Chuckwalla, Common

Chuckwalla are commonly used as ambassador animals in zoos. They are a hardy, generally docile and food-motivated lizard. As juveniles they may exhibit more active behavior during handling, but calm quickly with consistent handling. With their high food motivation as well as alert and curious demeanor, they are a great candidate for training and have been taught to station and target. Their unique physiological adaptations for their environment give an excellent educational topic in addition to some implications for their care. A desert species, they need low humidity and high heat/UV access in their habitat. Overall a versatile, excellent species for consideration as an animal ambassador.

Green-winged Macaw

Green-winged Macaw Ara chloroptera Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Overview With regard to their availability and suitability as ambassador animals: Contact the Parrot TAG for availability of macaws through AZA facilities. Macaws 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…

Hyacinth Macaw

Hyacinth Macaw Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Overview With regard to their availability and suitability as ambassador animals: Contact the Parrot TAG for availability of macaws through AZA facilities. Macaws 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…