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African Aviary

African Journey

African Slender-snouted Crocodile

Upcoming Events

Penguin Feeding

10:30am - 10:45am 3:30pm - 3:45pm

Animal Ambassadors

Addra Gazelle

nanger dama

The Addra gazelle, also known as the Dama gazelle, is the largest and tallest of all gazelles. “Gazelle” is a name shared by a number of small, swift antelopes.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Sahara desert, from Sudan to Mauritania

STATUS

Critically Endangered

DIET

Herbivore - Herbs, shrubs, coarse desert grasses

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 13 yrs
Wild: 10‑12 yrs

OFFSPRING

Single young per birth

LENGTH

55‑66 in (140‑168 cm)

WEIGHT

88‑187 lbs (40‑85 kg)

Bald Eagle

haliaeetus leucocephalus

The bald eagle is bold, fierce, and iconic, but it is not really bald. It has a conspicuous white head that is fully feathered!

Quick Facts

RANGE

United States, Canada, Northern Mexico

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Fish, mammals, birds, crustaceans, reptiles, amphibians, carrion

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: Up to 36 yrs
Wild: Up to 28 yrs

OFFSPRING

1-3 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

28‑38 in (71‑96 cm)
Wingspan: 168‑244 cm

WEIGHT

2.5‑6.3 kg

Bobcat

lynx rufus

About twice the size of a domestic housecat, the bobcat is a fearsome predator capable of taking down prey ten times its size.

Quick Facts

RANGE

North America

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Rabbits, squirrels, and other small-to-medium prey

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

Male: 16.8 years
Female: 18.8 years

OFFSPRING

2-4 kittens/litter average

LENGTH

26‑41 in

WEIGHT

20‑30lbs on average

Cave Exhibit

Eastern Newt or Red-spotted Newt

Cheetah

acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest mammal on earth. Everything about it is built for speed. During a twenty-second chase, its feet barely touch the ground as it reaches a top speed of 70 mph.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Isolated populations in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly Eastern and Southern

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Carnivore - Small to medium sized ungulates, birds, hares, small mammals

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: Up to 19 yrs
Wild: 10‑16 yrs

OFFSPRING

1-8 per litter

LENGTH

44‑59 in (112‑150 cm)

WEIGHT

77‑158 lbs (35‑72 kg)

Chimpanzee Forest

Crocodile Exhibit

African Slender-snouted Crocodile

African Elephant

loxodonta africana

African elephants are the largest land animals in the world. They have the largest brains in the animal kingdom, they live about as long as humans, and the largest among them can top 15,000 pounds – more than four times the weight of the average car!

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central and East Africa, south of the Sahara Desert

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Herbivore - Grasses, leaves, branches, roots, fruits, treebark

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: Up to 70 yrs
Wild: Up to 70 yrs

OFFSPRING

Single young per birth (twins possible)

LENGTH

Male: Up to 12 ft (3‑75 m)
Female: Up to 9 ft (3 m)

WEIGHT

Male: Up to 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg)
Female: 9,000 lbs (4,082 kg)

Farmyard Exhibit

Indian Peafowl

Kunekune Pig

Trumpeter Swan

Helmeted Guinea Fowl

Miniature Texas Longhorn

Miniature Mediterranean Donkey

Cotswold Sheep

Alpaca

Caribbean Flamingo

pheonicopterus ruber ruber

Also known as the American flamingo, the tall, slender, scarlet Caribbean flamingo is the most brightly colored and among the largest of the world’s six flamingo species.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Islands and mainland coasts of the Caribbean Sea

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Omnivore - Small shellfish, fish, worms, insects, algae, aquatic seeds and plants

ACTIVE

Diurnal - Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: Up to 60 years
Wild: Up to 40 years

OFFSPRING

1-2 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

Body: 47‑57 in (120‑145 cm)
Wingspan: 55 in (140 cm)

WEIGHT

4.8‑6.1 lbs (2.2‑2.8 kg)

Giant Tree Slide

Eastern Milksnake

Wood Turtle

Spotted Turtle

Northern Water Snake

Mole Kingsnake

Eastern Hognose Snake

Corn Snake

Black Rat Snake

Eastern Tiger Salamander

Reticulated Giraffe

giraffa camelopardalis reticulata

The giraffe is the tallest animal on earth. A male giraffe towers up to nineteen feet above the ground.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Eastern, Central and Southern Africa

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Herbivore - Leaves

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: Up to 25 yrs
Wild: 10‑16 yrs

OFFSPRING

Single young per birth (twins are extremely rare)

LENGTH

Male: 18 ft (5.5m) tall
Female: 14‑15 ft (4‑4.5 m) tall

WEIGHT

Male: 2,425 lbs (1,100 kg)
Female: 1,540 lbs (700 kg)

Goat Corral

Pygmy Goat

Nigerian Dwarf Goat

Anglo-Nubian Goat

Lemur Exhibit

Ring-Tailed Lemur

Red Ruffed Lemur

Coquerel’s Sifaka

Leopard

panthera pardus

A leopard’s next meal probably isn’t going to know it until it’s too late. This big cat is known for stealth.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Africa and Asia

STATUS

Near Threatened

DIET

Carnivore - Large and small mammals, birds, reptiles, arthropods

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 21‑23 yrs
Wild: 7‑9 yrs

OFFSPRING

1-3 cubs per litter

LENGTH

3.5 - 6.5 ft (1.0‑1.9 m)

WEIGHT

66‑155 lbs (30‑70 kg)

African Lion

panthera leo

The King (and Queen) of Beasts are justly named. Lions are dominant predators lording over the food chain wherever they roam. What they have over every other big cat, and over every other African predator, is strength in numbers. They know that when it comes to catching dinner, it pays to cooperate.

Quick Facts

RANGE

sub-Saharan Africa, mostly Eastern and Southern

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Carnivore

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: Up to 30 yrs
Wild: 15‑16 yrs

OFFSPRING

1-6 young per litter

LENGTH

Male: 5.5‑8 ft (1.5‑2.5 m)
Female: 4.5‑6 ft (1.4‑2m )

WEIGHT

Male: 330‑550 lb (150‑250 kg)
Female: 264‑400 lb (120‑181 kg)

Marsh Aviary

North American Ruddy Duck

Wood Duck

Turkey Vulture

Northern Pintail

Little Blue Heron

Hooded Merganser

Green Heron

Cattle Egret

Blue-winged Teal

Black-crowned Night Heron

Sandhill Crane

Maryland Wilderness

Broad-headed Skink

Indian Peafowl

Kunekune Pig

North American Ruddy Duck

Eastern Milksnake

Wood Turtle

Timber Rattlesnake

Spotted Turtle

Northern Water Snake

Northern Pine Snake

Mole Kingsnake

Wood Duck

Meadow

Broad-headed Skink

Eastern Box Turtle

Bog Turtle

Okapi

okapia johnstoni

At first glance, you would think that okapi are related to zebra. The reddish-brown and cream stripes on the okapi’s hindquarters seem like a sure giveaway. In reality, the okapi’s closest relative is the giraffe!

Quick Facts

RANGE

Congolese Rainforest in Central Africa

STATUS

Endangered

DIET

Herbivore - Leaves, fruits, and seeds

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 33 yrs
Wild: Unknown

OFFSPRING

Single young per birth

LENGTH

5‑5.6 ft (150‑170 cm)

WEIGHT

462‑550 lbs (210‑250 kg)

Ostrich

struthio camelus

Contrary to popular belief, an ostrich never buries its head in the sand. It doesn’t need to. It is the largest living species of bird on the planet and the fastest animal on two legs. It can’t fly, but it can sprint up to 40 mph and land a very powerful kick!

Quick Facts

RANGE

Africa, North and South of equatorial forest belt

STATUS

Least Concern - Common

DIET

Herbivore - Green grass, browse on shrubs, succulents, seeds, few insects

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: Up to 40 years
Wild: 20‑30 years

OFFSPRING

Clutch averages 13
Multiple females lay in the same nest for incubation

LENGTH

Male: 6.5‑8 ft (2‑2.5 m)
Female: 5‑6.5 ft (1.5‑2 m)

WEIGHT

Male: 242‑330 lbs (110‑150 kg)
Female: 198‑242 lbs (90‑110 kg)

Panamanian Golden Frog

atelopus zeteki

Beautiful, mysterious, and rare, Panamanian golden frogs have been revered as good-luck tokens in their native country of Panama since pre-Columbian times.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Cordilleran mountains of Western-Central Panama

STATUS

Critically Endangered - Quite possibly extinct in the wild

DIET

Carnivore - Insects and other small invertebrates

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: Up to 9 yrs
Wild: Unknown

OFFSPRING

200-600 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

1‑2 in (2.5 - 5.1 cm)

WEIGHT

Under 1 lb

Penguin Coast

White-Breasted Cormorant

African Penguin

Upcoming Events

Penguin Feeding

10:30am - 10:45am 3:30pm - 3:45pm

Polar Bear Exhibit

Polar Bear

Brown Bear

Polar Bear Watch

Common Raven

Bald Eagle

Polar Bear

Brown Bear

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

cynomys ludovicianus

Prairie dogs take their common name from where they live and what they sound like when alarmed. They go by many other nicknames as well, including wishtonwish, mound yapper, yaprat, yek-yek, tousa, pispiza, ping-sping-sa, and sod poodle.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Narrow bands of short-grass prairie from Central Texas north to the U.S.-Canada border

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Herbivore - Wheatgrass, grama, buffalo grass, scarlet globemallow, rabbitbrush, prickly pear cactus, thistle

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 5‑8 years

OFFSPRING

3-4 per litter

LENGTH

14‑17 in (350‑425 mm)

WEIGHT

1‑3 lbs

Common Raven

corvus corax

The common raven is the largest species of songbird and the largest all-black bird in the world.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Throughout Northern Hemisphere

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Animal carcasses, rodents, grains, seeds

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 24 yrs
Wild: Unknown

OFFSPRING

4-6 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

22‑27 in (56‑59 cm)

WEIGHT

24‑58 oz (689‑1,625 g)

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

cynomys ludovicianus

Quick Facts

RANGE

Narrow bands of short-grass prairie from Central Texas north to the U.S.-Canada border

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Herbivore - Wheatgrass, grama, buffalo grass, scarlet globemallow, rabbitbrush, prickly pear cactus, thistle

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 5‑8 years

OFFSPRING

3-4 per litter

LENGTH

14‑17 in (350‑425 mm)

WEIGHT

1‑3 lbs

Sitatunga Exhibit

Northern Ground Hornbill

Sitatunga

North American River Otter

lontra canadensis

River otters are the only truly amphibious members of the weasel family.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Throughout North America

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Fish, frogs, crayfish, crabs, rodents, rabbits, insects

ACTIVE

Diurnal - Diurnal and nocturnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 21 yrs
Wild: 8‑9 yrs

OFFSPRING

1-6 per litter

LENGTH

18‑32 in (460‑830 mm)

WEIGHT

6‑31 lbs (3‑14 kg)

Tortoise Exhibit

Sulcata Tortoise

Leopard Tortoise

Common Warthog

phacochoerus africanus

When warthogs run, their tails stick straight up in the air!

Quick Facts

RANGE

sub-Saharan Africa

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Herbivore - Grass, roots, berries, bark of young trees, occasionally carrion

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: Up to 18 yrs
Wild: 12‑15 yrs

OFFSPRING

1-8 per litter

LENGTH

35‑59 in (900‑1500 mm)

WEIGHT

110‑331 lbs (50‑150 kg)

Southern White Rhinoceros

ceratotherium simum simum

The white rhino is the third largest land mammal in the world, dwarfed only by the Asian elephant and the African elephant. White rhinos weigh between 4,000 and 6,000 pounds and stand 5 to 6 feet tall at the shoulder. Their heads alone can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.

Quick Facts

RANGE

South Africa

STATUS

Near Threatened

DIET

Herbivore - grasses

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 40 yrs
Wild: 35 yrs

OFFSPRING

Single young per birth

LENGTH

118‑150 in (300‑380 cm)

WEIGHT

Male: up to 6,000 lb (2,721 kg)
Female: up to 4,500 lb (2,041 kg)

Plains Zebra

equus quagga

To think of a zebra as a striped horse is not quite right, but not quite wrong either. Zebras are members of the horse family Equidae. Zebras are also unmistakably striped! Each zebra has a distinct pattern of stripes, as unique as a person’s fingerprints.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Eastern and Southeastern Africa

STATUS

Near Threatened

DIET

Herbivore - Grasses

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 35‑40 yrs
Wild: 15‑20 yrs

OFFSPRING

Single young per birth

LENGTH

Up to 59 in (1.5 m) at shoulders

WEIGHT

500‑800 lbs (227‑363 kg)

Broad-headed Skink

plestiodon laticeps

Skinks are a type of lizard found on every continent except Antarctica. There are four skink species native to Maryland, and the broad-headed skink is the largest.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central and southeastern U.S. in open and often moist wooded areas

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Mainly insects, spiders, other invertebrates; occasionally mollusks, small reptiles and mammals

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

Unknown, but likely about 4 years

OFFSPRING

8-13 eggs/clutch

LENGTH

6‑12 in.

WEIGHT

1‑2 oz.

Three-toed Box Turtle

terrapene carolina triunguis

The three-toed box turtle gets its name from its back feet, which have only (you guessed it) three toes.

Quick Facts

RANGE

South-central U.S. in marshes, grasses, and wetlands near shallow water

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Omnivore - Insects, plant matter, carrion, various small animals

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

30‑50 years on average

OFFSPRING

3-8 eggs/clutch

LENGTH

4.5 to 6 inches on average

WEIGHT

1‑2 pounds

California Kingsnake

lampropeltis californiae

California kingsnakes are highly variable in color and appearance, but the most common “morph” is black-and-white banded.

Quick Facts

RANGE

California and neighboring states, from southern Oregon to northern Mexico

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and eggs

ACTIVE

Crepuscular

LIFESPAN

10‑15 years on average

OFFSPRING

3-24 eggs/clutch

LENGTH

2.5‑3.5 ft on average

WEIGHT

Up to 3.3 pounds

Central Bearded Dragon

pogona vitticeps

The bearded dragon’s “beard” is actually an inflatable throat pouch with spikey scales.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Eastern and Central Australia in desert, dry forest, scrubland

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Omnivore - Plants, insects, occasional small rodent or lizard

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

4‑10 years

OFFSPRING

Up to 2 dozen eggs/clutch

LENGTH

13‑24 inches, including tail

WEIGHT

10 to 18 ounces

Gopher Tortoise

gopherus polyphemus

As the name suggests, this tortoise is a digger.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Southeastern U.S. - longleaf pine forest; variety of other forest types; coastal dunes

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Herbivore - Grasses and other low-growing plants

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 90+ years
Wild: 40‑60 years

OFFSPRING

5-9 eggs/clutch

LENGTH

9‑11 inches on average

WEIGHT

12 pounds on average

Emperor Scorpion

pandinus imperator

Measuring more than half a foot, the Emperor Scorpion is one of the largest scorpions in the world, but its sting is no worse than that of a bee.

Quick Facts

RANGE

West Africa, Tropical forests

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Termites, other invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

5‑8 years on average

OFFSPRING

10-12 live young on average

LENGTH

8 in

WEIGHT

Up to 1 oz

Mexican Redknee Tarantula

brachypelma smithi

Tarantulas may appear scary at first glance, but never fear! The venom from these large arachnids won’t harm people.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central Pacific coast of Mexico - Arid habitats such as desert, scrubland, and dry forests

STATUS

Near Threatened

DIET

Carnivore - Insects, frogs, small lizards, and mice

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

Males: 5‑10 yrs; Females: 25‑30 yrs

OFFSPRING

200-400 eggs/clutch

LENGTH

5 inches

WEIGHT

0.5 oz

Marine Toad

rhinella marina

Marine toads are usually referred to as “cane toads.”

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central and South America - wide variety of tropical and sub-tropical habitats

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Insects and other invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, small mammals, carrion, garbage

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

5‑15 yrs

OFFSPRING

8,000-30,000 eggs/clutch on average

LENGTH

4‑6 in on average

WEIGHT

Up to 3 lbs

Red-footed Tortoise

chelonoidis carbonaria

To attract females, male red-footed tortoises make a clucking sound that sounds remarkably like a hen.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central and South America; several Caribbean islands

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Omnivore - Primarily fruit; grasses, fungi, carrion, invertebrates

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

50+ yrs

OFFSPRING

2-15 eggs/clutch

LENGTH

12‑16 in

WEIGHT

Up to 11 lbs

Iranian Eyelid Gecko

eublepharis angramainyu

Geckos possess more complex vocal structures than other lizards, allowing them to chirp and click as well as hiss, bark, and growl.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Iran, Iraq, northern Syria, southeastern Turkey

STATUS

Data Deficient

DIET

Carnivore - Insects, spiders, other arthropods, possibly eggs and small reptiles

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

Unknown

OFFSPRING

Unknown

LENGTH

8‑9.5 in

WEIGHT

55‑70 g

Egyptian Tortoise

testudo kleinmanni

Egyptian tortoises are no bigger than baked potatoes.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Libya, desert and semi-desert

STATUS

Critically Endangered

DIET

Herbivore - Leaves and flowers of desert plants

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 20+ yrs
Wild: Unknown

OFFSPRING

1-5 eggs/clutch

LENGTH

Up to 5 in (12.7 cm)

WEIGHT

5.5‑12.5 oz (156‑354 g)

Military Macaw

ara militaris

This large, beautiful parrot has no military affiliation but its look – olive green with a bright red bar above the beak – is suggestive of military uniform.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Fragmented range from Mexico to Argentina

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Herbivore - Seeds, nuts, fruits, berries

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

In human care: 50‑60 years
Wild: Unknown

OFFSPRING

2-3 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

27‑30 in.

WEIGHT

2‑2.5 lbs.

Indian Peafowl

pavo cristatus

The magnificent peacock, known far and wide, is actually a male Indian peafowl. The female is a peahen.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Native to India and neighboring countries

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Omnivore - Seeds, fruit, insects, occasional reptile or small rodent

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

20 years

OFFSPRING

4-6 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

6‑7.5 feet

WEIGHT

6‑13 pounds

Chinese Alligator

alligator sinensis

The Chinese name for this alligator is yowlung, which means “dragon.”

Quick Facts

RANGE

Lower Yangtze River basin, China

STATUS

Critically Endangered

DIET

Carnivore - Fish, snails, clams, occasional duck or rodent

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

50‑70 yrs

OFFSPRING

10-40 eggs/clutch

LENGTH

Up to 5 ft.

WEIGHT

Up to 90 lbs

Tawny Frogmouth

podargus strigoides

Tawny frogmouths are odd birds whose looks are owl-like and whose mouths are frog-like (hence the name).

Quick Facts

RANGE

Australia and Tasmania

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Primarily insects; also invertebrates, small mammals, reptiles, frogs, and birds

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

15‑20 years on average

OFFSPRING

1-3 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

13‑20 inches; Wingspan: 25‑38 inches

WEIGHT

Up to 1.5 pounds

Kunekune Pig

sus scrofa scrofa kunekune

Kunekune means “fat and round” in Maori, a language spoken by indigenous New Zealanders.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Worldwide

STATUS

Domesticated - Rare but rebounding

DIET

Herbivore - Grass, hay, grain

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

8‑16 years

OFFSPRING

6-12 piglets per litter

LENGTH

Up to 4 ft.

WEIGHT

130‑220 lbs.

American Badger

taxidea taxus

American badgers are super-fast diggers that can burrow underground and out of sight in a matter of seconds.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central and western North America, from southern Canada to Mexico

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Rodents, birds, bird eggs, reptiles, amphibians, insects

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

4‑10 yrs

OFFSPRING

1-5 cubs per litter

LENGTH

16‑28 in.

WEIGHT

8‑26 lbs

Spur-winged Lapwing

vanellus spinosus

Spur-winged lapwings are known as “foot tremblers” – they stomp their feet to flush prey from hiding.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central, sub-Saharan Africa; eastern Mediterranean

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Primarily insects, insect larvae, and small invertebrates

ACTIVE

Diurnal - Variably diurnal or nocturnal

LIFESPAN

17 yrs on average

OFFSPRING

2-4 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

10‑11 in
Wingspan: 27‑32 in

WEIGHT

4.5‑6 oz

Prehensile-tailed Skink

corucia zebrata

What’s a skink, you ask? Generally speaking, a skink is a large, short-limbed, practically no-necked lizard. The prehensile-tailed skink is the largest of all skinks.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Solomon Islands, tropical rain forest

STATUS

No Listing

DIET

Herbivore - Leaves and fruit

ACTIVE

Crepuscular

LIFESPAN

Up to 15 years

OFFSPRING

1-2 offspring

LENGTH

2.5 ft

WEIGHT

Approximately 2 lbs

North American Ruddy Duck

oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy ducks are small-winged ducks that have to get a running start across water in order to take flight.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Summer: Mid-Western U.S. and Canada, and much of Central America; Winter: along Atlantic, Pacific

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Aquatic insects and invertebrates; pondweed, algae, wild celery, seeds of other aquatic plants

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

5‑10 yrs

OFFSPRING

8 eggs/clutch on average

LENGTH

13–17 in

WEIGHT

10–30 oz

Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine

coendou prehensilis

The face of a prehensile-tailed porcupine is irresistible – two dark round eyes and a curiously large, bulbous, whiskered nose set in a soft ball of speckled spines. Resist the urge to cuddle, though.

Quick Facts

RANGE

North/Northwest South America

STATUS

Least Concern - Stable

DIET

Herbivore - Bark, leaves, fruit, buds, root vegetables

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

About 15 yrs

OFFSPRING

Usually single offspring

LENGTH

30 to 40 in, including tail

WEIGHT

4‑11 lbs

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

gromphadorhina portentosa

Save your loathing because Madagascar hissing cockroaches are not pests. Like the vast majority of all cockroach species, they will not take up residence in your house.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Madagascar

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Omnivore

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

2‑5 yrs

OFFSPRING

20-60 per brood

LENGTH

2‑3 in

WEIGHT

0.8 oz

Marbled Teal

marmaronetta angustirostris

The marbled teal, also known as the marbled duck, is an elegant, medium-sized duck with a speckled brown body and dusky eye patch.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Scattered across Northwest Africa, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, and Central Asia

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Omnivore - Mall seeds, aquatic invertebrates

ACTIVE

Crepuscular

LIFESPAN

Unknown

OFFSPRING

4-12 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

15‑19 in (38‑48 cm)

WEIGHT

8.5‑21.5 oz (240‑600 g)

Eastern Milksnake

lampropeltis triangulum triangulum

The milksnake got its name from the widespread and persistent – yet utterly ridiculous – belief it would drink milk from cows. (Who knows how that rumor got started?) This snake may frequent barns in search of rodents, but will never be caught milking a cow.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Northeastern U.S., west to Minnesota and south to Northern Alabama

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Mainly mice, snakes, and lizards

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

Up to 20 yrs

OFFSPRING

6-20 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

24‑36 in on average (61‑90 cm)

WEIGHT

0.5‑1.0 lb

Wood Turtle

glyptemys insculpta

Wood turtles are skilled earthworm hunters. They stamp the ground alternately with their front feet to bring earthworms to the surface, and then grab them quickly.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Southeastern Canada, Northeastern U.S., Great Lakes region

STATUS

Endangered

DIET

Omnivore - Insect larvae, fish, invertebrates, crayfish, plant matter

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

40+ yrs

OFFSPRING

6-8 eggs per clutch on average

LENGTH

Carapace (top shell): 6‑9 in

WEIGHT

1‑3 lbs

Timber Rattlesnake

crotalus horridus

Timber rattlesnakes are one of 27 species of snake native to Maryland, but they have become exceedingly rare here and in many other parts of their historic range.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Eastern U.S., historically

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Carnivore

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

10‑20 yrs

OFFSPRING

6-12 live young per clutch

LENGTH

3‑4 ft

WEIGHT

1‑3 lbs

Sulcata Tortoise

centrochelys sulcata

The Sulcata tortoise, also known as the African spurred tortoise, is the third largest species of tortoise in the world, after the Galapagos tortoise and the Aldabra giant tortoise. It is the largest of all mainland tortoises.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central Africa, from Southern Sahara, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan, Chad to Ethiopia

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Herbivore - Grasses, weeds, cactus

ACTIVE

Crepuscular

LIFESPAN

50+ years

OFFSPRING

15-30 per clutch

LENGTH

24‑30 in (61‑76 cm)

WEIGHT

70‑200 lbs

Spotted Turtle

clemmys guttata

Spotted turtles are one of 19 species of turtle native to Maryland.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Great Lakes region and Atlantic seaboard, from Southern Canada to Florida

STATUS

Endangered - Per IUCN listing

DIET

Omnivore - Invertebrates, fish, frogs, algae, aquatic plants

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

30+ yrs

OFFSPRING

3-4 eggs per clutch on average

LENGTH

Carapace (top shell): 3‑5 in (7.5‑12.5 cm)

WEIGHT

Under 1 lb

Northern Water Snake

nerodia sipedon sipedon

Northern water snakes are known to herd schools of small fish or tadpoles to a shoreline in order to prey on many at once.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Mid-Eastern and Northeastern U.S.; Southeastern Canada

STATUS

Least Concern - Stable

DIET

Carnivore - Fish, frogs, tadpoles, toads, salamanders

ACTIVE

Diurnal - Diurnal and nocturnal

LIFESPAN

10 years on average

OFFSPRING

20-40 live young per birth, on average

LENGTH

3‑5 ft

WEIGHT

Approximately 1 pound

Northern Pine Snake

pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus

The Northern pine snake is a large, non-venomous snake that is harmless to people.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Northern and East-Central United States from New Jersey to Alabama

STATUS

Least Concern - but threatened in New Jersey

DIET

Carnivore - Mainly small rodents, birds, bird eggs

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

5‑10 yrs

OFFSPRING

Several dozen eggs per clutch

LENGTH

5‑7 ft

WEIGHT

4‑9 lbs

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Addra Gazelle

nanger dama

Quick Facts

RANGE

STATUS

DIET

ACTIVE

LIFESPAN

OFFSPRING

LENGTH

WEIGHT

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haliaeetus leucocephalus

Quick Facts

RANGE

STATUS

DIET

ACTIVE

LIFESPAN

OFFSPRING

LENGTH

WEIGHT

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lynx rufus

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RANGE

STATUS

DIET

ACTIVE

LIFESPAN

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LENGTH

WEIGHT

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