Physical Description
A mature bull can reach 5.5-6.5 feet high at the hump and 9-12.5 feet in length, while females are normally smaller, only reaching 5 feet high. Bison have a large hump over the front shoulders and slimmer hindquarters. Both male and female bison have a single set of short, sharply pointed, hollow horns that curve outward and up. Heavy coats are shed in the spring as the animals roll to loosen the hair, which falls off in gobs.
Predators
Because of their size and powerful bodies, bison do not have many predators. However, sick, injured, or elderly individuals may be preyed on by mountain lions, bears, or wolves.
Lifespan
Their average lifespan is 15-20 years.
Reproduction
Bison are usually found in bands arranged by sex, age, season, and habitat. Males will protect their mate during the breeding season and will often lose 200 lbs or more during this time. The breeding season usually lasts from June to September with a gestation period of approximately 285 days. Females give birth to 1 calf away from the herd and will nurse them for 7-8 months before weaning them at about 1 year old.
Fun Facts
- The North American Bison is split into two groups: the Plains Bison and the Wood Bison. Bison were once widespread and found from Alaska to northern Mexico, but the current range occupied by conservation herds has diminished to one percent of its original status.
- Bison are the largest terrestrial animal in North America and can weigh between 1,800 to 2,400 pounds.
Conservation Messaging
Bison were once widespread and found from Alaska to northern Mexico, but the current range occupied by conservation herds has diminished to one percent of its original status. One thing that we can do is support sustainable agriculture practices. By purchasing products that are certified by organizations such as the Rainforest Alliance and Bird Friendly, you are helping in the conservation of forests and habitats around the world.
Physical Description
The Black Swan has dark, black body plumage with white feather tips on its wings. They have an average wingspan of 5-6.5 feet and will weigh around 13-20 lbs. Black Swans have the longest neck to body ratio of any swan species. Their beak is deep red with white band at the tip, and they have black, webbed feet.
Predators
Black Swans have no natural predators, but they may be preyed on by introduced species such as cats, dogs, and foxes.
Lifespan
In the wild, they live an average of 12 years, but in human care, they have been known to live up to 40 years.
Reproduction
Adults will typically mate for life. Their breeding season lasts from February to September. Both parents will help build the nest where the female will lay 5-8 eggs. The pair will alternate incubating the eggs for a period of 35-40 days.
Fun Facts
- Swans molt once a year during which time they are flightless.
- Although they are only native only to Australia, black swans have been introduced all over the world, including in Europe, North America, and New Zealand.
Conservation Messaging
Here at our duck pond, we welcome all species of native migratory birds. You can see different species of ducks and waterfowl as they migrate with the seasons. Our resident waterfowl have learned to coexist and share their habitat with these birds because they serve them a purpose. As with most birds, these migratory species are excellent at seed dispersal allowing a diverse plant community to form within their habitat as well as many other habitats.
Physical Description
Chuckwallas are typically 15 inches long with half of that body length being their tail. Their color will depend on temperature, geographic location, surroundings, and mood. Males are usually larger and may be more rust colored with black limbs, while females may be more gray-yellow in color.
Predators
Some predators they may encounter include rattlesnakes, coyotes, kestrels, and red-tailed hawks.
Lifespan
Their average lifespan is 25 years, though some have been known to live up to 65 years.
Reproduction
Breeding occurs from April to July with eggs being laid from June to August. Females will lay 5-16 eggs which will hatch in late September.
Fun Facts
- When threatened, they will wedge themselves into rock crevices, expand their lungs to increase their body mass, and use their scales to catch on rocks so that predators have a difficult time removing them.
- Chuckwalla can withstand basking temperatures of up to 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conservation Messaging
In our Reptile and Amphibian (RAD) center you will find many different reptiles and amphibians including venomous and poisonous species of snakes and frogs. Many of these animals fall victim to habitat loss in the wild. Many of the species here are found in South American habitats which are subjected to deforestation, damming of rivers, water pollution, and poor agricultural and management practices.
Physical Description
White Cockatoos, also called the Umbrella Cockatoos, are known for their distinct white feathers and their broad, backward-bending crest, which opens like an umbrella and fans out. They can use these crest feathers to communicate with each other. Their average wingspan is 9-12 inches.
Predators
They can be preyed on by birds of prey, snakes, and cats.
Lifespan
Cockatoos can live 60 years or more, but some in human care have been known to live over 100 years!
Reproduction
Both parents will help incubate the eggs. Once hatched, the parents will typically only care for the healthier chick. Chicks will learn to fly by the time they are 3 months old, but they will still be dependent on their parents for another 2-3 weeks after that.
Fun Facts
- Cockatoos are known to be intelligent and have even been seen using branches as tools!
- They have a beak that is strong enough to break a human finger!
Conservation Messaging
Lorikeets and Cockatoos are often viewed as these beautiful and intelligent birds. While many people will fall in love with exotic birds for that reason, most of these birds are considered vulnerable, threatened, or endangered out in the wild.
By purchasing and owning an exotic animal, you could be supporting the illegal exotic pet trade. What we see is vibrant colors of a parrot or the incredible ability to mimic sound but what we don’t see is how these animals were first illegally poached from the wild. One more exotic pet in captivity is one less animal in the wild which is resulting in species population numbers dropping drastically.
Physical Description
There are around 200 different species of poison dart frogs, and they are known for having a wide variety of different, brightly colored patterns. They can range in size from 0.75 to 1.5 inches in length.
Predators
Because of a built-up resistance to the dart frog poison, their only natural predator is the fire-bellied snake.
Lifespan
Poison Dart Frogs live an average of 3-5 years in the wild, but they have been known to live 10-20 years in human care.
Reproduction
Breeding times depend on rainfall, but they can typically breed year-round. Rituals vary by species but most include an elaborate courtship that can last several hours. The female will lay clutches of eggs ranging from 1-30 eggs in a moist environment, and both parents typically help the eggs stay moist until they hatch in 2-4 weeks. Some parents will then carry their tadpoles on their backs to a water source where they will stay for the next 6-12 weeks until their metamorphosis is complete.
Fun Facts
- Poison Dart Frogs earned their name because native people were known to rub blow darts and arrowheads on the three most toxic species of dart frogs in order to add poison to their weapons.
- Their bright colors serve as a warning to let predators know they have poison and should be avoided. They are unable to produce their own poison and instead use toxins from the insects they eat which have consumed plants with toxins.
Conservation Messaging
In our Reptile and Amphibian (RAD) center you will find many different reptiles and amphibians including venomous and poisonous species of snakes and frogs. Many of these animals fall victim to habitat loss in the wild. Many of the species here are found in South American habitats which are subjected to deforestation, damming of rivers, water pollution, and poor agricultural and management practices.
Physical Description
The dusky pygmy rattlesnake is a venomous snake and grows to be 15-22 inches long with a thick body. Their color will range from light gray to dark gray with black, reddish brown, and/ or orange blotches.
Predators
Some predators they may encounter include raptors, mammals, and other snakes.
Lifespan
They live an average of 20 years.
Reproduction
They are ovoviviparous, which means that the female produces eggs she carries and hatches internally and gives live birth. Eggs will internally incubate for 4-6 months. In late summer or early fall, the female will give birth to 5-8 offspring.
Fun Facts
- Because the dusky pygmy rattlesnake is so small and never has more than a few rattles on its tail, the shaking of their “rattle” sounds more like a buzzing sound.
- This species will use heat sensing pits on their faces to locate warm-blooded prey.
Conservation Messaging
In our Reptile and Amphibian (RAD) center you will find many different reptiles and amphibians including venomous and poisonous species of snakes and frogs. Many of these animals fall victim to habitat loss in the wild. Many of the species here are found in South American habitats which are subjected to deforestation, damming of rivers, water pollution, and poor agricultural and management practices.
NOTE: Education Animals are “behind-the-scenes” animals & only appear to the public during Educational events. This includes scheduled events or programs such as daily animal mingles, private onsite programs, and zoo reaches. For more information, please reach out to edureservations@lvzoo.org.
Physical Description
Eastern rat snakes are nonvenomous snakes that can grow to be 3-7 feet long. Their backs will have black scales while their bellies will have lighter colored scales often in a checkerboard pattern.
Predators
Some of their predators include hawks, great horned owls, and free-ranging domestic cats.
Lifespan
They have been known to live an average of 10-30 years.
Reproduction
Breeding occurs from May to June with egg-laying occurring in June or July. The female will lay 5-19 eggs which will hatch in 60-65 days.
Fun Facts
- Eastern rat snakes are the most commonly seen snakes in Virginia.
- This species is both terrestrial and arboreal, will hibernate underground or in deep crevices, and are even able to swim.
Conservation Messaging
In our Reptile and Amphibian (RAD) center you will find many different reptiles and amphibians including venomous and poisonous species of snakes and frogs. Many of these animals fall victim to habitat loss in the wild. Many of the species here are found in South American habitats which are subjected to deforestation, damming of rivers, water pollution, and poor agricultural and management practices.
Physical Description
Egyptian geese average 25-29 inches in height, and they can weigh from 3-5 lbs. Their average wingspan is 15 inches. Egyptian geese have long necks, long pink legs, a pink bill, black tails, and brown eye patches encircling each eye.
Predators
Some predators they may face include lions, cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles, and vultures.
Lifespan
In the wild, they live an average of 15 years, but in human care they have been known to live up to 35 years.
Reproduction
Males are aggressive during the mating season and will perform elaborate and noisy courtship displays. They are primarily monogamous, and a mated pair will nest alone in dense vegetation, holes, or simply on the ground. About 5-12 eggs will be laid and then will be incubated for 28-30 days. Fledging occurs about 70 days after hatching.
Fun Facts
- Because the males and females are so close in size, the best way to determine their gender is by listening to their vocalizations. Males will make more of a whistle sound, while females will have more of a cackle.
- Egyptian Geese usually settle in one pond, lake, stream or river for their entire lives, unless predators become too abundant or drought occurs.
Conservation Messaging
Here at our duck pond, we welcome all species of native migratory birds. You can see different species of ducks and waterfowl as they migrate with the seasons. Our resident waterfowl have learned to coexist and share their habitat with these birds because they serve them a purpose. As with most birds, these migratory species are excellent at seed dispersal allowing a diverse plant community to form within their habitat as well as many other habitats.
Physical Description
The average emu height is 4.9-6.2 feet tall weighing 66-121 lbs. Females are slightly larger and heavier than the males. Emus have shaggy, brown to grey-brown feathers on their body with small wings. Their feathers are double-shafted, long, and loose, and they are less water resistant than other birds. An emu’s head and neck are mostly bare and are bluish-black in color.
Predators
Adult emus are relatively free from predation and are able to defend themselves using their feet and nails to strike and rip. Dingoes or wedge-tailed eagles are their only natural predators.
Lifespan
In the wild, they usually live 10-20 years, but they can live up to 35 years in human care.
Reproduction
The male will build the nest out of twigs, leaves, and grass on the ground. The female will lay 11-20 eggs every 2-3 days and will lay up to 3 clutches per season. Once the eggs are laid, the female will leave the male and may find another male to mate with. The male will stay with the nest for 8 weeks until the eggs hatch. He will lose up to 1/3 of his body weight during this time because he does not leave the nest while incubating the eggs; he will only get up to turn the eggs and to tidy the nest.
Fun Facts
- They cannot fly, but they can travel long distances at 30 mph and are capable of jumping up to 7 feet in the air!
- Emus are the tallest bird native to Australia and are the second largest living bird.
Conservation Messaging
Emus are considered the largest native bird in Australia. They serve an important purpose for helping to preserve habitats by being seed dispersal specialists! They will often eat seeds whole then defecate and disperse them along the way.
Even though Emu’s are considered stable, they are facing some threats to their natural habitats. One major issue is logging and clearing land for agriculture and property development. More than 50% of Australia’s land mass is used for agricultural purposes!
One thing that we can do is support sustainable agriculture practices. By purchasing products that are certified such as Bird Friendly Coffee, you are helping in the conservation of forests and habitats around the world.
Physical Description
Gila monsters are the largest lizard native to the US and can grow to be up to 22 inches long with stocky bodies. They have distinct color patterns of black with pink or orange and bead-like scales.
Predators
Some predators they may encounter include hawks, owls, coyotes, and snakes.
Lifespan
In the wild, they live an average of 20 years, but in human care, they have been known to live 30 years or more.
Reproduction
During the breeding season in early summer, males will sometimes compete for mates by wrestling. The female then digs a hole to lay 3-13 eggs, which will incubate for about 4 months.
Fun Facts
- Gila monster venom is injected into their victim when they bite through grooves in their teeth. By chewing, they are able to inject additional venom.
- They are one of the only 2 types of venomous lizard in the world (the other being the Mexican beaded lizard).
Conservation Messaging
In our Reptile and Amphibian (RAD) center you will find many different reptiles and amphibians including venomous and poisonous species of snakes and frogs. Many of these animals fall victim to habitat loss in the wild. Many of the species here are found in South American habitats which are subjected to deforestation, damming of rivers, water pollution, and poor agricultural and management practices.
