Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Capybara Species Name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Primary Diet: grass aquatic plants fruit tree bark HERBIVORE Physical Adaptations Habitat/Biome: Dense forests near water. Semi-aquatic Region: South America Barrel shaped, no tail, slightly webbed feet for swimming Gentle, social, live in groups of 10-30 led by a dominant male. Both sexes marked territory with scent glands on nose and rear Being a rodent, teeth grow continuously and must be worn down by eating/grinding Eyes, ears, and nostrils near top of head (like hippo) so they can remain above water with rest f body submerged in water Status (circle one): Stable/Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Behavioral Adaptations Diurnal (active in day) during hottest days, will seek shade and water for cover and cool temps Tough skin with coarse, sparsely-spread hair, allows them to dry off quickly. Also makes them prone to sunburn and will roll in mud to protect their skin Excellent swimmers. Stay underwater for 5 minutes Communicate through scent and sound. Very vocal. Mark territory by marking scent Three possible themes for this animal: Special Notes Conservation, Zoo Care, Exhibit Design etc.: 75% of diet comes from 3-6 species of plants They are hunted for food, pelts They compete with grazing livestock Exhibit has mud puddle for them to roll in Three Supporting FACTS: Main predators include jaguar, puma, ocelot, eagle, caiman & anaconda They are caprophagous (they eat their own scat) 1. You don t have to be a fish to like living in the water. 2. It takes a village to raise a capybara. 3.
Theme: Capybara have several adaptations for living a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Title: You don t need to be a fish to like living in the water. Animal: Capybara Introductory Questions: What do these animals remind you of? What do you first notice when you look at them? What do you notice about their head? What does it take to be a good swimmer? What do you notice about their skin and fur? Do you know of any other rodents that spend time in water and on land (muskrat, beaver)? Props/Audience Involvement Ideas (directions for use may be on a separate sheet): Capybara pelt piece, picture and cast of capybara webbed foot, picture of capybara in water Activity: Critter Chat Topic: Adaptations Theme Introduction: Body: (activities or audience involvement noted in italics) They look like a pig (short and stocky) but have no snout or tail like a pig. Picky eater (unlike pigs). 75% of what they eat comes from only 3-6 species of plants. They like to wallow in the mud to protect themselves form the sun. They can spend up to 5 minutes underwater Eyes, ears and nose are on the top of their head, allowing them to remain underwater and see their environment Theme Conclusion: Although a capybara is sometimes called an aquatic pig, it is not related at all to them. They are suited to life in the water due to webbed feet and eyes, ears and nostrils on the top o their head. They can cover by hiding among aquatic vegetation wit only nostrils exposed. Conservation Connection: Capybaras are hunted/raised for their flesh for food and for their pelt/skin. They are viewed as competition with livestock and agriculture. Business farms have started allowing for wild capybaras and those populations are stabilizing.
Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Crested Screamer Species Name: Chauna torquata Primary Diet: Seeds, stems and leaves of aquatic plants HERBIVORE Habitat/Biome: Tropical / subtropical wetlands Region: Bolivia, Southern Brazil and Peru to Northern Argentina Physical Adaptations 3 feet long, weigh 9-10 pounds, live 15 years. Named for their distinctive VERY loud call. Can be heard over 2 miles away. This loud call warns other screamers of predators. Are a water fowl but do not have webbed feet. They do have long toes that they use to grasp vegetation while they are wading. They are good swimmers but they can also walk on top of thick mats of floating plants. Despite being known as screamers they are eventempered, sociable birds that live in flocks. Are monogamous and mate for life. Non-migratory, good flyer. In mating season they become territorial and use sharp spurs (made of bone) on their wings to defend their territory. They also use spurs to defend against predators (such as foxes, wild cats and human hunters). Status (circle one): Stable/Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Behavioral Adaptations Adapted for travel in water and air. Are even-tempered and mate for life. Live in large flocks. Can get loud when threatened or looking for a mate and they know how to use their spurs. Three possible themes for this animal: 1. What are they screaming about? 2. Are they are flyer or a swimmer? 3. Are they a protector or a fighter? Special Notes Conservation, Zoo Care, Exhibit Design etc.: There is an area in their exhibit for wading. Three Supporting FACTS: They scream to communicate. Can be friendly (living in flocks) or feisty (fighting with their spurs). They are good swimmers but do not have webbed feet. They are good flyers but do not migrate.
Theme: Crested screamers might scream but they re just honked off. Title: What s all that screaming about? Introductory Questions: Who do you think the nosiest animals are? (see list below for noisy animals including ones at JBZ) Animal: Crested Screamer Suggested location(s): Props/Audience Involvement Ideas In front of exhibit Something that mimics their bones spurs Samples of their feathers Activity: Critter Chat Topic: Adaptations - Communication Theme Introduction: Have you ever heard an animal or someone scream? Body: (activities or audience involvement noted in italics) They may be called screamers but actually their call sounds more like a loud, harsh honking. The scream is used to scare off predators and when looking for love (mates). If they are REALLY not happy they can use their wing spurs to defend themselves. Can be used as watch dogs by farmers to defend their chickens. Other loud animals (* means they are at JBZ): *North American bullfrog (1/2 mile) *Snowy owl (2 miles) *Lion and elephants (5 miles) Hyena (8 miles) *Howler monkey, Grey wolf (10 miles) Bullfrog bat (137 db = 100 times louder than a rock concert) Blue whale (188 db = louder than jet engine, heard 500 miles) Theme Conclusion: Screamers don t really scream, they use their loud harsh honking to scare off predators or to attract mates. They are actually even tempered and live in large flocks. Conservation Connection: They are not threatened in their range however habitat destruction is putting them under increasing pressure. Humans hunt them for their meat. They also capture them and use them like guard dogs to protect their domestic chickens. They will scream out when they or the chickens are threatened.
Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Chilean Flamingo Species Name: Phoenicopterus chilensis Primary Diet: Brine shrimp Algae Insects Small fish Habitat/Biome: Tropical salty lakes and lagoons and mud flats Status (circle one): Stable/Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Region: OMNIVORE South America Behavioral Adaptations Special Notes Conservation, Zoo Care, Exhibit Design etc.: Exhibit area has shallow water for wading and swimming while on land there is an area if they choose to, to build nests Three Supporting FACTS: Physical Adaptations Beaks are upside down. They suck water / food in the front, filter out the mud and silt and squirt it out the sides. Its used like a strainer. Pink color is caused by carotenoids (same pigment that s in carrots) in their food, babies are born white Ankle (looks like it s a knee) is half way up the leg, their knee is close to body and not visible. They stand on one leg with their other leg tucked beneath body to keep leg and foot warm Can have half their body go to sleep while other half stays awake Webbed toes help with swimming and stirring up food in the water Migration fly at night, 30-37 MPH, up to 375 miles a night, in day time fly at high altitudes to avoid eagles Good hearing. Good color eyesight, but no sense of smell Face into the wind when resting keeps wind and rain from penetrating their feathers. They stand on one leg at a time to keep the foot warm and conserve body heat and also to rest the leg for a short period of time. They make their nests into large mounds 1-3ft tall too keep eggs from frying on the hot ground and protect them from flooding. Three possible themes for this animal: 1. Flamingos have reasons for standing on one leg. Very social can live in flocks of 350 birds (usual number is 70) Take few running steps before they take flight Nest is a mud mound up to 12 inches high to protect nest from flooding They congregate into large groups for socialization and safety 2. Flamingos communicate in a variety of ways and have adaptations to show it.
Theme: Flamingos have reasons for standing on just on leg. Title: You need a leg to stand on. Animal: Flamingo Introductory Questions: What do you notice about how they stand? About how they eat? About how they talk? Props/Audience Involvement Ideas (directions for use may be on a separate sheet): A fake flamingo leg and human leg to compare where knees and ankles are located? A model of their beak to compare to a model of other bird beaks? Suggested location(s): Flamingo Exhibit Activity: Critter Chat Topic: Adaptations Theme Introduction: Birds have beaks and legs but they are not always used the same way. Body: (activities or audience involvement noted in italics) Examine feathers Play with model of leg, beak, egg / nest mound Their beaks are upside down suck food and water in the front and squirt out what they don t want out the sides What looks like a knee is actually an ankle (their knee is close to body and not visible) They stand on one leg with their other leg tucked beneath body to keep leg and foot warm Can have half their body go to sleep while other half stays awake see how long people can balance on one leg, then have the try it with their eyes closed as if they were sleeping. Theme Conclusion: Not all bird beaks and feet work the same, some are adapted to meet the needs of their habitat. Conservation Connection: Biggest threat to survival are people who collect their eggs to eat / sell and habitat pollution. Gold mining operations, water diversion, raw sewage all destroy habitat. They are not currently endangered but might be if actions are not taken now.
Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Komodo Dragon Species Name: Varanus komodoensis Primary Diet: Large Hoofstock Water Buffalo Goats Pigs Deer *CARNIVORE Physical Adaptations (3-5) Habitat/Biome: Arid Forests and Savannah areas Region: Islands of Komodo, Rinca, Padar, Flores, and the Sunda Islands (in Indonesia). Forked tongue is used to follow scent trails up to 2.5 miles away They can run up to 13 mph for short periods of time Status (circle one): Stable/Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Behavioral Adaptations (2-5) Solitary animals, only coming together for mating season or to fight over a meal Babies climb trees to stay out of harms way because they adults may eat the babies! Special Notes Conservation, Zoo Care, Exhibit Design etc.: Komodo Dragons that survive to adulthood can live up to about 50 years. Once they are adults, they have no other predators Supporting FACTS: Their bite contains 7 septic (lethal) bacteria with 4 of those 7 having no antidote There is new research suggesting that they also have venom included in their bite which makes it all the more lethal. They can consume up to 80% of their body weight in one sitting They have over 50 different kinds of bacteria in their mouth. They are immune to their own (or other komodo) bites Three possible themes for this animal: 1. Hold the Dragon Hunts!! 2. 3.
Theme: Hunting Animal: Komodo Dragon Critter Chat Title: Hold the Dragon Hunts! Introduction/Invitation: Welcome to the Komodo Dragon Exhibit! My name is and I am here to talk to you all about Komodo Dragons! Props/Audience Involvement Ideas (directions for use may be on a separate sheet): Dragon Skull,Tooth Brushes, Standing very still Suggested location(s): Komodo Dragon Exhibit. Inside or Outside Activity: Critter Chat Topic: Hunting 1) Open ended question: Anyone can answer, every answer is right Do you hunt for your food? 2) Focus Question: Zero in on specifics, focus on details, direct attention to How do you get your food? 3) Integrating Question: Integrates information rather than just recalling or describing, applies observations How long do you wait if you are hungry to go find some food yourself? Theme Introduction: The Komodo Dragon hunts for its food in a very patient way, sometimes waiting for days, weeks or even a couple months! Theme Conclusion: Komodo Dragons are successful hunters because of their patience and special adaptations for hunting. Body (Highlight 3-5 points to support the theme): How Does He Do This? He waits- lays waiting for long periods of time. How long can you stand still? When prey comes by the dragon, he ambushes (surprise attack) and bites the prey. The dragon s saliva sinks into the wound and eventually kills the animal. The dragon then follows the trail of the prey which could take days until he finds it and then eats his dinner! Conservation Connection: The Komodo Dragon lives on islands that when combined are smaller than the size of Kent County. Habitat destruction is their number one threat.
Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Poison Dart Frog (a.k.a. Poison Arrow Frog) Species Name: Dendrobates auratus Primary Diet: small insects ants termites small spiders INSECTIVORE Physical Adaptations (3-5) Habitat/Biome: Floor of rainforests in moist shady areas Region: Only in Central and S. America (from Costa Rica to S. Brazil). Non-native species in Hawaii Bright & various aposematic* skin colors that warn predators that they are poisonous. Few species have flash colors that are exposed when the frog jumps. Skin color is locality specific. Some scientists believe reticulating dark and bright coloring acts as a camouflage among forest shadows. Most are extremely small ~1/2 inch in length (few species reach 2.5 inches). Have a nail like plate on each toe. *aposematic: marked with bright or contrasting colors as a warning that the animal is harmful or poisonous. Status (circle one): Stable/Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Behavioral Adaptations (2-5) Obtain poisonous skin from taking chemicals from the insects they eat (insects are thought to be poisonous from the plants they eat). Captive bred frogs are not poisonous. Lay eggs in moist places (leaves, roots, etc.) Males will carry tadpoles on their back to the water where the tadpoles will grow. One of the few frog species that are active during the day. Three possible themes for this animal: 1. Frogs Wearing Caution Tape 2. Poison for Dinner 3. Skin That is Multipurpose Special Notes Conservation, Zoo Care, Exhibit Design etc.: 28% of 243 species are threatened with extinction. Rainforest habitat destruction and also the decreasing ozone allow harmful UV rays to damage the sensitive skin. Also affected by the fungal skin disease common with frogs called cutaneous chytridiomycosis Supporting FACTS: As of August 2006 there are 247 known species. Only 3 species can hurt humans. Phylobates terriblis will kill a human in 3 minutes. One chemical within the poison is 200x as potent as morphine. Poison causes paralysis by shutting down the nervous system. No known cure.
Theme: Frogs Wearing Caution Tape Animal: Poison Dart Frog Introduction/Invitation: Hi, my name is, welcome to the Tropics/Frogs building! I wanted to open up with a question, and that is Props/Audience Involvement Ideas (directions for use may be on a separate sheet): Suggested location(s): In front of Poison Dart frog exhibit in Tropics or in Frogs building. Activity: Critter Chat Topic: The many functions of Poison Dart frog skin 1) Open ended question: Anyone can answer, every answer is right What kind of food do you like to eat? 2) Focus Question: Zero in on specifics, focus on details, direct attention to Do you eat any food that is poisonous? 3) Integrating Question: Integrates information rather than just recalling or describing, applies observations What would happen if you did eat a food that was poisonous? Theme Introduction: Poison Dart frogs eat poisonous insects in order to have poisonous skin. Their brightly colored skin warns other animals about their poison. Body (Highlight 3-5 points to support the theme): Aposematic coloration helps warn other animals about the frog s dangerous poison. Captive bred Poison Dart frogs will not be poisonous because they do not consume the poisonous insects. South American Indians hunt birds and monkeys with arrows coated with the frogs skin secretions (1 frog coats up to 50 arrows). Theme Conclusion: Poison dart frogs are one of the few frog species that can be active during the day. Their brightly colored skin tells predators that they are dangerous and prevents them from being eaten. Conservation Connection: The skin of frogs is extremely porous and is easily affected by pollution. By keeping lakes and streams clean and preserving frog habitats we can lend a hand increasing the current declining frog populations.
Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Black-Headed Spider Monkey Species Name: Ateles fusciceps robustus Primary Diet: Fruit insects seeds bird eggs *OMNIVORE Physical Adaptations Prehensile tail No thumb on their hands Elongated fingers Habitat/Biome: Tropical rainforests, high up in tree tops Region: A very small range in Panama and Columbia Feet have thumb like appendages for extra grip Hanging genitalia means it s a female (NOT a male) Can leap long distances to reach from branch to branch Status (circle one): Stable/Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Behavioral Adaptations Very social creatures Live in troops of 4-8 members, with a dominate female Troops come together at night for protection, but split off during the day for gathering food Rarely make contact with each other when they fight, slapping branches, ground, chasing and baring teeth is how they defeat their opponent. Three possible themes for this animal: 1. Shop Rainforest Smart! 2. Exhibit Design/ Animal Care 3. Adapting to Life in the Trees! Special Notes Conservation, Zoo Care, Exhibit Design etc.: Redoing Monkey Island- oldest exhibit in the zoo Live an average of 24 years Three Supporting FACTS: Habitat destruction is threatening the spider monkeys survival Their exhibit was renovated for a more realistic lifestyle while letting the public get close to them
Theme: Adapting to life in the trees Animal: Spider Monkey Title: I wish I had a tail! Introduction/Invitation: Welcome to the Spider Monkey Exhibit! My name is and I am going to tell you some really neat things these Monkeys can do! Props/Audience Involvement Ideas (directions for use may be on a separate sheet): Foot/hand print, vertebrae model of their tail Suggested location(s): Signage that has foot print. Around Monkey Island Activity: Critter Chat Topic: Adaptations 1) Open ended question: Anyone can answer, every answer is right What are some cool things the monkeys have? 2) Focus Question: Zero in on specifics, focus on details, direct attention to Do you wish you had a tail? 3) Integrating Question: Integrates information rather than just recalling or describing, applies observations What adaptations do our monkeys have to help them live up in the trees? Theme Introduction: Spider Monkeys have many adaptations to help them live up in the trees out of the way of danger. Theme Conclusion: Spider monkeys tails and hands are specially adapted to help them grip tree branches. Body (Highlight 3-5 points to support the theme): They do not have much hair on their tail to help them grip (you can use the example of having a gloved hand makes it harder to grip things than a non-gloved hand). They do not have thumbs which keeps them from getting in the way Their tales are prehensile which helps them move through the branches as they can hang by them Conservation Connection: These monkeys are extremely endangered due to habitat destruction. By watching what you buy, you can help save their environment!
Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Black-Headed Spider Monkey Species Name: Ateles fusciceps robustus Primary Diet: Fruit insects seeds bird eggs *OMNIVORE Physical Adaptations Prehensile tail No thumb on their hands Elongated fingers Habitat/Biome: Tropical rainforests, high up in tree tops Region: A very small range in Panama and Columbia Feet have thumb like appendages for extra grip Hanging genitalia means it s a female (NOT a male) Can leap long distances to reach from branch to branch Status (circle one): Stable/Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Behavioral Adaptations Very social creatures Live in troops of 4-8 members, with a dominate female Troops come together at night for protection, but split off during the day for gathering food Rarely make contact with each other when they fight, slapping branches, ground, chasing and baring teeth is how they defeat their opponent. Three titles for this animal: 1. Shop Rainforest Smart! 2. Exhibit Design/ Animal Care 3. I wish I had a tail! Special Notes Conservation, Zoo Care, Exhibit Design etc.: Redoing Monkey Island- oldest exhibit in the zoo Live an average of 24 years Three Supporting FACTS: Habitat destruction is threatening the spider monkeys survival Their exhibit was renovated for a more realistic lifestyle while letting the public get close to them
Theme: What we can do to save our Spider Monkeys Animal: Spider Monkey Title: Shop Rainforest Smart Introduction/Invitation: Welcome to the Spider Monkey Exhibit! My name is and I am going to tell you some really neat things these Monkeys can do! Props/Audience Involvement Ideas (directions for use may be on a separate sheet): Rainforest Shopping Cart Suggested location(s): Signage that has foot print. Around Monkey Island Activity: Critter Chat Topic: Conservation 1) Open ended question: Anyone can answer, every answer is right Do you think our monkeys are pretty awesome creatures? 2) Focus Question: Zero in on specifics, focus on details, direct attention to Did you know that there are not many left in the wild? 3) Integrating Question: Integrates information rather than just recalling or describing, applies observations Did you know that there are things that we can do here to help save the monkeys? Theme Introduction: By shopping wisely we are able to help protect the Spider Monkeys habitat from destruction Theme Conclusion: By watching what we buy and consume we can help protect the Spider Monkeys natural habitat Body (Highlight 3-5 points to support the theme): Buy coffee that has the fair trade mark on it or bird friendly mark. This means that are not cutting down the rainforest in order to grow the coffee Rainforest s are being cut down in order to make room for cattle. When buying beef check to make sure it isn t cattle raised in tropic regions. When buying lumber make sure it is made using environmentally sustainable methods. Conservation Connection: These monkeys are extremely endangered due to habitat destruction. By watching what you buy, you can help save their environment! Make sure you recycle all of your used papers!
Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: South American Tapir Species Name: Tapirus terrestris Primary Diet: Fruit Berries Leaves Buds/shoots HERBIVORE Habitat/Biome: Forests, wetlands, near rivers, dry and moist shrub lands/grasslands Region: lowlands of north and central South America Physical Adaptations Large (6 ft long, 3 ft high, 330 to 550 lb), browsing, pig shaped, prehensile snout. Sensitive ears and strong sense of smell help to compensate for bad vision. Spend a lot of time in and under the water to graze on vegetation on the bottom, stay cool and hide form predators (like hippos do). Generally shy, but when scared they defend themselves with their very powerful jaws. Tapirs have few natural predators. The thick skin on the backs of their necks helps to protect them from jaguars, crocodiles, anacondas, and tigers. Are agile and can run quite fast like a small horse Babies have been said to resemble walking watermelons because of body share and stripe. Uses it s nose like a finger, to pluck leaves from tree branches or root around in underbrush for food. They can explore a circle of ground 1 foot in diameter without having to move its head. Status (circle one): Stable/Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Behavioral Adaptations Raise their snouts and show their teeth, in order to detect scents. Are good swimmers. Communication: high-pitched whistle is one of the most common sounds (sounds like car brakes screeching to a halt). Snorting with foot stamping means is preparing to defend itself. Uses urine to mark paths through the forest, sniffing along their route and identifying other tapirs in the area. Nocturnal Special Notes Conservation, Zoo Care, Exhibit Design etc.: Hunting, habitat fragmentation and competition with local livestock are threats JBZS Cons. Fund has supported tapir research on their travel and maintaining habitat corridors for their travel Lifespan ~25-30 years They are seed dispersers and help re-plant the rainforests Three Supporting FACTS: Frequently visit salt licks, making them susceptible to hunting in these areas Prehensile snout(proboscis) used for smell, (breathing, can work like a snorkel when they are underwater) and communication. Three possible themes for this animal: 1. Their snout looks like a pig s but works like an elephants. (similar to how spider monkeys can use their tails). 2. Closely related to horses and rhinoceros. They have all have odd numbers of toes on their feet. 3. Like to spend time in and under water (like capybaras do, an animal that lives in same region of world as tapirs)
Theme: Tapirs have a nose (snout) that is used for more than just smelling Title: The nose knows Introductory Questions: What is the most noticeable feature of the tapir? (it s nose/snout) What other animal does their nose remind you of? (e.g. pig, elephant) What do think it uses it for? Props/Audience Involvement Ideas Flexible tubing with pincher grabber device inside that can be moved around at grab stuff. Something that feels like their snout. Snorkel. Piece of Bike tube. Garbage picker-upper tool. Animal: Tapir Suggested location(s): In front of tapir exhibit Activity: Critter Chat Topic: Adaptations Theme Introduction: This nose knows how to do lots of stuff. Body: (activities or audience involvement noted in italics) They raise their snout to help detect scents. Their strong sense of smell helps make up for their poor vision. Can use snout like a snorkel and use it to breathe when they are underwater. Their snout (nose) is prehensile. They can pick things up like an elephant can. They have a reach of about 1 foot without having to move. They make several sounds to communicate with others. One of their most unique noises they make sounds like screeching car brakes. They inhabit lands that are in need of protection and help replant the rainforest by eating and dispersing seeds of local plants Theme Conclusion: A tapir s nose / snout is used for detecting scents as well as to compensate for poor vision. They also use their snout to pick things up and to make sounds to communicate with other animals. It can also be used as a snorkel. Conservation Connection: Tapirs have few natural predators. Massive habitat loss and hunting for meat and hides has substantially reduced their numbers. Central and South America are trying to protect tapir habitat and use the different tapir species as a flagship species to encourage tourism (like Australia does with koalas and China does with pandas). This can provide jobs other than farming and logging for the local people and involve them in helping protect tapirs. JBZS Cons. Fund has supported tapir research on their travel and maintaining habitat corridors for their travel between public and private lands.
Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Black-Footed Cats Species Name: Felis nigripes Primary Diet: Mice Ground Squirrels Birds Lizards *Carnivore Physical Adaptations (3-5) Habitat/Biome: Brush land and semi desert areas. Use old hare burrows and anthills for dens Region: South Africa They are considered to be one of the smallest of the wild cats. They can go for extended periods without water, using moisture from their food as their source. Move up to 5 miles a night in search of food Gestation is about 65 days and produces between 1 and 3 kittens Status (circle one): Stable/Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Behavioral Adaptations (2-5) They are generally nocturnal but have known to become crepuscular (active during dusk and dawn) within state parks and reserves They can mate throughout the year but generally kittens are born in Nov and Dec. A continuous hunter, the average black-footed cat catches prey every 50 minutes. Special Notes Conservation, Zoo Care, etc.: We are one of few zoos that have blackfooted cats. We are 1 of 2 zoos to have black footed kittens in 2008. Supporting FACTS: Called Black-footed cats because the hairs on their feet are black to help with the heat of the desert. Despite their size they are extremely feisty. Able to hunt prey that is as large as they are. Four possible themes for this animal: 1. A Very Hungry Cat! 2. Animal Care 3. SSP/ Conservation Efforts
Theme: Black footed Cats hunt continuously to help maintain their high metabolism Title: A Very Hungry Cat Animal: Black-Footed Cats Introduction/Invitation: Hi, my name is, welcome to the Black-footed Cats! I wanted to open up with a question, and that is. 1) Open ended question: Anyone can answer, every answer is right Who here has cats at home? Props/Audience Involvement Ideas (directions for use may be on a separate sheet): 1. Props: plastic mouse, # of mice eaten in a day 2) Focus Question: Zero in on specifics, focus on details, direct attention to Do these cats look similar to the cats you see as pets? Suggested location(s): Black-footed cat exhibit Activity: Critter Chat Topic: Predator/Prey 3) Integrating Question: Integrates information rather than just recalling or describing, applies observations What do you think these cats might eat in the wild? Theme Introduction: Black-footed cats may be small but they have to be feisty in order to get their next meal! Theme Conclusion: Despite being one of the smallest cats, they can pack a lot of punch for their size which is how they can be so successful at hunting! Body : Talk about how they need to continuously eat to survive They can change their sleeping habits to accommodate their hunting needs How their adaptations help them survive when hunting such as camouflage, size, etc Conservation Connection: We have 2 kittens here at the zoo that were born Sept 2008. They will eventually be moved to other zoos to help with the Species Survival Plan and be bred to other Black Footed Cats. Eggs have been harvested from the females to be brought together with sperm from wild males. They will then be placed in Black Footed Cats at other zoos to help promote the diversity of the species.