Emperor Scorpion

Pandinus imperator Order: Scorpiones Family: Scorpionidae Overview This species is commonly found in education collections. Because of their impressive size, Emperor scorpions are known for their wow factor. They do not have potent venom which also makes them a possibility for handling, although their pincers are powerful. Like tarantulas, most people consider scorpions scary or…

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Gromphadorhina portentosa Order: Blattodea Family: Blaberidae Overview A fantastic, easy program animal for any handler. So many different educational messages. And kids of all ages love insects- or at least intrigued by them! Natural History Information Range and Habitat They are found in the tropical, lowland rainforests of Madagascar, typically under dry leaves on the…

Fall 2020

Download Fall 2021 (09-28-2020) newsletter This issue includes: Articles AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: A Giant Rabbit with a Giant Notion (Domestic Rabbit) SHOW AND TAIL: Extreme Monotremes (Echidna) AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: The Swallow-tailed Kite SPECIES SPOTLIGHT: Frilled Lizard (Frilled Dragon) SPECIES SPOTLIGHT: Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula SHOW AND TAIL: From Bug in a Box to Out…

summer 2020

Download Summer 2020 (07-08-2020) newsletter This issue includes: COVID-19 Special Articles Our 2-Team Approach During COVID-19 Taking Care of Program Animals Without Programs Moving Our Ambassador Program Forward During the COVID-19 Pandemic SPECIES SPOTLIGHT: Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula SHOW AND TAIL: Beyond the Water Spout – Training Itsy, Bitsy Spiders SHOW AND TAIL: Fernando and…

spring 2020

Download Spring 2020 (04-17-2020) newsletter This issue includes: Ambassador Animal Acquisition AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: Individualization in our Ambassador Animals: A Goat isn’t Just a Goat Page SHOW AND TAIL: A Flocking Good Time (Chilean flamingo) AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: Heroes Arrive at Point Definance Zoo & Aquarium (African giant pouched rats) RESEARCH CORNER: Impact of a…

Moon Crab

Moon Crab  Latin Name Gecarcinus quadratus Order: Decapoda Family: Gecarcinidae The common name “moon crab” is sometimes used for other Gecarcinus species or crabs in the genus Cardisoma. G. quadratus is also commonly known as the Halloween crab.  Overview  As one of the most surprising, yet familiar arthropod species, land crabs can make very good…

Winter 2020

Download Winter 2020 (01-27-2020) newsletter This issue includes: AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: Close Encounters of the Wild Kind: Linneaus Two-toed Sloth SHOW AND TAIL: Assessing 2.1 Straw Colored Fruit Bats (Eidolon helvum) for Ambassador Work SHOW AND TAIL: A Touching Experience (touch tanks) AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: Interpretive Tools for Incorporating Empathy into Live Animal Presentations SHOW…

Chilean Rose Tarantula

Chilean Rose Tarantula Latin Name Grammostola rosea    Order: Araneae     Family:  Overview The Chilean rose-haired tarantula is the hardiest of tarantulas and is easy to find in human care and is one of the most common found in ambassador animal situations. Although it has a reputation for being docile (calm), it varies in temperment…

Hermit Crab

Hermit Crab Latin Name Coenobita spp. Order: Decapoda Family: Note relevant information about latin name, close relatives, etc. Overview They are a nice way to be able to draw correlations to ocean invertebrates, since we don’t have any fish or other ocean or purely aquatic species in our collection. Easy to handle and not hard…

Desert Millipede

Orthoporus ornatus Order: Husbandry Information Housing Requirements 10-20 gallon fish tank, depending on how many you keep together. Provide soil or coconut bedding for digging as they spent the majority of their time buried. Artificial plants and a few rocks were provided. Diet Requirements Chopped produce (lettuce, apple, banana, etc) They were also occasionally offered…