
Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org about supporting
conservation programs at the zoo. Discover more
about snakes by contacting the Society for the Study
of Amphibians and Reptiles at 303 W. 39th St., PO
Box 626, Hays, KS 67601, or the American Federation
of Herpetoculture: AFH, P.O. Box 300067, Escondido,
CA, 92030-0067. Learn other ways you can help
Bushmasters produce an enormous amount of
venom. The average yield of dried venom from
a bushmaster is 411 mg (0.014 oz), compared
to just 52 mg (0.0018 oz) from the copperhead!
Reptiles as Pets
Their heat-sensitive pits allow a bushmaster
to detect a heat difference of just 0.0036° F
(0.002°C)!
Woodland Park Zoo’s bushmasters are located in the
Tropical Rain Forest.
sheet was taken from the Reptile Database at www.reptile-database.org accessed on 10/30/07.
The population of bushmasters in the wild is
unknown, due to their secretive habits and the dense
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Animal Fact Sheets
FACTS
ANIMAL
Poison Dart Frog
Dendrobates sp.
to deposit her eggs. The eggs are laid on leaves,
where the high humidity provides the necessary
environment for developing eggs. In some species,
the male frog tends to the eggs and newly hatched
tadpoles. In others it is the female who takes on this
responsibility.
The Dendrobatidae family of frogs makes up a
group of about 75 different species of poison dart
frogs; each characterized by different coloring and
behavioral patterns. Poison dart frogs are found in
Central and South America.
When the tadpoles hatch, they maneuver themselves
onto the parent’s back, where they ride through
the forest understory. In some
species, this is as far as parental
responsibility is carried. For
example, the species Dendrobates
colostethus, which has no toxins
and very dull colors, is made very
vulnerable to predation by the
hitchhiking tadpoles. They simply
carry the hatched tadpoles to the
nearest suitable water and abandon
them.
Habitat
Poison dart frogs make their home
on the moist floor of the tropical
rain forests.
Poison dart frogs are conspicuously
colorful, their bright colors warning
predators about the toxic poisons
that exude from their skins.
Different species of dart frogs sport
varying colors. Most species of
poison dart frogs are bright red,
orange, yellow, or green and black.
However, some species without
toxic poisons are usually very dull
in color.
With other species of poison
dart frogs, however, this is not
the case. After picking up the
Mike Teller
hatched tadpoles, the attending
parent climbs high up into the
forest canopy, where they deposit
the tadpoles into a variety of plants including the
bromeliad, whose numerous cup-like leaves provide
multiple, water-filled sanctuaries where young
can develop. One tadpole is placed in each pocket
of water. The parent also makes sure to distribute
tadpoles among many plants. In this way, the
entire mass of tadpoles will not be lost should it be
attacked by the giant damselflies, which lay eggs in
the bromeliads and whose young feed on developing
tadpoles.
Life Span
Approximately 10 to 15 years. (Record 20.5 by
Dendrobates auratus at Woodland Park Zoo)
Diet
In the wild: Dart frogs hunt ants and termites by day
amidst the thick brush. Because their prey is so small,
they spend a great deal of time foraging, increasing
their vulnerability to predation. Their bright colors
offer them protection as they forage, warning away
predators such as snakes.
Tadpoles also face danger from their own kind. If a
parent approaches a plant that is already occupied by
a tadpole, the youngster makes itself know by aiming
its head at the center of the plant, holding itself rigid,
and rapidly vibrating its tail. If the parent does not
heed this warning and deposits its tadpole into this
already occupied pool of water, the original, larger
At the zoo: Pinhead crickets and wingless fruit flies
Reproduction and Life Cycle
One of the most remarkable behavioral characteristics
of poison dart frogs is their care of offspring. The
male frog entices the female to an appropriate spot
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Animal Fact Sheets
tadpole will eat the younger tadpole.
extinct in the wild. Each of us needs to take action
to protect wild habitats so frogs and all animals
can continue to perform the vital roles they play in
maintaining the delicate balance of nature.
In some species of poison dart frogs, parental
responsibility does not end here. In the species
Dendrobates granuliferus and Dendrobates pumilio, the
female returns to each tadpole and deposits nutrient
rich, protein-filled eggs into their private aquariums as
food for the developing tadpoles.
Humans need frogs and other amphibians. Here are
only a few of the benefits they provide:
• Amphibians help keep animal populations in
balance.
What’s in a Name?
• Amphibians consume many animals that humans
consider as pests, including destructive species of
insects. This helps to control disease and damage
to crops.
Poison dart frogs get their name from the poisons
secreted through their skin. The Colombian Choco
Indians use the poison of the species Phyllobates
bicolor to tip their hunting darts. The poison affects
the nervous system and muscles, causing paralysis
and eventual respiratory failure. It is potent enough
to immobilize an animal as large as a monkey. Some
species of poison dart frogs have poisons that are more
toxic than others, but a few have no toxins at all.
• The poison of the poison dart frog and other
amphibians may provide effective medicines to
fight certain human diseases.
How You Can Help!
and wild habitats.
The toxins produced by the genus Dendrobates
are similar to chemicals produced by the
human adrenal glands, and may prove to have
medicinal value in small doses!
Male poison dart frogs make insect-like
buzzing and chirping noises to attract females.
Sometimes they make these vocalizations at
slightly elevated heights to allow the sound to
travel greater distances!
programs at the zoo contact us at webkeeper@zoo.
www.zoo.org.
Woodland Park Zoo’s poison dart frogs are located in
the Tropical Rain Forest. Look for the poison dart frogs
hopping and crawling around a puddle of water and
lounging on moss covered logs and branches. They are
hard to see, so look close and see how many you can
find.
Reptiles and Amphibians as Pets
We do not recommend reptiles and amphibians as
pets for most people as they require very specialized
diets and environments. We also receive hundreds of
requests each year to take former pet iguanas, boas and
other reptiles but we cannot accept these due to space,
the Puget Sound region, contact the Pacific Northwest
Herpetological Society as a resource.
Poison dart frogs, as all amphibians, play an important
role in nature’s web of life. Wild habitat needed by
these amphibians, however, is quickly disappearing.
In addition to habitat destruction, the pet trade is
lowering numbers of certain amphibian and reptile
populations to the point where they may become
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Animal Fact Sheets
FACTS
PLANT
Ceiba
Ceiba pentandra
Classification
fiber. These hairs act as parachutes, helping the
wind-dispersed seeds spread away from their parent
plant. This decreases the chance that seedlings will
have to compete with the parent plant for scarce soil
nutrients and other resources.
Ceiba pentandra is a flowering tree that is classified in
the family Bombacaceae, which contains an estimated
30 genera and 250 species, including baobab trees.
Common names include kapok (KAY-pahk) and silkcotton tree.
Like many tropical trees, kapoks are highly susceptible
to interior decay. Some ecologists hypothesize that
there may be a selective advantage to this particular
tendency. Hollow portions of
tropical trees are used extensively
by bats, birds and other animals.
For example, in Brazil, seven
different species of bats were found
roosting inside one hollow kapok
tree. The beneficial droppings of
these animals often fall all the way
down a hollow tree section to the
ground where the tree’s roots have
immediate access to nutrients.
Competition for nutrients on the
tropical forest floor is extremely
intense and, because it’s usually too
dark inside a hollow for other plants
to grow, the tree has a monopoly
on the nutrient resources that fall
within it.
Habitat and Range
Ceiba pentandra occurs naturally in
tropical rain forests or moist areas
of drier forests in West Africa and
in Central and South America. In
the Americas, the kapok grows from
southern Mexico to the southern
boundary of the Amazon basin.
Kapok trees are also grown on
plantations in southeast Asia.
Ceiba pentandra can reach heights
of 200 feet (60 m), may grow 13
feet (4 m) a year and can live as
long as 200 years. They have wide
buttresses at their base and large,
flat crowns on top. Leaves are large
and palmately compound with five to eight leaflets
radiating from a common point on each leaf. Ceiba
pentandra are deciduous and will drop all of their
leaves once a year.
Kapok around the world
• French: kapokier, capoc, bois cotton, fromager
Flowers are large and bell-shaped, with five white to
pink petals. The flowers have a pungent odor, which
attracts their bat-pollinators. One to two flowers on
each tree open each night, helping to ensure crosspollination. In addition to bats, hummingbirds,
bees, wasps and beetles have been seen visiting the
flowers. Each tree may produce 500 to 4,000 fruits
each fruiting season. The fruits are thick, woody
seedpods containing approximately 200 small, brown
seeds. Thus, one kapok tree may produce as many as
800,000 seeds per season. The pod-like fruits open
on the tree, releasing the seeds to the wind. Each seed
is covered in white tufts of silky hair called kapok
• Spanish: ceibo, bonga, painiera
• American Samoa, Tonga: vavae
• Chuuk: koton
• Guam: algodon de Manila
• Cook Islands and French Polynesia: vavai, vavai
mama’u, vavai maori
• Fiji: vauvau ni vavalangi, semar
• Marshall Islands: koatoa, atagodon, bulik, kotin
• Palau: kalngebard, kalngebárd, kerrekar ngebard
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Plant Fact Sheets
•
Pohnpei: cottin, koatun, koatoa
•
Saipan: arughuschel
•
Portuguese: sumaúma
As visitors approach the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit
from a distance, they encounter a simulation of the
remnants of a hollow kapok tree with a buttressed
spire reaching approximately 28 feet at its highest
point. As in nature, the roots of our simulated kapok
spread along the ground for more than 30 feet and are
covered in epiphytes such as bromeliads.
Human Uses and Cultural Importance
These kapok fibers were, and in some places still are,
commonly used as insulation and stuffing material for
furniture and upholstered automobile seats. Because
they’re lightweight and waterproof, lifejackets were
exclusively filled with kapok fibers until the middle of
the 20th century.
In Costa Rica, kapok trees are increasingly rare. Even
though one tree would produce a huge quantity of
wood, it is not good for construction because it is
brittle when dry. The main use of wood from these
trees is for concrete framing. These beautiful trees are
cut down and their wood, which is very inexpensive, is
used perhaps only once and then discarded. The Costa
Rican conservation community wants to elevate the
kapok to endangered status. Costa Rica has a few trees
on the endangered list and these cannot be cut down
for commercial use. Currently Ceiba pentandra is not
on the list.
Oil is made from the seeds of kapoks and is then made
into soap. The seeds are also eaten by people and
livestock in many parts of the world. In traditional
medicine practiced in Surinam, the seeds, leaves, bark
and resin from kapok trees are used to treat dysentery,
fevers, venereal diseases, asthma, menstrual bleeding
and kidney diseases. In Colombia, the bark is made
into a liquid and applied to hair to stimulate growth.
The same concoction is also given to cows after
delivery to help shed the placenta.
Native tribes also put bits of kapok fiber on the base of
their poison darts to make the darts fly better. Other
tribes wrapped the fibers around the trunks of fruit
trees to discourage leaf-cutting ants from clipping the
leaves of the trees. The trunks of kapok trees were also
made into carvings, canoes and coffins.
In the Gambia in West Africa, many people depend
on products from the forest for food. Ceiba pentandra
is valued in this region not only because its seeds
can be eaten by people and livestock, but also as an
economically important timber tree. However, the
once intact forests of the Gambia have been seriously
degraded, mainly through human activities such as
illegal felling, frequent bush fires and unsustainable
harvesting of forest products. Ceiba pentandra and
other beneficial tree species are considered a high
national priority for conservation. Consequently, the
seedlings of these trees are raised in nurseries and are
planted in degraded areas.
In addition to the use of the products, the kapok tree
is culturally important to different groups of native
people in tropical forests. To the Maya and various
Hispanic cultures in Central and South America, the
kapok is a holy tree that connects the terrestrial world
to the heavens above. Some cultures believe that the
dead climbed the kapok to reach heaven.Kapok trees
are also culturally significant in Africa and are sacred
in West Africa because they’re associated with burial
and ancestors. It’s also thought that the bark and leaves
of kapoks have the power to expel evil spirits. In a
region in Senegal, healing villages were founded at the
base of large kapok trees because it was believed that
these trees heal and protect people.
How You Can Help!
Many non-healing villages are also centered under
the shade of kapok trees. If a kapok tree is not present
at a village site, one will usually be planted. Often,
when a forest is cleared, a great kapok tree will be left,
providing shade for crops and serving as a reminder of
the forest that once stood there.
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Plant Fact Sheets
FACTS
PLANT
Orchids
Classification
coniferous forests of Alaska. However, the vast
majority of species are found in the moist tropics.
Orchids are flowering plants that are classified
in the family Orchidaceae, which contains an
estimated 600-800 genera and 25,000 - 35,000
species. The Orchidaceae family is believed to
contain more species than any other plant family
in the world, with the possible exception of the
Asteraceae family. Orchid taxonomists can only
estimate the species numbers
due to the huge magnitude of
the family as well as the relative
inaccessibility of many species
that are hidden high in the
canopies of tropical forests.
Most orchids grow from rhizomes (a horizontal
stem that bears roots), sending up new stems each
season. The bases of these stems are thickened and
store water. These are called pseudobulbs. At the
end of the growing season, the pseudobulb will stop
growing. During the next growing
season, a new pseudobulb will
grow and develop. In this manner,
most orchids form numerous
stems and leaves. Usually flowers
are only produced on the new
pseudobulb; however, in some
orchids the old pseudobulbs will
also produce flowers. Some orchids
do not produce multiple stems
(or pseudobulbs) each season,
but rather the stems (or stem)
keep growing in one continuous
direction year after year. The
Habitat and Range
Orchids, being a large and
diverse family of plants, are
dispersed essentially worldwide,
with the exception of
Antarctica. Orchids also grow
in a wide variety of habitats,
from tropical forests to cool
• A number of orchids are saprophytic, meaning they derive nutrients from decaying organic matter and lack
chlorophyll, the green pigment found in most plants that functions to photosynthesize food. The forests of the
Pacific Northwest host several of these orchids that are in the genus Corallorhiza, commonly called coralroots,
including striped coralroot (Corallorhiza striata) and western coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata mertensiana). These
plants can be recognized by their overall pale, white color.
• In order to achieve pollination, some orchids of the genus Ophrys (called bee orchids) bear flowers resembling
female insects in appearance and smell. Male insects are attracted to the flowers and attempt to mate with them,
thus pollinating the flowers.
• The majority of orchid species are epiphytes which grow on trees, rocks, and masses of organic debris high
above the ground. Certain fungi live within certain orchid plants and extend their threadlike strands out into the
surrounding environment. These fungal strands aid the plant by bringing in nutrients. In return, the orchid plant
provides the fungus with a stable environment in which to live.
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Plant Fact Sheets
structures, colors, sizes and arrangements of orchid
flowers are incredibly diverse. The characteristics of
the leaves of orchids also vary greatly.
The entire Orchidaceae family is listed on Appendix II
to the Convention on Trade in International Species
of Flora and Fauna (CITES), meaning that trade in
these species is restricted. Nine species of orchids
are listed on Appendix I to CITES, meaning trade is
severely restricted for these species because they are in
danger of extinction. The World Conservation Union
(IUCN) lists 325 species of orchids as endangered in
the 1997 Red List of Threatened Plants. Orchids have
been affected mainly by habitat destruction but also
by collection. Orchids in bloom can often be seen
inside the Tropical Rain Forest at Woodland Park Zoo.
Visitors can appreciate the beauty of these plants, and
the tropical rain forest animals that coexist with them,
in a naturalistic environment.
How You Can Help!
use.
Contact the Woodland Park Zoological Society at
(206) 615-1030 to find out about ways you can
support conservation efforts at the zoo. Learn other
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Plant Fact Sheets
FACTS
ANIMAL
Leaf-cutting Ants
Atta cephalotes
Life Cycle
Thirty-eight different species of leaf-cutting ants
live in Central and South America. Leaf-cutting
ants belong to the Formicidae ant family of the Atta
genus. They can be found in tropical rain forest
regions in enormous underground colonies.
Well-worn trails are made by leaf-cutting ants
as they travel to and from their underground
cities. Their colonies are easy to spot — the earth
excavated from the galleries of the colony creates a
mound around its entrance. Above ground, there is
a conspicuous bare spot around the colony where
the leaves have been stripped from the shrubs.
Colonies can be made up of over 5 million ants.
Habitat
Leaf-cutting ants live in the basement of the tropical rain forest
floor, as deep as 12 feet (3.6 m)
below the tree roots.
Leaf-cutting ants are relatively
large, with long legs and spines
on their bodies. The queen may
be up to one inch long (2.5 cm),
the male 1/2 inch (1.25 cm). The
workers vary in size, ranging from
1/10 (.25 cm) to 1/2 inch (1.25
cm). Each size is specialized to
perform a certain task.
South
America
Pacific
Ocean
Life Span
Unknown in the wild; up to 20
years in captivity
Worker ants crawl to the surface
to collect leaves. These ants are
selective about the leaves they
collect, and will often travel
several hundred yards to find a
certain species. In this way, they
spread out their foraging so that
trees do not become stripped.
Ants mark their trails with
invisible glandular secretions,
leaving a scent behind so that they
can find their way back home.
Using their scissor-like jaws,
they cut semicircles out of the
leaves, often bigger than the ants
themselves.
In special chambers, workers chew the leaves into a
pulp, making a bed of fertilizer upon which fungus
is grown. This special fungus is not found anywhere
outside of Atta colonies. There are several kinds
of fungus cultivated by the genus Atta as a whole,
but each individual Atta species keeps to one kind.
The ants carefully weed the fungus bed, ensuring
that only one kind of fungus is grown, and they
continually add additional leaves to enrich the crop.
The fungi produce rounded bodies called bromatia,
and the ants feed on these.
Diet
In the wild: Native plants and agricultural cultivars
are used by leaf-cutting ants to cultivate fungus in
underground fungal gardens.
At the zoo: Several nontoxic plants throughout
the zoo are used by leaf-cutting ants to cultivate
Reproduction
Job Classification
Within each colony of leaf-cutting ants there is a
strict division of labor. The large ants, known as the
maximae, are soldiers and their task is to defend
the nest. The mediae workers collect leaves, and the
minimae workers tend the fungus beds, eggs and
New nests are established when a queen flies off and
mates, comes to earth, breaks off her wings, and
searches for a place in the soil to lay her eggs. In a
small pocket below her mouth, she carries a small
pellet of fungus, which she carefully cultivates and
grows. Without the fungi, no Atta colony can exist.
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larvae, and offer protection to the mediae as they
forage. The mediae workers often carry leaf particles
larger than their bodies, and are left defenseless
against parasitic flies that hover overhead waiting for
an opportunity to lay their eggs on the ants’ bodies.
The minimae ants ride on top of the leaf particles
and ward off the flies as they approach.
converted by expanding human communities
and agricultural needs. It’s only a matter of time
until many insect species populations will become
severely reduced, or eliminated entirely.
Humans need insects. Often unnoticed, insects are
essential for maintaining the balance in nature and
health of the living world. Here are only a few of the
benefits insects provide:
• Bees, butterflies and other insects pollinate wild
plants and our crops, ensuring the production
of seeds and fruits required for the continued
survival of plants and animals.
Leaf-cutting ants have developed creative
solutions to their garbage disposal problems.
Dead ants and other wastes are taken to an
underground dumpsite or to a trash dump above
ground. In the forest, this waste is recycled. It
is nutrient rich, and is rapidly invaded by tree
roots!
• Earwigs, beetles and other insect scavengers
clean up the environment by consuming
decaying plants and animals. Nutrients are
recycled back into the soil, helping future
generations of plants to grow.
• Many species of carnivorous beetles, ants and
wasps eat other harmful insects that damage or
destroy our crops and spread disease.
Leaf-cutting ants are also known as fungus
garden ants or as parasol ants due to the fact
that the relatively enormous leaf particles are
carried over the ants’ heads and resemble flags
or umbrellas!
• Burrowing insects aerate and enrich the soil.
• Insects are a valuable source of food for animals,
including humans!
There are approximately 200 species of leafcutting ants!
• Insects produce products used by people,
including honey, beeswax, silk and dye, to name
only a few.
These ants collect leaves from all layers of
tropical rain forests, from the forest floor to the
upper canopy!
How You Can Help!
your choice. To conserve the habitat for ants and
other insects, reduce your use of pesticides and
When the soldier ants, the maximae, enter
or leave the nest, they stroke one another’s
antennae, exchanging chemical signals and
confirming their kinship!
All of the worker and soldier ants are females!
Leaf-cutting ants are not currently exhibited at
Woodland Park Zoo.
Escalating human caused changes in land use are
affecting natural habitats required by leaf-cutting
ants and other insects and animals for survival.
Vast forests are being removed for timber and other
paper products, industrial emissions are polluting
water and air resources, and habitat is being rapidly
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Crested Oropendola
Psarocolius decumanus
Classification
bills into the banana flowers to drink the nectar.
This bird belongs to the order Passeriformes. The
crested oropendola is found in the family Icteridae,
which are the New World orioles. Approximately 20
genera with 93 species in this family.
At the zoo: Fruit, crickets, mealworms, soaked dog
food,tofu and greens
Habitat and Range
Mating takes place away from the nest site. The
males take no part in building the nest and rearing
the young. Each female lays two white eggs, which
are incubated for about two weeks. Chicks spend
their first month of life in the
sack-like nest, being fed by the
female.
Crested oropendolas are a large, tropical relative
of orioles and blackbirds, found from Panama
southward to northern Argentina.
They live in tropical rain forest
treetops, clearings, and on the
banks of rivers or pools of water.
Reproduction
South
America
One of the Best
Oropendolas are among the
world’s best nest builders. The
female bird weaves a marvelous,
long sleeve of grass with an
entrance at the top, and the
actual nest in a pouch at the
bottom, three to six feet (1.1-1.8
m) below. As the female labors,
the male perches nearby singing
Dennis Conner
and keeping watch over the work
site. These sack-like nests are
suspended from twigs on tree
branches, resembling stockings swaying in the wind.
Pacific
Oropendolas have a length of
Ocean
15-21.6 inches (38-55 cm),
and are large song birds with a
horny frontal plate. The tribe
includes the genera Psarocolius,
Gymnostinops, Cacicus, and
Amblycercus. The crested
oropendola weighs about 20
ounces (567 g), and grows to
between 15-19 inches (37.5-47.5
cm) long. Crested oropendolas are mostly black
with a chestnut rump patch, and yellow tail feathers.
The male is larger than the female and has a crest of
a few hairlike feathers. The oropendola’s large, sharp
bill is yellow and extends over the forehead, giving it
a streamlined appearance.
Oropendolas nest in colonies of 50 or more, packing
their nests so tightly that they might be woven
together. A disadvantage of such close nesting is that
neighboring oropendolas are likely to steal parts of
their neighbor’s nest.
Life Span
Life span in the wild is 10 to 15 years; up to 20 years
in zoos
Multiple Tunes
From a distance, oropendolas can be heard singing
songs made up of a large number of very different
phrases. It is said that from nearby these songs
sound like the rasping sounds of rusty machinery.
Diet
In the wild: Mainly fruit and insect eaters,
oropendolas find an ample supply of soft fruit and
nectar, which they consume in the forest canopy.
At times, these birds visit plantations and eat ripe
bananas or hang upside down and poke their long
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How You Can Help!
Oropendola nests are specifically designed
to keep predators out!
The leading cause of death for oropendola
chicks is attack by botfly larvae. Adult
botflies lay their eggs directly on the chicks.
If a chick is infested with more than 10 bots
it will die, especially if the chick is weak
from lack of food!
Nest colonies that are built in trees with
stinging wasps or biting bees often
experience fewer problems with botflies.
Researchers believe that the bees and
wasps attack the botflies as if the flies were
parasites on bees and wasps, though they
are not!
Woodland Park Zoo’s crested oropendolas are
located in the Tropical Rain Forest and the
Conservation Aviary. As visitors enter the Tropical
Rain Forest exhibit, they are immersed in a garden
of tropical rain forest plants such as fan palms,
bananas, cocoa, figs and hanging liana vines.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
bars.
Western tanagers belong to the order Passeriformes.
Passeriformes, commonly known as “perching
birds,” are the largest and most diverse commonly
recognized order of birds. Perching birds have
worldwide distribution with members of the order
on ever continent except Antarctica. Western
tanagers are members of the Thraupidae family or
“tanager family” along with 254 other species.
Immature members of this species look much like
the female until breeding season, when the males’
plumage is similar to that of the adult male.
Life Expectancy
Lifespan in the wild is unknown. One banded male
lived at least 7 years 11 months. In captivity a male
lived for 15 years 4 months.
Habitat
Diet
The western tanager breeds
from southern Alaska and the
Northwest Territories of Canada
down through the western United
States. After migrating south, the
western tanager spends its winters
in Mexico, South America, and
sometimes in southern California.
This species feeds mainly on
insects, but also fruits. During
the breeding season in western
Canada and United States the
western tanager spends most of
its time in the canopy of trees
and shrubs foraging and catching
insects in the air. While wintering
in Mexico and South America,
they eat both insects and fruit.
Here they spend much of their
time in the upper layers of small
trees and second growth forests.
Pacific
Ocean
America
Throughout the western tanager’s
range it is found in diverse
habitats, although it seems to
prefer a combination of open and
mixed forests including clear cuts
and urban backyards.
Reproduction
Western tanagers seem to make
monogamous pairs, finding their
Woodland Park Zoo
mate either on wintering grounds
or during migration. Nests are
built between May and July depending on location.
The female builds the nest which is a shallow cup
shape usually placed in a forked branch far away
from the tree trunk. Males do not help with nest
building, but may keep the female company. 3-5
eggs are laid per season. Incubation is performed
by the female. Eggs hatch about 13 days after being
laid.
This medium sized song bird is
about 7 inches long and hard
to miss. Males during breeding
season are unmistakable. The breeding male has a
yellow head and belly with a bright red face. Wings
and tail are black with two wing bars, the upper is
solid yellow and the lower is thin and whitish. The
bill is dull yellow and the legs and feet are bluish
gray. Non-breeding plumage is similar in color,
although it is washed out by olive-grey and their
faces have at most a wash of red.
Really a Tanager?
Females are mostly olive-green on their back. Under
parts vary greatly in color; from bright yellow to
grayish white with yellow only on under tail. Wings
are grayish brown with two yellowish white wing
The Tanager family is hard to define. The western
tanager and close relatives (summer tanager P.
rubra and scarlet tanager P. olivacea among others)
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are good examples. Molecular analysis is showing
that these birds are more closely related to a group of
finches and are not that closely related to the “true”
tanagers of the Neotropics. Scientists often debate
about classification; the tanager family is one of those
up for debate recently.
trend by providing habitat for wildlife in their own
backyards.
How you can help
and become active in WPZ and other conservation
organizations of your choice. Let your elected
representatives know your views on protecting
The western tanager breeds farther north
than any other member of its mostly tropical
family.
The red pigment on the head of the western
tanager is rhodoxanthin. This pigment
is not made by the bird, but most likely
consumed in the form of insects which got
it from eating plants.
Location at the zoo
Not currently found on exhibit, but wild western
tanagers have been spotted during the spring and
summer on zoo grounds.
Shade grown coffee is an easy way to help songbirds
and other tropical animals. In traditional farms,
coffee plants are grown in the shade of native trees,
preserving habitat for monkeys, ocelots, tree frogs, and
more than 150 bird species. In sun coffee plantations,
trees are removed and fewer than 10 bird species can
find homes. When you buy shade-grown coffee you
help save wildlife.
Western tanagers migrate great distances every year.
Not only is it important for them to have healthy
habitat where they winter in the tropics, but also a
healthy habitat in northwest Washington where they
spend their spring and summer. Wildlife and people
have the same basic needs for survival: food, water,
air, shelter and space. As people have transformed the
landscape to meet their needs, wildlife have suffered
a loss of habitat and a decreased ability to meet their
own basic needs. With help from Woodland Park Zoo’s
Backyard Habitat program, people can reverse this
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Keel-billed Toucan
Piranga ludoviciana
Life Expectancy
Toucans are classified in the order Piciformes along
with woodpeckers and several other related species.
Keel-billed toucans are members of the family
Ramphastidae, or Toucan family, along with 43
other species.
Up to 20 years
Diet
In the wild: Toucans are frugivores. They eat lots and
lots of fruit! In order to get the protein needed in
their diet they eat small amounts of insects, spiders,
small birds or nestlings and occasionally small
lizards or snakes. They have even been known to eat
eggs and nestlings.
The keel-billed toucan ranges from southern
Mexico through Central America to Venezuela and
northern Columbia.
Habitat
Keel-billed toucans inhabit
lowland tropical and subtropical
rainforests. The keel-billed toucan
spends most of its time in the
canopy and emergent (top two)
layers of the rainforest. Although
forests are their true habitat, keelbilled toucans can also be seen
in areas with scattered trees; i.e.
shaded plantations of cacao or
coffee, pastures, second-growth
forests.
Pacific
Ocean
America
At the zoo: They are fed a
primarily frugivorous diet (pieces
of apple, pear, grapes, blueberries,
mixed vegetables) in addition to
a special pelleted commercial diet
designed for fruit-eating birds.
During the breeding season, more
protein is offered to encourage
reproduction
Reproduction
Keel-billed toucans nest in
appropriately-sized tree cavities.
Cavities are made by insects, birds,
or natural causes. Tree cavities
that meet all the requirements of
the keel-billed toucan can be hard
Dale Unruh
to find. Sometimes, after finding
a tree cavity, the parent pair will
spend up to six weeks doing a bit
of ‘house-cleaning’ before laying eggs.
This large bird averages 20 inches
long and is quite the eye catcher.
Keel-billed toucans are mostly
black with the back of their neck
tinged maroon and green hues
elsewhere. Their tail coverts are white on the upper
and bright red on the lower. Bright yellow covers
their cheeks down to their chest. The bare skin
around each dark eye is green, blue or yellow, and
they have blue feet. Despite their multi-colored
plumage, the most noticeable thing about the keelbilled toucan is its beak. The beak, with tints of
orange, green, yellow, red, and blue is approximately
one third the length of the bird’s body.
Clutch size is 1-4 eggs, and the eggs incubate for
approximately 16-20 days with the parents taking
turns incubating. Hatching naked, blind, and
helpless, the nestlings stay in the tree cavity for up to
six and a half weeks before they fledge. During the
brooding stage, the parents again take turns visiting
the nest with food for the nestlings.
My, what a big bill!
Males and females are similar. The male is often
slightly bigger, especially its beak, but this is not a
definitive way to tell the gender of the bird.
Although the bill of the keel-billed toucan looks
heavy, it is actually quite light. The bill is made out
of keratin — the same material as our fingernails
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— with small bone rods for support and feels like a
dry/hard sponge.
help save wildlife.
The toucan uses its large bill to pick fruit. Holding
the fruit with the tip of their bill they toss their head
back and catch the fruit in their throat. Scientists also
think that the bill may have something to do with mate
selection, although more research is needed.
The keel-billed toucan is the national bird of
Belize, and is known as the bill bird locally.
Toucans have very loud calls that can be
heard for long distances even through the
dense rainforest in which they live.
The toucan moves from tree to tree mostly
by hopping. Flying is more difficult in the
canopy for such a large bird, but toucans
have relatively short, rounded wings that
enable them to negotiate through foliage.
They are more effective short-distance
flyers and can be seen flying between and
around trees. Some larger toucan species
have difficulty crossing large rivers unless
they launch from a high enough altitude.
wildlife and the habitats they require for survival by
visiting our How You Can Help page.
How You Can Help!
Shade grown coffee is an easy way to help toucans
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Western Redback Salamander
Plethodon vehiculum
red, orange, yellow, olive or tan. Dark-pigmented
(melanistic) western redbacks, with no visible stripe,
are not uncommon, especially on the west side of the
Olympic mountains. Most species of salamanders
have four toes on their front feet and five on the back.
All the toes are clawless.
Western redbacks are in the Plethodontidae family.
With more than 150 species, this is the largest family
of salamanders. All salamanders in this family are
lungless, both in the larval and adult forms.
Habitat
Additional Information:
Although common in western Washington, western
redbacks only range west of the
Cascades, south from Vancouver
Island and a small part of southwest
British Columbia, almost to the
southern border of Oregon. Western
redbacks are mainly found in dense
coniferous forests where they hide
under surface debris on the forest
floor.
Salamanders are carnivorous and nocturnal, using
their senses of sight and smell to
locate their prey. Western redback
salamanders are eaten by garter
snakes, Steller’s jays and shrewmoles among other predators. Many
salamanders excrete foul-tasting,
and in some cases toxic, secretions
from glands on the skin’s surface
which helps to deter predators. Most
amphibians must keep their skin
moist in order to exchange gases
(breathe) through their skin. This
is especially important for lungless
salamanders, which can only breathe
Ric Brewer
through the skin on the outside of
the body and skin on the inside of
the mouth.
NORTH
AMERICA
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Physical Characteristics:
Western redbacks are relatively
small for salamanders, at 1.5 to 2.5
inches (3.7 to 6.2 cm), not including
the tail. They have a colored stripe
with even edges running the
length of their body to the very
tip of the tail. This stripe can be
Only about 50% of most western redback populations actually have red backs! The other 50% may
be orange, yellow, olive or tan, or they may not have a visible stripe.
Salamanders in the Plethodontidae family have a tiny groove running from the upper lip to the
nostril. It is thought that this groove helps conduct scents (in liquids) to the nostrils. This may be
important in the courtship of these salamanders which often involves snout-to-body contact.
Salamanders of the genus Plethodon exhibit direct development. This means that the larvae develop
while inside the eggs and hatch out as miniature adults. Most other salamanders hatch from the eggs
as aquatic larvae.
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Female western redbacks lay eggs every other year.
The eggs, averaging 10 in number, are usually laid in
a moist place on land and are guarded by the female
during their development. The eggs are laid in spring
and the hatchlings emerge in autumn.
Diet:
Western redback salamanders eat all sorts of
invertebrates. Mites and spiders are common prey of
western redbacks.
Western redback salamanders are not currently
exhibited.
Healthy populations of western redback salamanders
are present throughout their range. This is a good
sign because western redbacks and other amphibians
are very sensitive to their environment. Changes
such as rising water temperatures (possibly due to
global warming), increased ultraviolet radiation
(due to ozone depletion), low water levels, and the
effects of air and water pollution can drastically affect
amphibian survival, especially the eggs and young. In
this way, amphibians are good gauges of the health of
our environment. Western redbacks may be protected
from some of these factors due to their sheltered forest
habitat. However, if forests are removed, western
redbacks are prone to these conditions. Amphibians,
like other animals, can suffer from the loss of their
wetland and forest habitats.
How you can help
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Classification:
In the northwest, raccoons mate from January to
mid-March. Nesting females will find secluded, secure
denning sites, often up in trees, to give birth and raise
her two to three (occasionally up to seven) young.
The gestation period ranges from 60 to 73 days.
Young raccoons are weaned 12 weeks after birth. Life
span in the wild for raccoons is around five years, but
they have been known to live up to 12 years in the
wild.
Raccoons are members of the family Procyonidae
which includes other small to medium omnivorous
mammals, such as ringtails and kinkajous, that tend
to be arboreal (tree-climbing). Most species in this
family live in tropical to sub-tropical regions. There
are seven species of raccoon in the genus Procyon.
Habitat and Range:
Raccoons occur from southern
Canada south throughout most
of the United States, Mexico and
northern South America. Raccoons
have adapted to all kinds of habitats
found in their range, including
urban habitats. In most habitats,
raccoons spend time around areas
of open water, such as streams, lakes
and bays.
Diet:
NORTH
AMERICA
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Raccoons are highly omnivorous,
eating items such as bird eggs and
chicks, mussels, shrimp, crawfish,
amphibians, young squirrels, and a
variety of fruits. Raccoons are highly
opportunistic feeders and will get
food just about anywhere or any way
they can, including from garbage
cans, garbage dumps, and campsites.
If food is taken near water, raccoons
may roll it around in their front
paws underwater. It is yet unclear
what the purpose of this behavior
Bernard J. Nist
is. The raccoons may be cleaning
sand and dirt from food or using
the water to soften certain items before eating them.
These actions help to prevent excessive wear of the
teeth. This activity has gained raccoons the common
name that translates to “washing bear” in several
European languages.
SOUTH
AMERICA
Physical Characteristics:
Raccoons are medium-sized
mammals with a head and body
length of 17 to 24 inches (42 to 60
cm) and a tail that is from 8 to 16
inches (20 to 41 cm). Raccoons can be recognized by
their very bushy, ringed (black and gray) tails and the
black mask across the face and eyes. Raccoons have
gray fur with black tips on the guard hairs as well as
the black markings on the face and tail. Their feet are
very dexterous, or skillful, with long toes and sharp
claws.
Additional Information:
Raccoons are generally active at night and during
dusk and dawn. Although they may spend time in
trees, raccoons usually sleep on or near the ground
during the day. They often change resting sites every
one to two days, except during the winter or when
raising young. Raccoons do not hibernate but they
may spend time in a protective den during harsh
winter weather.
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explore around yards for food and become aggressive
with pets.
How you can help
Like humans, raccoons walk flat-footed.
This is called plantigrade locomotion
and is the reason that raccoon footprints
often look like footprints of human
babies.
Raccoons have an excellent sense of
touch in their paws. When hunting
prey in water, raccoons look off into the
distance and rely on their paws to feel
out and catch prey.
Raccoons are able to gallop at up to 14
miles per hour (24 k/h).
Raccoons are not currently exhibited.
Raccoons are often killed by humans, primarily for
their pelts. Pelts were sought after when “coonskin
caps” where in fashion, but many are still killed
annually. Many are also run over by cars at night.
Because they occasionally cause problems on farms,
going after domestic fowl and crops such as corn and
apples, raccoons are sometimes killed as a means of
pest control. Due to their adaptability and widely
varied diet, raccoons have adjusted to living with
humans and are able to survive the threats posed
by living closely with people. Although raccoons
are curious and can often be enticed by offerings of
food to approach humans, they are wild animals. As
such, it is important not to approach these animals
or encourage them to approach you. Feeding wild
animals can cause problems both for the animals and
for the people doing the feeding when raccoons start to
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Brown Bear
Ursus arctos
At the zoo: Canine diet, yams, carrots, apples, oranges,
romaine, celery, kale, omnivore biscuits, leaf eater
biscuits and bread
Brown bears belong to the family Ursidae, which
includes eight species.* Brown bears have the widest
range of any species of bear in the world. Their range
covers northwest North America; across northern
Europe and Asia from Scandinavia to eastern Russia;
central Europe, including the Pyrenees, Alps, Abruzzi
and Carpathian mountain ranges; and from Syria
through the central Asian republics to the countries
of China, Tibet and Nepal.
Reproduction
Breeding occurs in May or June after two to 15 days
of courtship. However, the fertilized egg does not
begin its embryonic stage of development inside the
womb until October or November. Bears give birth
to the smallest of all mammalian
young in proportion to the size
of the parent. The young are born
helpless and weigh about 13 ounces
(369 g). Between January and
March, the female gives birth to two
or three cubs. After birth, the cubs
remain with their mother up to four
years (up to five in Alaska). The sow
generally gives birth to another litter
the first spring after separating from
her cubs.
Habitat
Brown bears prefer mountain forest,
tundra and coastal habitats.
Brown bears have a head and body
length of 68-112 inches (173-284
cm), and their tail is 2.5-8.5 inches
(6-22 cm) in length. Brown bears
range from 209-1,716 pounds (95780 kg) in weight. Adult males
normally weigh more than adult
females.
Life Cycle
Under most circumstances, brown
bears live as lone individuals,
except for females accompanied by their cubs.
Siblings sometimes remain together for a while
after separating from their mother. Despite their
propensity for solitary existence, brown bears
congregate where food is abundant, such as at salmon
streams or garbage dumps.
Dennis Conner
The fur of a brown bear has many variations of
color, from cream to cinnamon and brown to black.
The brown bear has a concave outline to the head
and snout, small ears on a massive head, and high
shoulders that produce a sloping back line. The bear’s
sense of smell is much more acute than its hearing
and sight.
Winter Rest
Life Span
Bears experience a period of dormancy beginning
in November or December, ending in April or May.
They spend the dormancy period in their dens. Their
body temperature drops, and their general metabolic
rate decreases as well. This is not considered complete
hibernation. They occasionally emerge from their
dens to forage, particularly during spells of warm
weather or during years when food is scarce prior to
denning.
20-25 years in the wild; somewhat longer in zoos
Diet
In the wild: Brown bears are omnivorous and eat
several different available plants and animals. This
includes herbs, tubers, berries, insect grubs, small
rodents, salmon, trout, carrion (dead animals),
young hoofed animals (moose, elk, deer, caribou)
and occasionally livestock.
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Are Brown Bears and Grizzly Bears the Same?
Species Act in the lower 48 states. They are not
protected in Alaska.
All grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) are a
subspecies of brown bears, but not all brown bears
are grizzly bears. Worldwide, brown bears are found
throughout the northern hemisphere in North
America, Asia and Europe. The North American
populations of brown bears living in the interior
portion of this continent are referred to as grizzly
bears. This distinguishes them from brown bears
living on the coastal areas of Alaska. As brown bears
living in the interior become older, the ends of their
hair tips turn silvery-gray, giving them a “grizzled”
appearance. Hence, the reference to them as grizzly
bears.
Brown bears inhabit less than 2% of their original
range. Furthermore, the current population is less
than 2% of its original level. Today, there are between
40,000 and 50,000 brown bears left in the wild. This
drop in numbers can be partially attributed to habitat
loss and hunting. Fear and ignorance of bears has led
to their extermination. An increase in the poaching
of bears has also greatly affected bear populations.
Poachers harvest bear body parts to provide
ingredients for traditional Asian medicines. As a
result of their low birth rate combined with a high
death rate of cubs (up to 50% mortality), brown bear
populations are not recovering from this dramatic
decline.
Are there any Grizzly Bears in Washington?
Researchers suspect that grizzly bears do live in
Washington state. However, experts in animal
tracking and wildlife sciences can rarely get confirmed
sightings. Research indicates that grizzly bears likely
live in the North Cascades and the northeast corner of
the state, wandering in and out of Canada.
How Woodland Park Zoo Is Helping
Woodland Park Zoo supports field-based
conservation projects that aim to help animals, plants
and habitat in brown bear’s range. Including the
Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP). For more
information on our involvement with GBOP, visit
that page in our Conservation section.
A brown bear can eat 25-35 pounds (11-16
kg) of food per day, about 2% of their body
weight!
How You Can Help!
Woodland Park Zoo contributes information to
the captive husbandry and public awareness of
this intriguing native species. The effort to save
endangered species requires cooperation and
The claws of a brown bear can reach almost 5
inches (12.7 cm) long!
A bear can run at bursts of speed of up to 30
miles per hour (48 km/h)!
The zoo’s two brown bears are grizzly bears. They
can be viewed from a number of locations within the
Northern Trail. Woodland Park Zoo has kept brown
bears for nearly 100 years. During this time, these
bears have successfully raised 13 cubs.
Brown bears are listed as an endangered species in
the countries of Bhutan, Mongolia and China.** The
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife
also lists the brown bear as endangered. Brown bears
are considered threatened under the U.S. Endangered
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Cougar
Puma (Felis) concolor
of age; males at 3 to 4 years. Cougars are solitary
and only pair up for three to four weeks during the
mating season, which normally occurs during winter
months. Gestation lasts about 90-95 days. Females
usually give birth in late winter or early spring to two
or three cubs, but litters can be up to six cubs. Males
take no part in the rearing of cubs, and have been
known to kill unattended cubs.
Cougars, also called pumas, panthers or mountain
lions, belong to the family Felidae, which includes 36
species of cats.* Cougars are the sole member of the
genus Puma. Only the jaguar is larger than the cougar
in the Western Hemisphere.
Other than humans, cougars are the most widely
distributed land mammal in the Western Hemisphere.
Cougars range from northwestern
Canada to Patagonia, South
America.
Life Cycle
NORTH
AMERICA
Habitat
Cougars inhabit areas from sea
level to 19,000 feet (5,800 m) in
the South American Andes. They
inhabit steep, rocky canyons,
tropical rain forests, prairies,
deserts, coniferous forests and
swamps.
PACIFIC
OCEAN
SOUTH
AMERICA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Length and Weight
Adult male length (including tail)
is up to 9 feet (2.8 m); females up to
7 feet (2.1 m). Male cougars weigh
150-230 pounds (68-104 kg); females weigh 80-130
pounds (36-59 kg).
Dennis Dow
Cougar cubs are born with their eyes
closed. Opening at about two weeks,
their eyes are blue and take about
16 months to change to a greenishyellow. Cubs weigh 1 pound (454
gr) or less at birth, nurse for about
three to four months, but can eat
meat at about 6 weeks. Their coats
have dark spots, which begin to fade
after about six months. Cubs usually
remain with their mother for 18
to 24 months; thereafter they seek
to establish their own unoccupied,
individual territory. After leaving
their mother, littermates often stay
together for four months or more.
A male’s territory, seldom overlapping with another
male’s territory, may be up to 200 square miles (520
km2), and it overlaps or encompasses many smaller
territories of females. They mark their territories
by scrapes on trees or in the soil, which are usually
sprayed with urine.
Life Span
Approximately 15 years in the wild; over 20 years in
captivity
Diet
The Cougar-Wolf Connection
In the wild: Cougars primarily hunt from dusk till
dawn, and prey on a wide range of large and small
mammals including deer and other hoofed animals,
raccoon, rabbits and rodents, birds and invertebrates.
With the absence of wolves at Yellowstone National
Park since the early years of this century, cougars
were able to move from their normal range of
steep, rocky mountain sides to flat valleys. With
the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone in
1995, however, cougars have found the valleys an
undesirable place. Other than humans, wolves are
the only natural predators of cougars. Wolf packs at
Yellowstone have been observed tracking cougars and
and knuckle bones.
Reproduction
Female cougars sexually mature at about 2.5 years
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Animal Fact Sheets
stealing their prey. On a less frequent basis, wolves
have killed cougars. Today, cougars are returning to
their normal steep, rocky habitat. Wolves are helping
to restore the predator/prey balance of nature at
Yellowstone.
supplies diminish, deer and other prey animals starve
at massive levels. At the human level, animals that
were once eaten by cougars and other predators
destroy crops.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save endangered animals requires
your choice. Limit the construction of roads into
pristine areas that allow human access into remote
cougar habitat. Contact your elected representatives
and express your views about conservation of
From a sitting position, cougars have been observed
springing upward 18 feet (5.5 m) onto a tree branch.
They can leap horizontally 40 feet (12.1 m)!
The weight record for the leopard, a member of
the genus Panthera, is 233 pounds (105 kg). Some
cougars, however, can weigh over 300 pounds (135
kg)!
After a cougar has eaten its fill, it will bury the
remains of the kill and save it for a later date!
programs at the zoo. Learn more about endangered
cats by contacting the IUCN Cat Specialist Group
at their Web site. Learn other ways you can help
Although capable of many vocalizations, cougars
cannot roar. Their most familiar call sounds much like
a human scream!
Woodland Park Zoo no longer exhibits cougars.
Other cats seen at the Trail of Adaptations include
the clouded leopard and Sumatran tiger.
Sources and Suggested Reading
Alderton, David. 1993. Wild Cats of the World. Facts
on File, Inc. New York, NY. 192 p.
There are fewer than 50 Florida panthers (Puma
concolor coryi) left in the wild, and they are listed as
critically endangered. The Costa Rican puma (Puma
concolor costaricensis) and eastern puma (Puma
concolor couguar) are also listed as endangered.**
To a lesser degree, cougar populations are
vanishing from large areas throughout the Western
Hemisphere. As humans move into established
cougar territories for agricultural and residential
purposes, negative human/cougar encounters
increase. Cougars consider livestock and pet animals
as prey. Cougar attacks escalate as humans build
homes and recreate in once remote cougar habitat.
As a result, these predators are increasingly viewed
as dangerous pests that must be exterminated. To
control their numbers, some states allow cougars to
be legally hunted with the use of dogs.
Kitchener, Andrew. 1991. The Natural History of the
Wild Cats. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithica,
NY. 280 p.
Landau, Diana, ed. 1996. Clan of the Wild Cats.
Walking Stick Press. The Nature Company,
Florence, KY. 191 p.
Sleeper, B. 1995. Wild Cats of the World. Crown
Publishing, Inc., New York, NY. 216 p.
For Kids!
Clutton-Brock, Juliet. 1991. Cat. Eyewitness Books,
Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, NY. 64 p.
Wexo, John Bonnett. 1998. Little Cats. Zoobooks,
Wildlife Education, Ltd., San Diego, CA. 16 p.
The removal of cougars, however, has a detrimental
effect on nature’s intricate balance. Where cougars
are eliminated, populations of prey animals (such
as deer) expand. As prey numbers increase, limited
vegetation is soon overgrazed. As adequate food
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FACTS
ANIMAL
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
river otters have a delayed implantation cycle, which
differentiates them from any other related otter
species. Although gestation takes only 60-63 days,
the total period of pregnancy can vary from 245-380
days. Pups are born in April or May. Two or three
young are born in a secluded den. However, litters
may range from one to five pups. Females rear young
alone.
Otters belong to the family Mustelidae, which also
includes badgers, mink, martens, skunks, weasels and
wolverines. Otters are classified under the subfamily
Lutrinae, which has a total of 13 species in seven
genera.*
North American river otters are found throughout
Alaska, Canada and the contiguous United States.
Life Cycle
Habitat
Otter pups weigh about 4.5 ounces
(128 g) when born. Pups nurse for
three to four months, and begin
to swim two months after birth.
Young otters swim naturally, but
the mother must coax them into the
water for their first swim. During
the first days of swimming, a pup
often climbs onto its mother’s back.
Pups leave their mother when they
are 1 year old, and ready to look for
their own territory.
North American river otters live
in a variety of habitats, but they
spend most of their time in or near
streams, rivers, lakes and marshes.
They often build a den or a burrow
in their home territory. They will
if necessary, however, travel great
distances over land and through
water to find food.
Length
Adult length, with tail: 2.5-5 feet
(76-152 cm)
Dennis Dow
Superior Swimmers
Otters have adapted perfectly
to an aquatic life-style. They are
well suited to swim and dive, and their slippery
hydrodynamic form exemplifies the perfect
adaptation to an amphibious way of life. Otters have
webbed feet, with small dexterous front feet and large,
powerful hind feet. The muscular tail is thick and flat
at the base, tapering to a point. Otters use their hind
limbs and undulating movement of their tail as the
main source of propulsion through water, but they
may also use their forelimbs for paddling.
Weight
Adult weight: 10-30 pounds (4.5-13.6 kg)
Life Span
Life span in the wild is 10 years; up to 18-20 years in
zoos
Diet
In the wild: Birds, crabs, crayfish, fish, frogs, rodents,
turtles, and aquatic invertebrates. Otters eat whatever
is readily available and easiest to catch.
All otters have sleek, waterproof fur. The hair is short,
dense and soft. Otters have excellent vision, especially
underwater, which helps them catch prey. Stiff
whiskers, which are sensitive to water turbulence, are
another adaptation to finding prey in muddy or dark
waters. The thumbs on the front paws show freedom
of movement, and can be opposed when picking up,
holding small objects or assisting in eating their prey.
At the zoo: Trout, chicken parts, horsemeat and
occasionally commercially prepared trout chow.
Reproduction
Otters sexually mature at about 2 to 3 years of
age. Mating occurs in the fall or spring, with birth
taking place the following year. North American
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Unlike other species of otter (notably the well-known
sea otter), North American river otters catch their
prey with the mouth, not with their hands. Although
otters are quick swimmers, their skill is shown better
in their ability to maneuver rapidly, which helps them
chase down their prey. Additionally, otters have an
accelerated metabolism that gives them seemingly
endless energy, but it also means that they must hunt
and feed frequently.
Other animals that can be seen along the Northern
Trail are wolves, mountain goats, bald eagles and elk.
Excessive fur trapping is the single greatest threat to
all otter species. As recently as the mid-1980s, over
30,000 pelts were taken each year for the valuable
skin of the North American river otter. Hunting of
other otter species continues worldwide. All otter
populations continue to decline as a result of water
pollution, overfishing of commercial stock and habitat
destruction. Today, all otter species are considered
threatened, while at least five of the 13 otter species are
listed as endangered. Although the North American
river otter is not an endangered species, its population
has been severely reduced or eliminated from much of
its range. However, since 1976, efforts have been made
to reintroduce the North American river otter into
several of the interior states of the U.S. Nevertheless,
as their numbers continue to decrease, the future
existence of all species of otters in the wild is in
jeopardy.
Slippin’ and a Slidin’
Although otters forage mostly in the water, they are
equally at home on land, and can run quickly. When
otters move on land, they bound in a loping fashion,
with their backs arched. Whenever possible, otters
combine running with a slide in the mud, ice or snow.
This has added to their reputation of being the most
playful of the Mustelidae. Otters are also very vocal,
and communicate to one another with a large variety
of calls, such as whistles, buzzes, twitters, staccato
chuckles and chirps.
As they mature and become solitary, otters use scent
marking to distinguish territorial boundaries. Otters
have a pair of scent glands at the base of their tail
which gives them a heavy, musky smell. Scent marking
also communicates identity, sex and sexual receptivity.
A male can follow the scent markings of a female in
estrus for over 5 miles (8 km) during the breeding
season. Although they can be tolerant of other otters,
males do compete for breeding privileges. There is
little overlap of territorial boundaries between adults
of the same sex. However, a male’s territory may
overlap the territories of several females.
How You Can Help!
Woodland Park Zoo is helping to contribute
information to the captive breeding, husbandry and
public awareness of this captivating native species.
conservation organizations of your choice. Please do
not buy products made from wild animal parts.
Otters may swim in circles, creating a whirlpool
which brings up fish hiding on the bottom of the
river or lake!
When running, otters can attain speeds of up to
18 mph (29 kph)!
Woodland Park Zoo’s North American river otters are
located in the Taiga Viewing Shelter of the Northern
Trail. The otter exhibit allows visitors an up-close
observation of the feeding habits and swimming
abilities of otters. Also in the Taiga Viewing Shelter,
visitors can see brown bears frolicking in the water.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Classification
In the northwest, raccoons mate from January to
mid-March. Nesting females will find secluded, secure
denning sites, often up in trees, to give birth and raise
her two to three (occasionally up to seven) young.
The gestation period ranges from 60 to 73 days.
Young raccoons are weaned 12 weeks after birth. Life
span in the wild for raccoons is around five years, but
they have been known to live up to 12 years in the
wild.
Raccoons are members of the family Procyonidae
which includes other small to medium omnivorous
mammals, such as ringtails and kinkajous, that tend
to be arboreal (tree-climbing). Most species in this
family live in tropical to sub-tropical regions. There
are seven species of raccoon in the genus Procyon.
Habitat and Range
Raccoons occur from southern
Canada south throughout most
of the United States, Mexico and
northern South America. Raccoons
have adapted to all kinds of habitats
found in their range, including
urban habitats. In most habitats,
raccoons spend time around areas
of open water, such as streams, lakes
and bays.
Diet
NORTH
AMERICA
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Raccoons are highly omnivorous,
eating items such as bird eggs and
chicks, mussels, shrimp, crawfish,
amphibians, young squirrels, and a
variety of fruits. Raccoons are highly
opportunistic feeders and will get
food just about anywhere or any way
they can, including from garbage
cans, garbage dumps, and campsites.
If food is taken near water, raccoons
may roll it around in their front
paws underwater. It is yet unclear
what the purpose of this behavior
Bernard J. Nist
is. The raccoons may be cleaning
sand and dirt from food or using
the water to soften certain items before eating them.
These actions help to prevent excessive wear of the
teeth. This activity has gained raccoons the common
name that translates to “washing bear” in several
European languages.
SOUTH
AMERICA
Raccoons are medium-sized
mammals with a head and body
length of 17 to 24 inches (42 to 60
cm) and a tail that is from 8 to 16
inches (20 to 41 cm). Raccoons can be recognized by
their very bushy, ringed (black and gray) tails and the
black mask across the face and eyes. Raccoons have
gray fur with black tips on the guard hairs as well as
the black markings on the face and tail. Their feet are
very dexterous, or skillful, with long toes and sharp
claws.
Adaptations
Raccoons are generally active at night and during
dusk and dawn. Although they may spend time in
trees, raccoons usually sleep on or near the ground
during the day. They often change resting sites every
one to two days, except during the winter or when
raising young. Raccoons do not hibernate but they
may spend time in a protective den during harsh
winter weather.
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How you can help
Like humans, raccoons walk flat-footed. This
is called plantigrade locomotion and is the
reason that raccoon footprints often look like
footprints of human babies.
Raccoons have an excellent sense of touch
in their paws. When hunting prey in water,
raccoons look off into the distance and rely on
their paws to feel out and catch prey.
Raccoons are able to gallop at up to 14 miles
per hour (24 k/h).
Raccoons are not currently exhibited.
Raccoons are often killed by humans, primarily for
their pelts. Pelts were sought after when “coonskin
caps” where in fashion, but many are still killed
annually. Many are also run over by cars at night.
Because they occasionally cause problems on farms,
going after domestic fowl and crops such as corn and
apples, raccoons are sometimes killed as a means of
pest control. Due to their adaptability and widely
varied diet, raccoons have adjusted to living with
humans and are able to survive the threats posed
by living closely with people. Although raccoons
are curious and can often be enticed by offerings of
food to approach humans, they are wild animals. As
such, it is important not to approach these animals
or encourage them to approach you. Feeding wild
animals can cause problems both for the animals and
for the people doing the feeding when raccoons start to
explore around yards for food and become aggressive
with pets.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
Weight
Wolves belong to the order Carnivora and the family
Canidae, which includes 36 species in 16 genera.*
Canids originated in North America during the
Eocene period, 54 to 38 million years ago. They
evolved for fast pursuit of prey in open grasslands.
In this family, species range in size from the fennec
fox to its largest member, the gray wolf. Wolves once
roamed almost the entire world
north of the equator. This is no
longer the case.
Adult male: 85-115 pounds (39-52 kg) and can reach
130 pounds (59 kg); adult females are about 50-100
pounds (23-45 kg) lighter and rarely weigh more than
110 pounds (50 kg)
Life Span
13 years in the wild; up to 20 years in zoos
Diet
In the wild: Wolves are carnivores.
In Alaska, moose, deer or caribou
are their primary food, with Dall
sheep being important in some
areas. During the summer, they
include voles, lemmings, ground
squirrels, snowshoe hares, beavers
and occasionally birds and fish in
their diet.
In North America, gray wolves, also
called timber wolves, have been
hunted near to extinction in the
United States with the exception
of Alaska and small populations in
Minnesota and Wisconsin. There is
still a healthy population in Canada,
but only unconfirmed remnant
populations are thought to exist
today in Mexico.
At the zoo: Whole chickens and
rabbits, horse meat, knuckle bones
and a few trout.
Dennis Conner
Habitat
Reproduction
Wolves breed in February and
March, and normally mate for life. Litters averaging
about five pups are born in May or early June, in a
den excavated as much as 10 feet (3 m) into welldrained soil. Adult wolves center their activities
around dens while traveling as much as 20 miles
(32 km) away in search of food, which is regularly
brought back to the den. Wolf pups are weaned
gradually during midsummer. In mid or late summer,
pups are usually moved some distance away from the
den; by early winter they can travel and hunt with
adult pack members.
In the past, gray wolves were at home everywhere
except in tropical regions and in deserts. They
flourished in forests, and on prairies, grasslands and
tundra. They continue to live in these areas, but in far
smaller numbers.
In March 1998, 11 Mexican gray wolves were released
in eastern Arizona. The range of these wolves once
extended from southwest United States to central
Mexico. Gray wolves are currently reintroducing
themselves naturally in the northern Rocky
Mountains and North Cascades. Human efforts over
the last few years to reintroduce wolves into the Rocky
Mountains have also been successful.
Life Cycle
Wolves are highly social animals, usually living in
packs that include parents, pups born that year,
some yearlings from the year before and often other
adults. Social order is characterized by a dominance
Length
Head and body: 40-64 inches (102-163 cm)
Tail: 14-22 inches (36-56 cm)
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hierarchy with a separate ranking order among males
and females. Although pack size usually ranges from
six to 12 animals, packs of as many as 20 or 30 wolves
sometimes occur. In most areas, wolf packs tend to
remain within a home range. In Alaska, the home
range may include some 200 to 600 square miles
(520-1560 km²) of habitat.
years of testy debate before a compromise allowed
the reintroduction of wolves to central Idaho and
Yellowstone National Park in 1995. Headed by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reintroduction efforts
were successful. By 1997, there were about 300 wolves
in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.
In December 1998, however, a Wyoming judge ruled
that the experimental reintroduction of wolves into
central Idaho and Yellowstone was illegal and should
be revoked, and ordered all reintroduced wolves
removed from the wild. The judge stayed his order,
pending an appeal from the U.S. Government.
Wolf Talk
Wolves keep in touch by howling. This type of
communication among wolves has several meanings.
It serves as a warning to other packs to stay away
from their hunting ground. A howl is used to call the
pack together after a hunt is over. Sometimes wolves
howl just for the pleasure of it, and to reinforce ties
between members of the pack.
On January 13, 2000, the Tenth Circuit Court of
Appeals overturned the 1998 ruling. The ruling
stated “We reserve the order and judgement of the
district court, vacate the district court’s stay order,
and remand with instructions to the district court
to enter an order upholding the challenged wolf
reintroduction rules... Discerning no conflict between
the challenged experimental population rules and
the Endangered Species Act, we reserve the district
court’s order and judgement.” The court solidly
supported the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s wolf
reintroduction program.
Wolves have an incredible sense of smell. With the
right wind, they can detect moose 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
away!
Wolves hunt prey up to 10 times their size and can
gorge 20 pounds (9 kg) of food in a single feeding!
A wolf’s powerful jaws can exert about 1,500 pounds
per square inch, about twice that of a dog!
How You Can Help!
During the hunt, each wolf of a pack plays a crucial
role in capturing their prey!
national, regional and individual levels. You can
help in this cause. Join and become active in a
conservation organization of your choice. Don’t
buy products made from wild animal parts. Let
protecting endangered species and wild habitats.
The zoo’s gray wolves can be viewed from a number
of locations at the zoo’s award-winning Northern
Trail. Woodland Park Zoo has exhibited wolves
for over 50 years. Since 1976, 24 wolves have been
born here. Other mammals that can be seen at the
Northern Trail are brown bear, elk, mountain goat
and porcupine.
programs at the zoo. Discover more about wolves
by contacting Wolf Haven at International through
its Web site: www.wolfhaven.org. Learn other ways
you can help conserve wildlife and the habitats they
require for survival by visiting our How You Can Help
page under “Conservation” at www.zoo.org.
Wolves are considered endangered** in 47 of the
lower 48 states (the exception is Minnesota, where
they are considered threatened). Wolves are in dire
peril due to human encroachment and unwarranted
fears about these predators. For example, by 1930,
gray wolves were eliminated from Montana, Idaho
and Wyoming, primarily because of conflicts
with livestock ranchers. As a result of Canadian
restoration programs, wolves returned to northwest
Montana beginning in the 1980s. It took nearly 20
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Northern Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascensis
of sticks, branches and other plant material, in the
fork of a large tree or cliff side. The nest may be used
and added to year after year, eventually becoming a
massive structure up to 9 feet (2.7 m) in diameter and
weighing as much as 2,000 pounds (900 kg). Females
lay a clutch of two, or occasionally three eggs, between
November and mid-March. Incubation duties are
performed by both parents but primarily by the
female. Chicks hatch after a 34 to 35 day incubation.
The bald eagle belongs to the family Accipitridae
which includes hawks and eagles. Bald eagles are part
of the group of eagles known as fish or sea eagles.
Bald eagles are found only in North America where
they once ranged from Canada and Alaska down
through at least 45 of the lower 48 states. Currently
bald eagles are primarily found in Alaska, Canada’s
western provinces, the Pacific
Northwest, the upper Great Lakes,
Florida and near Chesapeake Bay.
A smaller number of bald eagles is
scattered throughout the rest of the
continental United States.
Life Cycle
Wingspan
Adult male: 6-6.5 feet (1.80-1.95 m)
Adult female: 6.5-7.5 feet
(1.95-2.25 m)
Weight
Adult male: 8-10 pounds
(3.6-4.5 kg)
Ryan Hawk
Adult female: 10-14 pounds
(4.5-6.3 kg)
Young eagles remain at the nest for
10-12 weeks. At about 3 months of
age the fledgling eagles are able to fly
but the parents continue to feed and
protect the young birds for another
two to three months. Although
young birds know instinctively how
to hunt, lack of experience and
skill means they often cannot catch
adequate prey. Starvation, disease,
bad weather and accidents, often
due to human interference, mean
that many young eagles do not
survive their first year.
Bald With Feathers on Top
Life Span
Bald eagles are not bald. The term bald comes from
the Old English word “balde” (bal-duh) which means
“white.” The name “balde headed” eagle later became
shortened to bald eagle. The white head and tail
contrast sharply with the dark brown body of adult
bald eagles, making them easy to distinguish from
other large birds. Adults can also be distinguished
by their pale yellow eyes; powerful yellow feet with
long sharp talons; and sharply hooked yellow beak.
The distinctive white head and tail are not attained
until a bird reaches 4 to 6 years of age, consequently
immature birds are often confused with golden eagles.
Bald eagles are commonly called fish eagles because
of the large proportion of fish in their diet which they
catch by swooping down and thrusting their feet into
the water. Even with powerful feet, sharp talons and
Bald eagles may live 30 years or more in the wild and
even longer in captivity
Diet
In the wild: Primarily fish when available, but will
also hunt waterfowl and other aquatic birds, as well as
small mammals. Bald eagles will also steal prey from
other eagles and osprey, and feed on carrion.
At the zoo: Salmon, trout and quail
Reproduction
Bald eagles reach sexual maturity at 5 or 6 years of
age and then form a pair bond and mate for life.
After pairing, the birds construct a nest, or aerie,
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textured, slip-resistant feet, bald eagles often miss their
slippery prey. In addition to fish, bald eagles prey on
ducks, geese and rabbits. Carrion such as spawned-out
salmon, is especially important in winter when other
food may be scarce.
Species Act. By 1995, the lower 48-states population
approached 5,000 nesting pairs, and the bald eagle was
downlisted from endangered to threatened. In 1998,
about 600 nesting pairs were counted in Washington
state.
All-American Bird
When DDT was banned in 1972 after scientists
discovered the chemicals negative effect on eagle eggs,
bald eagle reproductive success began to improve.
Protective laws and intensive efforts by federal agencies
assisted bald eagle recovery. Private, local and state
agencies assisted by acquiring important nesting and
wintering habitat such as the Skagit River Bald Eagle
National Area in Skagit County, Washington.
The bald eagle is a symbol of strength, independence
and dignity, becoming the national bird of the United
States in 1782. Wildlife experts estimate that at the
time the bald eagle became our nation’s symbol there
may have been 25,000 to 75,000 nesting pairs of bald
eagles in the lower 48 states. Many native American
peoples admired bald eagles, and feathers are still used
in tribal religious rites. Feathers must now be obtained
by permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
which distributes them only for cultural or scientific
purposes.
Woodland Park Zoo began the rehabilitation of
injured and sick eagles in 1971. Since that time more
than 200 bald and golden eagles, peregrine falcons and
other birds of prey have been received. More than 70
eagles and many of the other birds were rehabilitated
and returned to the wild. The eagles at Woodland Park
Zoo are wild birds that were brought here because of
injuries and cannot be released. If a bird cannot be
released, it is sent to a wildlife facility that will use it to
educate people about birds of prey.
Eagles have excellent eyesight and may be able
to see six to eight times better than humans!
The Latin word “raptare” means to grab or
seize. Eagles are called raptors because they
use their feet to catch and kill their food!
Bald eagle numbers have increased significantly in
recent years, and in 1995 the bald eagle was upgraded
to threatened status on the federal list of Endangered
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants throughout most
of its range. With more than 10,000 pairs, the eagle
was removed from the endangered list on June 29,
2007. Despite this, eagles are still at risk from habitat
destruction and other factors.
Bald eagles can be seen at the zoo’s Northern Trail.
How You Can Help!
your choice.
Bald eagles were delisted by the US government
from the endangered species list on June 29, 2007.*
By the early 1900s, bald eagle numbers had declined
significantly due to shooting and habitat destruction.
In 1940, bald eagles faced a new threat when the
pesticide DDT was introduced to the environment.
DDT built up in the food chain and accumulated in
tissues of many top predators. Pesticide accumulation
caused them to lay abnormally thin-shelled eggs,
which often broke during incubation. With a sharp
decline in reproductive success, bald eagle populations
disappeared from many states. In 1963, only 417 eagles
were found in the lower 48 states.
calling the Peregrine Fund (208) 362-3716. Learn other
Flora and Fauna).
In 1978, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service declared
the bald eagle endangered under the Endangered
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
birds, but they also catch fish and large insects. Redtailed hawks also steal prey from other raptors and eat
carrion (dead animals).
Red-tailed hawks are part of the family Accipitridae,
which includes hawks, eagles, kites and Old World
vultures. Hawks of the genus Buteo, such as the redtailed hawk, are generally medium- to large-sized
hawks. There are 14 recognized subspecies of redtailed hawks.* Red-tailed hawks are found throughout
North America, (excluding very northern Canada and
Alaska) as well as Central America
and the Caribbean.
Reproduction
Red-tailed hawks appear to mate for life, and will not
take another mate as long as their current mate lives.
The mated pair usually returns to the same nesting
territory each year and both partners will defend the
nest. They will often build several
alternative nest sites within their
territory. Nests are normally built in
trees (or sometimes on cliffs) and
reach 2.5-3 feet (75-90 cm) across. A
clutch of two to three white, brownspotted eggs are laid. Eggs are
incubated for 30-35 days, and young
first fly when 43-48 days old.
Habitat
They are found in almost every
habitat type including fields, open
woodlands, alpine meadows and
deserts, and along road sides. The
only place they are not found is in
high arctic regions and large tracts
of dense forest.
Life Cycle
Red-tailed hawks may spend long
periods soaring in search of prey.
They are superb soarers and make
John Farrell
extensive use of thermals to fly for
long periods without flapping their
wings. When they do flap, their wing
beat is powerful, but slow and shallow. In addition
to hunting while soaring, red-tailed hawks also hunt
from perches or from a hover. Northern populations
may migrate south during the winter.
Red-tailed hawks are large, stocky
birds with long, broad wings and
short, broad tails. Although there
is tremendous regional and even
local variation in plumage, the “typical” red-tail has a
brown back, dark head and light breast with a darker
belly band. The upper surface of the tail is red in
adults, giving the hawk its common name. Red-tailed
hawks have a wingspan of 3.5 to over 4.5 feet (105135 cm). They weigh between 1.5-3.5 pounds (.7-1.6
kg). As with most raptors, females are larger than
males.
Aerial Courtship
One does not soon forget the sight of a pair of redtailed hawks involved in their aerial courtship. While
continually calling to one another, the partners soar,
barrel roll and dive in mock combat at each other.
They may even lock talons as they spiral downward
toward the ground. Following their amazing dance in
the sky, they usually fly in unison to a tree where they
copulate.
Life Span
A banded red-tailed hawk lived 23 years in the wild. A
captive red-tailed hawk lived 29 years.
Diet
In the wild: Red-tailed hawks are the ultimate
generalists, living in a diversity of habitats and eating
equally diverse types of prey. Their prey consists
primarily of rodents, rabbits, snakes, lizards and small
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of extinction.
Red-tailed hawks are the most common and
widespread hawk in North America, and can be
found year-round in all of the lower 48 states.
Red-tailed hawks are commonly sighted in
Washington along highways!
Red-tailed hawks vary in color from the Krider’s
red-tailed hawk with a whitish head and tail (and
mottled with white throughout), to the primarily
coal-black Harlan’s red-tailed hawk!
enriches each of our lives. Imagine what life
would be like if we could no longer gaze upon the
grandeur of raptors soaring high above.
Woodland Park Zoo does not currently have a redtailed hawk. However, birds that can be viewed at the
zoo’s Raptor Center include the gyrfalcon, Harris’s
hawk, turkey vulture as well as spectacled and barred
owls. Additionally, two owls can be seen in the zoo’s
Temperate Forest bioclimatic zone: a great gray
owl adjacent to “Bug” World and a barn owl at the
80 golden and bald eagles, plus other raptor species.
How You Can Help!
In contrast to many North American raptors (birds
of prey), red-tailed hawk populations have remained
stable or even increased in some areas in recent
decades. Red-tailed hawks have benefited from
increased tree growth in areas that were once purely
grasslands, and from the increase in human-made
perches along roadsides. In some areas, red-tailed
hawks are displacing red-shouldered, ferruginous and
Swainson’s hawks.
to find ways you can support conservation programs
at the zoo. Discover more about raptors by calling the
Peregrine Fund (208) 362-3716. Learn other ways you
can help conserve wildlife and the habitats they require
for survival by visiting our How You Can Help page
until more raptor species will be pushed to the brink
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Reproduction
Barn owls belong to the family Tytonidae. There
are 12 species in this group. Barn owls are one of
the most widely distributed owl species, inhabiting
woodlands, farmlands and savannas on every
continent, except Antarctica.
Owls do not build their own nest; rather they take
over nests of other animals, such as squirrels or
woodpeckers. Barn owls often prefer tree cavities,
belfries, barns or abandoned buildings for nests, and
seem to choose sites which have been occupied by
other barn owls in the past. These owls appear to
mate for life, and will not take another mate as long
as their current mate lives. The
female lays a clutch of five to 11
chalky white, unmarked eggs at twoday intervals. Eggs are incubated for
32-34 days. Eggs hatch in sequence
of laying, so a barn owl nest may
contain young of widely varying
ages.
Habitat
Barn owls prefer warm climates
with mild winters. They often make
their homes in buildings, especially
barns, near ample supplies of
rodents and other small prey. They
also nest in tree cavities or in rock
cavities.
Life Cycle
The pale gold-brown barn owl
stands approximately 14 inches
(35 cm) tall. Females weigh up
to 24 ounces (670 gr), males up
to 20 ounces (560 gr). Barn owls
have long wings and long, lightlyfeathered legs. These owls are
nocturnal hunters and are equipped
with eyes that have extra light-sensitive rods to
enhance night vision. They also have extremely acute
hearing. Asymmetrical ears allow the bird to use
triangulation to locate its prey. Downy feathers and
ridged primary feathers muffle the sound of their
flight, enabling them to swoop silently down upon
unsuspecting prey.
The female spends most of her time
at the nest, while the male helps
feed and guard the young. After
about 60 days, young become fully
fledged and are able to leave the nest
Dennis Dow
and hunt for themselves. Northern
populations of barn owls have been
observed flying south to winter. Living mostly solitary
lifestyles, barn owls may gather in groups at favorite
roosting points. While migrating, up to 50 barn owls
have been observed roosting together at one time.
Barn owls are occasionally preyed upon by great
horned owls, and less frequently by prairie falcons
and other diurnal raptors.
Life Span
Who Gives a Hoot?
Although they have lived over 20 years in captivity, it
is unusual for one to live to be 10 years in the wild.
For most people, a series of hoots comes to mind
when thinking about the call of an owl. Although this
may be true for most species of owls, the barn owl’s
call is anything but a hoot. Instead, during the night
a person might hear overhead a barn owl’s drawnout screeches and raspy hisses. Barn owls even have
chuckling noises, purrs and twittering sounds in their
vocabulary.
Diet
In the wild: Mice, voles and shrews are this owl’s
primary prey, but it will rarely catch young rabbits,
birds, bats, frogs and large insects.
At the zoo: Mice, small rats and crickets.
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Barn owls, as well as other members of the family
Tytonidae, have several visible anatomical differences
from other typical owls. Barn owls have longer, lightly
feathered legs and wings, smaller eyes (which are
not yellow like some typical owls), no ear tufts and
a middle toe with a serrated edge, which is used for
feather care.
supplying nest boxes. As a result, the presence of owls
reduces the populations of pest rodents.
Many raptor populations are declining. Human-caused
changes in land use are escalating, and this affects the
habitats and migratory corridors required by some
raptors for survival. For the barn owl, loss of farms to
housing and shopping malls is removing their needed
habitat. For other raptor species, critical shoreline
and riparian zone habitats are rapidly converted by
expanding human communities and agricultural
needs. Shooting and trapping are also lowering raptor
numbers. It’s only a matter of time until more raptor
species may face extinction, unless we take measures to
protect their habitats.
Barn owls are better than cats at controlling
rodent pests. A family of barn owls can kill
about 1,300 rats a year!
The disk shaped face of owls collects and
concentrates sounds in the bird’s ears, so the
owl can precisely gauge the direction and
distance of hidden prey.
Barn owls, like most birds that nest in cavities,
lay white eggs since there is no need for
camouflage!
Unlike other raptors that carry prey in their talons
and rip it apart before eating, owls often carry
their prey with their bill and often swallow their
prey whole. Bones, fur and other indigestible
items are regurgitated as pellets!
Owls can be seen in the zoo’s Temperate Forest
bioclimatic zone: a barn owl at the Family Farm and
a great gray owl adjacent to Bug World. Birds that can
be viewed at the zoo’s Raptor Center include the bald
eagle, gyrfalcon, Harris’s hawk, turkey vulture as well
as great horned, spectacled and barred owls. The zoo’s
Eagle Release Program has rehabilitated and released
back into the wild more than 80 eagles, plus other
raptor species.
How You Can Help!
your choice. Eliminate or reduce pesticide use. Let
the conservation of migratory birds and their wild
habitats.
Barn owls are widespread throughout the United
States and often do very well in areas inhabited by
people. Barn owls can even be found in city parks and
neighborhoods. Farmers in recent years, recognizing
the great pest control rewards of having barn owls in
their buildings, have encouraged nesting barn owls by
leaving openings for owls to enter their barns and even
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Reproduction
Barred owls, along with 12 other species belong to the
genus Strix, which is part of the family Strigidae or
“typical” owls.* This genus of owls characteristically
has large, rounded heads and well-developed facial
discs. Barred owls range throughout the United States
east of the Rocky mountains, southern and western
Canada, and the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho
and northern California.
Barred owls nest in tree cavities or the abandoned
nests of hawks, crows or squirrels. The same nest will
often be used for several years. They lay two to four
white eggs. Incubation is done mostly by the female
for approximately 28 days. The young food begging
call sounds like steam escaping from a tea kettle. After
six to eight weeks, young are able to fly well enough
to begin hunting on their own but
may occasionally receive food from
parents for up to four months.
Habitat
Barred owls typically inhabit both
broadleaf and coniferous forests
and woodlands, especially near
water. They prefer woodlands which
include trees of a large enough
diameter that can be used as nest
sites.
Life Cycle
The usual call of a barred owl is a
series of nine hoots sounding like
“who cooks for you? who cooks
for you-all!” A barred owl hunts
and calls mostly at night, and can
be heard best in early spring when
breeding begins. They also are
occasionally active during the day.
Barred owls are large owls with
round heads and dark eyes. They are
named for the plumage pattern on
their chests which is cream-colored
with brown barring. The remainder
of the body is brownish-gray with pale speckling. This
body coloring helps barred owls roost in thick foliage
without being detected. They are 16-24 inches (40-60
cm) in length with a wingspan of 38-45 inches (95113 cm). Females weigh up to 2 pounds (905 gr), and
are larger than males.
Invasion From All Sides
Dennis Conner
Barred owls are flexible in their
habitat requirements, and have
expanded their range in recent years. They are now a
regularly seen species in the states of Washington and
Oregon, where 30 years ago they were not found.
Unlike northern spotted owls which require large
stands of old-growth timber to nest, barred owls
readily nest in second-growth forests. Aggressive
cutting of old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest
reduced these stands into small forest units not
suitable for spotted owl nesting. As a result, the
northern spotted owl is tied to the last remaining
large stands of ancient forest. Logged areas now allow
larger, more aggressive barred owls the opportunity
to invade the edges of the northern spotted owls’
shrinking old-growth territory, further reducing
suitable nesting sites for northern spotted owls.
Life Span
A banded barred owl lived in the wild for 14 years.
Woodland Park Zoo’s barred owl is currently over 14
years old.
Diet
In the wild: Barred owls are generalists, feeding on
a wide variety of prey including rats, mice, voles,
chipmunks, lizards, frogs, fish, birds and large insects.
At the zoo: Mice, small rats and occasionally quail.
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When threatened, barred owls raise one wing
and hold the other close to their body. This
may give the owl the appearance of a mammal
rather than a bird!
The spine-chilling shrieks, silent flight and
nocturnal habits of some owls have led many
people to believe that owls are magical or evil
omens. Some people even believe that owls are
able to predict births and deaths. These and
other superstitions have led some humans to
kill owls out of fear!
How You Can Help!
In some cultures, owls are considered wise and
are worshipped. In Greek mythology, Athena,
goddess of wisdom, has an owl as her symbol!
A barred owl can be seen at the zoo’s Raptor Center.
Other birds that can be found at the Raptor Center
include the gyrfalcon, Harris’s hawk, turkey vulture
and spectacled owl. Additionally, owls can be seen in
the zoo’s Temperate Forest bioclimatic zone: a great
gray owl adjacent to Bug World and a barn owl at the
80 eagles, plus other raptor species.
until more raptor species may face extinction, unless
we take measures to protect their habitats.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Northern Spotted Owl
Strix occidentalis caurina
age of 1 year, but usually do not breed until age 2 or 3.
These birds are monogamous and pairs bond for life.
Courtship activities, which include special posturing
and bobbing, begin in February or March. Nests in
old-growth forests, preferably in the darkest part of
the woods, high in a tree, tree cavities or old nests.
Early nesters lay eggs in March, but the majority
of nesting occurs in April. One or two oval white
eggs are normally laid. The small clutch size results
in a low reproductive output for
this species, however, there will be
less competition for food between
owlets in the nest.
The northern spotted owl belongs to the family
Strigidae, which includes about 120 species of owls.
All owls, except the barn and bay owls, belong to this
family. Three subspecies of spotted owl are classified:
northern (Strix occidentalis caurina), Mexican (Strix
occidentalis lucida) and Californian (Strix occidentalis
occidentalis).
The northern spotted owl is
distributed throughout the
northwest mountains of California,
Oregon, Washington and southwest
British Columbia.
The female does all the incubation
of the eggs and the male hunts for
food for his mate. Incubation lasts
approximately 28 days. Eggs hatch
in late April or early May. After the
eggs hatch the female sits with the
owlets and the male hunts for food
for the family. Owlets are born with
their eyes closed and are covered
with fluffy, white, downy feathers.
Michael Townsend
As the owlets reach adult size, their
feathers gradually turn dark brown,
with a barred tail, and white spots on the head and
breast.
Habitat
The northern spotted owl prefers
mature old-growth forests. It
especially likes densely wooded
areas which have large trees with a
multilayered canopy enclosure.
Length and Wingspan
Length is 16.5-19 inches (41-48
cm). Wingspan is approximately
45 inches(114 cm). The northern
spotted owl is the largest of the three spotted owl
subspecies.
Life Cycle
Weight
Owlets fledge in June and remain with their parents
until late summer or early fall. Upon leaving the nest,
owlets disperse across the forest and usually establish
their own winter feeding range. The following spring
they establish a new range in an area away from their
parents’ range. The range size for adult owl pairs and
adult individuals can range two to 24 square miles
(3.4-38.2 sq km).
17-34 ounces (490-950 gr)
Life Span
Up to 15 years in the wild; longer in captivity
Diet
In the wild: Rats, white-footed mice, deer mice, birds,
red tree mice, small bats, moths, crickets, large beetles
and flying squirrels
Whoo-hoo Are You?
At the zoo: Mice and small rats
The northern spotted owl has dark, black-brown
eyes which are surrounded by white facial disks that
look like half moons. These facial disks aid the owl
when hunting by directing sounds to the ear holes.
Reproduction
Northern spotted owls reach sexual maturity at the
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The northern spotted owl is a nocturnal hunter, and
seldom takes prey during daylight hours. This owl
has a distinctive four-note hooting call, which sounds
similar to the baying of a hound. The northern spotted
owl also uses a squeaking “whee-whee” whistle to
communicate with other owls. The female owl’s call is
higher pitched than the male’s.
These activities cause habitat fragmentation, which
isolates spotted owl pairs and decreases the size of
their home ranges. Research has shown owls need large
areas of land to range. Fragmentation also disrupts the
distribution of owlets to new, vacant home ranges.
It is still unclear exactly why spotted owls prefer oldgrowth forest habitats. Some reasons may be that oldgrowth forests have diverse vegetation, multilayered
canopies, abundant prey, and plentiful nesting/
perching sites. Northern spotted owls use multilayered
canopies for thermal cover (shade in summer and
shelter in winter). Old-growth forests also provide
protection from predators, such as great horned owls,
which prefer young stands of trees and edges of clearcuts.
Nighttime Vision
Northern spotted owls have remarkable night vision,
and can see better than most birds. They usually sleep
during the day, partly because their eyes are sensitive to
bright sunlight. The owl’s eyes have limited movement
in their sockets because the eyes are very large and
tubular shaped to accommodate all the highly sensitive
optical nerves. This shape restricts movement because
the owl’s eyes cannot roll in their sockets as oval
human eyes can. To enable it to see in all directions,
the northern spotted owl, like most owls, has the
ability to turn its head 270 degrees.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save threatened and endangered owls
requires cooperation and support at international,
your choice. Don’t buy old-growth forest products or
products made from wild animal parts. Contact your
elected representatives and express your views about
conservation of endangered species and wild habitats.
Northern spotted owls use their powerful claws
to grasp prey off the ground or from the air!
Owls often swallow their prey whole, then
regurgitate the bones, hair and skin that can’t
be digested!
Northern spotted owls have a saw-toothed
edge on their primary (flight) feathers, which
helps them to fly silently!
Woodland Park Zoo no longer exhibits spotted owls,
but great gray owls can be viewed near the Habitat
Discovery Loop in the Temperate Forest. A barn owl
can also be viewed at the Temperate Forest’s Family
Farm area. Other owl species can be viewed at the zoo’s
Raptor Center, including the spectacled, barred, great
horned and western screech owl.
The northern spotted owl is a threatened species,
primarily due to habitat destruction, caused by
activities such as logging, road and home construction.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Western Redback Salamander
Plethodon vehiculum
pigmented (melanistic) western redbacks, with no
visible stripe, are not uncommon, especially on the
west side of the Olympic mountains. Most species of
salamanders have four toes on their front feet and five
on the back. All the toes are clawless.
Western redbacks are in the Plethodontidae family.
With more than 150 species, this is the largest family
of salamanders. All salamanders in this family
are lungless, both in the larval and adult forms.
Although common in western Washington, western
redbacks only range west of the Cascades, south
from Vancouver Island and a small part of southwest
British Columbia, almost to the
southern border of Oregon.
Adaptations
Salamanders are carnivorous and nocturnal, using
their senses of sight and smell to locate their prey.
Western redback salamanders are
eaten by garter snakes, Steller’s
jays and shrew-moles among other
predators. Many salamanders
excrete foul-tasting, and in some
cases toxic, secretions from glands
on the skin’s surface which helps to
deter predators. Most amphibians
must keep their skin moist in
order to exchange gases (breathe)
through their skin. This is especially
important for lungless salamanders,
which can only breathe through the
skin on the outside of the body and
Ric Brewer
skin on the inside of the mouth.
Habitat
Western redbacks are mainly found
in dense coniferous forests where
they hide under surface debris on
the forest floor.
NORTH
AMERICA
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Western redbacks are relatively
small for salamanders, at 1.5 to 2.5
inches (3.7 to 6.2 cm), not including
the tail. They have a colored stripe
with even edges running the length
of their body to the very tip of
the tail. This stripe can be red,
orange, yellow, olive or tan. Dark-
Only about 50% of most western redback populations actually have red backs! The other 50% may be orange,
yellow, olive or tan, or they may not have a visible stripe.
Salamanders in the Plethodontidae family have a tiny groove running from the upper lip to the nostril. It is
thought that this groove helps conduct scents (in liquids) to the nostrils. This may be important in the courtship
of these salamanders which often involves snout-to-body contact.
Salamanders of the genus Plethodon exhibit direct development. This means that the larvae develop while
inside the eggs and hatch out as miniature adults. Most other salamanders hatch from the eggs as aquatic
larvae.
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Female western redbacks lay eggs every other year.
The eggs, averaging 10 in number, are usually laid in
a moist place on land and are guarded by the female
during their development. The eggs are laid in spring
and the hatchlings emerge in autumn.
Diet
Western redback salamanders eat all sorts of
invertebrates. Mites and spiders are common prey of
western redbacks.
Healthy populations of western redback salamanders
are present throughout their range. This is a good
sign because western redbacks and other amphibians
are very sensitive to their environment. Changes
such as rising water temperatures (possibly due to
global warming), increased ultraviolet radiation
(due to ozone depletion), low water levels, and the
effects of air and water pollution can drastically affect
amphibian survival, especially the eggs and young. In
this way, amphibians are good gauges of the health of
our environment. Western redbacks may be protected
from some of these factors due to their sheltered forest
habitat. However, if forests are removed, western
redbacks are prone to these conditions. Amphibians,
like other animals, can suffer from the loss of their
wetland and forest habitats.
How You Can Help
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Sowbugs & Pillbugs
There are many different genera and species
At the zoo: Apples, oranges, romaine lettuce and
monkey chow
Although their common names contain the word
“bug,” sowbugs and pillbugs are not really bugs.
They’re crustaceans which are mostly aquatic
invertebrates, such as the crab, lobster, crayfish and
barnacle. Crustaceans breathe through gills, and
have a hard exoskeleton and jointed appendages.
Sowbugs and pillbugs are in the order Isopoda. They
are technically termed isopods,
which means “the legs are alike.”
Sowbugs and pillbugs are found
in most regions of the world, and
are widespread throughout North
America.
Reproduction
Sowbugs and pillbugs begin reproductive efforts
in March and April. Two to three broods are raised
during the summer. Each brood consists of 30-40
young, which are incubated for 34 days in the brood
pouch. The brood pouch is located
under the female’s body, between
the second and fifth pair of legs.
The pouch is filled with fluid which
protects the young while they are
developing.
Habitat
Life Cycle
Moist micro-climates, including
damp, dark spaces and wooded
areas. Prime habitats are under
stones or in decaying wood. In
cities, they frequent gardens, along
house foundations and basements.
Sowbugs and pillbugs are active
parents. The male guards the
family’s burrow, while both parents
gather food and clean the burrow
of debris. It takes approximately
one year for young to become
adults (nymphs look similar to their
parents). Once adults, sowbugs
Woodland Park Zoo
and pillbugs continue to molt
approximately every 28 days. However, a breeding
female molts less often to permit time to incubate
her young. Sowbugs and pillbugs molt in two phases.
First they lose the rear half of the exoskeleton, and
approximately 12 hours later, they lose the front half.
After molting, they eat the discarded exoskeleton
shell to recycle the calcium, which will be used to
strengthen their new exoskeleton.
Both animals are approximately
0.5 inch (12.5 mm) in length. They have one pair of
jointed antennae, a flattened body, fused abdominal
segments and seven pairs of legs. They are gray
to brown in color and covered with armor-like
plates, reminiscent of miniature armadillos. Like all
crustaceans, sowbugs and pillbugs are wingless.
Life Span
Average about 2 years, but can live up to 5 years
Predators include many species of birds and some
amphibians. To camouflage themselves from
predators, sowbugs and pillbugs are colored to blend
into their environment. As an added defense, the
exoskeletons of pillbugs have 10 freely articulating
segments that enable them to roll up into a ball. On
the other hand, sowbugs lack the capability to roll
into a ball; instead they flee to evade predators. Some
Diet
In the wild: Predominately vegetarian, but considered
omnivorous, feeding on fungi and live or decaying
vegetation and animals. During periods of drought,
sowbugs and pillbugs are capable of switching to a
scavenger-like diet.
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species of sowbugs even secrete a noxious substance
that discourages other animals from eating them.
decaying matter and then defecate. In gardens, they
benefit humans by circulating soil without eating
garden plants.
Staying Wet Out of Water
How You Can Help!
Although they don’t live in water, sowbugs and
pillbugs are still highly dependent on water for
survival. They need to stay moist to survive, so they
actively scavenge for food only in the cool of the night.
To prevent dehydration during the day, they seek dark,
moist areas to hide and rest. Sowbugs and pillbugs
often gather in groups, huddling together to reduce
evaporation. Some even burrow into the ground to
keep their gills wet. Gills are the primary breathing
apparatus for all crustaceans, and must remain moist
in order to function.
cause. Join and become active in Woodland Park
Zoo and other conservation organizations of your
choice. To conserve habitat for sowbugs, pillbugs and
other arthropods, reduce your use of pesticides and
Sowbugs and pillbugs lack spiracles (small
openings on the sides of their bodies used for
respiration), which are possessed by many other
arthropods!
Like reptiles and amphibians, all arthropods,
including sowbugs and pillbugs, are coldblooded. Their body temperature is regulated
by the temperature of their environment!
Amazing sowbugs and pillbugs are on view at
Woodland Park Zoo’s Bug World. You’ll go “buggy”
while viewing exciting seasonal displays that take you
on a journey to different bioclimatic zones around
the world. You may come face-to-face with recycling
cockroaches, assassin bugs, web-spinning spiders or
scuba diving beetles, to name only a few. The only
way you’ll find out which bugs you’ll encounter is by
visiting Bug World. Don’t miss it!
Sowbugs and pillbugs are often considered pests in
greenhouses because they nibble at the roots of stems
and seedlings. However, sowbugs and pillbugs are
valuable arthropods because they provide food for
other animals. As scavengers, they also play a critical
role in maintaining the health of their environment.
They return nutrients to the soil when they eat
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
bars.
Western tanagers belong to the order Passeriformes.
Passeriformes, commonly known as “perching
birds,” are the largest and most diverse commonly
recognized order of birds. Perching birds have
worldwide distribution with members of the order
on ever continent except Antarctica. Western
tanagers are members of the Thraupidae family or
“tanager family” along with 254 other species.
Immature members of this species look much like
the female until breeding season, when the males’
plumage is similar to that of the adult male.
Life Expectancy
Lifespan in the wild is unknown. One banded male
lived at least 7 years 11 months. In captivity a male
lived for 15 years 4 months.
Habitat
The western tanager breeds
from southern Alaska and the
Northwest Territories of Canada
down through the western United
States. After migrating south, the
western tanager spends its winters
in Mexico, South America, and
sometimes in southern California.
Diet
North
America
Pacific
Ocean
South
America
Throughout the western tanager’s
range it is found in diverse
habitats, although it seems to
prefer a combination of open and
mixed forests including clear cuts
and urban backyards.
This species feeds mainly on
insects, but also fruits. During
the breeding season in western
Canada and United States the
western tanager spends most of
its time in the canopy of trees
and shrubs foraging and catching
insects in the air. While wintering
in Mexico and South America,
they eat both insects and fruit.
Here they spend much of their
time in the upper layers of small
trees and second growth forests.
Reproduction
Western tanagers seem to make
monogamous pairs, finding their
Woodland Park Zoo
mate either on wintering grounds
or during migration. Nests are
built between May and July depending on location.
The female builds the nest which is a shallow cup
shape usually placed in a forked branch far away
from the tree trunk. Males do not help with nest
building, but may keep the female company. 3-5
eggs are laid per season. Incubation is performed
by the female. Eggs hatch about 13 days after being
laid.
This medium sized song bird is
about 7 inches long and hard
to miss. Males during breeding
season are unmistakable. The breeding male has a
yellow head and belly with a bright red face. Wings
and tail are black with two wing bars, the upper is
solid yellow and the lower is thin and whitish. The
bill is dull yellow and the legs and feet are bluish
gray. Non-breeding plumage is similar in color,
although it is washed out by olive-grey and their
faces have at most a wash of red.
Really a Tanager?
Females are mostly olive-green on their back. Under
parts vary greatly in color; from bright yellow to
grayish white with yellow only on under tail. Wings
are grayish brown with two yellowish white wing
The Tanager family is hard to define. The western
tanager and close relatives (summer tanager P. rubra
and scarlet tanager P. olivacea among others)
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are good examples. Molecular analysis is showing
that these birds are more closely related to a group of
finches and are not that closely related to the “true”
tanagers of the Neotropics. Scientists often debate
about classification; the tanager family is one of those
up for debate recently.
trend by providing habitat for wildlife in their own
backyards.
How You Can Help
The western tanager breeds farther north
than any other member of its mostly tropical
family!
The red pigment on the head of the western
tanager is rhodoxanthin. This pigment
is not made by the bird, but most likely
consumed in the form of insects which got
it from eating plants!
Not currently found on exhibit, but wild western
tanagers have been spotted during the spring and
summer on zoo grounds.
Shade grown coffee is an easy way to help songbirds
help save wildlife.
Western tanagers migrate great distances every year.
Not only is it important for them to have healthy
habitat where they winter in the tropics, but also a
healthy habitat in northwest Washington where they
spend their spring and summer. Wildlife and people
have the same basic needs for survival: food, water,
air, shelter and space. As people have transformed the
landscape to meet their needs, wildlife have suffered
a loss of habitat and a decreased ability to meet their
own basic needs. With help from Woodland Park Zoo’s
Backyard Habitat program, people can reverse this
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
easily locate covered carcasses not visible from the air.
Turkey vultures and other New World vultures
belong to the family Cathartidae, in the order
Ciconiiformes.* New World vultures make up the
subfamily Cathartinae and are mostly large, longwinged, brownish-black birds with bare heads. Other
members of this subfamily include the Andean
condor, king vulture, black vulture and the highly
endangered California condor.
Turkey vultures range from
southern Canada to South America.
At the zoo: Mice, rats, quail, trout and stockbones
Habitat
Turkey vultures are commonly
seen near farms, open areas and
woodlands soaring on thermals.
They nest in rocky, forested
locations.
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Reproduction
Prior to pairing up, turkey vultures often take part
in a group “dance.” Gathering in large numbers on
open ground, they hop, with wings trailing, toward
one another. Turkey vultures do not make nests.
Instead, clutches of about two eggs
are laid in a variety of locations,
including bare ground in the brush,
the floor of caves, on rock shelves,
or in rotted-out logs. Both parents
incubate the eggs, which takes 38-41
days. Both parents feed the hungry
chicks with regurgitated food. Young
stay in the nest for about six weeks.
NORTH
AMERICA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Breeding range
Year-round range
Life Cycle
Turkey vultures spend much of
the day soaring in the sky in search
of carrion. Although primarily
scavengers, turkey vultures may
Dennis Conner
rarely attack insects or small, sick
animals. At night they often gather
in large roosts. Turkey vultures living in the northern
reaches of their range tend to be migratory, and
usually assemble in flocks of up to several hundred
individuals for the fall and spring migration to
and from wintering grounds in the southern states,
Mexico, south to South America.
Adult turkey vultures are 24-28
inches (60-70 cm) in length with a
wingspan of 5-6 feet (150-180 cm).
They usually weigh between 3.5-5
pounds (1.6-2.7 kg). The turkey
vulture’s plumage is dark brown with a blue, green or
purple iridescence. The underside of the wing is twotone with dark brown or black on the leading edge of
the wing, with silver-gray flight feathers. Adults have
a small, bare, red head; juveniles have blackish heads.
The legs are also pale red and bare. Their feet are
weak with blunt toenails and a small hind toe.
Clumsy on the Ground - Agile in the Air
Life Span
These large birds move awkwardly on the ground,
walking or hopping clumsily with a sideways hitch.
When preparing to take flight, a turkey vulture leans
forward, takes a few steps, hops and then pushes off
with its legs while flapping its wings.
Can attain an age of 20 years in captivity.
Diet
In the wild: Unlike true birds of prey, vultures rarely
catch live prey. Vultures seek out carrion (dead
animals) and will eat most anything they come upon.
Soaring high above ground, they use their acute
vision to locate food. The turkey vulture has a more
developed sense of smell than most birds, and can
Once airborne, turkey vultures become birds of grace
and agility. Using their large, broad wings to ride
warm air thermals, they soar upward and rarely have
to flap their wings.
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Turkey vultures are easy to identify in flight. Their
wings are held in a V-shape, or dihedral, over their
back. Because they are very light for their size, they
tend to teeter back and forth in the wind.
Turkey vultures are widespread, and are not considered
endangered. Turkey vulture numbers declined in
the 1950s and 1960s, most likely due to pesticide
contamination. The current increase in turkey vulture
populations may be a result, in part, to the more
controlled and safe use of poisonous pesticides.
Table Manners?
Vultures are social animals. Several dozen turkey
vultures may flock to a large carcass within minutes
after its death. Although turkey vultures are usually
silent, this all changes when they gather to eat. Silence
is replaced with shoving, hissing, grunting, growling
and squabbling, and fighting between vultures breaks
out at times. Injury, however, rarely occurs during the
upheaval of the feeding frenzy.
All vultures play a valuable role in nature as scavengers.
Vultures quickly remove carcasses from the landscape
before they rot and turn foul-smelling. The genus
name Cathartes comes from the Greek word Kathartes
which means “purifier.” Vultures can eat animals that
have died from diseases such as anthrax or botulism
and not get sick themselves. In this way they help to
prevent the spread of disease.
The bare head of a turkey vulture is an adaptation for
its scavenging life style, and helps keep the head clean
when the vulture sticks its head inside the carcass of a
large animal.
How You Can Help!
Efforts to save threatened and endangered birds
endangered bird species at zoos and other animal care
A turkey vulture alarmed by a potential predator
will often regurgitate its food. This startles the
predator and lightens the turkey vulture so it
can fly away!
Turkey vultures are one of the few birds with a
well-developed olfactory sense which they use
to locate carrion. Turkey vultures have been
used to detect the location of natural gas leaks,
because they will circle over the leak lured by
the rotten-meat odor added to the gas!
Contact Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to
find ways you can support conservation programs at
the zoo. Discover more about raptors by contacting the
Peregrine Fund at their Web site www.peregrinefund.
www.zoo.org.
No animal is known to prey upon adult turkey
vultures!
Turkey vultures can be seen at the zoo’s Raptor Center.
Other birds that can be viewed at the Raptor Center
include the bald eagle, gyrfalcon, Harris’s hawk as
well as great horned, spectacled and barred owls.
Additionally, owls can be seen in the zoo’s Temperate
Forest bioclimatic zone; a great gray owl adjacent
to Bug World and a barn owl at the Family Farm.
Woodland Park Zoo’s Eagle Release Program has
80 eagles, plus several other raptor species.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Common Vampire Bat
Desmodus rotundus
are very strong, enabling this bat to easily crawl, hop
and jump.
Common vampire bats are classified in the order
Chiroptera, and within the family Phyllostomidae.
Desmodus rotundus is the only species in the genus
Desmodus.* There are two other vampire bat species:
the white-winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi), and
the hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata). The
common vampire bat makes up about 99% of the
entire vampire bat population.
The common vampire bat ranges
from northern Mexico to Argentina
and Chile. They are also found
on the islands of Trinidad and
Margarita off the coast of Venezuela.
Life Span
Life span in the wild is up to 9 years; in captivity
about 20 years
Diet
In the wild: The common vampire bat feeds on the
blood of mammals, and sometimes
domesticated birds. Host animals
might be cattle, horses or pigs.
Wild animals are also a valuable
blood source, and humans have
sporadically supplied a tasty blood
meal.
SOUTH
AMERICA
PACIFIC
OCEAN
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Habitat
At the zoo: Cow blood
Common vampire bats live in
subtropical and tropical regions,
and inhabit humid tropical forests
to arid desert habitats. They live
at elevations of up to about 7,500
feet (2,288 m). These bats roost in
secluded, nearly dark areas such as
caves with fissures, tree hollows,
abandoned wells and buildings, and
deep mine shafts.
Reproduction
Common vampire bats sexually
mature at about 9 months of age,
and mate throughout the year.
When the male finds a receptive
Joy Spurr
female, he climbs upon her back.
Then he holds her wings with his,
and grabs the back of her neck with his mouth.
Gestation lasts about 7 months, after which a single
young is born; twins occasionally occur. The mother
suckles her young for the first month, after which the
young also receives regurgitated blood meals from
the mother. Young develop quickly, accompanying
their mother on hunts by 4 months of age. Young are
fully grown by 5 months and are fully weaned by 10
months of age.
Females are a bit larger than males, but otherwise
both sexes are nearly identical in appearance.
Brown, gray, or brownish-red fur covers their body;
it is lighter on the underside. They have large eyes,
large pointed ears and no tail. Their nose appears
compressed and has two large nostrils. Their sense of
smell is acute. The mouth has very sharp canine and
incisor teeth.
Life Cycle
Common vampire bats are social animals. They roost
alone, in small groups, or in colonies of up to 2,000
bats. When colonies are larger than about 50 bats,
they split up into smaller groups consisting of females
and their young. A single male often roosts close to
each female group and attempts to maintain his
Common vampire bats weight between 0.5-1.8
ounces (14-51 g). Average head and body length is
approximately 2.7-3.5 inches (7-9 cm), the size of an
adult human’s thumb. Wing span averages 8 inches
(20.3 cm). The thumb on each wing is well developed.
Unlike most bats, the legs of the common vampire bat
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right to breed with the females of the group. Clashes
between males frequently occur; they are hard-fought
battles that involve biting, kicking and battering with
wings.
Vampire bats are in the Night Exhibit. After the zoo
closes, the light in this exhibit is gradually brought
up to an artificial “day” lasting between 10-14 hours.
During this “day” the nocturnal vampire bats sleep.
They become active during the zoo visitor’s day as
their “night” begins. The lights are gradually dimmed
to simulate dusk, then darkness.
Social bonds are enhanced by grooming, this normally
occurs between females and young, and female to
female. A female grooms another female for several
minutes, after which the recipient regurgitates part
of their blood meal for the other to consume. This
practice proves important since one in three bats are
unsuccessful in finding a blood meal each night. A
vampire bat dies if it does not get a blood meal in two
to three days. One strategy for survival is to groom
or beg from another bat, in order to receive a much
needed blood meal.
Vampire bat populations are healthy throughout their
range. In many Latin countries, however, governmentsponsored programs attempt to eradicate vampire bats.
Over the last several decades, cattle ranches spread
throughout Mexico, Central and South America.
Vampire bat populations soared and their range
expanded, as cattle are easy targets. Unfortunately,
vampire bats can transmit rabies and other diseases to
cattle. Annually, over 100,000 cattle die from the bites
of vampire bats, and ranchers lose millions of dollars
in revenue. During these eradication programs, people
kill other harmless bat species mistaken for vampire
bats. Additionally, many species of bats are in trouble
due to destruction of their habitat and roosting sites.
Dinner on the Hoof
Flying about 3 feet (0.9 m) off the ground, the bat’s
sharp sense of smell and echolocation find a “victim”.
Echolocation happens when the bat sends ultra-high
frequency sounds through its nose. The sounds reflect
off objects in their surroundings, bouncing back to the
bat’s sensitive ears. The bat determines the distance
to its target by how long it takes the sounds to return.
This bat is lucky—there’s a sleeping cow right ahead!
All bats have an enormous ecological significance.
Insect-eating bats consume huge quantities of flying
insects — a single bat may consume 500 mosquitoes in
an hour. Nectar-feeding bats are important pollinators.
Fruit-eating bats disperse seeds over great distances in
tropical forests, ensuring food supplies for other forest
inhabitants.
So as not to alert the cow, the bat lands on the ground
and easily crawls or hops to its snoozing dinner using
their thumbs, forearms and wings. It lightly climbs
onto the cow and uses heat sensors in its nose to find
where blood is near the skin’s surface. The bat licks
the site clean with its tongue and then trims the cow’s
hair with its teeth. It then painlessly cuts through the
skin and injects saliva containing a chemical to prevent
blood clots. The bat then laps oozing blood with its
tongue. The bat soon becomes engorged with blood
and is too heavy to fly away. It crawls off the cow and
moves along the ground to a safe place while digestion
lightens its heavy load.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save bats and other animals requires
and become active in a conservation organization of
your choice. Tell your elected representatives on the
Draculin, a blood-thinning drug developed
from vampire bat saliva, helps prevent strokes
and heart attacks in humans!
www.zoo.org.
The common vampire bat is the only bat that
can take off vertically!
Common vampire bats avoid attacking dogs
because canines can detect a bat’s highfrequency sounds as they approach!
sheet was taken from Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference; Don
E. Wilson and DeeAnn M. Reeder, Second Edition, 1993.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Red-flanked Duiker
Cephalophus rufilatus
seeds, flowers, leaves and branches, fungi and
seedlings or shoots, along with the occasional small
bird or other animal. They sometimes scramble up
vine-covered shrubs to reach particularly tasty treats.
Red-flanked duikers are tiny antelopes, classified in
the family Bovidae and the subfamily Cephalophinae.
There are two genera in the subfamily: Sylvicapra,
which contains only one duiker species, and
Cephalophus, which includes all the approximately 20
remaining species.*
At the zoo: Alfalfa, commercially prepared herbivore
pellets, assorted fruits and vegetables as treats.
Reproduction
Red-flanked duikers range from Senegal to
southwestern Sudan and from
northeastern Uganda south to
Cameroon and northern Zaire.
Red-flanked duikers reach sexual
maturity at about 9 months old, at
which time they begin the process
of finding and bonding with a mate.
Courtship includes a number of
displays performed by the male,
including lip-curling and diagonal
sideways strutting. The pair also
engages in long circular chases,
mutual face rubbing, and grooming
of each other’s heads and shoulders.
Although both participate, the male
is almost always the initiator of
mutual grooming.
AFRICA
Habitat
Red-flanked duikers typically
inhabit the margins of forests, but
can also be found in areas with
adequately dense cover, such as
drainages with elephant grass or
thick shrubbery.
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Red-flanked duikers are among
the smallest antelope species. Both
sexes are the same size, 13.7-14.8
inches (34-37 cm) tall and 26.5-30.9
pounds (12-14 kg). Their bodies are approximately
twice as long as their height.
The female red-flanked duiker’s
period of estrus is only one half to
one day long. Once pregnant, the
female carries her single calf for 32-35 weeks. The
gestation period, combined with the time required
to develop a relationship with a mate, results in most
females having their first young at 2 years old. At
birth, calves typically weigh between 1.5-2.5 pounds
(0.68-1.13 kg). When not nursing, red-flanked duiker
young engage in “lying out” behavior, where they lie
silently hidden in the grass or brush away from their
mother.
Dennis Conner
Both sexes have backward-directed horns that are 23.5 inches (5-9 cm) long. They have blue-gray legs, a
gray back, and orange-red sides and neck. Their faces
have tiny white markings on the lower jaw, upper lip
and ears, a black streak up the middle of the face and
a tuft of black hair between their horns. They also
have long, coarse neck hair they may ruffle as part of
courtship or threat displays.
Life Cycle
Life Span
Red-flanked duikers are territorial, and normally
live in pairs, pairs with one dependent youngster, or
alone. The only times they form groups larger than
three are at water sources, salt licks, or fruit falls that
occur at territorial boundaries. Males are particularly
territorial, and are combative with one another if
They can live 10-15 years in captivity. Life span in the
wild is unknown.
Diet
In the wild: Red-flanked duikers eat fallen fruits,
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Animal Fact Sheets
they come into contact. Red-flanked duikers do a
great deal of scent marking, using a substance secreted
from the maxillary glands near their eyes. A duiker
will rub its face on grass, twigs, bark or other surfaces
to mark its territorial boundaries, or even on its mate
or calf to ‘“label” the other animal. This species has
deeper maxillary glands than any other duiker species,
suggesting that marking behavior may be stronger in
this shy and elusive species.
rain forest home is under constant threat by human
encroachment, putting them at risk of future
endangered status. Agriculture and logging place
significant pressure on all species that depend on
the tropical rain forest, but red-flanked duikers face
additional risks. The species is one of the primary
targets of the bushmeat trade and is popular among
trophy hunters. Both of these activities have had a
significant negative impact on other species in the past.
Darwin’s Delight
How You Can Help!
The red-flanked duiker enjoys an exceptionally useful
body shape for its habitat and way of life. The duiker’s
body is wedge-shaped, with a narrow head and neck
gradually widening to the hips. This helps the animal
to plunge quickly through dense cover, splitting the
brush like an axe might split a log. This body shape is
so useful, in fact, that they have it in common not only
with other, closely related duiker species, but also with
numerous unrelated animals all over the world! This
is a phenomenon called convergent evolution. Species
as varied as tapirs in Indonesia and large rodents
called capybaras in South America have evolved nearly
identical wedge-shaped bodies because it makes
survival more likely in dense, brushy habitats.
habitats by visiting our How You Can Help page.
The red-flanked duiker’s voice is a shrill bark!
The name “duiker” means “diving buck,” and
refers to their quick leaps into dense cover
when surprised!
Red-flanked duikers can be viewed in the Tropical Rain
Forest near “lemur island.” Other species that can be
viewed in the Tropical Rain Forest include western
lowland gorillas and red ruffed lemurs.
Red-flanked duikers, along with most other duiker
species, are quite numerous, but rarely seen due to
their shy habits. However, nine duiker species are
considered vulnerable, threatened or endangered.
While red-flanked duikers are not considered
threatened or endangered, they depend on healthy,
non-fragmented habitat for survival. Their tropical
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Western Lowland Gorilla
Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Diet
The western lowland gorilla belongs to the family
Pongidae, which includes the great apes: gorillas,
chimpanzees, bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees) and
orangutans. There are two recognized species of
gorilla, the Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), and the
Eastern gorilla (G. beringei). Further classification
results in two subspecies of Western gorilla, the Cross
River gorilla (G. g. diehli) and the
Western lowland gorilla (G. g.
gorilla). There are three subspecies
of the Eastern gorilla: the mountain
gorilla (G. b. beringei), the Eastern
lowland gorilla (G. b. graueri) and
an undesignated subpopulation
in Congo and Uganda called the
Bwindi Gorilla (G. beringei).*
In the wild: Trees and herbaceous vegetation
including leaves, shoots, stalks, stems, vines, bark,
fruits and berries, and occasionally invertebrates such
as termites.
At the zoo: Vegetables, fruits, leaf eater biscuits,
browse (cut branches from a variety of trees,
herbaceous plants, alfalfa, ferns, clover), non-fat milk
and yogurt, along with a vitamin
and mineral supplement.
��
Reproduction
All subspecies of female gorillas
the 7 to 8 years old and in captivity
at about 5 1⁄2 years old. Males
8 to 9 1⁄2 years old and in captivity
as early as 6 1⁄2 years old. Males are
not considered fully mature until
they are about 15 years old. Gorillas
do not have a distinct breeding
season. Gestation lasts from 250 to
Dennis Conner
270 days. In the wild, female gorillas
usually deliver their first offspring at
10 1⁄2 years old and at four-year intervals thereafter.
She normally gives birth to just one infant, as twins
are rare.
��
��
The western lowland gorilla
lives in six countries across west
equatorial Africa; these include
Angola, Cameroon, Central African
Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea
and Gabon.
Habitat
All gorillas live in primary and secondary tropical
rain forests. Different subspecies range throughout
various altitudes, from sea level to 12,500 feet
(3,810 m).
Life Cycle
Arm Span (fingertip to fingertip)
At birth, infants weigh 4–5 pounds (1.8–2.3 kg) and
have sparse hair covering their pink-gray skin. At
about nine to 10 weeks of age, they begin to crawl on
their own and soon walk on all four limbs. A white
patch of hair appears on the rump of gorilla infants
at about the same time they begin to walk. The white
patch helps the mother keep track of the infant and
assists other group members in identifying the gorilla
as an infant. The rump patch begins to disappear at
about age 3, the same age that weaning usually begins.
Females remain with their natal group until about age
8 or 9, and then join an unrelated group or a solitary
Adult male: Approximately 8 feet (2.4 m)
Adult female: Approximately 6.5 feet (2 m)
Weight
Adult male weight: 350-600 pounds (159-272 kg)
Adult female weight: 150-300 pounds (68-136 kg)
Life Span
Estimated up to 50 years in the wild. Average 30–35
years in zoos, while the record is 54 years.
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male. Males remain with their natal group until about
age 12, and then begin to go off on their own. Solitary
males try to attract females from other groups to form
their own group.
Woodland Park Zoo has two gorilla groups, both of
which can be viewed at the zoo’s Tropical Rain Forest.
All in the Family
A family group includes one dominant silverback
male, several adult females, adolescents, juveniles
and infants. The group may also include one or
two subordinate silverbacks. All adult males are
silverbacks. A dominant male silverback and group
females usually stay together for life. Although gorillas
are normally not aggressive, they can exhibit certain
aggressive actions when disturbed. Adult males
perform elaborate territorial displays to frighten off
an intruding male or other threat. These displays
include chest beating, running sideways and tearing
up vegetation. Males also use these displays as a show
of dominance within the group. Adult females can
become aggressive when defending their infants, or
while helping each other drive off rowdy, young adult
males. The silverback is the peacekeeper and stops
occasional squabbles between females.
All gorillas are endangered.** The estimated
population of wild western lowland gorillas is
less than 100,000, and the estimated population
of eastern lowland gorillas is less than 5,000. The
Bwindi subpopulation and the Cross River gorillas
are the critically endangered, with either subspecies
numbering less than 500. Mountain gorilla
populations are also very low, with less than 700
individuals.
The primary reason gorillas are endangered is
because of habitat destruction caused by logging and
agricultural expansion. Logging causes more damage
by facilitating the bushmeat trade. The bushmeat
trade has become an immediate threat to the western
lowland gorilla population, particularly in Cameroon.
Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ) participates in the
Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species
Survival Plan (SSP) for gorillas. We have helped
diversify the captive gene pool with our breeding
efforts. The zoo also works to educate the public
about gorillas and this is the first step to gorilla
conservation.
Vegetarians with Muscles
Gorillas are incredibly powerful, as they are the largest
of the great apes in the world. Regardless of their
imposing appearance, they are actually quite shy,
gentle animals. Gorillas are virtually vegetarian and
forage throughout the day in search of a variety of
plants to consume.
How You Can Help!
The hair of the western lowland gorilla is grayishblack and usually reddish on their head (this is
particularly prominent in adult males). At about age
10, males begin to grow the distinctive silver-white
saddle of hair on their back, which in western lowland
gorillas continues to extend down the rump and
thighs as the male gets older. In contrast, mountain
gorillas have darker, longer hair.
Woodland Park Zoo contributes information to the
captive breeding, husbandry and public awareness
of this remarkable species. The effort to save
endangered species like gorillas requires cooperation
Every night, gorillas build a nest out of plant material
to sleep in and a day nest for their midday rest!
Adult male gorillas eat about 70 pounds (32 kg) of
food per day. Adult females eat about two thirds of
that amount!
Gorillas can make up to 22 vocalizations such as
grunts, laughs, hoots, barks and screams; each
vocalization has its own specific meaning!
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FACTS
ANIMAL
DeBrazza’s Guenon
Cercopithecus neglectus
is longer than their combined head and body length.
DeBrazza’s guenons (African forest monkeys) are
classified in the order Primates, and within the family
Cercopithecidae. There are 18 genera in this family,
including the genus Cercopithecus. There are 19
species within this genus, including the DeBrazza’s
guenon (Cercopithecus neglectus).* Common names
vary; they are sometimes called DeBrazza’s monkeys.
They range from southeastern
Cameroon eastward through the
Central African Republic, Zaire,
Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and
western Kenya, northward to
Ethiopia and Sudan. They are also
found in northern Angola, Gabon
and Equatorial Guinea.
Life Span
Life span in the wild up to 22 years; in captivity up to
30 years.
Diet
In the wild: Up to 75% of their diet are fruits and
seeds. They also consume leaves, mushrooms, flowers,
and small animals such reptiles and
arthropods.
At the zoo: Greens, fruits and
monkey biscuits.
AFRICA
Reproduction
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Habitat
DeBrazza’s guenons prefers dense
swamp, bamboo and dry mountain
forests associated with streams,
rivers and dense vegetation. They
are found at elevations up to 6,890
feet (2,100 m).
Dennis Conner
DeBrazza’s guenons reach sexual
maturity in 5 to 6 years. They have
a primarily polygynous mating
system, although some appear to be
monogamous. They are the only Old
World monkey known to practice
monogamy. DeBrazza’s guenons
breed throughout the year. After a
gestation period of about 168-187
days, a single infant is born; twins
are rare.
Their gray-green coloring offers excellent camouflage
from predators such as leopards, eagles, pythons
and other primates. Adults are nearly identical in
appearance, each having distinctive white lip whiskers
and long beard, and a orange-red crescent-shaped
patch on the brow. They have a white rump and white
thigh strip. Individual animals recognize each other
by variations in patterns around the face, and at times
on the rear. Males have a bright blue scrotum.
Newly born infants are born with eyes open and
covered with light brown fur. Infants cling tightly to
their mother’s stomach for security and protection
from predators. Although they are not weaned for
about a year, young do begin to nibble solid foods
after about 2 months of age.
Life Cycle
Although a troop can number up 35 individuals, 1015 is more common. Troops are normally comprised
of one dominant male, one or more females and their
young. Smaller family groups of one male and one
female are not uncommon. Females may stay with
their troop for their entire lives. Younger males that
have not achieved full adult coloring can also remain
with their troop.
The average weight for a male is 15 pounds (7 kg),
female weight is approximately 10 pounds (4.5 kg).
Males are noticeably larger than females. Male head
and body length is 19-23.5 inches (47.5-52 cm); tail
length is 23-31 inches (57.5-77.5 cm). Female head
and body length is 15.5-21.5 inches (39-54 cm); tail
length 18.5-22.5 inches (46-56 cm). Their tail length
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Troop territories overlap, with no known territorial
defense between DeBrazza’s guenon troops. Males
become very territorial when another monkey species
approaches their food trees. Fights are not uncommon,
and the whole troop may take part in forcing the
intruders from their territory.
DeBrazza’s guenons can be found in the Tropical
Rain Forest. Other species you will find as you stroll
through the outside portion of the Tropical Rain
Forest are the red-flanked duiker, black and white
colobus, and western lowland gorilla.
DeBrazza’s guenons are diurnal, spending the majority
of their time low in the forest canopy or on the forest
floor eating berries, leaves, fruits and invertebrates.
Foraging normally takes place around dawn and dusk.
They have cheek pouches in which they quickly store
food with their hands as they forage in exposed areas.
Only later, when they are in a safe area will they take
the time to eat their food.
Throughout the majority of its range, DeBrazza’s
populations are at a healthy level. Their numbers,
however, have drastically dropped in recent years in
some areas. This is primarily due to the fragmentation
of its habitat caused by the clearing of forests for
agricultural expansion or commercial logging. Their
capture for the pet trade is also having an impact.
Recent escalation of logging and bush meat trade,
however, poses a potential threat to their survival
throughout their range.
What a Face
The French word guenon means “fright”, and refers
to the variety of facial expressions this animal uses, in
various combinations, to threaten or when anxious.
To threaten they can stare with fixed eyes, raised
eyebrows and stretched back facial skin, they may stare
with open mouth, or they might bob their head up
and down, or yawn and expose their large canines. A
submissive signal might be retracted lips to bare their
clenched teeth. Head-shaking also takes place when
tension is high within the troop.
Many international organizations are working with
African countries to establish and secure wildlife
habitats, and to curb the rampant bush meat trade. In
North America, the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’
(AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) manages the
population of this species. Woodland Park Zoo is not
currently breeding their DeBrazza’s guenons because
of the herpes-B potential.
Call of the Wild
Males are by far the noisier sex. The troop leader can
produce a deep, humming boom, which is enhanced
as he inflates his vocal sac. The male also has a couple
methods for warning troop members of the approach
of a predator. He may produce a loud chattering
bark, quickly followed by single barking croaks. Or
he may loudly shake the branches of a tree. These
actions are believed to be attempts by the male to
draw the predator’s attention away from the troop. As
a last resort, the male may even attack the predator in
defense of this troop.
How You Can Help!
www.zoo.org.
Debrazza’s guenons are excellent swimmers!
Like most Old World monkeys, the Debrazza’s
guenon’s tail is too weak to be used for hanging.
It is only used for balance!
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Jaguar
Panthera onca
knuckle bones and commercially prepared feline diet,
ground meat and vitamins.
Jaguars belong to the family Felidae, which includes
36 species of cats. Jaguars are classified under the
genus Panthera which includes four species of “big
cats”, the jaguar, tiger, lion and leopard.*
Reproduction
Female jaguars sexually mature at about 2 years
of age; males at 3 to 4 years. Mating in the wild or
in captivity may occur at any time; the female is
receptive for about 6-17 days. Gestation lasts about
93-110 days. Female jaguars usually
give birth to one to four cubs,
averaging two young per litter. She
gives birth in a den surrounded by
a dense thorn thicket, or under tree
roots.
There are eight subspecies of jaguar. Jaguars are
considered the equivalent of leopards in the New
World, and are the largest species of cats in the
Western Hemisphere.They are
distributed throughout most of
Mexico, Central and South America,
while lone individuals are rarely
seen in the southwestern United
States.
Habitat
Life Cycle
Mostly deciduous and tropical rain
forest, but jaguars can range from
montane areas to the wet savanna.
Jaguars are often found near fresh
water where they hunt fish.
Jaguar cubs are usually born with
their eyes closed, weigh about 25-29
ounces (700-900 gr), and are highly
dependent upon their mother for
survival. After about two weeks, a
cub’s eyes open. Soon thereafter,
Woodland Park Zoo
jaguar young may leave the den,
only to explore and play not far
from their mother. Cubs continue to
suckle until they are 5 to 6 months old. Cubs start to
follow their mother on hunts when they are about 6
months old, but will not hunt alone until they are one
to 2 years of age. By that time, they are ready to leave
their mother’s side to look for their own territory and
mate.
Head/Body Length and
Shoulder Height
Adult length (including tail): 5-8.5
feet (1.6-2.6 m)
Adult height: 27-30 inches (68-76 cm); females are
smaller
Weight
weigh less
On Their Own
Life Span
Jaguars, like most species of cats, are solitary animals
who occupy large areas of land. Large territories are
more likely to contain sufficient numbers of prey
species to sustain them. They mark their territory
with urine, scent markings, and by scratching nearby
trees. In areas of high prey density, jaguars may share
limited parts of their home range with other jaguars.
Mothers with young, subadult siblings, and courting
or mating individuals are the few occasions that
In the wild, about 11 years; up to 22 years in zoos
Diet
In the wild: Deer, peccaries, monkeys, tapirs, birds,
reptiles, amphibians, fish, small rodents and domestic
stock if readily available. Jaguars can survive on
anything from herd animals to insects.
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jaguars spend time together.
When a female is ready to mate, she will stray from her
own territory to find a mate. In order to locate a mate,
males make a mewing cry. While a female is searching
for a mate, she may sometimes be accompanied briefly
by several males.
Jaguars are an endangered species. Estimates indicate
that over 10,000 still exist in the wild. However, their
numbers are decreasing rapidly as a result of habitat
destruction and the commercial fur trade. In many
areas, they are near extinction. Although large resident
populations still exist in the Amazon rain forests, the
key to the jaguar’s continued survival is its ability to
adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Silent Solitary Stalkers
Jaguars are nocturnal hunters, and do most of their
stalking on the ground. They are also excellent
climbers, leaping from a tree or a ledge to ambush
their prey. Jaguars have a compact body, with a large
broad head and powerful jaws. With large prey, jaguars
commonly bite the head and puncture the skull with
their canine teeth. Jaguars dispatch smaller prey by
simply breaking their necks. Large carcasses are either
buried or hidden in a sheltered area, for the jaguar
will return to eat when it is hungry again. The jaguar
is also a patient hunter of fish. It waits by the water’s
edge, occasionally hitting the surface of the water with
its tail, which inadvertently attracts fish. As the fish
approach the shore, the jaguar swats at them, spearing
the fish with its sharp claws.
The zoo participates in the Association of Zoos &
Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for
jaguars. The primary focus of the jaguar SSP, which
manages the captive population in North America,
is education and conservation of the species in its
countries of origin. For more information on the
Jaguar SSP, visit its Web site at www.jaguarssp.org.
How You Can Help!
You can help preserve and protect wildlife and their
habitat. Join and become active in Woodland Park Zoo
and wild habitats.
Jaguars are one of the few species of wild cats
that have melanistic (black) individuals!
Endangered Cats, Inc. at 1-800-465-6384 or (403) 2795892 or at their Web site. Learn other ways you can
help conserve wildlife and the habitats they require for
Jaguar is from the American Indian word
meaning “killer that takes its prey in a single
bound!”
Like most big cats, jaguars enjoy water. Jaguars
are strong swimmers, and will follow their prey
into the water during the chase!
Woodland Park Zoo’s jaguar is located in the Jaguar
Cove exhibit at the entrace to our Tropical Rain Forest
zone. The exhibit contains the upper fallen portion of
a kapok tree, a limestone cave, a flowing stream, a pool
with live fish, sandy shoreline, a waterfall, abundant
plants and naturalistic shelters. Outside the exhibit
is a research tent to provide education programs and
informal learning.
*Taxonomic classification varies between references. Classification information used in this fact sheet
was taken from Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic And Geographic Reference, edited by
Don E. Wilson and DeeAnn M. Reeder, Second Edition, 1993.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Red Ruffed Lemur
Varencia variegata rubra
smell, vision and hearing.
Lemurs are primates placed in the suborder
Prosimiae. There are five distinct families of lemurs:
Lemuridae (ring-tailed lemurs), Indriidae (woolly
lemurs), Daubentoniidae (aye-ayes), Megaladapidae
(sportive lemurs), and Cheirogaleidae (fat-tailed
dwarf lemurs). The red ruffed lemur is a member of
the Lemuridae family, which includes 10 species in
four genera.* There is one other
subspecies of ruffed lemur, the black
and white ruffed (V. v. variegata).
Life Span
Life span in the wild is 15-20 years; they live up to 19
years in captivity
Diet
In the wild: Fruits, leaves, nectar and seeds. Their diet
varies, depending on the season.
At the zoo: Fruits, leaf-eater chow
and various greens (i.e., kale,
romaine, spinach, etc.)
AFRICA
All lemur species live on the African
island nation of Madagascar.
Reproduction
Habitat
Red ruffed lemurs reach sexual
maturity at about 2 years of age,
and have young at about 3 years of
age. In the wild, breeding season
occurs from May through July, yet
the female is in estrus for only a few
days and fertile only one day during
this time. Gestation lasts 90-102
days; a period remarkably short
Ryan Hawk
for this large of a primate. Ruffed
lemurs are the only primates that
produce litters of young. The most common litter
size is three. Young are born in September or October
at the beginning of the wet season, when food is
plentiful. Unlike most primates, the female red ruffed
lemur may build several nests for her young, padding
them with her own body hair. Newborns have fur, and
are wide-eyed at birth, however, they are not mobile
at birth. The mother may park them in one of her
satellite nests while foraging. At 7 weeks, youngsters
can follow their parents through the treetops.
Weaning occurs when young are about 4 months old.
Madagascar
Red ruffed lemurs live in deciduous
tropical forests of the Masoala
Peninsula in northeastern
Madagascar, at elevations up to
3,300 feet (1,006 m).
Red ruffed lemurs are the largest
members of the Lemuridae; both
sexes average 43-47 inches (110-120
cm) in length including a bushy, 22-25 inch (56-65
cm) tail. Adult males weigh 7-10 pounds (3.2-4.5
kg). Females are usually heavier. Slender bodied and
long legged, red ruffed lemurs have a narrow, fox-like
snout and small ears that are hidden by a ruff of hair.
The soft, woolly body fur is a deep rusty red while
their extremities, forehead, crown, belly and tail are
black. They have a patch of white fur on the nape of
the neck and may have additional white patches on
the feet, digits or mouth. Red ruffed lemurs (and all
prosimians) lack extensive digit coordination, so they
groom themselves and each other with their teeth.
Six bottom teeth form what is called the toothcomb.
A specialized claw on the second toes of their hind
feet is used to brush their long, fluffy coat. Red ruffed
lemurs have scent glands on their rump used for
group identification. They also have acute senses of
Life Cycle
Lemurs live in social groups consisting of two to 16
animals. They stay within a common home range,
aggressively defending it from other groups of red
ruffed lemurs. As the dominant individuals, females
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form the core of the group, and are the defenders of
their territory. During the wet season, red ruffed lemur
groups will increase in size, only to disperse as the dry
season approaches and food becomes scarce.
The island nation of Madagascar is an area of great
biodiversity, rivaling the ecosystems found in Brazil
and Indonesia. Madagascar separated from Africa over
160 million years ago, and most of the animal species
living there today are endemic, evolving in isolation.
It is vital to preserve the habitat of this nation for all
the unique species living in Madagascar. Fortunately,
red ruffed lemurs breed well in captivity. Over 300
individuals are currently held by at least 70 institutions
worldwide. Woodland Park Zoo participates in the
Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Prosimian
Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) and the Malagasy
Faunal Interest Group (FIG). It is critical for zoos to
support captive breeding efforts in order to ensure the
continued survival of this species.
Who Goes There!
Red ruffed lemurs warn each other with a complex
system of at least 12 different vocalizations. These
alarm calls can be low grunts, gurgling sounds or a
cackle-like roar. Red ruffed lemurs can even recognize
the alarm calls of their co-subspecies, the black and
white ruffed lemurs. Both subspecies will cooperate
in warning the other’s group. Predators of red ruffed
lemurs include snakes, raptors, large mammals and
humans.
How You Can Help!
or other conservation organizations of your choice.
Do not buy products made from wild-caught animal
and wild habitats. Support sustainable Madagascar
industries that protect rainforest resources.
Female dominance in primates is unique to
prosimians like the red ruffed lemur!
The Malagasy names for red ruffed lemurs are
varimena or varignena!
Since the arrival of humans on Madagascar, at
least 15 species of lemur have gone extinct!
programs at the zoo. Learn other ways you can help
Red ruffed lemurs are located outside, on the African
rain forest trail section of the Tropical Rain Forest.
All lemurs are endangered species**; the red ruffed
lemur is considered critically endangered, and is
protected under Appendix I of the Convention on the
International Trade in Endangered Species, (CITES).
Scientists estimate that only 1,000 to 10,000 red
ruffed lemurs remain in the wild. Habitat destruction,
hunting and live capture for the pet or animal trades
place severe pressures on lemur populations and
are the leading causes of endangerment. Because
the red ruffed lemur has a small geographic range
and low numbers of wild specimens, it is one of the
most endangered of the Malagasy lemurs. Although
some red ruffed lemurs live in a protected area of
Madagascar, the Masoala Nature Reserve, most of
them occur outside this reserve.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Pygmy Marmoset
Callithrix pygmaea
primates fill the same niche as our North American
sapsucker birds.
Monkeys are divided into New World and Old
World families. Pygmy marmosets belong to the
New World monkey family Callitrichidae. They are
classified under the genus Callithrix, which includes
nine distinct species.* New World monkeys have
nostrils spread far apart, and never develop ischial
callosities—the hard sitting pads on the lower side of
the buttocks evident on Old World
monkeys such as black and white
colobus. Pygmy marmosets live in
the upper Amazonian region in
Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and
Bolivia.
At the zoo: Canned marmoset diet, yams, fruits, gum
arabic (sap), browse and insects.
Reproduction
Breeding may take place at any time of the year. In
the courtship display, the male walks with his body
arched, smacking his lips and
pushing his tongue in and out.
Habitat
They prefer floodplain forests and
the natural tropical forest edge.
Pygmy marmosets are the world’s
smallest monkeys, weighing just
4-7 ounces (113-198 g) when fully
grown, and reaching less than 6
inches (15.2 cm) in head and body
length, with a 7-9 inch (17-23 cm) bushy tail. Pygmy
marmosets have fine, silky coats of gray with touches
of black, brown and tan. They have long hairs on their
cheeks and head, which form a mane that conceals
the ears.
Dennis Dow
Nonidentical twins (sometimes
triplets) are born twice a year. Male
marmosets take excellent care of
the young. They carry the babies on
their hips and shoulders until the
young are about 2 months old, at
which time they are independent
of both parents. The females care
for the young only when nursing
or cleaning. After two months, the
young spend their time playing,
wrestling and chasing each other
and other members of the group. At
6 months, they have reached adult
size.
Life Span
Pygmy marmosets are active during the day. Most
activity takes place on cool mornings and in late
afternoons. They gallop along branches and can leap
three feet or more. They sometimes rest by piercing
their nails into the bark of a tree. They sleep at night
in hollowed trees or tangled vines.
Life span in the wild is unknown; captive marmosets
have lived up to 15 years.
Life Cycle
Pygmy marmosets form small groups of up to 15
individuals, consisting of lifetime breeding pairs and
their offspring. Offspring often stay in the group after
reaching adulthood, and help care for their young
siblings.
Diet
In the wild: Pygmy marmosets feed on berries, buds,
fruits and flowers. They also have the habit of sap
sucking, which involves gnawing holes into a favorite
tree trunk and drinking the sap which is a very
important source of food. Family units are territorial,
with groups having one or more sap producing trees
in their range which they defend. These tropical
This is My Territory!
Marmosets have special scent glands for marking
their territories. When two male marmosets of
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different groups meet, they threaten each other with
rapid flattening and erection of the ear tufts. They will
walk near each other with their backs arched, pulling
back the corners of their mouths, and flattening the
ear tufts.
inhabit degraded forests. This species has a chance
for recovery if the current rate of deforestation can be
slowed.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save threatened and endangered species
requires cooperation and support at the international,
in this cause. Join and become active in a conservation
organization of your choice. Support the conservation
of endangered species and wild habitats, and do not
buy products made from wild animal parts. Learn
other ways you can help conserve wildlife and the
habitats they require for survival by visiting our How
You Can Help page under “Conservation” at www.zoo.
org.
Pygmy marmosets also have at least 10 different forms
of vocal expression; including a trill to communicate
over long distances, a high, sharp warning whistle and
a clicking sound for threats. They also communicate
with facial expressions, body posture and hair erection.
Marmosets also defend their territory by chasing and
displaying their rumps with the tail raised and the fur
fluffed.
Group members help carry and bring food to
the young. Helpers gain parental care skills
while they wait for the opportunity to have
young of their own!
The word marmoset is said to be adapted from
a French word meaning a grotesque image or
mannequin!
An alarmed marmoset turns its head in all
directions!
The pygmy marmosets at Woodland Park Zoo
are prolific. One of the breeding females had
twins every five months. The troop ranges
from eight to 10 individuals, with the older
offspring of the breeding female and her mate
remaining in the group for about two years. As
they mature, these offspring are sent to other
zoos, where they will mate with other unrelated
marmosets!
The pygmy marmosets at Woodland Park Zoo can be
seen in the Adaptations Building.
Due to extensive tropical rain forest habitat
destruction, the breeding and feeding areas of
most marmosets are disappearing, and all species
of marmosets are vulnerable. Fortunately, many
marmosets are highly adaptable to change and can
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Black and White Colobus Monkey
Colobus guereza
offspring every 20 months. Infants are born with eyes
open, weighing about 0.9 pound (0.4 kg) and will
occasionally cling to the mother’s waist like a belt.
More often the mother carries them higher, using
one arm to secure them while they are very young.
Mothers will allow other females in their troop to
handle and sometimes even suckle their infants soon
after birth. Offspring are born with “natal fur” which
is fluffy and white. From 4 to 12 months the infant
will acquire adult coloring. Adults
are glossy black with a white Ushaped mantle of fur on the back
and a white tip on the tail. Adults
also have a ring of white fur around
their faces.
Black and white colobus monkeys belong to the
subfamily Colobinae. Four different species of black
and white colobus monkey are recognized; the
guereza (Colobus guereza), Angolan colobus (Colobus
angolensis), Guinea forest black colobus (Colobus
polykomos) and the satanic black colobus (Colobus
satanas).* Black and white colobus monkeys are
found across equatorial Africa.
Habitat
Guereza monkeys are found in
a diversity of habitats including
primary and secondary deciduous
forest, montane forest, lowland
swamp, coastal forest, moist savanna
and gallery forest.
AFRICA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Life Cycle
Guerezas usually live in groups of
three to 15 individuals. Groups are
made up of one adult male (rarely
two) and females with offspring.
Females’ troop membership is
stable but males must earn their
status. Young males are forced by
Dennis Dow
the lead male to leave their natal
troop before breeding age. Lead
males are occasionally ousted by young mature males
that grew up with them or moved in from an outside
troop. Intragroup relationships are usually friendly
and reinforced with lots of grooming. Troop home
ranges are about 35-74 acres (15-30 ha). Guerezas
defend their ranges vigorously. Males do most of the
defending by displaying through the trees with leaps
and roars which can be heard a mile (1.6 km) away.
18-28 inches (46-71 cm)
Tail Length
20-40 inches (51-101 cm)
Life Span
In the wild: up to 20 years
At the zoo: up to 30 years
Diet
In the wild: Leaves, stems, bark, flowers, buds, shoots,
fruits and some aquatic plants. In one study area,
young leaves of the hackberry tree (Celtis durandii)
are the food of choice for guereza monkeys.
At the zoo: Monkey chow and a leafy diet with daily
browse (herbaceous plants).
Intergroup meetings are usually hostile, mostly
between males, which will make defensive gestures,
vocalizations and occasionally chase or fight each
other. Rarely, two troops will share a water hole or
other resource.
Reproduction
Guerezas have no known breeding season. In the
wild, females reach sexual maturity by age 5 and
males by age 8. Females initiate courtship by tongue
smacking. The gestation period is approximately
six months. Females give birth to an average of one
Mutilated Monkey
The name “colobus” is derived from the Greek word
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Animal Fact Sheets
meaning “docked” or “mutilated.” Colobus monkeys
once were thought to be abnormal because they have
no thumb, or only a small stub where the thumb
would usually be. This is actually an adaptation rather
than a mutilation which allows colobus monkeys to
easily travel along the tops of branches quadripedally.
Black and white colobus monkeys are not an
endangered species** but are vulnerable to habitat
destruction and human overpopulation. Also, many
colobus monkeys are killed for their meat and skins.
Woodland Park Zoo participates in the Association
of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan
(SSP) for the black and white colobus monkey, which
manages the species and works to educate the public
about this and other threatened and endangered
species.
Strange Stomach
Colobus monkeys have unusual stomachs which are
similar to the digestive systems of cows. The important
feature of a colobus’ stomach is that it has three or
four different regions. The upper “sacculated” regions
are very large and are separated from the lower acid
region. The sacculated stomach and the specialized
bacterial microflora enables the monkeys to digest
large volumes of leafy material. If the stomach was not
as large as it is these monkeys would not be able to get
ample nutrition from their food. Colobus monkeys
always have a belly full of food which is in the process
of being digested. The contents of the stomach can
constitute up to a quarter of the weight of an adult and
half the weight of an infant monkey.
How You Can Help!
and wild habitats.
Each morning and evening guereza males
roar to maintain spacing between groops and
advertises group size to neighbors!
programs at the zoo contact Woodland Park Zoo at
webkeeper@zoo.org. Learn other ways you can help
Guereza monkeys have hairless faces and they
have gray skin!
Woodland Park Zoo’s black and white colobus
monkeys can be viewed in the Tropical Rain Forest.
Other animals which can be viewed in the Tropical
Rain Forest are the western lowland gorilla and red
ruffed lemur.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Ocelot
Leopardus (Felis) pardalis
Reproduction
Ocelots belong to the family Felidae, which includes
36 species of cats. Ocelots are classified under the
genus Leopardus. Leopardus includes three species of
“small cats,” the ocelot, margay and little spotted cat.
Felis pardalis is still an accepted scientific name for
the ocelot.*
Ocelots sexually mature at about 20-24 months.
Mating in the wild or in captivity may occur at any
time, usually once or twice a year. Gestation lasts
about 70 days. Female ocelots usually give birth to
one to four kittens, averaging two young per litter.
Females give birth in well protected areas such as a
dense thorn thicket or hollow tree.
There are 11 subspecies of ocelots. They are
distributed throughout Mexico,
Central and South America to
northern Argentina, with remnant
populations still in the southwestern
United States.
Life Cycle
Ocelot kittens are highly reliant
upon their mother for survival,
and the mother cares for her
young alone. When it becomes
necessary for her to hunt, the
mother will conceal the litter in a
den surrounded by thick shrubs.
Kittens are dependent on their
mother for five to six months. At
around 6 months of age, kittens
start to practice hunting techniques
alongside their mother, but they will
not hunt alone until 18-24 months
Woodland Park Zoo
of age. By that time, they are ready
to leave their mother’s side to look
for their own territory and mate.
Habitat
Ocelots are found in several
different kinds of habitats, from
jungle areas and tropical rain forests
to dry scrub and chaparral zones.
They prefer marshes and riverbanks
to open country.
Adult length (including tail): 2.5-5
feet (74-152 cm)
Weight
Independent Individuals
slightly less
Ocelots are solitary animals who occupy small,
exclusive areas of land, approximately 20 square miles
(52 sq km). They mark their territory with urine
and scent markings. Male ocelot ranges are often
larger than that of a female. Male ocelots avoid other
male ocelot territories; however, they will overlap
into other female ranges. Although individuals
roam and hunt separately, research indicates that
ocelots will frequently contact one another and
probably maintain a network of social ties. The ocelot
communicates by meows, and during courtship,
yowls in a manner similar to that of a domestic cat.
Life Span
About 10-13 years in the wild; up to 20 years in zoos
Diet
In the wild: Young deer and peccaries, monkeys, birds,
reptiles, fish, rabbits and small rodents
At the zoo: Ground turkey, quail, chicks, mice, rats
and commercially prepared feline diet. Occassionally
they are given knuckle bones and rabbit. The ocelots
are fed live trout twice a week as enrichment.
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Out at Night
primary focus of this group is to establish a Species
Survival Plan (SSP) for the ocelot, which will help
manage the captive population in North America for
research and education. Additionally, the zoo seeks
to encourage and assist in the conservation of the
ocelot in its territories of origin, including the highly
endangered Texas subspecies.
Ocelots have a strong body with short, sleek hair. They
have an extraordinary sense of vision at low light
levels, as well as an acute sense of smell and hearing.
It is not surprising then, that ocelots are nocturnal
hunters. However, they will sometimes venture out
during the day for a drink of water. Ocelots do most
of their hunting on the ground, their slender bodies
enabling them to capture prey in the thickest thorn
brush. Although they are mainly ground hunters,
ocelots will expertly climb trees for birds or squirrels,
and can easily swim in rivers and ponds for fish.
How You Can Help!
and wild habitats.
The ocelot’s tail is usually one-third the length
of its body!
Ocelots are three to four times the size of an
average domestic cat!
Contact Woodland Park Zoo webkeeper@zoo.org to
find out about ways you can support conservation
Endangered Cats, Inc. at 1-800-465-6384 or (403) 2795892 or at their Web site at www.wildcatconservation.
www.zoo.org.
Ranchers consider the ocelot an asset on the
range because it preys on rodents and rabbits,
but does not kill livestock!
Woodland Park Zoo’s ocelots are located in the
Tropical Rain Forest building exhibit.
sheet was taken from: Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic And Geographic Reference,
2nd edition, edited by Don E. Wilson and Dee Ann M. Reeder, 1993. Smithsonian Institution Press,
Washington, D.C. 1,206 p.
Ocelots are an endangered species.** They are still
in high demand for the fur industries in Europe and
Asia, which leads to abuse of the already existing
laws protecting ocelots and other small cats. Ocelot
numbers are also decreasing rapidly as a result of
habitat destruction and the black market pet trade.
Threatened throughout their entire range, ocelots are
also becoming exceedingly rare in several areas. In the
U.S., ocelots once ranged throughout the southwest
from Arizona to Louisiana, yet now less than 100
ocelots are estimated to be left in Texas.
Since 1973, 21 ocelots have been born at Woodland
Park Zoo. Most have been sent to other zoos to mate
with other unrelated ocelots. Since the future of the
ocelot is uncertain, zoos with breeding pairs play an
important role in the ocelot’s survival. Woodland Park
Zoo also participates in the Association of Zoos &
Aquariums’ (AZA) Felid Taxon Advisory Group. The
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Golden Lion Tamarin
Leontopithecus rosalia
Reproduction
The golden lion tamarin belongs to the family
Leontopithecus which includes four distinct species;
the golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia),
the golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus
chrysomelas), the black-faced lion tamarin
(Leontopithecus caissara) and the black lion tamarin
(Leontopithecus chrysopygus). While the golden lion
tamarins are the most abundant,
they only number about 600 in the
wild. They are currently found only
in a small area of Brazil northeast of
Rio de Janeiro.
Females will reach sexual maturity at 18 months,
males at 24 months of age. Golden lion tamarins are
seasonal breeders, with mating taking place May-July.
The gestation period is 132-134 days. In captivity, a
female produces one or sometimes two litters a year,
usually consisting of twins.
Habitat
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Tropical humid forest. Golden lion
tamarins prefer mature primary
forest but can utilize various kinds
of secondary forests. They tend to
select areas with heavy vine growth
for cover and with tree holes for
sleeping sites.
Head and body length:
7.9-13.2 inches (200-326 mm)
Tail length:
12.4-15.7 inches (315-400 mm)
Life Cycle
The young cling to the mother
for the first week or so, and then
SOUTH
are taken over by the father, being
AMERICA
transferred back to the mother
for nursing. Infants from previous
births also provide assistance
carrying for the young. The
experience gained by the juveniles
assisting in the care of the infants
is essential in developing the skills
necessary in rearing their own
young when they mature. This will
continue for about three months;
by 4 months the young are fully
Ryan Hawk
independent with full adult size
being obtained by 1 year of age.
Adults of the same sex are extremely aggressive
toward one another. The adult male and female of a
group form permanent pair bonds.
Life Span
Tamarins tend to be monogamous and remain with
the same mate. This breeding pair forms the base
for a family group of two to eight family members,
with temporary associations of 15-16. Tamarins have
a wide variety of vocalizations which they use in
communicating in the dense forest.
Approximately 15 years in the wild; longevity record
in a zoo is about 30 years and still living.
Population Control!
Weight
Adult male weight: 15.4-25 ounces (437-710 g)
Adult female weight: 12.7-28 ounces (361-794 g)
Reproduction by subordinate females is suppressed
behaviorally by the dominant female in a group. This
gives the dominant female’s infant unrestricted access
to the available resources, especially hard-to-find
foods to insure adequate nutrition.
Diet
In the wild: Primarily insects and fruit, but also
spiders, snails, small lizards, birds and bird eggs
At the zoo: Canned marmoset diet, fruits, mealworms
and crickets
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have been released in the Poco das Antas Biological
Reserve and surrounding areas since 1984. Animals
from several different zoos are typically first sent to
the National Zoo in Washington, DC, where they are
given a taste of independence. They are “free-ranged”
in a patch of woods on the zoo grounds, constrained
only by a “psychological cage” which keeps them near
a nest box and food source. After a few months of this
training they are sent to the Golden Lion Tamarin
Project Headquarters at Poco das Antas. There they
are provided with nest boxes and food, but the food
is moved farther and farther away and gradually
reduced to encourage natural foraging. Out of those
successfully reintroduced, 30 have survived to date,
and have successfully raised 95 offspring. Some
offspring are the result of pairings between captive and
wild-born animals. Included within those animals that
have been reintroduced and have reproduced are two
tamarins born and reared here at Woodland Park Zoo.
Golden lion tamarin males’ weight increases
in May before breeding and decreases during
June-July!
The females’ milk is richer in protein and ash
than other primate groups!
Golden lion tamarins have claws instead of
fingernails, a trait shared by all tamarins!
Golden lion tamarins are on exhibit in the Tropical
Rain Forest building and the Day Exhibit. Other
animals in the Tropical Rain Forest are the ocelot,
poison dart frog, several bird species and the yellow
anaconda, among others.
How You Can Help!
cause. Join and become active in a conservation
organization of your choice. Don’t buy products
made from wild animal parts. Let your elected
representatives know your views about protecting
The golden lion tamarin is an endangered species.*
This tamarin’s position in the wild is very unstable.
The Atlantic coastal rain forest has been almost
completely developed for plantations, cattle grazing
and housing. Only a few isolated forest tracts remain.
Golden lion tamarin have also been captured for sale
as pets in nearby cities. This species is also susceptible
to many human diseases like measles and various
viruses.
programs at the zoo. Discover more about the golden
lion tamarin and other primates by contacting
Conservation International, 1015 18th St. NW, Suite
1000, Washington, DC 20036; 202.429.9489; www.
conservation.org. Learn other ways you can help
Golden lion tamarins reproduced poorly in captivity
until studies determined the best group size and
organization for reproduction and rearing. They also
suffered a high mortality rate in captivity until zoos
discovered that they need insects or meat protein in
their diet and vitamin D from sunlight. The numbers
in North American zoos have multiplied from 70
tamarins in 1969 to around 500 animals in 1995. The
number of institutions involved in the international
management programs now totals 140 worldwide in
North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, the Middle
East, Asia and South America.
Flora and Fauna).
A golden lion tamarin biological reserve was created
in Brazil in 1974. Poco das Antas is a 14,826 acre
(6,000 ha) reserve located about 60 miles (100 km)
northeast of Rio de Janeiro. About 40% of the reserve
has mature forest. Nearly 140 captive-bred animals
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Crested Oropendola
Psarocolius decumanus
Classification
bills into the banana flowers to drink the nectar.
This bird belongs to the order Passeriformes. The
crested oropendola is found in the family Icteridae,
which are the New World orioles. Approximately 20
genera with 93 species in this family.
At the zoo: Fruit, crickets, mealworms, soaked dog
food,tofu and greens
Habitat and Range
Mating takes place away from the nest site. The
males take no part in building the nest and rearing
the young. Each female lays two white eggs, which
are incubated for about two weeks. Chicks spend
their first month of life in the
sack-like nest, being fed by the
female.
Crested oropendolas are a large, tropical relative
of orioles and blackbirds, found from Panama
southward to northern Argentina.
They live in tropical rain forest
treetops, clearings, and on the
banks of rivers or pools of water.
Reproduction
South
America
One of the Best
Oropendolas are among the
world’s best nest builders. The
female bird weaves a marvelous,
long sleeve of grass with an
entrance at the top, and the
actual nest in a pouch at the
bottom, three to six feet (1.1-1.8
m) below. As the female labors,
the male perches nearby singing
Dennis Conner
and keeping watch over the work
site. These sack-like nests are
suspended from twigs on tree
branches, resembling stockings swaying in the wind.
Pacific
Oropendolas have a length of
Ocean
15-21.6 inches (38-55 cm),
and are large song birds with a
horny frontal plate. The tribe
includes the genera Psarocolius,
Gymnostinops, Cacicus, and
Amblycercus. The crested
oropendola weighs about 20
ounces (567 g), and grows to
between 15-19 inches (37.5-47.5
cm) long. Crested oropendolas are mostly black
with a chestnut rump patch, and yellow tail feathers.
The male is larger than the female and has a crest of
a few hairlike feathers. The oropendola’s large, sharp
bill is yellow and extends over the forehead, giving it
a streamlined appearance.
Oropendolas nest in colonies of 50 or more, packing
their nests so tightly that they might be woven
together. A disadvantage of such close nesting is that
neighboring oropendolas are likely to steal parts of
their neighbor’s nest.
Life Span
Life span in the wild is 10 to 15 years; up to 20 years
in zoos
Multiple Tunes
From a distance, oropendolas can be heard singing
songs made up of a large number of very different
phrases. It is said that from nearby these songs
sound like the rasping sounds of rusty machinery.
Diet
In the wild: Mainly fruit and insect eaters,
oropendolas find an ample supply of soft fruit and
nectar, which they consume in the forest canopy.
At times, these birds visit plantations and eat ripe
bananas or hang upside down and poke their long
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How You Can Help!
Oropendola nests are specifically designed
to keep predators out!
The leading cause of death for oropendola
chicks is attack by botfly larvae. Adult
botflies lay their eggs directly on the chicks.
If a chick is infested with more than 10 bots
it will die, especially if the chick is weak
from lack of food!
Nest colonies that are built in trees with
stinging wasps or biting bees often
experience fewer problems with botflies.
Researchers believe that the bees and
wasps attack the botflies as if the flies were
parasites on bees and wasps, though they
are not!
Woodland Park Zoo’s crested oropendolas are
located in the Tropical Rain Forest and the
Conservation Aviary. As visitors enter the Tropical
Rain Forest exhibit, they are immersed in a garden
of tropical rain forest plants such as fan palms,
bananas, cocoa, figs and hanging liana vines.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Sunbittern
Eurypyga helias
Life Span
The sunbittern is the only member of the
Eurypygidae family of birds and is related to rails and
bustards.
Life span in the wild is unknown; up to 15 years in
zoos
Diet
The sunbittern’s range is confined to the tropical
areas ranging from Guatemala to northern Brazil.
In the wild: Sunbitterns are usually found singly or
in pairs, walking with a deliberate gait along the
muddy stream or lake shores, among rocks, rushing
water, or wading in shallow waters.
Sunbitterns hunt fish, amphibians,
crustaceans and insects, which they
catch by striking quickly, using their
long necks and spear-like bills.
Habitat
The sunbittern frequents the wellwooded banks of streams and creeks
with shallow wading water and is
found at elevations up to 3,000 feet
(909 m).
At the zoo: Soaked dog chow, baby
mice, smelt, greens, fruit and tofu.
The sunbittern is an elegant bird
with long legs, a slender heron-like
neck and a long bill. It is about 18
inches (45.7 cm) in length, with a
stout body and relatively small head.
The sunbittern’s body plumage is
full and soft with an intricate design
of colors. The head is almost all
black with white striping above
and below its ruby-red eyes. The
sunbittern’s neck, breast and shoulders are brown,
and the belly, throat and undertail are a pale buff
white. Hidden under the brown plumage is a rich
orange-chestnut patch near the tip of each wing. The
lower jaw and legs are a bright orange color.
Reproduction
Nests are usually built in a tree or
bush, 10 to 20 feet (3-6 m) above
the ground, and less frequently
on the ground. Nests are made of
sticks, mud and decaying vegetable
material. The shallow cup of the
Dennis Conner
nest contains a clutch of two or
three eggs. The eggs are light brown
or buff with dark spots and blotches. Both parents
take turn incubating the eggs, which hatch after 27-28
days. The male and female protect and feed the chicks
in turn during the first two weeks, never leaving the
nest unattended. Thereafter, chicks are left alone for
several hours each day as both parents hunt for food.
The size, coloration and decoration of the sunbittern
does not differ between males, females or even
juveniles. As a sunbittern spreads its wings, it reveals
conspicuous patches of chestnut and orange on the
primary wing feathers and bands of the same color
across the tail. This spectacular frontal display is for
threat or defense rather than courtship and is usually
accompanied by a low hiss and bowing.
Graceful Flight
The sunbittern’s flight is light and graceful with slow
wing beats. They walk for the most part, periodically
making short flapping flights across deep water. When
frightened, sunbitterns will fly to perch high in trees.
With its slow, deliberate walk on orange-colored legs
and its long neck held parallel to the ground, the
sunbittern resembles the sun-flecked forest interior.
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When the sunbittern unfolds its tail, a sunburst
of color and an enormous eye-like design are
revealed. The “eyes” are often used to frighten
predators!
Sunbitterns are difficult to locate in the wild,
partly because they rarely socialize with more
than one other bird!
Sunbitterns are known to make noises which
resemble mechanical rattling!
Woodland Park Zoo’s sunbitterns are located in the
Tropical Rain Forest. As visitors enter the Tropical
Rain Forest, they are immersed in a garden of tropical
rain forest plants such as fan palms, bananas, cocoa,
figs and hanging liana vines. Look closely at the
floor of the sunbittern’s exhibit because they are well
camouflaged.
While not currently endangered or threatened,
sunbittern populations are diminishing due to habitat
loss.
How You Can Help!
use.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Keel-billed Toucan
Piranga ludoviciana
Life Expectancy
Toucans are classified in the order Piciformes along
with woodpeckers and several other related species.
Keel-billed toucans are members of the family
Ramphastidae, or Toucan family, along with 43
other species.
Up to 20 years
Diet
In the wild: Toucans are frugivores. They eat lots and
lots of fruit! In order to get the protein needed in
their diet they eat small amounts of insects, spiders,
small birds or nestlings and occasionally small
lizards or snakes. They have even been known to eat
eggs and nestlings.
The keel-billed toucan ranges from southern
Mexico through Central America to Venezuela and
northern Columbia.
Habitat
Keel-billed toucans inhabit
lowland tropical and subtropical
rainforests. The keel-billed toucan
spends most of its time in the
canopy and emergent (top two)
layers of the rainforest. Although
forests are their true habitat, keelbilled toucans can also be seen
in areas with scattered trees; i.e.
shaded plantations of cacao or
coffee, pastures, second-growth
forests.
North
America
Pacific
Ocean
South
America
At the zoo: They are fed a
primarily frugivorous diet (pieces
of apple, pear, grapes, blueberries,
mixed vegetables) in addition to
a special pelleted commercial diet
designed for fruit-eating birds.
During the breeding season, more
protein is offered to encourage
reproduction
Reproduction
Keel-billed toucans nest in
appropriately-sized tree cavities.
Cavities are made by insects, birds,
or natural causes. Tree cavities
that meet all the requirements of
the keel-billed toucan can be hard
Dale Unruh
to find. Sometimes, after finding
a tree cavity, the parent pair will
spend up to six weeks doing a bit
of ‘house-cleaning’ before laying eggs.
This large bird averages 20 inches
long and is quite the eye catcher.
Keel-billed toucans are mostly
black with the back of their neck
tinged maroon and green hues
elsewhere. Their tail coverts are white on the upper
and bright red on the lower. Bright yellow covers
their cheeks down to their chest. The bare skin
around each dark eye is green, blue or yellow, and
they have blue feet. Despite their multi-colored
plumage, the most noticeable thing about the keelbilled toucan is its beak. The beak, with tints of
orange, green, yellow, red, and blue is approximately
one third the length of the bird’s body.
Clutch size is 1-4 eggs, and the eggs incubate for
approximately 16-20 days with the parents taking
turns incubating. Hatching naked, blind, and
helpless, the nestlings stay in the tree cavity for up to
six and a half weeks before they fledge. During the
brooding stage, the parents again take turns visiting
the nest with food for the nestlings.
My, what a big bill!
Males and females are similar. The male is often
slightly bigger, especially its beak, but this is not a
definitive way to tell the gender of the bird.
Although the bill of the keel-billed toucan looks
heavy, it is actually quite light. The bill is made out
of keratin — the same material as our fingernails
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How You Can Help!
— with small bone rods for support and feels like a
dry/hard sponge.
Shade grown coffee is an easy way to help toucans
help save wildlife.
The toucan uses its large bill to pick fruit. Holding
the fruit with the tip of their bill they toss their head
back and catch the fruit in their throat. Scientists also
think that the bill may have something to do with mate
selection, although more research is needed.
The keel-billed toucan is the national bird of
Belize, and is known as the bill bird locally.
Toucans have very loud calls that can be
heard for long distances even through the
dense rainforest in which they live.
The toucan moves from tree to tree mostly
by hopping. Flying is more difficult in the
canopy for such a large bird, but toucans
have relatively short, rounded wings that
enable them to negotiate through foliage.
They are more effective short-distance
flyers and can be seen flying between and
around trees. Some larger toucan species
have difficulty crossing large rivers unless
they launch from a high enough altitude.
Woodland Park Zoo’s keel-billed toucans are located in
the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit.
wildlife and the habitats they require for survival by
visiting our How You Can Help page.
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Animal Fact Sheets
FACTS
ANIMAL
Yellow Anaconda
Eunectes notaeus
18 inch-long (45 cm) young, may be born at one
time.
The yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) belongs
to the family of snakes, Boidae, which contains the
world’s largest snake species including pythons, boas
and anacondas. The family Boidae is further divided
into several subfamilies; anacondas belong to the
subfamily Boinae. There are four species of anaconda
in the genus Eunectes.
The range of the yellow anaconda
covers the Paraguay Basin from
southwestern Brazil to northeastern
Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay.
Habitat
Life Cycle
Yellow anacondas are constrictors that will generally
lay and wait at the water’s edge for unsuspecting prey
to come along and drink. The prey is quickly grabbed
and constricted and suffocated, or pulled under water
to drown. Anacondas may also actively hunt on land.
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
PACIFIC
OCEAN
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Anacondas live in aquatic
environments including swamps,
marshes and brush covered banks of
slow moving rivers and streams.
Intergroup meetings are usually
hostile, mostly between males,
which will make defensive gestures,
vocalizations and occasionally chase
or fight each other. Rarely, two
troops will share a water hole or
other resource.
Snake With Legs?
The yellow anaconda like other
members of the boa family is a
relatively primitive snake retaining
a vestigial pelvic girdle and hind
limbs. The “limbs” are present as
Dennis Dow
external spurs located on either
side of the common excretory and
reproductive tract. Spurs are larger in males and are
used in courtship and mating to stimulate the female.
Yellow anacondas have a pattern
of dark brown or black blotches,
spots or streaks against a yellow
or greenish-yellow background.
Though the yellow anaconda is
not as large as its more soberly colored relative, the
common anaconda, it is a sizeable snake reaching an
average length of 10 feet (3 m).
Life Span
The yellow anacondas in the Tropical Rain
Forest exhibit live on the forest floor. Here the
anacondas can be seen in the water or dangling
from the riverbank waiting for prey!
15-20 years in the wild and zoos
Diet
In the wild: The diet of the yellow anaconda consists
of a variety of prey, from birds and small mammals,
to reptiles including an occasional turtle or caiman.
Juvenile anacondas also feed on fish.
The yellow anaconda’s larger relative, the
common (green) anaconda, is the largest snake,
reaching a length of up to 30 feet (9.1 m)!
At the zoo: Small rabbits, rats, quail, chicks and fish.
Anacondas are sometimes referred to as water
boas because they spend so much of their lives
in or near water! Courtship, mating and birth
frequently take place in water!
Reproduction
Like other boas, female anacondas retain their eggs
and then give birth to live young. Up to several dozen,
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Woodland Park Zoo’s yellow anacondas are located in
the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit. As visitors enter the
exhibit, they are immersed in a garden of tropical rain
forest plants such as fan palms, bananas, cocoa, figs
and hanging liana vines. The anacondas can be seen in
the water or dangling from the riverbank, waiting for
prey.
www.zoo.org.
Reptiles as Pets
Yellow anacondas, as all reptiles, play an important
role in nature’s web of life. Habitat destruction,
dam building and other development along rivers,
and hunting for skins to make tourist products or
souvenirs contribute to the decline of the yellow
anaconda and other reptiles. The pet trade is also
lowering numbers of certain reptile populations to
the point where they may become extinct in the wild.
Each of us needs to take action to protect wild habitats
so snakes and all animals can continue to perform the
vital roles they play in maintaining the delicate balance
of nature.
Humans need snakes and other reptiles. Here are only
a few of the benefits they provide:
• Reptiles help keep animal populations in balance.
• Reptiles consume many animals that humans
• Snake venom is used in medical research and
provides effective medicines to fight certain
human diseases.
How You Can Help!
and wild habitats.
programs at the zoo contact us at webkeeper@zoo.org.
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Bushmaster
Lachesis muta
Bushmasters are venomous snakes belonging to the
class Reptilia, family Viperidae, subfamily Crotalinae
and genus Lachesis.* There are four bushmaster
subspecies. Bushmasters are native to southern
Central America and almost all the northern half
of South America. The range of the two Central
American subspecies begins in southern Nicaragua
and continues south to northern
Colombia. The two southern
subspecies are found from central
Colombia to central Bolivia,
extending from the eastern half
of Ecuador and northeastern
Peru to the coastlines of northern
Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana and
Pacific Ocean
Surinam. They are also found on
the island of Trinidad and along the
southern coast of Brazil.
The bushmaster is a potentially dangerous snake
to humans. Their venom kills by causing internal
bleeding. It is fairly weak compared to that of other
closely related species, but the bushmaster is able to
produce very large quantities of venom. The species is
elusive, however, and rarely encountered by humans.
As a result, there have been very few recorded human
fatalities from bushmaster bites.
Life Span
Life span in the wild is unknown. In
captivity, they typically live 12-18
years, with a recorded maximum life
span of 24 years.
South
America
Diet
In the wild: Primarily small
mammals.
At the zoo: Domestic rats
Habitat
Reproduction
Bushmasters are found in relatively
cool, moist tropical forests from
mountainous areas to coastal
lowlands.
The bushmaster is an oviparous
species, which means they lay eggs
Woodland Park Zoo
rather than bear live young. The
bushmaster is the only egg-laying pit
viper in the Americas.
Bushmasters are solitary except when mating. Males
find receptive females by following scent trails left
by females. Finding a female, he rubs his head and
flicks his tongue along the sides of her body to state
his intentions and make sure she is receptive. If so,
he flips his body upside down on top of hers and
rubs his spinal ridge back and forth in a sawing
motion against her body to stimulate her. If she is
coiled up, he may also strike her with the side of
his body to encourage her to loosen her coils and
allow him access. When she uncoils, they wrap their
bodies around one another and mate in that position,
sometimes remaining together for five or more hours.
When a female bushmaster is ready to lay her eggs,
she finds a burrow built by another small animal to
claim as her own, sometimes sharing the burrow
This species is the largest of all venomous snakes
in the Americas and the longest viper in the world,
sometimes reaching a length of 12 feet (3.6 m). As
with other members of its subfamily, the bushmaster
has hinged fangs that lie flat on the roof of the
mouth when not in use. Because of this adaptation,
their fangs can be very long, reaching as much as 1.4
inches (35 mm) in a large individual. Their bodies
are slightly flattened, with broad, wedge-shaped
heads and a short tail ending in a bony spur. When
agitated, they may shake their tail tip against foliage
to make a threatening sound. They have a light tan
background color with large, darker brown to black
diamond-shaped patterns on their backs. Their
scales are bumpy, with a pronounced ridge of hard,
sharp scales running down the center of their back.
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with the animal that built it. She then lays eight to 12
eggs, each of which is white and slightly larger than a
chicken egg. After laying her eggs, the female coils her
body around them and guards them until they hatch
76-79 days later. She will not leave her eggs even to
hunt during this period.
forests and difficult terrain they typically inhabit. The
extensive degradation and destruction of the tropical
rain forests of South America is a major threat to this
and many other plant and animal species.
Humans need snakes!
By preying upon rodents and insects that eat our crops
and spread diseases, snakes help to control populations
of these rapidly breeding animals, keeping them within
the carrying capacity of their habitats. Snake venom
is used in medical research on blood clotting, and to
make certain anesthetics and medications.
Life Cycle
Newborn bushmasters are about 20 inches (50 cm)
long. They are pale-colored, with a bright orange or
yellow tail tip they gradually lose as they get older.
This may help the young bushmasters attract small,
insectivorous mammals to eat. The colors of the young
bushmaster will usually change to their dark adult
pattern when the snake is between 1-2 years old. Sexual
maturity is typically reached around 4 years.
How You Can Help!
and wild habitats.
Feel the Heat
The bushmaster, like other pit vipers, has a special
adaptation that helps them detect their warm-blooded
prey. They have two heat-sensitive pits, one on each
side of their heads, halfway between their eye and
nostril. These pits allow the snake to sense the heat
difference between a small mammal and the cooler
rocks, plants and other objects in the area. When a
warm-blooded animal ventures closer than 20 inches
(50 cm), the bushmaster can detect the prey entirely by
its body heat, even aiming its strike without any other
sensory information.
To learn other ways you can help, contact Woodland
Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org about supporting
conservation programs at the zoo. Discover more
about snakes by contacting the Society for the Study
of Amphibians and Reptiles at 303 W. 39th St., PO
Box 626, Hays, KS 67601, or the American Federation
of Herpetoculture: AFH, P.O. Box 300067, Escondido,
CA, 92030-0067. Learn other ways you can help
Bushmasters produce an enormous amount of
venom. The average yield of dried venom from
a bushmaster is 411 mg (0.014 oz), compared
to just 52 mg (0.0018 oz) from the copperhead!
Reptiles as Pets
Their heat-sensitive pits allow a bushmaster
to detect a heat difference of just 0.0036° F
(0.002°C)!
Woodland Park Zoo’s bushmasters are located in the
Tropical Rain Forest.
sheet was taken from the Reptile Database at www.reptile-database.org accessed on 10/30/07.
The population of bushmasters in the wild is
unknown, due to their secretive habits and the dense
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Yellow-spotted Side-necked Turtle
Podocnemis unifilis
At the zoo: Greens and fruits, “raptor diet” (a ground
meat diet intended for birds of prey), and “turtle
jello” which contains fish and generous amounts of
vitamins and minerals.
Turtles and tortoises make up the order Chelonia.
Side-necked turtles (suborder Pleurodira) are found
only on the island of Madagascar and continents of
Africa, Australia and South America. Most of the
turtles we are familiar with are more closely related
to each other than to side-necked turtles. Yellowspotted side-necked turtles belong to the family
Pelomedusidae, one of two families
which make up the suborder of
side-necked turtles.
Yellow-spotted side-necked turtles
(Podocnemis unifilis) are found
throughout the Amazon and
Orinoco drainages.
��
��
Reproduction
A male yellow-spotted side-necked turtle courts a
larger female by nipping at her feet and tail. He then
swims above her and curls his relatively longer tail
around the edge of her shell. His
copulatory organ emerges from his
cloaca and introduces semen into
the cloaca of the female.
��
��
��
A few weeks later, under cover of
darkness, the female lays about
two dozen hard-shelled, slightlyelongated eggs in a nest she has dug
on the riverbank. The babies, which
are slightly larger than a 25-cent
piece, hatch out in a little over two
months.
��
��
Habitat
They usually are found in the
tributaries of larger rivers. During
the flood season, they avoid
fast-moving waters by taking up
residence in lakes and in flooded
forests.
Life Cycle
Ryan Hawk
A few days after hatching, the baby
turtles begin looking for food
on their own, while trying to stay away from the
many animals who prey on very small turtles: birds,
snakes, large fish and frogs, and even many kinds of
mammals. The baby turtles have very obvious yellow
spots on their heads, which become reduced as they
grow. Males keep some of the yellow spotting; females
lose their spots altogether.
Length and Weight
A turtle’s “length” is expressed as the length of its shell
from front to back in a straight line, not measured
over the curve of the top of the shell. The largest
yellow-spotted side-necked turtles are females, and
the maximum length for a female is about 18 inches
(45 cm). Females at Woodland Park Zoo are slightly
smaller than the record length and weigh about 14
pounds (6.5 kg). Males weigh about 5-6 pounds (2.52.8 kg).
Side-necked: What “S” That All About?
Most of the familiar kinds of turtles, members of the
suborder Cryptodira, protect themselves from danger
by pulling their heads and necks back into their shells
by curving their cervical spine (the bones of the neck)
into an “S” in a vertical plane. You’d be able to see
that “S” if you X-rayed a turtle from the side. A sidenecked turtle is so-called because it does not pull its
head and neck directly back into its shell;
Life Span
Up to (approximately) 70 years
Diet
In the wild: Mainly vegetable matter, grasses, fruits
and leaves, but also carrion (dead fish and other
animals) and mollusks
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instead, it tucks its head and neck under the edge (the
margin) of the shell to one side, curving its neck in a
horizontal plane.
conservation organizations of your choice. Don’t
buy products made from wild animal parts. Don’t
buy wild-caught turtles and other animals for pets.
Contact your elected representatives and express your
views about conservation of endangered species and
wild habitats.
Yellow-spotted side-necked turtle babies which hatch
from eggs incubated at less than 90° F (32° C) will all
be males, while eggs kept just slightly warmer at 92°
F (33° C) will produce exclusively females!
to find out other ways you can support conservation
programs at the zoo. Discover more about turtles by
contacting the Society for the Study of Amphibians
and Reptiles at 303 W. 39th St., PO Box 626, Hays,
KS 67601. Learn other ways you can help conserve
Compared to many other water turtles, yellowspotted side-necked turtles are very aquatic, only
rarely coming out of the water to bask!
All turtles lay eggs; none give live birth (as many
snakes and lizards do)!
Yellow-spotted side-necked turtles are on exhibit in
two locations at Woodland Park Zoo: a number of
immature turtles can be seen in one of the aquatic
exhibits in the Tropical Rain Forest. A group of
approximately 24 adults and juveniles inhabits the
large turtle pool in the Day Exhibit, where this species
has lived for more than 25 years and where more
than 70 babies have been produced since 1985. Other
turtle species that can be seen in the Day Exhibit are
the Egyptian tortoise, redfooted tortoise and Western
pond turtle.
Reptiles as Pets
health and unknown backgrounds. If you need to
find a reptile or amphibian a new home, we suggest
you contact a local herpetological group in your
area. In the Puget Sound region, contact the Pacific
Northwest Herpetological Society as a resource. If
you do choose to get a reptile as a pet, please learn as
much as possible about their care and the best species
before making your decision and never accept wildcaught animals as pets or release non-native reptiles
or amphibians into the wild.
Although the yellow-spotted side-necked turtle is
an internationally protected endangered species,*
it is also an important food resource for the people
who live in Amazonia, who harvest eggs and hunt
the turtles for their meat. The Brazilian government,
however, has undertaken an ambitious protection
program. Armed guards are used to protect the
important nesting sites of this and other hunted turtle
species. This allows the turtles to nest safely and the
eggs to hatch without human interference. As a result
of this successful program, hundreds of thousands
of these endangered turtles are expected to hatch in
these protected areas each year and disperse into the
waterways of the Amazon river system.
*There are several international and federal agencies that determine the endangered status
How You Can Help!
The effort to save endangered species like the yellowspotted side-necked turtle requires cooperation and
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Poison Dart Frog
Dendrobates sp.
to deposit her eggs. The eggs are laid on leaves,
where the high humidity provides the necessary
environment for developing eggs. In some species,
the male frog tends to the eggs and newly hatched
tadpoles. In others it is the female who takes on this
responsibility.
The Dendrobatidae family of frogs makes up a
group of about 75 different species of poison dart
frogs; each characterized by different coloring and
behavioral patterns. Poison dart frogs are found in
Central and South America.
When the tadpoles hatch, they maneuver themselves
onto the parent’s back, where they ride through
the forest understory. In some
species, this is as far as parental
responsibility is carried. For
example, the species Dendrobates
colostethus, which has no toxins
and very dull colors, is made very
vulnerable to predation by the
hitchhiking tadpoles. They simply
carry the hatched tadpoles to the
nearest suitable water and abandon
them.
Habitat
Poison dart frogs make their home
on the moist floor of the tropical
rain forests.
Poison dart frogs are conspicuously
colorful, their bright colors warning
predators about the toxic poisons
that exude from their skins.
Different species of dart frogs sport
varying colors. Most species of
poison dart frogs are bright red,
orange, yellow, or green and black.
However, some species without
toxic poisons are usually very dull
in color.
With other species of poison
dart frogs, however, this is not
the case. After picking up the
Mike Teller
hatched tadpoles, the attending
parent climbs high up into the
forest canopy, where they deposit
the tadpoles into a variety of plants including the
bromeliad, whose numerous cup-like leaves provide
multiple, water-filled sanctuaries where young
can develop. One tadpole is placed in each pocket
of water. The parent also makes sure to distribute
tadpoles among many plants. In this way, the
entire mass of tadpoles will not be lost should it be
attacked by the giant damselflies, which lay eggs in
the bromeliads and whose young feed on developing
tadpoles.
Life Span
Approximately 10 to 15 years. (Record 20.5 by
Dendrobates auratus at Woodland Park Zoo)
Diet
In the wild: Dart frogs hunt ants and termites by day
amidst the thick brush. Because their prey is so small,
they spend a great deal of time foraging, increasing
their vulnerability to predation. Their bright colors
offer them protection as they forage, warning away
predators such as snakes.
Tadpoles also face danger from their own kind. If a
parent approaches a plant that is already occupied by
a tadpole, the youngster makes itself know by aiming
its head at the center of the plant, holding itself rigid,
and rapidly vibrating its tail. If the parent does not
heed this warning and deposits its tadpole into this
already occupied pool of water, the original, larger
At the zoo: Pinhead crickets and wingless fruit flies
Reproduction and Life Cycle
One of the most remarkable behavioral characteristics
of poison dart frogs is their care of offspring. The
male frog entices the female to an appropriate spot
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tadpole will eat the younger tadpole.
extinct in the wild. Each of us needs to take action
to protect wild habitats so frogs and all animals
can continue to perform the vital roles they play in
maintaining the delicate balance of nature.
In some species of poison dart frogs, parental
responsibility does not end here. In the species
Dendrobates granuliferus and Dendrobates pumilio, the
female returns to each tadpole and deposits nutrient
rich, protein-filled eggs into their private aquariums as
food for the developing tadpoles.
Humans need frogs and other amphibians. Here are
only a few of the benefits they provide:
• Amphibians help keep animal populations in
balance.
What’s in a Name?
• Amphibians consume many animals that humans
consider as pests, including destructive species of
insects. This helps to control disease and damage
to crops.
Poison dart frogs get their name from the poisons
secreted through their skin. The Colombian Choco
Indians use the poison of the species Phyllobates
bicolor to tip their hunting darts. The poison affects
the nervous system and muscles, causing paralysis
and eventual respiratory failure. It is potent enough
to immobilize an animal as large as a monkey. Some
species of poison dart frogs have poisons that are more
toxic than others, but a few have no toxins at all.
• The poison of the poison dart frog and other
amphibians may provide effective medicines to
fight certain human diseases.
How You Can Help!
and wild habitats.
The toxins produced by the genus Dendrobates
are similar to chemicals produced by the
human adrenal glands, and may prove to have
medicinal value in small doses!
Male poison dart frogs make insect-like
buzzing and chirping noises to attract females.
Sometimes they make these vocalizations at
slightly elevated heights to allow the sound to
travel greater distances!
programs at the zoo contact us at webkeeper@zoo.
www.zoo.org.
Woodland Park Zoo’s poison dart frogs are located in
the Tropical Rain Forest. Look for the poison dart frogs
hopping and crawling around a puddle of water and
lounging on moss covered logs and branches. They are
hard to see, so look close and see how many you can
find.
Reptiles and Amphibians as Pets
We do not recommend reptiles and amphibians as
pets for most people as they require very specialized
diets and environments. We also receive hundreds of
requests each year to take former pet iguanas, boas and
other reptiles but we cannot accept these due to space,
the Puget Sound region, contact the Pacific Northwest
Herpetological Society as a resource.
Poison dart frogs, as all amphibians, play an important
role in nature’s web of life. Wild habitat needed by
these amphibians, however, is quickly disappearing.
In addition to habitat destruction, the pet trade is
lowering numbers of certain amphibian and reptile
populations to the point where they may become
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FACTS
ANIMAL
Leaf-cutting Ants
Atta cephalotes
Life Cycle
Thirty-eight different species of leaf-cutting ants
live in Central and South America. Leaf-cutting
ants belong to the Formicidae ant family of the Atta
genus. They can be found in tropical rain forest
regions in enormous underground colonies.
Well-worn trails are made by leaf-cutting ants
as they travel to and from their underground
cities. Their colonies are easy to spot — the earth
excavated from the galleries of the colony creates a
mound around its entrance. Above ground, there is
a conspicuous bare spot around the colony where
the leaves have been stripped from the shrubs.
Colonies can be made up of over 5 million ants.
Habitat
Leaf-cutting ants live in the basement of the tropical rain forest
floor, as deep as 12 feet (3.6 m)
below the tree roots.
Leaf-cutting ants are relatively
large, with long legs and spines
on their bodies. The queen may
be up to one inch long (2.5 cm),
the male 1/2 inch (1.25 cm). The
workers vary in size, ranging from
1/10 (.25 cm) to 1/2 inch (1.25
cm). Each size is specialized to
perform a certain task.
South
America
Pacific
Ocean
Life Span
Unknown in the wild; up to 20
years in captivity
Worker ants crawl to the surface
to collect leaves. These ants are
selective about the leaves they
collect, and will often travel
several hundred yards to find a
certain species. In this way, they
spread out their foraging so that
trees do not become stripped.
Ants mark their trails with
invisible glandular secretions,
leaving a scent behind so that they
can find their way back home.
Using their scissor-like jaws,
they cut semicircles out of the
leaves, often bigger than the ants
themselves.
Reproduction
In special chambers, workers chew the leaves into a
pulp, making a bed of fertilizer upon which fungus
is grown. This special fungus is not found anywhere
outside of Atta colonies. There are several kinds
of fungus cultivated by the genus Atta as a whole,
but each individual Atta species keeps to one kind.
The ants carefully weed the fungus bed, ensuring
that only one kind of fungus is grown, and they
continually add additional leaves to enrich the crop.
The fungi produce rounded bodies called bromatia,
and the ants feed on these.
New nests are established when a queen flies off and
mates, comes to earth, breaks off her wings, and
searches for a place in the soil to lay her eggs. In a
small pocket below her mouth, she carries a small
pellet of fungus, which she carefully cultivates and
grows. Without the fungi, no Atta colony can exist.
Job Classification
Within each colony of leaf-cutting ants there is a
strict division of labor. The large ants, known as the
maximae, are soldiers and their task is to defend
the nest. The mediae workers collect leaves, and the
minimae workers tend the fungus beds, eggs and
Diet
In the wild: Native plants and agricultural cultivars
are used by leaf-cutting ants to cultivate fungus in
At the zoo: Several nontoxic plants throughout
the zoo are used by leaf-cutting ants to cultivate
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Animal Fact Sheets
larvae, and offer protection to the mediae as they
forage. The mediae workers often carry leaf particles
larger than their bodies, and are left defenseless
against parasitic flies that hover overhead waiting for
an opportunity to lay their eggs on the ants’ bodies.
The minimae ants ride on top of the leaf particles
and ward off the flies as they approach.
converted by expanding human communities
and agricultural needs. It’s only a matter of time
until many insect species populations will become
severely reduced, or eliminated entirely.
Humans need insects. Often unnoticed, insects are
essential for maintaining the balance in nature and
health of the living world. Here are only a few of the
benefits insects provide:
• Bees, butterflies and other insects pollinate wild
plants and our crops, ensuring the production
of seeds and fruits required for the continued
survival of plants and animals.
Leaf-cutting ants have developed creative
solutions to their garbage disposal problems.
Dead ants and other wastes are taken to an
underground dumpsite or to a trash dump above
ground. In the forest, this waste is recycled. It
is nutrient rich, and is rapidly invaded by tree
roots!
• Earwigs, beetles and other insect scavengers
clean up the environment by consuming
decaying plants and animals. Nutrients are
recycled back into the soil, helping future
generations of plants to grow.
• Many species of carnivorous beetles, ants and
wasps eat other harmful insects that damage or
destroy our crops and spread disease.
Leaf-cutting ants are also known as fungus
garden ants or as parasol ants due to the fact
that the relatively enormous leaf particles are
carried over the ants’ heads and resemble flags
or umbrellas!
• Burrowing insects aerate and enrich the soil.
• Insects are a valuable source of food for animals,
including humans!
There are approximately 200 species of leafcutting ants!
• Insects produce products used by people,
including honey, beeswax, silk and dye, to name
only a few.
These ants collect leaves from all layers of
tropical rain forests, from the forest floor to the
upper canopy!
How You Can Help!
your choice. To conserve the habitat for ants and
other insects, reduce your use of pesticides and
When the soldier ants, the maximae, enter
or leave the nest, they stroke one another’s
antennae, exchanging chemical signals and
confirming their kinship!
All of the worker and soldier ants are females!
Leaf-cutting ants are not currently exhibited at
Woodland Park Zoo.
Escalating human caused changes in land use are
affecting natural habitats required by leaf-cutting
ants and other insects and animals for survival.
Vast forests are being removed for timber and other
paper products, industrial emissions are polluting
water and air resources, and habitat is being rapidly
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FACTS
PLANT
Ceiba
Ceiba pentandra
Classification
fiber. These hairs act as parachutes, helping the
wind-dispersed seeds spread away from their parent
plant. This decreases the chance that seedlings will
have to compete with the parent plant for scarce soil
nutrients and other resources.
Ceiba pentandra is a flowering tree that is classified in
the family Bombacaceae, which contains an estimated
30 genera and 250 species, including baobab trees.
Common names include kapok (KAY-pahk) and silkcotton tree.
Like many tropical trees, kapoks are highly susceptible
to interior decay. Some ecologists hypothesize that
there may be a selective advantage to this particular
tendency. Hollow portions of
tropical trees are used extensively
by bats, birds and other animals.
For example, in Brazil, seven
different species of bats were found
roosting inside one hollow kapok
tree. The beneficial droppings of
these animals often fall all the way
down a hollow tree section to the
ground where the tree’s roots have
immediate access to nutrients.
Competition for nutrients on the
tropical forest floor is extremely
intense and, because it’s usually too
dark inside a hollow for other plants
to grow, the tree has a monopoly
on the nutrient resources that fall
within it.
Habitat and Range
Ceiba pentandra occurs naturally in
tropical rain forests or moist areas
of drier forests in West Africa and
in Central and South America. In
the Americas, the kapok grows from
southern Mexico to the southern
boundary of the Amazon basin.
Kapok trees are also grown on
plantations in southeast Asia.
Ceiba pentandra can reach heights
of 200 feet (60 m), may grow 13
feet (4 m) a year and can live as
long as 200 years. They have wide
buttresses at their base and large,
flat crowns on top. Leaves are large
and palmately compound with five to eight leaflets
radiating from a common point on each leaf. Ceiba
pentandra are deciduous and will drop all of their
leaves once a year.
Kapok around the world
• French: kapokier, capoc, bois cotton, fromager
Flowers are large and bell-shaped, with five white to
pink petals. The flowers have a pungent odor, which
attracts their bat-pollinators. One to two flowers on
each tree open each night, helping to ensure crosspollination. In addition to bats, hummingbirds,
bees, wasps and beetles have been seen visiting the
flowers. Each tree may produce 500 to 4,000 fruits
each fruiting season. The fruits are thick, woody
seedpods containing approximately 200 small, brown
seeds. Thus, one kapok tree may produce as many as
800,000 seeds per season. The pod-like fruits open
on the tree, releasing the seeds to the wind. Each seed
is covered in white tufts of silky hair called kapok
• Spanish: ceibo, bonga, painiera
• American Samoa, Tonga: vavae
• Chuuk: koton
• Guam: algodon de Manila
• Cook Islands and French Polynesia: vavai, vavai
mama’u, vavai maori
• Fiji: vauvau ni vavalangi, semar
• Marshall Islands: koatoa, atagodon, bulik, kotin
• Palau: kalngebard, kalngebárd, kerrekar ngebard
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•
Pohnpei: cottin, koatun, koatoa
•
Saipan: arughuschel
•
Portuguese: sumaúma
As visitors approach the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit
from a distance, they encounter a simulation of the
remnants of a hollow kapok tree with a buttressed
spire reaching approximately 28 feet at its highest
point. As in nature, the roots of our simulated kapok
spread along the ground for more than 30 feet and are
covered in epiphytes such as bromeliads.
Human Uses and Cultural Importance
These kapok fibers were, and in some places still are,
commonly used as insulation and stuffing material for
furniture and upholstered automobile seats. Because
they’re lightweight and waterproof, lifejackets were
exclusively filled with kapok fibers until the middle of
the 20th century.
In Costa Rica, kapok trees are increasingly rare. Even
though one tree would produce a huge quantity of
wood, it is not good for construction because it is
brittle when dry. The main use of wood from these
trees is for concrete framing. These beautiful trees are
cut down and their wood, which is very inexpensive, is
used perhaps only once and then discarded. The Costa
Rican conservation community wants to elevate the
kapok to endangered status. Costa Rica has a few trees
on the endangered list and these cannot be cut down
for commercial use. Currently Ceiba pentandra is not
on the list.
Oil is made from the seeds of kapoks and is then made
into soap. The seeds are also eaten by people and
livestock in many parts of the world. In traditional
medicine practiced in Surinam, the seeds, leaves, bark
and resin from kapok trees are used to treat dysentery,
fevers, venereal diseases, asthma, menstrual bleeding
and kidney diseases. In Colombia, the bark is made
into a liquid and applied to hair to stimulate growth.
The same concoction is also given to cows after
delivery to help shed the placenta.
Native tribes also put bits of kapok fiber on the base of
their poison darts to make the darts fly better. Other
tribes wrapped the fibers around the trunks of fruit
trees to discourage leaf-cutting ants from clipping the
leaves of the trees. The trunks of kapok trees were also
made into carvings, canoes and coffins.
In the Gambia in West Africa, many people depend
on products from the forest for food. Ceiba pentandra
is valued in this region not only because its seeds
can be eaten by people and livestock, but also as an
economically important timber tree. However, the
once intact forests of the Gambia have been seriously
degraded, mainly through human activities such as
illegal felling, frequent bush fires and unsustainable
harvesting of forest products. Ceiba pentandra and
other beneficial tree species are considered a high
national priority for conservation. Consequently, the
seedlings of these trees are raised in nurseries and are
planted in degraded areas.
In addition to the use of the products, the kapok tree
is culturally important to different groups of native
people in tropical forests. To the Maya and various
Hispanic cultures in Central and South America, the
kapok is a holy tree that connects the terrestrial world
to the heavens above. Some cultures believe that the
dead climbed the kapok to reach heaven.Kapok trees
are also culturally significant in Africa and are sacred
in West Africa because they’re associated with burial
and ancestors. It’s also thought that the bark and leaves
of kapoks have the power to expel evil spirits. In a
region in Senegal, healing villages were founded at the
base of large kapok trees because it was believed that
these trees heal and protect people.
How You Can Help!
Many non-healing villages are also centered under
the shade of kapok trees. If a kapok tree is not present
at a village site, one will usually be planted. Often,
when a forest is cleared, a great kapok tree will be left,
providing shade for crops and serving as a reminder of
the forest that once stood there.
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FACTS
PLANT
Cycads
Classification
and at high elevations in eastern Africa. Cycads
presently grow in tropical and subtropical regions
of North America, South America, Africa, Asia and
Australia. Although they are widespread worldwide,
cycads generally grow in small, localized populations.
Cycads are descendents of a very ancient group of
early seed-bearing plants. Cycads appeared on the
earth during the Pennsylvanian period, from 310
to 285 million years ago. Presently, there are three
families of cycads (Cycadaceae, Stangeriaceae and
Zamiaceae) containing 11 genera and approximately
185 species. However, 150 million years ago during
the Jurassic period, cycads were at their prime and
covered vast areas of the earth’s
surface. During this period, cycads
coexisted with dinosaurs and other
animals, such as amphibians. While
most species of dinosaurs were
extinct by 65 million years ago,
cycads continue to survive on this
earth.
Cycads have single stems with a crown of large
pinnate (similar to a feather with leaflets extending
from each side of the axis) leaves
and appear somewhat similar to
palms, though they are not closely
related. Most cycads are rather
large, some species reaching up to
60 feet (18 m) or more in height.
Cycads carry male reproductive
structures (pollen grains) and
female reproductive structures
(seeds) on different plants. Both
pollen and seeds are borne in cones,
similar to the cone-bearing trees of
the Pacific Northwest. Cycad seeds
are large with a brightly colored
outer coat and a hard stony inside
Woodland Park Zoo
Habitat and Range
Cycads grow scattered in habitats
such as the understories of tropical
rain forests and seasonally dry
forests, loose stands in grasslands,
• Only one species of cycad, Zamia pumila, has a range that extends into the United States. The distribution of
this Caribbean species includes southeastern parts of Georgia and southern parts of Florida where it is currently
endangered.
• Seminole Indians of the southeastern United States made use of the starchy matter in the stems of the cycad
Zamia pumila as an ingredient in bread. Most cycads contain toxic compounds within their tissues. Like other
cycads eaten as food, the starch was ground and leached in order to decrease the toxicity prior to consumption.
• The roots of cycads host symbiotic bacteria that fix nitrogen from the air into a form usable by plants.
• Cycads were long thought to be pollinated by the wind. It has been shown, however, that beetles, particularly
weevils, and small bees are important pollinators of these plants. Some cycads produce heat or odors to attract
these insects.
• Although the leaves of cycads resemble those of palms the two groups are not closely related. Cycads have
naked seeds borne in cones. Palms are flowering plants whose seeds develop in fleshy fruits. Ån example of the
popular confusion of these two groups is the use of the common name “sago palm” for both a cycad species
(Cycas revoluta) and a palm species (Metroxylon sagu).
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How You Can Help!
layer. Animals, attracted by the colors of the seeds,
will often eat the outer coat, leaving the inner part to
germinate).
Cycads are becoming increasingly endangered.
Currently, approximately 80 species of cycads are
listed under Appendix I to CITES and are thus
considered to be endangered. These represent roughly
44 percent of all known cycad species. Cycads are
vulnerable for a number of reasons. These plants tend
to grow in habitats such as tropical forests that are
significantly altered by habitat destruction. Cycads
grow slowly and reproduce infrequently. In addition,
cycads have been extensively collected from the
wild. Because of their close relationships with their
insect pollinators, the decline of cycad species may
also influence the populations of these insects. Some
of these insect pollinators are as ancient as cycads
themselves, thus, the close relationships between these
organisms have developed over millions of years.
Several institutions are now involved in breeding
and conservation programs for threatened cycad
species. If you are a fan of cycads and wish to include
them in your garden, be sure that the seeds or plants
you buy were not collected from the wild. Educate
yourself and others about these fascinating plants
and promote their conservation. Woodland Park Zoo
exhibits cycads in its bioclimatic zones, including
Tropical Rain Forest and Tropical Asia. Through
its naturalistic bioclimatic zones and educational
materials and programs Woodland Park Zoo fosters
an understanding and appreciation of endangered
plants, animals and their habitats.
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FACTS
PLANT
Orchids
Classification
coniferous forests of Alaska. However, the vast
majority of species are found in the moist tropics.
Orchids are flowering plants that are classified
in the family Orchidaceae, which contains an
estimated 600-800 genera and 25,000 - 35,000
species. The Orchidaceae family is believed to
contain more species than any other plant family
in the world, with the possible exception of the
Asteraceae family. Orchid taxonomists can only
estimate the species numbers
due to the huge magnitude of
the family as well as the relative
inaccessibility of many species
that are hidden high in the
canopies of tropical forests.
Most orchids grow from rhizomes (a horizontal
stem that bears roots), sending up new stems each
season. The bases of these stems are thickened and
store water. These are called pseudobulbs. At the
end of the growing season, the pseudobulb will stop
growing. During the next growing
season, a new pseudobulb will
grow and develop. In this manner,
most orchids form numerous
stems and leaves. Usually flowers
are only produced on the new
pseudobulb; however, in some
orchids the old pseudobulbs will
also produce flowers. Some orchids
do not produce multiple stems
(or pseudobulbs) each season,
but rather the stems (or stem)
keep growing in one continuous
direction year after year. The
Habitat and Range
Orchids, being a large and
diverse family of plants, are
dispersed essentially worldwide,
with the exception of
Antarctica. Orchids also grow
in a wide variety of habitats,
from tropical forests to cool
• A number of orchids are saprophytic, meaning they derive nutrients from decaying organic matter and lack
chlorophyll, the green pigment found in most plants that functions to photosynthesize food. The forests of the
Pacific Northwest host several of these orchids that are in the genus Corallorhiza, commonly called coralroots,
including striped coralroot (Corallorhiza striata) and western coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata mertensiana). These
plants can be recognized by their overall pale, white color.
• In order to achieve pollination, some orchids of the genus Ophrys (called bee orchids) bear flowers resembling
female insects in appearance and smell. Male insects are attracted to the flowers and attempt to mate with them,
thus pollinating the flowers.
• The majority of orchid species are epiphytes which grow on trees, rocks, and masses of organic debris high
above the ground. Certain fungi live within certain orchid plants and extend their threadlike strands out into the
surrounding environment. These fungal strands aid the plant by bringing in nutrients. In return, the orchid plant
provides the fungus with a stable environment in which to live.
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structures, colors, sizes and arrangements of orchid
flowers are incredibly diverse. The characteristics of
the leaves of orchids also vary greatly.
The entire Orchidaceae family is listed on Appendix II
to the Convention on Trade in International Species
of Flora and Fauna (CITES), meaning that trade in
these species is restricted. Nine species of orchids
are listed on Appendix I to CITES, meaning trade is
severely restricted for these species because they are in
danger of extinction. The World Conservation Union
(IUCN) lists 325 species of orchids as endangered in
the 1997 Red List of Threatened Plants. Orchids have
been affected mainly by habitat destruction but also
by collection. Orchids in bloom can often be seen
inside the Tropical Rain Forest at Woodland Park Zoo.
Visitors can appreciate the beauty of these plants, and
the tropical rain forest animals that coexist with them,
in a naturalistic environment.
How You Can Help!
use.
Contact the Woodland Park Zoological Society at
webkeeper@zoo.org to find out about ways you can
support conservation efforts at the zoo. Learn other
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Forest Explorers Facts.indd

Transcription

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