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 Panamanian Golden Frog Scientific Name: Atelopus zeteki Conservation Status: Critically endangered Where to see them: Scaly Slimy Spectacular Fun Facts: Golden frogs produce toxins in their skin that make them noxious meals for predators. Golden frogs are sexually dimorphic. The females of this species are up to twice the size of an average male. Females … Continue reading "Featured Animal"

Hello from the Mammal Department! I hope that everyone had a fun and safe holiday last week. Although the Zoo was closed for Thanksgiving Day, many keepers reported to work bright and early at 7 a.m. to take care of the Zoo’s animal residents. Personally, holidays are some of my favorite days to work. While … Continue reading "Tuesday, November 29"

Kori bustards are very large, ground-dwelling birds that that eat a variety of insects, small animals and some plants. The males are among the heaviest of all flying birds. Recent threats from large-scale agriculture and the bushmeat trade have resulted in sudden declines in this species.

This is one of the larger owls in the world, and they prey on virtually any small to medium-sized animal. They generally hunt at night, and long-term pairs produce usually two eggs per year, often with only one surviving to fledge.

The word “orangutan” comes from “Orang Hutan,” meaning “Person of the Forest.” They are unique among the great apes in that they do not live in social groups. Adults typically forage on their own, but mothers care for their offspring for years. Orangutans have complex cognitive and spatial skills, meaning that they have good memories and are outstanding problem-solvers. Orangutans are highly endangered as a result of habitat loss and black market trade for infants as pets. There are three species of orangutans: Bornean, Sumatran, Tapanuli (recently discovered, Tapanuliensis). Morphologically, the Tapanuli species has differing skull and teeth structure. ...

Drills are very distinctive primates that are related to baboons. They live in complex social groups led by a single dominant male. Social interactions are mostly focused around grooming, and communication comes in the form of visual displays and vocalizations. Deforestation and unsustainable harvest for the commercialized bushmeat trade are creating an uncertain future for this species.

These small monkeys live only in the unique Atlantic Coastal Forests of Brazil, where they are endangered mostly because of habitat loss. They live in small social groups almost entirely in the trees, rarely coming down to the forest floor.

The word “orangutan” comes from “Orang Hutan,” meaning “Person of the Forest.” They are unique among the great apes in that they do not live in social groups. Adults typically forage on their own, but mothers care for their offspring for years. Orangutans have complex cognitive and spatial skills, meaning that they have good memories and are outstanding problem-solvers. Orangutans are highly endangered as a result of habitat loss and black market trade for infants as pets. There are three species of orangutans: Bornean, Sumatran, Tapanuli (recently discovered, Tapanuliensis). Morphologically, the Tapanuli species has differing skull and teeth structure. ...

The diamondback terrapin is unique among all turtles, except sea turtles, in that it lives in coastal brackish waters (mixture of fresh and salt water). Their large beak and jaw muscles help them crush hard-bodied prey such as clams or shrimp. Diamondback terrapins were once overharvested for human consumption; today, they are largely at risk because of automobile collisions on roads, boat strikes in the water, and unattended crab traps. Conservation programs have allowed their populations to recover.

Black-and-white-ruffed lemurs are the largest of the lemurs, all of which are found only on the island of Madagascar. They are herbivores, primarily feeding on leaves, shoots, flowers and fruits. These lemurs typically live in the middle to upper part of the rainforest. Vocalizations and scent-marking are known methods of communication for these social primates.