Budgie (Budgerigar)

Budgie (Budgerigar) Latin Name: Melopsittacus undulatus Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Overview  Budgies are a charismatic ambassador species due to their outgoing nature. They can be kept as ambassadors either in large walk-through aviaries, where flock size may range in the hundreds, or in a smaller setting as a single bird/pair/small group. Budgies are highly gregarious, and…

Straw- Colored Fruit Bat

Eidolon helvum Order: Chiroptera Family:Pteropodidae Straw- colored fruit bat Chiroptera is the family of bats. Overview  Natural History Information  Range and Habitat  The straw- colored fruit bat can be found throughout Africa in tropical forests, savannas, and any other area that contains many trees and enough food. They most commonly roost in trees during the…

Tawny Frogmouth

Podargus strigoides Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Podargidae Overview Tawny frogmouths are unusual, charismatic birds that will engage the audience at first sight.  Though common throughout most of Australia and Tasmania, most American zoo audiences will not be familiar with the frogmouth and will be thirsty for information.  Ambassador tawny frogmouths can be trained to sit calmly…

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psitticidae Scarlet Macaw    The class Aves comes from the Latin for both birds and flight. Overview  Natural History Information  Range and Habitat  Scarlet macaws are native to Central and South America. They inhabit woodland areas and the humid lowland tropical rainforest (up to 3,000 feet). These macaws spend most…

Goffin’s Cockatooo

Cacatua goffini Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psitticidae Overview  Natural History Information  Range and Habitat  Living in both forest and agricultural land, the Goffin’s Cockatoo can be found in coastal, lowland areas of the Tanimbar Islands of Indonesia.   Longevity  Median life expectancy in the wild: unknown Median life expectancy in captivity: up to 75 years Ecosystem…

Eurasian Collared Dove

Common Name: Eurasian Collared Dove Latin Name: Streptopelia decaocto Order: Columbiformes Family:Columbidae Overview Originally a wild species found across northern Asia and Europe, the Eurasian collared dove is now kept as a pet in many other parts of the world. It’s call is very similar to the North American mourning dove. The body is of…

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…

Virginia opossum

Species  Didelphis virginiana Order: Didelphimorphia Family: Didelphidae Overview  Virginia Opossums are relatively large, and thus easy for audiences to see. They are native to North America, and are the continent’s only native marsupial. They can be trained to kennel, target, station, nail trims, and perform A-B behaviors, to name a few. Unreleasable individuals may be…

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…

Florida Kingsnake

Latin Name: Lampropeltis getula floridiana Order: Squamata Family: Colubridae Considered an unofficial subspecies of kingsnake Overview Capron Park Zoo has been using a Florida Kingsnake as an Animal Ambassador for several years. It is an easily kept species that is forgiving of a variety of husbandry conditions, a good eater with a curious and non-aggressive…