Moluccan Cockatoo

Moluccan Cockatoo Cacatua moluccensis Order: Psittaciformes Family: Cacatuidae Overview With regard to their availability and suitability as ambassador animals: Contact the Parrot TAG for availability of cockatoos through AZA facilities. Cockatoos do not need to be hand-reared from hatch to make good ambassador birds, in fact, allowing birds to remain with their parents until weaned…

Caribbean Giant Cockroach

Blaberus giaganteus Order: Blattodea Family: Blaberidae Overview Caribbean Cockroaches or Giant Cave Cockroaches are a wonderful ambassador species. Being one of the largest species of cockroach in the world, these impressive animals are great for an experienced handler. While these are docile animals, they can move very quickly if startled and fall off handler’s hands…

Mexican Red Kneed Tarantula

Brachypelma smithi Order: Araneae Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Diet Requirements 1 x gut-loaded cricket per week Veterinary Concerns Notes on Enrichment & Training Other Colony or Breeding Management   Individual Identification   Programmatic Information Transportation Temperature Guidelines   Crating: Tips on Presentation Touching Techniques Tips on Handling Usually very docile and easy to handle; may…

Goliath Bird-eating Spider

Theraphosa blondi Order: Araneae Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Diet Requirements Veterinary Concerns Notes on Enrichment & Training Other Colony or Breeding Management   Individual Identification   Programmatic Information Transportation Temperature Guidelines   Crating: Tips on Presentation Touching Techniques Tips on Handling Seneca Park Zoo: Do not handle!   Potential Messaging Acquisition Information   Comments from…

Costa Rican Zebra-leg Tarantula

Rhechosticta seemanni Order: Araneae Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Diet Requirements In the wild, spiderlings eat pinhead crickets and other small insects, while adults eat crickets, other large insects, and the occasional small vertebrate. In captivity, they are feed crickets every week, and one pinkie mouse or earth worm once a month. Veterinary Concerns Notes on…

Brazilian Black Tarantula

Grammostola pulchra Order: Araneae Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Diet Requirements Wild Diet: they eat a variety of invertebrates, including insects. May also eat small mammals, reptiles and other spiders. Zoo/Aquarium Diet: insects (crickets, dubias, butterworms, etc). After a molt, we do not feed or handle for 2 weeks. Our adults are fed 1 cricket or…

Vinegaroon

Mastigoproctus giganteus Order: Uropygi Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Diet Requirements In the wild, young vinegaroons eat pinhead crickets and other small insects, while adults feed on larger insects, worms, and slugs. In captivity, vinegaroons are fed crickets; young receive pinhead crickets and adults receive adult crickets. Veterinary Concerns Notes on Enrichment & Training Other Colony…

Caribbean flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber Order: Pheonicopteriformes Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Shallow ponds or pools are necessary. Sand can be overly drying on feet. Sod can work. Mats are needed if they are bed-roomed on concrete. Diet Requirements Commercial flamingo diet, dry or wet. Veterinary Concerns Bumblefoot (generalized foot lesions) is very common among captive flamingos. The best…

Common Raven

Corvus corax Order: Passeriformes Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Diet Requirements Extremely varied. Ravens will hunt for insects and small vertebrates, scavenge on carrion, or eat fruits, vegetables, seeds and eggs. Veterinary Concerns Notes on Enrichment & Training Other Colony or Breeding Management   Individual Identification   Programmatic Information Transportation Temperature Guidelines   Crating: Tips on…

American Crow

Corvus brachyrynchos Order: Passeriformes Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Diet Requirements Fruit and vegetables, seeds, nuts, low-iron softbill diet, harboiled eggs, crickets, mealworms, ground meat, mice. Veterinary Concerns Notes on Enrichment & Training Other Colony or Breeding Management   Individual Identification   Programmatic Information Transportation Temperature Guidelines   Crating: Tips on Presentation Touching Techniques Tips on…