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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

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Cave Exhibit

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)

Upcomings Events

Cheetah & Antelope Keeper Chat

Wednesday @ 12:00pm - 12:15pm

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Chimpanzee Forest

Upcoming Events

Colobus Trail Keeper Chat

Mon., Wed. @ 1:30pm - 1:45pm

Chimpanzee Keeper Chat

Thu., Sat. @ 1:30pm - 1:45pm

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Crane Barn Yards

Crocodile Exhibit

African Slender-snouted Crocodile

Blue Duiker

philantomba monticola

The blue duiker is a tiny antelope about the size of a house cat.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central and Southern Africa

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Omnivore - Fruit, leaves, flowers, fungi, seeds, some insects and small animals

ACTIVE

Crepuscular

LIFESPAN

Up to 10 yrs

OFFSPRING

Single offspring

LENGTH

1.8‑3 ft (55‑90 cm)

WEIGHT

8‑20 lbs (3.5‑9 kg)

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African Savanna Elephant

loxodonta africana

African elephants are the largest land animals in the world. They have the largest brains in the animal kingdom 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

STATUS

Endangered

DIET

Herbivore - Grasses, leaves, branches, roots, fruits, tree bark

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

About 38 years

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)

Upcomings Events

Elephant Keeper Chat

Sun., Tue., Fri. @ 1:30pm - 1:45pm

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Farmyard Exhibit

Kunekune Pig

Trumpeter Swan

Miniature Texas Longhorn

Miniature Donkey

Cotswold Sheep

Alpaca

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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)

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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

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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)

Upcomings Events

Giraffe & Okapi Keeper Chat

Monday @ 12:00pm - 12:15pm

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Goat Corral

Pygmy Goat

Nigerian Dwarf Goat

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Brown Bear

ursus arctos

A grizzly bear's claws are as long or longer than your fingers.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Parts of Russia, Central Asia, China, Canada, the United States (mostly Alaska), Scandinavia, and the Carpathian region (especially Romania), Anatolia, and Caucasus.

STATUS

Least Concern - Within the continental U.S., grizzly bears, a North American subspecies of brown bear, are listed as threatened by sub-population under the federal Endangered Species Act.

DIET

Omnivore - Nuts, berries, roots, insects, honey, fish, and mammals ranging in size from pocket gophers to moose

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

Male: 21.9 yrs
Female: 26.8 yrs

OFFSPRING

1 to 3 cubs per birth on average

LENGTH

5‑8 ft

WEIGHT

Male: 300‑1,200 lbs
Female: 175‑550 lbs

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Lemur Exhibit

Ring-Tailed Lemur

Red Ruffed Lemur

Coquerel’s Sifaka

Colobus Monkey

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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)

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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)

Upcomings Events

Lion Keeper Chat

Sat., Sun. @ 12:00pm - 12:15pm

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Main Valley

Snowy Owl

Lappet-faced Vulture

White Stork

Indian Peafowl

Saddle-billed Stork

Northern Ground Hornbill

Upcoming Events

Snowy Owl Keeper Chat

Wed., Sat. @ 11:00am - 11:15am

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Marsh Aviary

North American Ruddy Duck

Wood Duck

Turkey Vulture

Northern Pintail

Hooded Merganser

Blue-winged Teal

Black-crowned Night Heron

Sandhill Crane

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Maryland Wilderness

Broad-headed Skink

Kunekune Pig

North American Ruddy Duck

Eastern Milksnake

Wood Turtle

Timber Rattlesnake

Spotted Turtle

Northern Water Snake

Northern Pine Snake

Mole Kingsnake

Wood Duck

Turkey Vulture

Upcoming Events

Otter & Bobcat Keeper Chat

Mon., Thu. @ 11:00am - 11:15am

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Meadow

Broad-headed Skink

Eastern Box Turtle

Bog Turtle

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Northern Passage

North American Porcupine

Bald Eagle

Brown Bear

Upcoming Events

Bald Eagle Keeper Chat

Thursday @ 12:00pm - 12:15pm

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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)

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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)

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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

About 8 years

OFFSPRING

200-600 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

1‑2 in (2.5 - 5.1 cm)

WEIGHT

Under 1 lb

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Penguin Coast

White-Breasted Cormorant

African Penguin

Upcoming Events

Penguin Feeding

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

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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

Upcomings Events

Prairie Dog Keeper Chat

Sun., Tue., Fri. @ 11:00am - 11:15am

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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

Upcomings Events

Prairie Dog Keeper Chat

Sun., Tue., Fri. @ 11:00am - 11:15am

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Sitatunga

tragelaphus spekei

Sitatunga are swamp antelope. They are adapted to survive where few other antelope could. Their long, splayed hooves allow them to walk across islands of floating vegetation and wet terrain without sinking. They are strong swimmers and can even hide underwater with only their nostrils (and maybe eyes) showing.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central Africa

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Herbivore - Reeds, sedges, grasses, leaves, fallen fruit

ACTIVE

Crepuscular

LIFESPAN

In human care: 17‑20 yrs
Wild: 10‑15 yrs

OFFSPRING

Single young per birth

LENGTH

Male: 60‑67 in (152‑170 cm)
Female: 53‑61 in (135‑155 cm)

WEIGHT

Male: 154‑275 lbs (70‑125 kg)
Female: 110‑126 lbs (50‑57 kg)

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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)

Upcomings Events

Otter & Bobcat Keeper Chat

Mon., Thu. @ 11:00am - 11:15am

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Tortoise Exhibit

Sulcata Tortoise

Leopard Tortoise

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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)

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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)

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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)

X

Snowy Owl

bubo scandiacus

These Arctic birds have razor-sharp talons and beaks built for ripping flesh.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Circumpolar north

STATUS

Vulnerable

DIET

Carnivore

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

About 10 years

OFFSPRING

3–11 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

21–28 in. (52–71 cm)

WEIGHT

3.5–6.5 lbs (1.6–3.0 kg)

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Lappet-faced Vulture

torgos tracheliotos

lappet faced vulture with wings extended

The lappet-faced vulture is named for the loose, fleshy, ear-like lappets that hang from the sides of its bare pink head.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Middle East and throughout Africa, from the southern Sahara to the Sahel

STATUS

Endangered

DIET

Carnivore - Mainly carrion; also bird eggs, small mammals, some insects

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

Up to 30 years

OFFSPRING

1 egg per year

LENGTH

31–45 inches

WEIGHT

10–21 lbs

X

White Stork

ciconia ciconia

A white stork can regulate its body temperature by defecating on its legs, with evaporation cooling the bird.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Europe, southwestern Asia, northwest Africa, sub-Saharan Africa

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Carnivore - Fish, small birds and mammals, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans, insects, eggs

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

About 17 years for males, about 13 years for females

OFFSPRING

3-5 eggs per clutch

LENGTH

Heights 3‑4 ft, wingspan 6‑6.5 ft.

WEIGHT

5‑10 lbs

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North American Porcupine

erethizon dorsatum

These prickly, vocal rodents are master tree climbers.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Southern half of Canada, and northern and western U.S; scattered populations throughout the eastern U.S; parts of northern Mexico

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Herbivore - Roots, stems, leaves, berries, seeds and grasses, tree bark

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

Up to 18 years

OFFSPRING

1

LENGTH

2–3 ft

WEIGHT

11–20 lbs

X

Southern Three-banded Armadillo

tolypeutes matacus

The southern three-banded armadillo is one of only two armadillo species that can curl into a ball completely.

Quick Facts

RANGE

Central South America

STATUS

Near Threatened

DIET

Carnivore - mainly ants and termites

ACTIVE

Nocturnal

LIFESPAN

18–20 years

OFFSPRING

1 per year

LENGTH

12–14 inches

WEIGHT

2–3 lbs

X

Red-tailed guenon

cercopithecus ascanius schmidti

Red-tailed guenons have cheek pouches in which they can temporarily store about as much food as their stomachs will hold.

Quick Facts

RANGE

East-central Africa

STATUS

Least Concern

DIET

Omnivore - Mostly fruit, also leaves and some animal prey

ACTIVE

Diurnal

LIFESPAN

Up to 28 years

OFFSPRING

Single offspring

LENGTH

Female: About 13–18 in (32–46 cm)
Male: About 16–25 in (40–63 cm)

WEIGHT

3–4 kg (6.6–8.8 lbs)

X

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.

X

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

X

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

X

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

X

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

X

Red-footed Tortoise

chelonoidis carbonarius

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

Today at the Zoo

Prairie Dog Keeper Chat

Prairie Dog Keeper Chat

Elephant Keeper Chat

Zoo Experiences

Penguin Feeding

Penguin Feeding

Rhino Keeper Chat

African Aviary

African Journey

Upcoming Events

Elephant Keeper Chat

Lion Keeper Chat

Colobus Trail Keeper Chat

Penguin Feeding

Chimpanzee Keeper Chat

Cheetah & Antelope Keeper Chat

Giraffe & Okapi Keeper Chat

Animal Ambassadors

Antelope Exhibit

Bald Eagle

haliaeetus leucocephalus

Quick Facts

RANGE

STATUS

DIET

ACTIVE

LIFESPAN

OFFSPRING

LENGTH

WEIGHT

Upcomings Events

Bald Eagle Keeper Chat

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Bobcat

lynx rufus

Quick Facts

RANGE

STATUS

DIET

ACTIVE

LIFESPAN

OFFSPRING

LENGTH

WEIGHT

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