CAMERON PARK ZOO



Cameron Park ZooSelf-Guided TourDue to the large number of school groups that visit the zoo each year, we are not able to provide all groups with guided tours. The Education Department hopes that you will find the following information helpful in maximizing your students’ learning experience at the zoo. WHITE-HANDED GIBBONS (Spike, Gracie & Lucy)White Handed Gibbons are the smallest of the apes.Their fur is twice as dense compared to other Old World apes .Gibbons may spend a half hour or more calling and displaying at dawn and dusk.Grooming each other and vocalizing reinforces social bonds.Long arms are adapted to moving about in the trees; they hold their long arms up high for balance when walking on the ground.Gibbons are the pickiest eaters in the primate world preferring fruits that are high in sugar.BALD EAGLES (Justice & Liberty)The term "bald" comes from an old British word "bold", meaning white.In birds of prey, females are generally larger than males.Bald Eagles build large nests or aeries; they add more material to it each year making it larger and stronger.Runoff from the use of the pesticide DDT washed into rivers and streams and concentrated in fish, which are the principle diet of fish. Ingestion of the chemical causes females to lay eggs with brittle shells that broke easily during incubation.The bald eagle was declared an endangered species in 1967, in 1995, it moved into the threatened species category. In 2007, it was officially de-listed.The Bald Eagle is still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act which prohibits the ‘taking’ of these eagles and even the ownership of such items such as feathers; exceptions are made for Native American tribes which use such items in rituals.MACAWSMilitary Macaw (Big Red) & Blue and Gold Macaw (Meechi)Can grow to be 28 inches in length with a 14 inch wingspanThese birds are not easily frightenedVery social; in captivity, they may frequently breed with related speciesGIANT TORTOISESTwo of the largest tortoises in the world – Aldabra and GalapagosAldabra Tortoise (Skipper)Average male weight is around 551 lbs.The main population of these tortoises lives on the protected Aldabra Atoll off the coast of Africa.They get most of their water from the plants it eats.Galapagos Tortoises (Professor & Gilligan)The thirteen subspecies of Galapagos Tortoises are only found on nine islands that form the Galapagos Archipelago; three of these subspecies are now thought to be extinct.Weight may reach up to 660 lbs. and can grow to be six feet long.They are strict herbivores eating only grasses and other plant life. Zoo diet is fresh fruits and vegetables.Share a symbiotic relationship with a subspecies of the Galapagos finch; the finch cleans it of parasitic ticks, which the finch consumes.Their life expectancy is unknown, but expected to be around 200 years. SOUTH AMERICA (El Rey de la Monta?a) King Vulture Typically nests in rock ledges or in tree stumps.All vultures serve an important conservation role as “nature’s clean up crew”.The King Vulture is the largest and most colorful vulture found in the Americas.CapybaraFemales will nurse any young.They are crepuscular being most active at dawn and dusk.Two-toed Sloth (Chewy & Cheetah)Lives most of its life upside down.Algae growing on its fur makes it appear green and serves as camouflage. * During cool weather conditions, the sloth can be seen in its exhibit alongside South America.Patagonian CavyHas been clocked running 18 – 27 mph and can hop as high as six and half feet.Squirrel MonkeyEats mostly leaves and fruit with occasional lizards, eggs and insects.Lives in the upper canopy of the rainforest and is the most vocal of primates.Scarlet IbisAttain their color from the carotene in its food.Although they’re the national bird of Trinidad, they have not bred on the island in the last 30 years.AgoutiAfter about an hour, newborns become independent of their mothers.Sit down like people to eat using their front feet to hold their mon Green IguanaCan fall from the upper branches of trees 40 to 50 ft. high if they feel threatened.Males have a row of pores on the underside of each thigh that serve an unknown purpose.Kept off exhibit during cooler weather.Red Footed TortoiseThey crawl around on the forest floor and eat fruit that has fallen from the trees.They can swim, but spend most of their time on land.BRAZOS RIVER COUNTRY EXHIBITGulf Coast:Saltwater Aquarium - Enter our shipwrecked Spanish Galleon and discover the marine fish of the Flower Garden Reef that live in the Texas Gulf Coast. Gulf Islands and Salt Marsh:Shore Birds AviaryWalk through the Texas Coastline and get a close up look at the various birds that live in the region. Some of these birds include the white pelican, heron gull, black-necked stilt, and American black duck. American AlligatorOne of two living alligator species in the world.The species has changed little during the million of years that they have been around.Listed as an ‘endangered species’ in 1967; however, their population has increased to where they were de-listed in 1987.Although their numbers have rebounded in most of their historic range, they still face dangers in Florida due to temperature extremes and limited food resources.Will eat almost anything, even Florida black bears and jaguars.Alligators are illegal to have as pets in the state of Texas.East Texas Piney Woods:Discover some of the various wildlife that call the pine forests of East Texas homeCougar (Paso & Robles)The largest cat in the ‘little’ cat family.Also known as the Puma or Mountain Lion.Can jump as far as 40 ft. and one was once seen jumping 18 ft. straight into the air.Crested CaracaraHave a four-foot long wingspan.Most terrestrial falcon, preferring to make stick nests on the ground.National bird of Mexico.Black Bear (Balou & Donna)Most common bear species native to North America.Listed as threatened in Louisiana, east Texas, and southern Mississippi.Two of the most iconic cartoon bears in our society are based on the black bear; Smokey the Bear was based on a cub found after a forest fire and the creation of Winnie the Pooh was inspired by Winnipeg bear. River Otter (Minnow, Gulliver & Percy)Tail makes up 30-40% of their total body weight.Since their eyes are adapted for underwater vision, they are nearsighted on land.Although not nationally endangered, they are listed as endangered in many states and threatened in others.Blackland Prairie/ Post Oak Savannah:View our ‘Living Relics’ in the Braz Walker building, explore life as a Hueco Indian, be a paleontologists at the fossil dig, and enjoy the flowers with the butterflies.Braz Walker River Encounter Building - As you enter, you’ll notice our ‘living relics’ exhibit. Running parallel to the exhibit is another freshwater aquarium filled with various fish and turtles that you would find in the Brazos River. You can also view additional Texas native reptiles, amphibians that live here too. PaddlefishIs one of two living paddlefish species.Its rostrum, or snout, is lined with electrosensors that allow it to detect the small electric fields generated by its food source.BowfinIs the only survivor of a family of fish that first appeared in the Jurassic period. Has several sharp teeth set in a powerful jaw.Can use its swim bladder to breathe air on land.Shovelnose SturgeonInstead of scales, it is covered in bony plates.Smallest of the North American sturgeon.Hueco Indian Lodges - Replicas of the shelter built by the indigenous people of the area for whom Waco is named after.Fossil Dig - Pretend to be a paleontologist unearthing one of the many Columbian Mammoth fossils at our replica of the Waco Mammoth Site.Butterfly Gardens - Stop by and indulge yourself with the scents and colors of the various flowers while butterflies and other nectar-loving insects look for food.Prairies & Cross Timbers:Explore the open grasslands of Texas and its surrounding forests Coyote (Judge, Colt, Ruger, Winchester)19 subspecies; 16 in North America and Mexico and three in Central AmericaLive up to 10 years in the wild and up to 18 in captivity.Male pups leave six to seven months after birth, while the females stay to form the basis of the pack.Ocelot (Gustavo)Usually ranges in Mexico, Central America and South America; sightings have been reported in Texas.They have been hunted for their fur since the time of the Aztecs.Jaguar (Tukari & Nacon)Third largest feline in the world.Ranges from Mexico, Central America into Paraguay and northern Argentina.Like the tiger, it enjoys swimming.Has a powerful bite enabling it to deliver fatal blows directly to the brain.Edwards Plateau:Harley Berg Brazos at Night Building - Get an up-close of look of some of the nocturnal animals that most people never see.Great Horned OwlUtilizes the nests of other birds.Can take down prey two to three times its size.PorcupineClosest relative is the beaver.Second largest rodent in North America.Striped SkunkAnal glands carry about a tablespoon of musk; enough for five to six jets.RaccoonThe male will stay with the female a month prior to mating till the young are born; otherwise, raccoons are generally solitary.Jamaican Fruit Bat & Seba Island Fruit BatNot native to Texas, native species eat insects and are too difficult to keep in captivitySeba Island bats are smaller than the Jamaican bats.Barn OwlTheir large eyes can gather light very well, but focus poorly at close range.Introduced in Malaysia to control rats with great success; each family killed around 1,300 rats per year.Screech OwlAre poor nest builders.Their call is more of a weird trembling sound rather than a screech.Cap Rock:American BisonLargest terrestrial animal in North America.Bison have few enemies, besides humans.White-Tailed Deer Very common in Texas Unlike horns, the male’s antlers fall off every winter and regenerate the following spring. Wild Turkey Turkey’s have between 5,000-6,000 feathers Hens nest on the ground at the base of a tree or in tall grass, they roost in trees at night.TEXAS RANCH HOUSE - The building contains the Education Department classroom and the animals they use for Education programs. If you would like to schedule an education program, call 750-8400. HERPETARIUMGiant Snakes of the World - When entering, you’ll notice an exhibit on either side of you; both of these contain one of two of the largest snakes in the world. To your immediate left, is a Green Anaconda and to your right is a Reticulated Python. Also, in the exhibit with the Reticulated Python is a Burmese Python. Jewels of the Jungle - Across the bridge, you’ll find several species of venomous and non-venomous snakes as well as turtles and a dwarf caiman. Additionally, try to find the non-venomous snake that looks like the venomous Florida Cottonmouth. Gems of the Desert - Come view the snakes and lizards that call the desert their home. While you’re here, take the time to discover that while our culture demonizes snakes, some cultures consider them sacred. Rattlesnake Den - Finish up your tour in the company of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. Here you’ll learn how to identify it and the various color mutations that are present with the species. HERPATERIUM AVIARYTurkey VultureHave the most highly developed sense of smell among all animals.Feed on carrion to garbage; their feet are too weak and flat to kill an animal.The bald head prevents the transfer of bacteria from carrion. American Black VultureSince it does not have a developed since of smell, it follows Turkey Vultures and steals their food.If startled, it will regurgitate to deter predators and decrease its weight for flight.RoadrunnerIs capable of short-term flight; usually, when it senses danger or is going downhill.It can eat rattlesnakes; however, if it cannot swallow the snake’s entire length, it will walk around slowly swallowing the snake as it digests.AFRICAN AVAIRYBlue-Bellied RollerThe ‘roller’ part of its name comes from the rolling it displays in courtship rituals.Red-Billed HornbillAfter mating, the female encloses herself and her nest in a cavity and remains sheltered till the eggs hatch; during this time, the male feeds her through a small opening. Helmeted GuineafowlLarge bird with a round body and small head.Very agile and powerful flyers, capable of hovering and even flying backwards when necessary.GUENTHER'S DIK-DIK & KORI BUSTARDDik-Dik (Squanto)Notice the mobile snout, the upper lip is able to grasp (similar to the tip of an elephant trunk).Crescent-shaped scent glands near eyes.Diet includes grass and shrubs.Kori Bustard (Kubili & Isa)It is the heaviest flying bird weighing over 30 lbs. and standing three feet tall.Bustards are only found in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.AFRICAN SAVANNAGiraffe (Jenny, Dane & Penelope)Are the tallest living animals reaching heights of 18 feet. Five minutes after birth, a newborn calf can stand on its own and begin foraging fifteen minutes later.Greater Kudu (Damien & Kali)Second largest antelopeCan jump nine feet without much effort.Southern Generek (Woody & Trixie)Females are independent from their mothers at one year, while males become independent at two.They require little water and stand on their hind feet to reach food.Maribou Stork (Al)Is a scavenger, but will also eat live prey.African Crowned Crane (Ferdinand & Elizabeth)Has a “crown” of stiff yellow feathers on its head.WHITE RHINOCEROS (Jabba, Babe & Ethel)"White" came from the African word "weit" which means wide, referring to square mouth and lip.The square lip enables the rhino to be an excellent grazer.Poor eyesight (students can squint to help them imagine how rhinos see).May live to be 45 years of age.The horn is made of compacted hair; unfortunately, human greed for this horn is also the main cause of the Rhino’s endangered status. AFRICAN WATERFOWLLesser Flamingo Plumage color results from carotenoid substance in their diet.When they eat, they turn their heads nearly upside down and dip their beaks into the water. The beak then acts like a filter or a net to catch their food. Sacred Ibis Worshipped by the ancient Egyptians as the symbol for the god Thoth; ironically, the sacred ibis is now extinct in Egypt.African Open bill StorkDisplay elaborate pair bonding behavior during munication consists of nasal honking.African SpoonbillFeed by ‘fishing’ with their bill, snapping at anything that swims by.The unique spoon-shape of the bill develops as it grows.African Cape TealThey are nocturnal.Lamellae on the bill’s border suggest filter feeding is important in finding food.White-Faced Whistling DuckMost common duck in Africa and South America.Adult coloration is attained at four months.African Spur-Thigh TortoiseIs the largest mainland tortoise.* During cool weather, the tortoise is not on exhibit.AFRICAN ELEPHANTS (Tembo & Tanya)Elephants can live to 70 or more years of age in captivity.They use their trunks for many things like: bringing food and water to their mouth, showering their bodies with water and dust, and as visual communication with other animals. The trunk does not work like a straw!Their ears contain many tiny blood vessels. The blood is cooled there in the ears by flapping them; the cooled blood then travels onward to cool the rest of the body.MEERKATSAdults teach the young such behavior as hunting and eating scorpions.They can eat scorpions due to their immunity to the scorpion’s venom.Like our fingerprints, the bars on the back of the meerkat are unique to each individual.AFRICAN LION (Kaikane, Shamfa & Leia)The lion is the largest African cat. They live in family groups called prides and are seldom seen alone.Lions are social animals, greeting each other by rubbing heads and faces together.SUMATRAN TIGERS (Kucing, Maharani & Bimo)These beautiful animals are among the most endangered tigers in the world; it is believed that there are less than 300 of these amazing animals remaining in the jungles.Tigers are hunted for their beautiful pelts, as well as their bones, which are used for medicinal purposes in some cultures. Tigers tongues are rough for self-grooming and cleaning off the bones of their prey.Stripes offer camouflage and protection as they stalk their prey in tall grasses.KOMODO DRAGON (Enam, Vince & Jules)The Komodo dragon is the largest living species of lizard.They have a keen sense of smell.Komodo dragons have been known to hunt in packs to bring down their prey. The larger dragons eat first, while smaller dragons get what’s left over.Once the baby dragons hatch, they immediately take to the trees so they don’t become dinner. A Komodo dragon can eat up to 80% of its body weight in one meal.ORANGUTAN (KJ, Mukah, Mei & Kutai)These animals are the largest living arboreal (living in trees) animals with longer arms than any other great ape. Their arms are twice as long as their legs.Orangutans are considered critically endangered and are currently found only in rainforests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage.LEMUR ISLANDRing-Tailed Lemur (Sprite, Capri Sun, Crystal Light, Skittles, Rollo & Twix)One of the most vocal primates.All females help in raising the young.Red-Ruffed Lemur (Weasley & Esther)Like all lemurs, they are native to Madagascar.Thank you for visiting Cameron Park Zoo! ................
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