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Zoo
ANIMALS
BY
DONALD F. HOFFMEISTER
Di rector, Notural H i story Museum � a n d Professor of Zool ogy, U n iversity of
7/
U n d e r the ed itorship of
HERBERT S. ZIM and GEORGE S. FICHTER
You n g Asian E l e p h a n t
I l l ustrated b y
ARTHUR SINGER
A GOLDEN NATURE GUIDE
GOLDEN PRESS
�
NEW YORK
FOREWORD
In the mid-1960's, the world had at least
440
zoos
including about 1 20 in the U.S. and 1 75 in Europe. New
zoos are being built, and in total they attract many
millions of visitors annually.
Thanks are due many individuals for their aid in pre
paring this book. James H. Amon, Ronald Blakely, Roger
Conant, Lee Crandall, Gene Hartz, Harry Henriksen,
S. C. Kendeigh, Ray Pawley, George Pournelle, Henry
Saunders, and Hobart M. Smith were especially helpful.
Special thanks are due Arthur Singer for his excellent
illustrations.
D.F.H.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Bethlehem Steel, 102; Brookfield Zoo, C h i cago, 6 (bottom), 12 (bottom), 13 (top r ight); Bul l erman, M i l waukee County Zoo, 9 (top), 13 (bottom right); George S. Fichter, 6 (middle), 12 (top); lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, 6 (top); Mon kmeyer Press Photo Service, 5 (bottom); Arthur Singer, 9 (bottom), 13 (bottom left); Fred J. Zeehande laar, 5 (top); H. S. Z im. 13 (top l eft).
© Copyright 1967 by Western Publish ing C ompany, I n c. A l l rights reserved, i n c l uding ri ghts of reproduction and use in any form or by any mean s, i n· e l u d i n g the making of copies by any photo process, or by any e l ectron i c or mechanical dev ice, printed or written or oral, or recordi ng for sound or visual reproduction or for use in any knowledge retrieval sy stem or dev ice, u n l ess permi ssion i n writi ng is obtained from the copyright p ropri etor. Pro· duced in the U.S.A. by Western P u b l i s h i n g Company, Inc. Published by Golden Press, New York, N .Y. L ibrary of Congress Catalog Card N u mber: 67-20162
CONTENTS
I NT R O D U C I N G ZOOS ... ... . 4 MAMMALS ---·--- 14 Monotremes ... ... ... 14 Marsu pials . ... ... ... ... 15 Placenta I s ... ... ... 19 Primates ... ... ... .... .... ... . 19 C a r n ivores ... ... ... ... . ... 36 Rodents .... ... ... ... ... ... 56 S i m p l e-toothed Mammals ... . ... 63 Even-toed (Artiodactyl) ... .... ... ... 64 Hyrax... ... 94 Od d -toed (Perissodactyl) ...•... 94 Elephants· ···· ···---···----·-- 100 B I R D S ··· ···---···-··-····-··-··--··· 102 F l ig htless ---··---··· 103 Peng u i n s ---···-·--- 105 Fish-eaters --- --·-··· ···-··· 106 Waders --- 107Swans, Geese, a n d Ducks ... 110
Birds of Prey ... ... ... 113 Fowl- like ···--- 116 C ranes ···-···-····-···---··-··· 118 Shorebirds··· ···--···-· ··· ··· ·-···--·--- 119 Pigeons a n d Doves ... ... ... 120 Tu racos ··· ··· ···--·-··· ···-···-·-··· 121 Parrots a n d A l l ies ... ... ... ... 122 Frog mouths ·---· ···· ··· ··· ···---·-· 126 Owls ··· ··· ···-···---·-···--·--· 126 Trogo n s ...•... 127 H u m m i n g birds··· ··· ·· · ··· ·-·· ·· ··· ·--- 127 Kingfishers a n d A l l ies ···-·· ··· ···· ··· ··· ·-··· 128
Wood peckers a n d A l l ies ···· ··· ···--··· 129
Perc h i n g Birds---··· ····--- 130 R E P T I L E S A N D A M P H I B I A N S --- 135 C rocod i l i a n s ---·-··· 136 T u rtles ... ... ... ... ... 138 lizard s... 141 S n a kes ... ... ... ... 144 Frogs a n d Toad s... 152 Salamanders --··· ···---····---···· 153 N EA R-MAX I M U M A G E S ... ... 154 S C I E N T I F I C N A M E S ··-····--- 155 I N DEX ---·-·· ····--···---· 158
INTRODU CING
zoos
Zoos are maintained for the education and enjoyment
of visitors and for scientific work with animals. Many of
the animals are from parts of the world where the visi
tors are not likely to travel. Zoos exhibit such well-known
animals as lions, bears, and monkeys; many also include
interesting local animals. In modern zoos, animals are
kept in habitat settings that are as nearly natural as
possible. Zoos serve an important function as sanctuaries
for rare, wild animals.
Working behind the scenes in most zoos are zoolo
gists, veterinarians, medical doctors, and other scientists.
They study breeding and reproduction, nutrition, physi
ology, behavior, diseases, and special housing.
W I LD A N I MALS have probably been kept i n ca ptivity t h rough all h istory. The oldest zoos on record were i n Egypt i n 1 400 B.C. a n d C h i n a in 1 1 00 B.C. The l a rg e collections of the Romans i ncluded l i o n s, tige rs, and other ferocio u s beasts that were pitted a g a i n st g l a d iators. Many early r u lers kept private menageries of 4
i n te resting or u n us u a l a n i m a l s m a i n l y for personal e njoyment. P u b l ic zoos were esta b l ished in Pa ris, France, i n 1 793. Oldest in the U .S., the P h i l a d e l p h i a Zoo, was started in 185Y, opened i n 1 874. Zoos i n Peking, C h i n a, Bronx, N .Y., and San Diego, C a l if. a re a m o n g larg est. Nearly all big cities now h ave zoos.
From q uarantine corral in Kenya, c rated g i raffes travel to N .Y. ZOO A N I MALS are obta ined in
a variety of ways. A century ago, expeditions to fa r-off places were common. These have been l a rge l y replaced by p urchases from p rofessional coll ectors and by excha nges, trades, or p u rchases from other zoos, or from foreign wild life a n d g a m e departments. P rofessional a n i m a l dealers a re skilled at capturing a n imals safely a n d i n caring for them properly d u ring the q u a rantine period before they are shipped. They know how 1o cond ition a n i· mals to their new d iet in ca ptiv ity and how to s h i p them, often by a i r, for safe a rriva l .
There a re m a n y ways to c a p ture a n imals. Birds a n d porpoises o re netted . Some birds can be caught by using o long pole with a sticky mate ria l o t the t i p to entangle them. A solvent removes the sticky substa nce from the feathers. Tra ps, sna res, a n d cor rals a re used to capture mam mals. Special g u ns that shoot a non-lethal dose of a tra n q u il izing o r paralyz i n g d rug a re the most effective and a lso the m ost h u m a n e method u sed today.
Many zoo a n i mals are born in ca ptivity. These zoo-reared a n i m a l s represent g e nerations that have known n o l ife i n the w i l d .
Baby Maca q u e is spoon fed in n u rsery.
Rejected "joey" is reared i n zoo.
AN I M A L S BORN I N THE ZOO ore g iven special core. They o re im porta nt in ma inta ining the dis ploys a n d ore special attractions while they are young. The growth rates of these zoo babies are chec ked and recorded reg u· lar l y by the zoo veterina rians. Many a n imals w i l l not breed in ca ptivity; others w i l l do so only u n d e r control led conditions or diets. Pens are ofte n provided for expecta nt fem a les. If the mother does not care for he r you n g or rejects them, the in. fonts m a y be removed . Many newborn a n imals, especially those of some of the prim ates and cots, are placed in incu bators much like those used i n hospitals. Others a re put in a n u rsery where the tem perature and h u m i d ity a re control led. They are watched caref u l l y and ore fed special d i ets.
Formulas for infant a n imals i n the zoo n u r series inc l u d e pow
dered or eva porated m ilk, suga r syr u p, m u ltiple-vita m i n s, a n d antibiotics. The y o u n g m u st b e f e d at freq uent i n terva l s n i g h t and day . As the b a b y a n imal g rows, its form u l a is g ra d u a l ly changed until fi n a l l y it is a b l e to eat a d u l t foods.
Birds i n a zoo may mate, n est, then lay eggs a n d hatch them. If ferti le eggs are neglected, some may be hatched i n incu bators. Eggs of sna kes, t u rtles, and l iz· ards m ay a l so be hatched in in· cu bators i n which the h u m i d ity is kept h i g h .
Newbor n Col la red Pecca ry is f e d b ) bottle w h i l e sti l l i n the i n c u bator.
ZOO S C O N S E RVE R A R E A N I MA LS,
and some kinds live today
only because they have been pre
served in breeding groups. Among
these animals are Pere David's Deer,
Wisent, Arabian Oryx, White
tailed Gnu, Blesbok, and Prze
walski's Horse. Other animals that
are nearly extinct in their native
lands may be saved if zoos are
successful in breeding them. The
Gorilla, Pigmy Hippo, various le
murs, White and Indian rhinoc
eroses, the Galapagos Tortoise,
Whooping Crane, Trumpeter Swan,
and Nene are among species in
danger of extinction as their natural
environments are being destroyed.
To assure thdr survival, zoos de
velop special areas where these
animals can breed and rear off
spring. On the list of rare and en
dangered animals that need pro
tection are several hundred species.
T r u m peter Swan
D I S PLAYS
in modern zoos create as nearly as possible
the
naturalenvironment in which an animal
or group ofanimals is found. In some displays, the animals appear
to be living together but are actually separated by
moats or by concealed fences. Many animals, however,
are compatible and can be kept safely in the same
enclosure. These include such African waterhole species
as zebras, ostriches, and elands; emus, wallabies, and
kangaroos from the Australian plains; rheas, guanacos,
and cavies from the South American plains. Groups of
monkeys, usually baboons or macaques and sometimes
other primates, are commonly kept on a rocky island
in a pond large enough to prevent their escape. Males
often fight, and it may be necessary to remove all but
one to keep peace.
Flight cages for birds may be indoors or outdoors
but are large enough for trees and for pools of water.
In them, birds can fly, court, nest
..
and rear their young.
Small delicate animals are usually kept in special
buildings in which the temperature, humidity, and light
can be controlled. Here desert animals can be exhibited
in the coldest weather or penguins when it is hottest.
I n many zoos, moa•s separate people and a n imals. for each kind of a n imal the d epth and width of the moat is specific, depending a n the
8
a n i mal's ability to j u m p . The moat may be d ry or fi l l ed with water. Shown here a re three kinds of moats for d ifferent kinds of a n imals.
Elepha nts, r h inos, a n d ather Asian ani m a l s share same zoo exhibit.
Polar Bears and Ste l l a r Sea Lions occupy a d j o i n i n g spaces.
Some hummingbirds and many amphibians and reptiles
require air-conditioned quarters. Aquatic animals, such
as penguins and seals, are d isplayed most effectively
with viewing areas above and below surface of water.
Pen g uin s swim in Bronx Zoo'senclosed, a i r-con d itioned pool. Fennec Fox and other noct u r n a l s a re displayed i n d i m r e d lig hts.
FOODS AND DIETS
of zoo animals are so varied that
a zoo's "kitchen" must be well stocked. Staples include
fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, hay, bean and nut oils,
sunflower seeds, horse meat, and milk, plus the vitamins
and minerals added to nearly all diets. Without ade
quate and balanced diets (some must be accurately
proportioned and weighed), zoo animals will neither
thrive nor breed and also become susceptible to diseases.
H ER B I VOR ESalso fed con centrates of grains, soybean ail, salt, vita· m i n s, often a s pel lets
CAR N I VOR ES raw meat, with vitamins and minerals small mammals far birds of prey
SPECIAL DIETS must be provided fo r m a ny zoo a ni mals.
Amo n g the a nima l s requ iri n g sp ecial diets (belo w) a re the seals a nd penguins that need f ish. L iz a rd s and f ro g s requ i re mealwo rm s, crickets, ro aches, o r o th e r l ive i n sects. f la m i n go s, sca rlet ib ises, a nd other b irds with b right plumage may be
MANY CAG ED B IRD S
boiled eggs vitamins and minerals adde d O M N I VOR ES " ca ke m ix11 of meal, g ra in, vitam ins, d ry meat meal fruit
kept i n goo d co lo r if their d iets i nclude ca rrots, beets, o r other foo ds rich i n red a nd y e l lo w p igme nts (caroteno ids) . Anteat e rs a re fed a sou py mix of ha rd bo iled eggs, m i l k, a nd coo ked meat; hum m i n gb i rds, a ho ney o r su ga r sy rup; lo rikeets, a sweet e ned po rridge. Ko alas requ i re eu ca ly ptu s tree leaves.
M E D I C A L C A R E of sick or i n j u red animals is provided in the zoo's hospital, where veterinarians perform operations, set bones, and c u re diseases. These specia l ists in a n i m a l medicine use the latest d r u g s a n d e q uipment.
Newly acq u i red a n imals are held i n isolation rooms u ntil it can be d etermi ned that they are free of d isease a n d parasites. Recovery areas g ive sick a n imals a q u iet place to reg a i n health.
A meerkat, c ut in
fi g ht with cage com pa nions, is a nesthetized
while the wound is cleaned a n d treated
by veterinarian at Crandon Park Zoo, Miami.
Minor but essential procedures i n c l u d e tri m m i n g n a i ls, claws, a nd hoofs; removal of a ntlers; ond repair and extraction of teeth. A n i m a l s were once held q u iet i n sq u eeze cages. Nearly a l l zoos n ow use t ra n q u i l izer drugs that can be i njected from a d ista nce with a g u n . In this way even the l a rg est and most da ngerous a n imals c a n be g iven medical attentio n without dan ger to a nimals or attenda nts.
Veterinarians a n d members o f staff at Chicago's B rookfield Zoo operate o n an a nes thetized Reticulated Python, to remove a tumor from its stomach region.
C h i l d ren ore treated to a ride in a decorated goat cart at the zoo i n Mexico C ity.
C H I LDREN'S ZOOS ore one of the most im porta nt po rts of most zoos. I n these specially desig ned a reas, you n g people con o p· preach a n d even h a n d l e many a n i ma ls, both wild a n d domestic. Here they con see sheep, c hick· e n s, d ucks, g eese, pigs, pon ies, and other form a n i m a ls, too. They con watch cows being m i l ked, sheep shorn, a n d eggs hatchi n g . With a keeper's g u id· o n ce, children may also h a n d l e D ucks a n d g e e s e l ive i n o n o p e n p o n d almost w i t h i n r e a c h at Bronx Zoo. C h i l d ren feed them.
At the zoo i n Mexico City, trained I nd i a n Elepha nts perform
stunts daily for visitors. baby l ions, m o n keys, parrots. raccoons, a n d other a n imals. A ride on a g i a n t tortoise is always a thrill.
Some zoos have 11shows," in· eluding tra i n ed animal acts. The feed ing of such animals as sea l ions, the Iorge cots, a n d some kinds of birds is o n i nteresti n g show in itself. S o m e a n im a l s p u t on performances o f their own. Bears will clown, a n d m o n keys will caper to attract attention . An Alaskan Brown Bea r c l owns soberly for o n a u d ience a t the Milwa u kee C o u n ty Zoo.
MAMMALS
Mammals are the only furred animals. They have
mammary glands to provide milk for their young, which
are air-breathing and active when born. Specialized
teeth of several types are set in sockets in the upper and
lower jaws. The
1 5,000
species are diverse in size, ap
pearance, and habits. Of those kept in zoos, many
require special diets and controlled conditions.
MONOTREMES,
the most primitive mammals, lay eggs
and have mammary glands without teats. The milk is
secreted onto areas of the skin and hair. Echidnas and
the Platypus live only in the Australian region.
ECHIDNAS, o r Spiny Anteaters
(1-2 ft. lo ng) , a re co vered with spines. Tooth less, they use t heir stic ky to ng ues to enta n g l e ter· m ites and a nts. In ca ptivity they eat g rou nd meat, cha p ped eggs a nd milk. A single egg is incu bate d i n f e m ale's po u c h where newbo rn rem a i n s u ntil too large.
14
PLATYPUSES, seldom seen but no t u n commo n in their native Austra l ia , are ra re in z oos be cause of expo rt restrictio ns. They have a d uckli ke bill, swim with webbed feet, and lay 1 or 2 eggs in undergro u nd nest. Ma les 2 ft. lo ng, weigh 3 l bs. In zoo s, eat wo rm s, shrim p, insects.
MARSUPIALS,
of the Austra lian region, South America,
a n d a few i n N orth America, are mamma l s i n which the
young, very immature at bi rth, conti n u e to g row a n d
n u rse i n the fema le's a bdomi nal pouch.
WOMBATS (36 i n .) are heavy· bodied, short·ta iled, b u rrowing marsupials of Austral ia. They feed o n g rass, hay, roots, vege ta bles, and bark. Noctu rnal b u r rowers, hence display poorly.
K O A L A S (28 in.; u n d e r 30 lbs.) are Austra l i a n marsupials that feed o n the oily, toug h leaves of eucalyptus trees in which they live. The single young l ives for 2 months in the mother's pouch, later clings to her back. Nearly exti nct, Koa las a re fo u n d in only two zoos outside Austral ia.
TASMA N I A N D EV I LS (2 6 i n .), found now o n l y o n the isl a n d of Tasmania, feed an sma l l mam mals, frogs, b i rds. Pouch opens to rear, as i n some other ma rsu pials and u n l ike ka nga roos.
KA N GA R O O S A N D WALLA B I E S
are long-footed,
jumping marsupials of Australia and New Guinea. The
largest kangaroo, the Great Gray, measures over 7 ft.
and weighs 200 lbs. Wallabies are smaller kangaroos,
some no larger than rabbits. Some of the heavy-bodied
kangaroos are called wallaroos. Kangaroos of all kinds
have short front legs, long hind legs, and a thick, round
tail that provides support when sitting and a balance
when jumping. In zoos, kangaroos may be fed mink and
monkey chow, hay, vegetables, even fruit. They fre
quently breed and rear young in captivity. The young,
usually one, weighs 1 oz. at birth, lives in pouch until it
grows too large to get in.
Brush-ta iled Rack Wa l l a by
R E D KANGAROOS, nearly as l a rge as Great Grays, are excel lent jum pers, travel i n g for m i l es with leaps of 1 0 ft. or more a n d at speeds u p to 2 5 miles a n h o u r . Males are u s u a l l y r e d , fema les, b l u ish g ray. Reds and G reat Grays freq uently l ive together in groups cal led "mobs."
R O C K WALLA B I E S are s m a l l bod ied, 1 8-28 i n . The padded soles and stiff h a i r s on their hind feet p revent the animals from slipping o n rocks. They eat g rasses, l eaves, and bark. The Brush-ta iled a n d Ring-ta iled are two of the several. species.
GR EAT GRAY K A N G A R O O S (7 ft.; 200 l bs.) are sometimes cal led Foresters, for they live i n the g rassl a n d s of the open forests of Austra l i a . Males, larger t h a n females, a re "boome rs"; t h e young, "joeys." When t o o l a rge I a get i n to the pouch, a joey i n serts its head to n u rse. R E D- N E C K E D W A L LA B I ES a re med i u m-sized -body a b o u t 30 i n .; ta il, 27 i n . They p refer b r u sh cou ntry a n d , u n l i ke the Red a n d Great Gray k a n g a roos, rarely venture into · open g rassla nds. In a l m ost oil the shoulders are red d i sh brown.
T R E E KANGAROOS (26 i n .) hop i n to trees to feed o n leaves. They use their lang hands for g rasping branches, their tail as a prop. D u r i n g the day, they usually sleep o r hide i n trees. A M E R I C A N OPOSSUMS ( 1 8 i n .) have a l o n g , sca ly tail, leaf1ike ears, and g raspi ng feet. They feed on plant or a n i m a l matter, living or dea d . To avoid enem ies, they r u n , hide, or play dead.
WALLAROOS, a lso cal led Rock Kanga roos, prefer g u l lies and steep slopes of rocky cou ntry. Several kinds (to 5 ft. ta ll) are widely d istri b uted i n A ustra lia.
In captivity, males may fight. M O U S E OPOSSUMS, about the size of large mice, a re f o u n d from Mexico to So uth America. They eat insects and fru it; in ca ptivity, dog food o n d mil k. Females lack pouches.
PLACENTALS
are mammals in which the unborn
young, more developed than in monotremes and mar
supials, are nourished directly by the mother through
a special tissue, the placenta.
PRIMATES
have a well-developed brain, eyes directed
forward, and, in most, flattened nails on fingers and
toes. Included are apes, monkeys, lemurs, tree shrews,
and tarsiers. The manlike apes have long arms, short
legs, no tail, and no cheek pounches.
G O R I LLAS o re the l argest of the o pes. Moles may sta nd over 5 ft. toll and weigh more than 500 l bs.; fem ales ore smaller. Mountain-dwel l i n g g o r i l l as of
Central Africa hove block coots; lowl a n d , or coasta l, g o r i l l as o re rusty g ray. I n captivity, o n a d u l t eats 30 to 40 l bs. of fru it, vege tabl es, and meat o day.
O R A N G U T A N S are stockily b u i l t apes from tropical forests of Borneo a n d Su matra. Males weigh about 200 l bs. a n d may develop flabby cheek pads and th roat sacs. Orangs avoid w a l k ing. With an arm spread of nearly 8 ft., they swing grace f u l l y through the trees in which they build n estl ike homes. I n captivity, orangs are deliberate, ofte n inactive. Old orangs (30 yrs.) may be mean.
G I B B O N S , sma l l est (24-30 in.) of the a pes, spend their time high in tree•. You n g of these long armed a pes c l i n g tightly to their mother's wa ist a's she swi ngs from l i m b to l i m b . White-ha n d ed Gib bons of the Malayan Peninsula feed o n n uts a n d fruits. Sia m a ngs,. of S u matra, i nflate a th roat sac to make barking or hooti n g sounds, w h ich can be heard for g reat d ista nces.
C H I MPAN Z E ES, or Chimps, are tree dwe l l e rs from tropical Africa. They weig h 130 to 140 lbs. (rarely to 190). Chimps can stand erect (5 ft.), but they prefer to walk an all fou rs, using the k n uckles o n their hands. Their o rms extend below their knees even when the a nimals are sta n d i n g straight.
Chimps are good showmen i n zoos. They e n joy a ppla use, which they may sta rt themselves when they have fi nished a perform a nce. Chimps also have temper ta ntru ms. Beca use of their high intel ligence, chimps have been
stud ied intensively. In their early life they seem to learn a n d de velop faster than h umans. They master sim ple skil l s q u ickly a n d a lso show some ability to reason. Both in the wild and in zoos, chim ps are hig h l y socia ble. A d u l ts ore often d a ngerous. Like a l l primates, they shou ld have warm, d ry cages with high h u midity. C himps relish a variety of fruits (apples, bana nas, g ra pes, oranges). vegeta bles (ca rrots, lettuce, celery, pota toes), and cooked meats. Their d iet is not much different from that of Ora ngs and Goril las.
C himpan zee
OLD WORLD MONKEYS
i nclude maca q ues, some so
ca l l ed apes, ba boons, languors, a n d other monkey
s of
Africa, Asia, a n d I ndia. Ma ny a re tai l - less; if they h ave
a ta i l , it i s not prehensile (grasping). The n ostri ls a re
close together and d i rected downwa rd, m ost species
have ca l l osities on the buttocks, many have cheek
pouches, a n d all have only 32 teeth . Ba rba ry Apes a n d
som e other larger species a re kept outdoors i n warm
m onths; others are housed in g la ss-fronted cages to
prevent them from acquiri n g h u m a n - borne diseases a nd
to avoid d isrupti n g their norma l ha bits.
C E L E B E S C R E STED APES, or Block Apes (2 2 in .), o re not true a pes but closely related to the macaq ues. When excited, they e rect a tuft of hair on top of the hea d . Like macaq ues, they have a k n o blike tail and a long, straight n ose. They a re native to Isl a n d of Celebes.
BARBARY APE, or Magot (30
in.), a species of maca q u e, lives along the Barbary Coast of Africa a n d on Gibraltar. In cap· tivity as in the wild, they stay in large g ro u ps. Ca ptives sta re at visitors. Some d evelop the bad ha bit of throwing stones and splashing water.
Barbary Ape
Brown Stum p-ta iled Maca q u e
L MACA Q U E S
·(�s�ev�--·.;:S!
species) a l l have very shortThe 30 in. Brown Stu m p of Southeast Asia has a red
You n g a re cradled i n the arms, somewhat hidden by fur. R H E S U S M O N K EY S (22 i n .) are maca q u es that ro-a m in la rge, noisy, sem iorg a n ized troops from I n d ia to China a n d Formosa . They d o well in ca ptivity: b reed, eat nearly anything, withsta nd col d . Rhesus m o n keys are used extensive ly i n medical resea rch. JAV A N MAC A Q U E S are sma l l (20 in.), easily tamed b u t m is ch ievous, even d estructive. Like most macaques, they usu a l ly be come mean with age. Longer tailed than most macaques.
Pig-ta iled Maca q u e
carry their e rect or sometimes c u r l e d . G r o u ps l ive in d e nse lowland forests of South east Asia. Sometimes trained to harvest cocon uts.
De Brazza's Mo nkey
D E B RAZZA'S M O N K EYS (24 i n .) ore b rig ht-col o red g uenons with prom inent goatee. De Brozzo's Mon keys a re strong jumpers, a n d they use their l o n g t a i l a s a balancing org a n .
M O N A M O N K E Y S ( 2 0 i n . ) are g u e n o ns, a gro u p of l o n g-tailed tree-dwe l l e rs of West and Cen tral Africa. Most have b luish faces; many have white beards. Travel i n troops high in trees.
Displayed singly or in pai rs. D I A N A M O N K E Y S ( 1 8 i n .) are "wh ite-bib bed" g u e n o ns; they have a wh ite g oatee. D i a n as l ive in trees a n d hide in the foliage. like all g ueno ns, they m a ke a va riety of sou nds, a n d caged a d u lts may become mean, espe cially if not g iven proper care. G R E E N G U E NONS, or Vervets (22 i n .), si milar to Monas, d o wel l i n ca ptivity. They are active, agile, a n d ideal showme n . I n pa rts o f East Africa, Vervets a re common i n city pa rks.
M ustached Mon key
Palos Mon key
MUSTA C H E D M O N KEYS (23 i n .) have m ustache-l ike m a rkings o n t h e u pper lip. These g uenons a re someti mes called Bl u e-faced Man keys. C heek beards are espe cially l o n g . They travel in g r o u ps feed ing on fru its, leaves, a n d sma l l a n i m a ls. This West Africa n species l ives in treetops in tropi cal forests. Captives d a wel l . SPOT-N O S E D M O N KEYS ( 2 0 i n .) are d isti n g u ished by the white spot an the n ose a n d the lack of a bea r d . They live i n the tree laps af dense j u ng les from the Congo to Liberia. They eat the leaves, flowers, and fru its af the trees i n w h ich they l ive. PATAS MONKEYS (30 i n .) a re redd ish with a hairy face a n d whitish chin w h iskers. U n l i ke most other g u e nons, Palos a re principally g r o u n d dwellers a n d r u n d o g l i k e across t h e g rassy plains of n o rth-central Africa. Their habit of j u m p i n g up a n d d o w n resu lted i n t h e n a m e Danc ing Mon keys. Others t h o u g ht their red-colored coals resem bled those of the H ussars.
JAV A N L A N G U R S (24 i n .) have a lang, straight tail a n d a short n ase. A l l l a n g u rs, which l ive in southern Asia, a re excel lent climbe rs a n d are leaf·eaters. I n zoos, their d iet may i n c l u d e soft leafy vegeta bles and fruits. Ca ptives are general ly, b u t nat a l ways, in active, and they are usu a l l y shart·lived . Cages m ust be l a r g e enough to give them space for lea ps of 20 feet or more.
B LA C K A N D WH I T E G U E R EZAS, o r Colobus (24 i n .), are leaf·eating mon keys of Africa. This col o rf u l m o n key is black, with a wh ite facial whorl, wh ite ma ntle, and a white tasseled ta i l . The young are completely buffy.white. Guerezas move through the treetops with a g i l ity and are excel lent j u m pers. They are slower a n d more awkward on the g r o u n d . Guerezas are l a rge mon keys, some males wei g h i n g more than 20 l bs. I n ca ptivity, these mon keys usually l ive o n l y about 1 year, though one has su rvived more tha n 20 years. like m ost other m o n keys, the zoo d iet consists of fru its a n d vegeta bles; meats are refused.
G ray-cheek ed Manga bey
R A Y - C H E E K E D ( C R E S T E D) MANGABEY (24 in.) is bot h a t ree a nd g r o u n d dweller. Feeds m ost ly on f r u it s, l i ke ot her m a n ga beys-al l of eq uatorial Africa.
RED-C RO WN E D (WH IT E - COL LA RED) MANGABEYS (36 i n .) are somet im es ca lled C herry Heads bec a use of t heir crown of red ha ir. l i ke ot h e r m a n g abeys, t hey ha ve consp ic uous seat pads. I n capt ivit y, t h ey n eed h i g h p erches on which t o clim b .
MANGA BEYS ( 19 i n .) a re noted for t heir gent le d i s p osit io n . Their n ea rl y ha irless face is q u it e exp ressive as t hey wink a n d b l i n k t he i r w h it e eye lids while t hey c h att er. Sm ack i n g t heir l ip s m a y be a n exp res sion of g reet i n g o r of p leasure.
CH A CM A B A BOONS (34 in.) live
in the rocky country of South Africa. Other species l ive else· where i n Africa ond northwa rd into Arabia. All of these muzzle· faced mon keys are mainly g ro u n d dwellers, r u n n i n g o n all fours a nd traveling i n wel l-organ ized troops. Dri l ls a n d ma n d rills a re baboons also. Chacmas are usua l l y d isplayed in barred or mooted cages. Some ca ptives th row o bjects at visitors. Baboons a re hardy and b reed a n d rea r young i n ca ptivity.
G E LADA BA BOONS (24 in.) have long manes, d isti nctively u p tu rned muzzles with the n ostrils o n the flat u pper su rface, a con spicuous red chest, and w h ite eyelids. Males a re m uch la rger than the fema les.
HAMADRYAS BA BOONS (28 i n .)
are the "sacred baboons11 of a n c i e n t Egypt a n d a r e often pic· lu red i n early templ es. Ma les, i n contrast t o females a n d young, have a heavy ma ne. A l l ca n make loud, doglike barks.
D RILLS (26 in .), almost tail-less, live in the forests of the Cam eroons in West Africa. Slightly smaller a n d less colorful than the closely related M a n d rill, they occasion a l l y climb trees and sleep there at nig ht. The colorful rear patches of males are used in attracting mates. like their
MAND RILLS ( 2 9 in.} a re the most bizarre of all mammals. No other mamma l has a face as brig htly colored as the ma le Mandrill's. Deep fu rrows line the long snout. The head is l a rge, the tail stubby. Females a re l ess brig htly colored. Mandrills usually travel in small g ro u ps. They live mainly in the forests
long-tailed relatives, Dril ls usual ly travel in troops, often consist ing of as many as 50 a nima ls. Their g rowls a n d barks a re a means of commu nication. Both the Dril l and the M a n d ri l l h ave lived to an a g e of more than 20 years (one reported ly to 46 yea rs) in ca ptivity.
but may at times travel far into the open cou ntry to fi n d their food . In captivity, the diet of both the M a n d rill a n d the D ril l is much the some os that for other baboons: fruits a n d vege tables, which are supplemented with meats to toke the place of the sma ll birds and m a m mals that they eat in the wild.
NEW WORLD MONKEYS
a re tree dwe l l ers of the
tropics of South and Centra l Am erica
and
M
e
xi
co
.
I n contrast to Old World mon keys, th eir n ostri ls are m ore
sepa rated and open to the sides rather than downwa rd.
They lack cheek pouches and ca l l u s pads o n the but
tocks, a n d m a ny h ave a long prehensile tai l . Except for
marm osets, they have a full set of 36 teeth . In general,
they do l ess wel l i n zoos.
N I G H T M O N K E Y S a re b u shy toi l ed, soft-fu rred (13 i n.) mon keys of c e n tro l and norther n South Americ a. They a r e c a l led Owl Mon keys beco use of t� ei r large eyes a n d facio l morki ngs a nd because, u n li ke other mon keys, they are noc! u rnol. In dey ti me, they sleep i n h o l l ow trees.
30 N EW WO RL D MON KEYS
WOOLLY MONKEYS, of the Ama zon Basi n, have " c rew h ai rc uts" o n d woolly f u r. Thei r toi l i s sli g htly l o n g e r than thei r 25-in. body. In the d ayti m e, troops of a d oz e n or more Woolly Mon keys c o m m o n l y f eed hi g h in tr ees on frui ts and l eaves, of ten wi th C a p uc hi ns and H owlers. In c a p· ti vi ty, of ten i n ac ti ve, short- lived.
B rown Cap uchi n
S P I D E R MONKEYS ( 1 8 i n .) hove a long toi l and sli m arms a n d l e g s . The e n d of the tai l lac k s hai r . U si n g a n l y the tai l , they cli n g to li mbs and pi ck u p ob j ec ts. G ro u p s of Spi d e r Mon keys move through treetops wi th g reat speed . Several females may be c aged wi th one mole.
C A P U C H I N S ( 1 2- 1 5 i n .) a re the org a n g ri n der' s m o n key. B ec a use they coi l thei r long tai l in a ri ng, they a re of ten cal led Ri n g toi l ed Mon keys. They live in troops. Ca puc hi n s ore f a sci nati ng to watc h-but usually are di fficult to keep as pets a n d eventually become u n m a n ageable.
UAKA RIS ( wa-c a r-e) are bald, wrinkly fac ed, 21- i n .
zon m o n keys w i t h c h i n wh iskers, l a rge, s u n ke n eyes, a short ta i l. O ne speci es is red; a n other, nearly wh ite. U nc omm o n , shy, and d iffic ul t to keep i n c a ptivity.
T I T I M O N K EYS (30 i n.) have a sm a l l hea d , long woolly fu r, a n d a very l o n g prehensile tai l u sed i n c l i m b i n g . D e l ic ate and of ten shy, they do poorly i n c a ptivity, u s u a l l y l iving o n l y a f ew months. I n the wild, eat in sects, eggs, birds, fru its, and l eaves. SAK I S are gentle b u t d el ic ate and d i ffic u lt to keep. They re q u ire warm q u a rters a n' d branc hes f o r exerc ise to keep them healthy. W h ite-faced Sakis (22 i n.) i n habit tropic a l f orests of northern South Americ a. Oth e r k i n d s a re the Monk, White headed, ond Red-bac ked .
SQU I RREL M O N K EYS (two spe c ies of tropic a l Centra l a n d South Am eric a) a r e s m all (12 i n.) b u t have a l o n g toil (16. i n.) . They eat f r u it o n d i nsec ts; i n c a ptivity, eggs a n d c a n n ed m eat.
.I den 1 rmoset Marmosets have c laws rather than n ai l s o n a l l exc e pt bi g toes.
MARMOSETS are sq ui rrel- siz ed, long-tai led mon keys of Central a n d South Americ a. They have hooked c laws i n stead of n ai l s on a l l exc ept their bi g toes. F o r best c a re, they should be kept i n pai rs a n d provided wi th ultra vi olet l a m ps and vi tami ns to supplement the l ac k of sunshi n e.
G o l d e n Marmosets (9 i n.) a re also c a l led li on-headed or Sil ky Ma rmosets beca use of the long, si l ky hai r that c overs thei r head a n d shoulders. They li ve in the tropic al forests of B razil.
Common Marmosets {9 i n.) have conspic uous e a r tufts a n d a ri nged tai l. Fathers often c a rry and c a re for the 1 to 3 y o u n g. A l l make a vari ety of hi gh pi tc hed n oi ses. Long-li ved a n d usually d oci le i n ca ptivi ty.
Pyg my Ma rmosets (6 i n.) are the smal lest of all m o n keys; they wei g h only 4\-2 o u nces. They fre q uent the hi g h e r branc hes of tropic al forests of the U p per Amaz o n regi o n.
TREE S H R EWS, from I n di a , laya, a n d the P h i li ppi nes, were o ri g i n a l ly c lassified a s sh rews. These c h i p m u n k-sized pri mate s w i t h long t a i l s , a re carni vorous i n the wild b u t eat f rui t and other foods in z oos. Several will live together in a cage. TAR S I E RS, rat-siz ed, weig h 5 o u nce s. I n the bam boo thi c kets of the Phi l i ppi nes and East I n d i e� , they f eed at night on i n sects a n d l iz a rd s. Ca ptiv es d ri n k m i l k; eat l iz a rds, mice, insects. Rare a n d short- l ived in z oos.
COMMON POTTOS of West
Af ri ca are about the size of h ouse cats . The y l ive i n t rees where they eat leaves, frui t, i n sects, a n d l izards. Pottos sleep d u ring the day and move as sl u g gi s h ly a s sloths.
34 P R I M I TI V E P R I MATES
GA LAGOS, or B ush B a bi e s (10 i n .), a re f u rry, thi n-ea red f o rest dwellers of Africa. All 4 species have long, b u shy tails and are n octu r n a l. They tame read ily; eat i nsects, cooked meats. They c a n curl a n d u n c u rl thei r ears.
Ri ng-to iled
Lem u r R I NG-TA I L E D L EM U RS i n .; to i l 18 i n .) o re one of about ( body 30 16 sp ecies of p ri m it ive pr imates t hat l ive only o n Madagascar. All o re sq u i rrel-like i n ha bit s, app eara nce, a n d size. R i n g� to il ed Lem u rs are active d u r i n g t he d ay, d o well i n capt ivit y, and o re a p op u l a r z o o sp ecies. Y o u n g ho ng o nt o t he a d u lt s as t hey run a bout t he cage. M O N G O O S E LEMURS a n d B rown Lemur s ( body 24 i n .; tail 1 2 i n .) -or e d i sp l ayed in a few z oos.
T hey move rap i d ly over t heir cl imbing p erches a n d a ro u n d t he sides of t heir cage, st aying off t he floor. L e m u rs eat vege· t a bles a n d fruit, ra rel y meat. R U F F E D LEM U RS ( body 26 i n .; toil 14 i n .) o re blo c k a n d whit e wit h a coll a r o r r uff a b o ut t h e neck. O n e for m is r e d a n d black. T h is sp ecies normall y feeds a n d moves about at n i g h t or i n d usky lig ht. Rar el y disp layed . SLOW LO R I SES, of I nd o n esia and the P h i l i ppines, a re sl ow, sluggish, 14-i n . tr ee dwell e rs, act ive at d usk or d ar k . They c u rl up d ur i n g t h e d a y t o sleep. F r u it is t heir m a i n zoo food . i n capt ivit y.
CARNIVORES
a re flesh-eating m a m m a l s with specia l
ized teeth
for g rasping prey and shearing flesh . Som e
h a v e lost the flesh-eati n g ha bit. Most a r e strong r u n ners;
many a re good c l i m bers. Bears, ra ccoons, wea sels,
civets, hyenas, cats, and dogs a re carnivores.
BEARS
are flat-footed, a l m ost tai l - l ess. Some feed ex
tensively on fruits and insects. All except the Specta cled
Bea r of South America l ive i n the Northern Hemisp here.
POLA R BEARS of norther n snowand ice fields f eed mo stly o n seals a n d fish; males atta i n a weig ht of 1,0 00 lb s. E xcellent swim m e rs, they enj oy f ro l icki ng in a p ool, summer or winter, and
seemingly suffer n o more from heat than d o cats or othe r c a g ed a nimal s. The P olar B e a r's zoo d iet consists of horse meat, fi sh, and br ead, to which vit a mi n supp l ements a re added. ·
BROWN BEARS have a p ro n o u nced h u mp between thei r shoulders, l o n g claws o n the f ront feet, and a hol low f ace. Several kinds l ive in the n orth ern p a rt of N orth America and E u rasia. These incl u d e the la rg est carnivoro us l a n d mammal�-8 f t. i n lengt h, 4 ft. high at the shou ld er, a n d 9 ft. high sta nd i n g on thei r hi n d f eet. At bi rt h t hey are rat -siz ed a n d help l ess.
G rizz ly B e a rs, sli ght ly smaller b ut ot herwise si mi l a r to B rown B ears, live f a rther south in N orth America. B oth kinds a re usually kep t o utdoors in m ooted cages the year a ro u n d . B e a rs may sleep f o r l o n g periods i n winter b ut d o not hibernate. Ad u l t bearr may eat 20 l bs. of meat , bread, a n d veget ables a day. V isit o rs should never offer them food .
B lack Bear
(t wo col o r p has es )
B L A C K BEARS ( a b o ut 5 ft . long) are a N ort h American sp ecies , us ually b l a c k i n color b ut sa me ti mes b rown, ci n n a mon , or near� ly whit e . Their claws ar e not esp eci a l l y l o n g . B l ack B ears feed pr incip a l l y o n fr u its , ins ects , s mal l a n i m a ls , a n d ha ney, b ut are omnivorous. D uri ng t he cold wint e r mont hs , t hey are oft e n dormant , arous i n g only t o eat . D uri ng t he dor mancy, females give birt h t o c u bs , each l ess t h a n a p o u nd-less t ha n V. per cent of mot he r's weight .
S U N BEARS (4 ft . l o n g) ar e t he s m a l l est bears a n d us ually wei g h l ess t ha n 1 00 l bs . They li ve i n d e ns e j u n g les of Sout heast Asia. E xcell e nt cli m b ers. Cr escent on chest may r es e m bl e risi ng s u n, hence name.
S L O T H BEARS (SY2 ft . long) are
s l o w - m o v i n g , s h a g g y- c o at e d bears of C eyl on a n d I n di a. Their diet i n n at ur e i ncludes h oney, t er mit es , s ug ar cane, rodents . Excellent cli mbers , feed i n trees as well as on gr o u n d .
cub
Gia nt Panda
G I A N T P A N DAS l ive i n th e d ense bamboo j u n gles, 5,000 t o 1 4,000 ft . a bove sea l evel , i n T i bet a n d Ch i n a . Ad ult s a re nearl y 6 ft . long, weigh 200 t o 380 l bs. C a p t ives a re fed bamboo sh oot s, th eir principal f ood in th e wil d , sup pl e me nted with c o r n st al ks,
twigs, and eve n a por ridge of oat s, mil k, a n d cod-l iver oil. Giant Pandas a re sh own in z oos in Ch ina and el sewh e re present ly onl y i n Moscow a n d i n Lon d o n . Giant Pandas are now con si d ered cl ose r el at ives of a n d i n th e s a m e famil y as th e bears.
RACCOON AND WEASEL FAMILIES
include a number
of small mammals kept in zoos. Raccoons, Lesser Pandas,
Kinkajous, and Coatimundis have a long tail (usually
ringed) and are flat-footed. Weasels, skunks, badgers,
otters, and mink have scent glands and luxuriant pelts.
lESSER P A N DAS, members of th eraccoon fa m ily, l ive in f or est s above 6,000 ft . in th e H imalaya Mount a i ns. Th ey are th e siz e of h o u se cat s b u t h ave a h eavier t a il a n d a re excell e nt cl imbers. I n ca ptivity, l esser Pandas ar e fed b a mboo l eaves a n d a variet y of f r u it s a n d veget a bl es.
l esser P a n d a W E ASELS, RAC COO N S A N D
K I N KA J O U S ( 2 0 in.) , m o n key-like
relati ves of th e Raccoon, live in C e nt ral a n d Sout h America. I n capt ivit y, t hey d o well b ut can not withsta nd cold. The long t a i l i s used as a n ext r a h a n d w h e n c l i m b i n g i n trees wher e t hey move about wit h g reat dext erit y. They feed on fruits a n d honey. Oft e n called H oney B ea rs.
COATIM U N D I S ( 2 4 i n.), a l so ca lled C oati s a n d C h u las, have long, black- ri nged t a i l s. They move a b o ut noisily, searchi ng for wor m s o r g r u bs wit h t hei r long snout . C oat is t ravel a n d feed d ur ing t he d a y , oft e n in gr oups of 30 or mor e . They live fr om Sout h America n o rt h t o Ar izona . O ft e n p art ia l l y tamed.
RACCOONS (32 i n .) ar e fl at· foot ed, b lo c k- masked, r i n g-t ai led mammals of the Americas. They feed on crayfi sh, fr ogs, i n sects, fru its, and rodent s. Wash i n g their food in wat e r is not a necessity, b u t t hey may do so. D og food, h o rse meat , fruit , a n d vit ami n s p rovi d e a sati sfact ory cage d iet. Raccoons often use hollow t rees as dens.
HOG-NOSED S K U N K ( 1 6 in.) is t he l a rg est skunk in N ort h Amer· ica. U ses hogl ike snout to r oot in gr o u n d for insects. Li ke a l l sku n ks, scent is st ored in two g la nds u nd er t ai l. St rip e d S k u n k s
( 1 3 in.) a re c o m m o n i n meadows a n d fence rows. Spott ed Sku nks
( 1 0 in.) are really st riped but short bands giv� i l l u sion of sp ot s .
WOLV E R I N E S o re l a rge ( 3 2 i n.; 35 l bs.) weasel s of N orth Amer i· co n a n d E u rasian boreal for ests. T hey kill game of all sizes sq u irrel s to deer. I n capt ivit y one will consume nearl y 4 l bs. of meat a day. Lor ge cages p er m it t i n g exercise a re most s u it a bl e .
F u r is used t o l i ne p a rka hood s, for it sheds moistur e .
TAYRAS or e t ree· cl imbing, weosel·l ike a n imal s of t he Amer· ico n tr op ics. Alt h o u g h over 3 ft. l o n g , a thir d of this is to il. T hey o re shor t·l egged and blo ck ex cept for t he l ig hter col ored head and neck. To yro s o re act ive i n t h e dayt ime. Th ey h u n t i n trees for t he small m a m m al s, birds, a n d fruit on which they feed .
HO N E Y BADGERS (28 i n .). or Rot el s, o re fond of honey a n d raid nest s o f gr o u n d·dwell ing bees, oft e n foll owing birds call ed H o n eyg u ides to fi n d these nests. H oney B a d g er s l ive in Africa a n d sout hern Asia. Among t he several ot her kinds of badgers, all short· l egged, flo t· bodied, a n d excel· lent diggers, or e E ur opean,
Amer ican, a n d Sand badgers.
R I V E R OTTE R S o re fi nely fu rred, a q u at ic, weosel·l ike m a mm als. T heir body is str eaml ined a n d t heir feet webbed . S o m e otters o re cl awl ess. E x h ibited sp ecies incl ude: America n River Ott er (about 2V2 ft. l o n g) a n d the Amaz o n Fl at-to il ed and African Gi a n t ot ters ( b ot h about 5 ft. l o n g). C apt ives eat fish or h orse meat m ixed wit h vegetabl es. I n t h e wil d , t he Afri c a n G i a nt O tter
eat s m a i nl y shell fi s h .
Meerkat
B I NT U R O N G S, la rgest af t he civets, are 4 Y2 ft . la n g , b ut near· ly half of this length is a b ushy, grasp i n g tail u sed in cl i m b i n g . T hey l ive in t h e t rop ical forests of sout heast e r n Asia, and t hey feed m a i n ly o n fruit.
C I VETS A N D M O N G O O S E S
are slender-muzzled, long
tailed animals of southern Europe, Africa, Asia. Their
scent-gland secretion is used in perfumes.
PALM C IVETS are cat- siz ed climb ers of t he forest s of Asia and equat o rial Africa. Civets, l i ke sku n ks, can d ischarge a n a u seat i n g fl u id from sce nt g l a nds. All p a l m civet s, incl u d ing t he
Masked, do well in z oos.
42 C I V E T S AND MO NGOO S E S
MONGOOSES ( 2 4 in.) a re coarse haired a n i m a l s of E u rasia a n d Africa . G o o d rat killers, they have been i ntrod u ced for this p u rp ose and t he n become p ests. Laws p revent import to U.S. Re lated Meerkat a l so banned.
HY ENAS
a re noctu rnal,
4-5
ft., dog like a n i m a ls with
large heads, wea k hindquarters, and a genera l ly u n
g ra cefu l appeara nce. The short ta i l is freq uently ca rried
between the legs. Hyenas a re sometimes ca l led la u g h i n g
Hyenas because t h e y make a variety o f n oises resem bling
cries, cack les, barks, a n d laughs. Th ese scavengers pick
over the scra ps that rema i n after the feasts of other
anima l s, especia l ly of lions. They even eat l eftover bon es,
usi ng their stron g teeth and powerfu l jaws to crush the
bones of a n te lopes a n d buffa loes.
SPOTT E D H Y E N A S, of C e ntr al a n d Sout h Afr ica, ho ve short , r o u n d ed ear s a n d d a r k sp ot s over most of t h e body. Y o u n g or e d arker a n d m or e sp ott ed. Shy a n d r et ir in g , t hey d o n ot dis plo y well .
STR I P E D H Y E NAS, f o u n d from I n d io t o Nort h Afr ica, hove a str ip ed body a n d l o n g ears. Br own Hyenas of Sout h Afr ica, not oft e n shown i n z oos, have str ip es onl y an l egs and coar se hair on body.
CATS
of m a ny d ifferent sizes and markings occur world
wide except i n Austra lia. A l l have sha rp, shearing
teeth
a n d claws that retract i nto sheaths (except C h eeta hs).
Cats fit into th ree g roups: lions and other large cats
that roa r but ca n not purr; sma l l e r cats (lynxes, oce lots,
and oth ers) that purr; C h eeta hs that give ba rking howls
a n d bird like chi rps. I n captivity, cats a re fed raw meat
fortified with vitamins and minerals.
F U R PATT E R N S OF CATS
44 C ATS
LIONS are among the m ost im p ressive carnivorous mammal s
a n d attract m uch att ention i n z oos. T h e y reach mat u rity at 5 or 6 years. Males have a mane that app ears at about 1 Y, years. Manes i n zoo a ni m al s may be bushier than those in the wil d since they a r e n ot t o r n b y t he brush. N ubian Lions lack manes.
L ions b reed rea d il y in captiv it y, p roducing cubs wit h sp ot s t hat usually d isapp ear in a b o u t 6 mont hs. L i o n s beg in to be ol d at age 10. I n cap ti vit y, however, t hey have l ived for more t ha o
25 years.
Lions h u nt and travel in group s call ed p rides. They l ive in m uch of Africa a n d formerl y al so from G reece t o I nd i a . Now o nl y a few remai n i n I n d ia . Liens p refer t he op en, g rassy pl ains and avoid the d ense, trop ical forest s. They p rey main l y o n hoofed mammal s-z ebras,
wil d ebeests, a n telop es, even b uffal oes. In h u nting, they charge b u t d o not p u rsue l ong if t hey fail t o make the kill .
A d u lt mal es weigh to 425 lbs., one rep o rtedl y over 500. Fe males are small er, wei g h i n g t o about 250 l bs.
B e n g a l Ti g e r
m a l e
T I G E R S are the l a r g e cats with promine n t, black or brown, strip es. T hey are common in j u n g les of I nd i a and J ava, but range as far as the snowy, for· ested m o u ntains of Siberia. Si· berian T igers usually have p ale, long, t h ick fur. B e n g a l Tigers of the trop ics have shorter f u r a n d brighter colors. Mature males usuall y weig h around 400
l bs.; a Siberian T iger was re· p o rted Ia reach 650 lbs. l arge a n imals are about 3 ft. h i g h at the shoulders.
T igers usually are sol itary hu nters. Very p owerful, they at· tack a n imals as large as young elep hants, water buffa l oes, a n d crocod iles. Tigers are g o o d swimmers a n d enjoy water, ofte.n entering to cool off. I n captivity, they do not live a s l o n g as lions n o r p rod uce a n d rear young as successf ully. Cubs weigh between 2 to 3 lbs. at b i rth. T hey mature i n about 4 years. A male tiger a n d femal e lion may produce a li gon; the reverse, a l i g o n . Such hybrids occ u r only i n zoos.
LEOPARDS, inf requent l y called Panthers, are f orest i n h a b it a nt s o f Asia a n d Af rica . They a r e n ot esp eci a l l y large cat s, weig hing bet ween 1 00 a n d 2 0 0 l bs., b ut are good h u nt e rs, using st ealt h a n d a m bush. Usually t hey h u nt at n i g ht . The color is variable, b ut most commonly L eopards a re yel l owish wit h f ou r o r five d ark b rown sp ots in rosett es. B l ack i n d ivid u al s a re common i n In dia. D ifferent colors a n d pat t e r n s may occ u r i n L eopard c u b s of t he s a m e l it ter.
S N O W L E O P A R D S (3 ft .) i nh ab it the cold p a rt s of t h e Himalaya a n d Alt a i m o u nt ai ns. Their coat is d e n se a n d l o n g . Zoo q u a rt ers may need coo l i n g i n summer t o keep t he m c o mf o rt a ble. A l so called t he O u nc e .
C L O U D E D LEOPARDS, of Sout h east Asi a , have a mi xtu re of sp ots and strip es. Mature a ni mals wei g h l e s s t ha n 50 l b s. a n d a r e about 3 f t . la n g . Shy a n d reti ring in c ap tivi ty; active at ni g h t in the wi l d .
JAGUARS, lar g est (5 ft.) of t he Americ a n c at s, weigh up to 300
lbs. They c a n roar, like Lions a n d Tigers. J a g uar s pr ey on a variet y of a n imals, inc l ud i n g fish a n d t he C apybara (p . 6 2 ) .
T h e y live along wat erways in j u n g les of tr op ic a l Amer ic a . Ex c elle nt cl im ber s and lea pers, t hey a re kept in well-barr ed c a ges, r arely i n moot ed cages. Kitt ens heavily spott ed at birth. Black p hases common; occ asion ally nearly whit e ones occ u r.
48 JAGUAR, C H EETAH
C H E ETAHS (5 ft.), most u n usual of t he c at s, ar e d o g l i ke in ap pear a nce, make bar ki n g howls and, u n l i ke all ot her c at s, have no sheat hs i nt o whic h claws c a n r etr act . They live i n op e n c o u n t ry fr om souiher n A s i a t o Afr ic a . C heet a h s c a n r u n as fast as 70
miles per h o ur f or short d is t a nc es, e n a bl i n g t hem to c atc h t he swift est of the a nt e lop es. I n I ndia t hey ar e tr ai ned a s h u nt er s. S e l d o m r epr o d uc e i n c aptiv ity; young ar e d iffic u lt to raise.
C a racal
CARACALS (3 ft.), fou n d i n d es ert s from Africa to I ndi a, have p oi nted, t uft ed ea rs. Good h u nt ers of small g a me, t hey wei g h up t o 4 0 l bs. I n z oos, req u ir e heated q u art ers d u ri ng col d mont hs. C a racals were used b y Arabi a n s as h u nti n g cat s. SERVALS (2V2 ft.) ar e l o n g l e g g e d , short -t a il ed Afri c a n cats.
T hey are yell owish wit h bol d bl ack st rip es a n d spot s. Servais p rowl at ni g ht i n marshes or
al 'lng b a nks. T hey rarel y repr o-
•
.,
P'J
t]t'(!
f/.
f.]ltj
��
d uce in captivity.
OCELOTS (3 ft .), commonest cat s
o f t ropi cal America, a re short l egged tr ee- d w ell er s. T hey are
someti mes call e d Ti ger C ats be cause of d ar k sp ot s, bl ot ches, and ri ngs. Ocel ot s tame easily.
GOLDEN CATS (3 ft.), found fr om T ibet t o S u matr a, ar e usually red d ish b rown, b ut some are spott ed, ot her s bl ack. A n ot her sp ecies l ives in west -cent ral Africa. O ft e n displ ayed i n z oos.
G ol d e n C at
M o u nt a i n Lion
LYNXES (2Y2 ft.) are broad-fool ed, slump -t a iled cat s wit h p romi nent ear t uft s a n d a black-t ipp ed t a il . Young spott e d . lynxes h u nt at n i g ht , p reying m a i nly on r a b bi ts. F o u n d i n nort her n parts of t he New a n d Ol d Worlds, they
can be kept o u td oors.
M O U N TA I N L I O N S, al so c all ed Pant hers, Cougars, Pu mas, a n d other n a mes, ar e a soli d tan or br own. The c u bs ar e stri ped or spotted . F ou n d only i n North and South Americ a, these l ar g e c ats ( t o 8 f t . ; 2 0 0 l bs.) scr eam; Old Wor l d lions r oar . 50 CATS
J a g u a r u n d i
BO BCATS, al so c a l led Wil dc ats or Bay l ynxes, are bobtail ed, li ke the lynx, b ut ar e sli g h tly smaller, have smal l e r feet, and shor ter ear tufts. Bobc ats I ive i n many parts o f N orth Americ a . T h e y f e e d mai nl y o n rodents a n d bir d s; someti mes eat vegeta bles.
J A G U AR U N D I S ( 3Y2·4 ft.) have shor t l egs, a long tail, and a sli m body. They li ve i n the tr op ic s from southern m ost U nit ed Stales to South Americ a . J a g ua r u ndi s var y i n col o r from rust y r ed (often c all ed Eyra) t o gr ayi s h blac k a n d soli d blac k.
T H E DOG FAMILY
is world-wide in distri bution. Mem
bers have long m uzzle�, a bushy tai l , and prominent
claws; all are good run ners. Most do we l l i n ca ptivity.
Some a re n octu rnal, hence s l uggish i n the dayti me. They
a re fed d og food or horse meat, with supplements.
WOLV E S (T im ber or Groy), lar g est mem bers of the family, are
4V2 ft. long, weigh up to 1 75
l bs. T hey l ive in cold reg ions of North Amer ic a a n d E ur asia. Wolves mate for l ife, a n d p up s remain with p ar e nts a year or more. T e n d to be q uar relsome. COYOTES (3 ft.) live in sp arsely wooded r e g i o n s of N orth Amer · ic a; a r e most a b u n d a n t in the West. Sometimes c alled Pr a ir ie Wolves, they u s u a l l y weig h less than 60 lbs. They makel a var iety of eer i e howls. C oyotes will eat n ear ly a nyth i n g . P up s n u m ber up to 1 2 p er l itter .
D H O LES (Asiatic Wild D o g s or Red D og s) ar e sociable, fr equent ly h u nting in p acks of as many as 20. P up s ar e d usky gr ay. Dholes (3 ft.) live fr om Russia to Korea and southward to Java. May br eed with d omestic dogs; U .S. i mp ortation p rohibited . J A C KALS ( 2 V2 ft.) are found i n Asia and Afr ica. I n habits a n d c haracter istics, they ar e the c o u n terp arts of the North A m er i c a n C oyote. They often feast o n w h a t is left after t h e b i g cats have made a k i l l . T her e ar e sev er a l kinds: Y e l low or Asiatic, Blac k- backed, a n d Sid e-str ip e d .
R E D FOXES (2 ft.) persist in northern Asia, Eu rope, and North Ame rica. In a d d ition to red d i sh colored coats, there are blacks, silvers (black hair tipped with white), and "crosses" (red dish with black). Seve ra l foxes can be penned together.
F E N N E C S ( l - l V2 ft.) are I o rge· eared, d esert foxes of North Africa a n d the Near East. Kit Foxes of North America's western d eserts a re similar. Both are shy. F e n n ecs d o best i n zoos. A R C T I C F O X E S (2-2V2 ft.) white coats, matching the of the A rctic t u n d ra, b u t a re a lways b l u ish-gray Foxes). Their small ears a re near· ly hidden i n fur. U s u a l l y do not l ive long i n captivity.
52 FOXES
GRAY F O X E S (2 ft.), fou n d in North American wooded reg i o n s, can c l i m b trees. They feed o n sma l l mammals, bird s, a n d ber ries, and freq uently dig burrows. Their g rayish-red coat and block tipped toil is characteristic. Like most foxes, active ot nig ht.
B I G - E A R E D FOXES ( I V. ft.) a re also called Bat-eared and long eared foxes. In their native so uthern a n d eastern Africa, these a n imals feed on small mamma ls, reptil es, birds, a n d in� sects. They d ig d e n s for shelter and rea ring of the young.
M A N E D W O L V E S (4 ft.), from the South American pam pas, are stra ngely p roportioned . They have stiltlike legs, a short tail, and long ears o n a fox l i ke head. They eat l izards, sna kes, rode nts, and fru its. Though not common i n zoos, they a p pa rently req uire no special care.
D I NGO ES, or A u stra l i a n Wild Dogs, look like l a rge, red d ish colored, domesticated dogs. They can not lay their ears down, however, and they yelp or howl rather than bark. D i ngoes a re the only non-marsupial meat eati ng m a m m a l s in A ustra l i a .
C A P E O R A F R I C A N H U N T I N G D O G S are large (3-3Y2 ft.), pow erful h u nters with rounded ea rs, a spotted body, a n d long legs. I n their native Africa, they com m o n ly r u n i n packs of 3 0 or
more, killing a ntelope a n d other big game. They rem a i n u nfriend ly i n captivity.
FIN-FOOTED (PINNIPED)
carnivores a re modified to
live i n the water. Their fl ippers aid them i n swimming
;
their short, thick fur provides insu lation; their torped o
sh aped body h e lps them g lide through the water. I n
cludes sea ls, sea lions, elephant sea ls, and wa l ruses.
ELEPHANT SEALS are l a rge, fat, and d ocile in ca ptivity. Their long nose d roops many inches below their mouth, somewhat l ike an elepha nt's tru n k . This snout is partia lly inflated as the a n i m a l exha les. M a l e s may be 1 8 f t . long a n d weig h 2 Y2 t o n s . They live in Pacific coasta l waters, north to southern California.
SEA L I O N S c a n turn their pad d le-like h i n d fl i p pers forward and use them as "feet" to p u l l themselves o u t o f the water t o sun or to "wa l k" on l a n d . The Cal ifornia Sea Lion is com mon i n zoos. Males may weig h 600 l bs.; females, 200. They bark loud ly. Males eat about 8 lbs. of fish a day; females, 4 .
WA L R U S E S l ive in waters of the Arctic C i rcle. Males have l a rger tusks than fem ales and weigh more- u p to 1 Y2 tons. Their up· per l ips a re covered w i t h stiff bristles. A d u lts a re wrin kled a n d nearly hairless; y o u n g have a t h i n coat of coarse h a i r . Altho u g h their s i z e a n d u n us u a l a ppear ance attracts attention, they re q u i re m uc h care and are not ofte n kept i n zoos. A 1 ,000-pound a n i m a l may eat 40 lbs. of fi sh ( p referably fi l l eted) and clams per day. Before being fed to a Wa l r us, the food is en riched with vita m i n s and m i n e rals.
H A R B O R S E A L S are s m a l l ( l e n g t h , about 5 ft.; weight, about 2 0 0 lbs.) and l ig ht col ored. They are shy, have diffi culty movi n g o n land, a n d usually rema i n i n t h e water, mostly submerged. For these reasons, Harbor Seals are not com monly kept i n zoos, t h o u g h t h e y are interesting a n d always attract attention when d isplayed . I n the coastal waters where they l ive, seals feed on fishes, mol l u s ks, a n d cr ustaceans. In cap tivity, two daily feed i n g s tota l i n g 5 l bs. o f fi s h , s o m e stuffed w i t h vitam i n capsu les, w i l l suffice.
