animal information north america america - animal info.pdfwild – primarily small mammals such as...

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Animal Information

North America

Table of Contents

Golden Eagle……………………………………………………………………………………………2

North American River Otter…………………………………………………………………….4

Canada Lynx…………………………………………………………………………….……………..6

Brown Bear………………………………………………………………………….………………….8

Mountain Lion……………………………………………………………………………………….10

Snow Leopard………………………………………………………………..……………………..12

Updated January 2019

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John Ball Zoo Habitat – Golden Eagles Aviary opened in 1988. Originally housed Bald Eagles.

Individual Animals: 2

Male – Frank/Francis

o Wild Born Est. 1987

o Arrived on March 20th 2007

Cheyenne Mtn Zoological Park (Colorado)

Male – No Name (Ernest)

o Wild Born – Unknown age

o Arrived on June 30th 2007

United States Fish and Wildlife Services

o Detached Retina (cloudy left eye)

Life Expectancy

Average Life Span: 28 years

The oldest known golden eagle lived to 46 years under managed care

Statistics – North America's largest predatory bird.

Weight – Females: 8.6-13.5 pounds; males 6.6-9.8 pounds

Length: 2.3-2.8 feet; wingspan: 6-7.2 feet

Diet

Wild – primarily small mammals such as rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, prairie dogs,

and marmots. They also eat birds, reptiles and fish in smaller numbers.

o Golden eagles occasionally capture large prey, including seals, ungulates, coyotes

and badgers. A pair of eagles will often hunt together; one chases the prey to

exhaustion, and the other swoops down for the kill.

Predators – Golden eagles have few predators.

Wolverines and grizzly bears are the only

recorded predators of golden eagle

nestlings.

Habitat

Tundra, shrublands, grasslands, woodland-brushlands, and coniferous forests. Most

golden eagles are found in mountainous areas, but they also nest in wetland, riparian

and estuarine habitats.

Region – They occur throughout Eurasia, in northern Africa, and in North America. In North

America, golden eagles are found in the western half of the continent, from Alaska to central

Mexico, with small numbers in eastern Canada and scattered pairs in the eastern United States.

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos

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Reproduction – Monogamous: may maintain pair bonds for several years.

For migratory golden eagles, pair formation and courtship begin when the eagles return

to the breeding grounds, between February and mid-April.

Courtship activities in this species include undulating flight by one or both members of

the pair, chases, dives, mock attacks, presenting talons,

soaring together and circling.

Golden eagles breed from March through August, depending

on their geographic location.

The female lays 1 to 4 (usually 2) eggs, with 3 to 4 day

intervals between each egg. The female begins incubating

after the first egg is laid, and is responsible for most of the

incubation, though the male often takes part. Incubation

lasts for 35 to 45 days.

The chicks are brooded by the female with decreasing frequency for the first 45 days.

Both parents bring food to the nestlings. The nestlings begin to leave the nest between

45 and 81 days of age by walking, hopping or falling out of the nest.

They begin to fly around 10 weeks of age, and become independent from the parents 32

to 80 days after fledging.

Juveniles do not breed until age 4 to 7 years, after attaining adult plumage.

Adaptations – Powerful feet and massive, sharp talons to snatch up a variety of prey.

Behavior – Solitary or in pairs

They can fly up to 80 mph, though the average speed is 28-32

mph, and may reach speeds up to 200 mph in a dive.

Conservation Concerns

The golden eagle is federally protected under the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1962.

Many golden eagles have been electrocuted in power lines, caught in steel traps set for

coyotes and other animals, and poisoned by ranchers.

Recreational activities may also disturb breeding, migration and wintering activities.

Golden eagles are likely to abandon nests during incubation if they are disturbed.

Conservation Ask

Be thoughtful when engaging and connecting with nature

Support Global and Local Conservation Programs o Donate time/money to the zoo

Become a member, return visit, make purchase

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

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John Ball Zoo Habitat – Otter Habitat, located in North America

Otters joined the John Ball Zoo collection in 1973. They have been in their current habitat since 1982 when they replaced Sea Lions.

Individual Animals – 1 Male, 1 Female

Female – Chumani (Black patch of fur under nose) o Born March 02, 2007

At Connecticut’s Beardley Zoo o Arrived March 12, 2008

From Connecticut’s Beardley Zoo

Male – Slyde o Born March 20, 2012

At Detroit Zoological Society o Arrived November 20, 2012

From Detroit Zoological Society Life Expectancy

Average at AZA institutions: 12.1 years

Oldest recorded at AZA institutions: 27 years

Wild: 8-9 years Statistics

● Body Length – 3-4 feet ● Tail Length – 0.9-1.6 feet ● Weight – 10-30 pounds

Diet – Primarily Carnivorous ● Wild – Fish, turtles, crayfish, crabs, birds, eggs, small land mammals, and aquatic plants.

Zoo – Feline diet twice a day. 300 grams of fish which varies between smelt, trout, capelin, and herring. Sweet potatoes, and carrots in the morning. Clams for enrichment. Knuckle bone once a week.

Predators

Alligators, bobcats, birds of prey, wolves, coyotes, cougars and other large predators.

Habitat

Freshwater and marine habitats such as lakes, rivers, swamps, and estuaries. Anywhere with a permanent supply of food and water source

Region

Canada through the United States except for Mohave Desert of Nevada and Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and Southern California.

Reproduction – Polygynous: having more than one female mate at one time.

Breeding takes place in late winter or early spring.

Gestation lasts 60-63 days, but the female may delay implantation up to 8 months.

North American River Otter

Lontra canadensis

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Females give birth to 1 to 6 young per litter, with an average of 2 to 3, in a den near the water.

Pups are cared for solely by the mother until weaned around 3-4 months.

At 6 months the pups head off on their own. Adaptations

Physical shape made for quick swimming. Long slender bodies, small ears, nostrils that can close underwater, webbed feet and nictitating membranes (clear eyelids for underwater hunting and navigation).

● Sensitive whiskers help detect fish and other prey.

The North American River Otter has 2 layers of fur; the first is a thick, dense under layer and a longer over layer of guard hairs that trap air bubbles for insulating while swimming.

Their ‘playful’ behavior often serve a larger purpose such as strengthening bonds, improving hunting, or scent marking.

Behavior – Territorial

They are known as playful animals, exhibiting behaviors such as mud/snow sliding, burrowing through the snow, and water play.

Very high metabolism

Can stay underwater for up to 8 minutes

They normally hunt at night, but can be seen at all times of day. Conservation Concerns

Sensitive to pollution so will leave areas with water pollution.

They were once extirpated in many areas of their region due to unregulated trapping, habitat destruction, and pollution specifically related to coal, gas, timber and tanning industries. Reintroductions and habitat restoration efforts have been deemed successful increasing the population.

Conservation Ask

Support Global and Local Conservation Programs o Action – Participate in local conservation and citizen science efforts

Example: Local River and beach cleanups

Be mindful of wildlife and the environment as you make every day purchasing decisions. o Action – Refuse single-use plastic

North American River Otter

Lontra canadensis

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John Ball Zoo Habitat – North America – Canada Lynx Habitat

Originally constructed in 1964 to house elephants.

Renovated in 1982 to house Prairie Dogs and Coyotes,

previously housed Bobcats.


Male – Thor (Larger of the 2)

o Born 03, 2013

At New York State Zoo at Thompson Park

o Arrived March 15, 2018

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo

Female – Norrie (Smaller of the 2)

o Born May 06, 2017

At Cheyenne Mtn Zoological Park

o Arrived February 28, 2018

From Cheyenne Mtn Zoological Park

Life Expectancy

Wild: On average 15 years

Under managed care lifespans of 26 years have been

recorded.

Statistics

Weight – 10-38 pounds (Males tend to be larger than

females.)

Length – Head-Body: 2-3.5 feet; Tail: 2-5 inches

Diet – Carnivore

Wild – Snowshoe hares, also rodents, birds, and fish.

Predators

Young kittens are vulnerable to other large

carnivores, such as wolves and bears.

Hunting by humans is managed through

regulated seasons.

Habitat

Usually mature forests with dense undergrowth, but also rocky areas, or tundra

Region

Throughout Canada, in western Montana,

and in nearby parts of Idaho and

Washington. There are small populations in

New England, Utah and possibly in Oregon,

Wyoming and Colorado.

Canada Lynx

Lynx canadensis

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Reproduction – Polygynous: having two or more mates, either simultaneously or successively.

The mating system of these animals is not well reported.

Females reach sexual maturity at 21 months and males at 33

months.

Females enter estrus only once per year, and lasts 1 to 2 days.

Mating in February and March.

Gestation lasts 8 to 10 weeks.

Females give birth to one litter a year, usually in fallen logs,

stumps, clumps of timber, or similar tangles of roots and branches.

Litters typically have 2 or 3 kittens, though the number may range from 1 to 5.

Lynxes weigh less than half a pound at birth.

Lactation lasts for 5 months, although kittens eat some meat as early as 1 month of age.

Young remain with the mother until the following winter's mating season, and siblings

may remain together for a while after separation from the mother. Mothers may help to

educate their young in hunting techniques, and cooperative hunting has been observed.

Males do not participate in parental care.

Adaptations – The paws are quite large and furry, helping to

distribute the weight of the animal when moving on snow.

Behavior – Nocturnal and solitary

Territorial – female home ranges are usually encompassed by

the home range of a male, and the home ranges of multiple

females may overlap.

They hunt mainly at night. Prey are normally stalked to within a few short bounds and

then pounced upon, although some lynx will wait in ambush for hours.


Habitat loss, fragmentation, and trapping can reduce lynx populations.

Interspecific competition from the eastern coyote, which expanded its range into

eastern North America in the last few decades.

Conservation Ask

Support Global and Local Conservation Programs

o Donate time/money to the zoo

Volunteer

Become a member return visit, make purchase

John Ball Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan for Canada Lynx

Canada Lynx

Lynx canadensis

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John Ball Zoo Habitat – Built 1958, remodeled 2012/2013. The back wall was removed. The

remodel added a waterfall, a pool, a kids cave, natural substrate and a training wall.


Male – Yogi (Smaller, darker color) o Sub-Species: Ursus arctos horribilis

Grizzly Bear

o Born February 1992 (Estimate) Wild Born (Montana)

o Arrived August 04, 1994 From US Fish and Wildlife Service

Female – Boo Boo (Larger, lighter color) o Sub-Species: Ursus arctos gyas

Peninsula Brown Bear o Born February 1994 (Estimate)

Wild Born (Alaska) o Arrived July 09, 1994

From Alaska Dept. Fish & Game Life Expectancy

Under managed care, up to 50 years of age;

average is 35 years.

Most Brown Bears die in their first few years of life

in the wild, but they can reach 20-30 years old.

Statistics

Weight – 200-1300 pounds

Length – 3-9.5 feet from head to base of tail Diet – Omnivore

Wild – grass, roots, moss, bulbs, fruits, nuts, fungus, berries, tubers, insects, carrion, and fish. They are known to hunt moose, elk, mountain sheep, and mountain goats

Zoo – Bear maintenance biscuits, apples, carrots,

and sweet potatoes.

Predators – Humans. Cubs can be attacked by other Brown Bears, Mountain Lions, and Wolves. Habitat – Desert edges, high mountain forests, ice fields, tundra, alpine meadows, and coastlines. Region – Western Europe and Palestine to eastern Siberia and the Himalayan region. Stable populations are found in Northern North America and small populations in parts of Western United States.

Brown Bear

Ursus arctos

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Reproduction – Polygynandrous: Females mate with multiple males, and males mate with multiple females.

Sexually mature around 4-6 years. Estrous last 10-30 days. Mating takes place from May-July Males may guard the females for 1-3

weeks. Implantation in the uterus is delayed for 5

months. Gestation period of 180-266 days. 2-3 offspring are born blind, naked, and helpless (usually from January-March). Cubs stay with mother until they are 3 or 4 years old. Females do not ovulate for 2-4 years after giving birth.

Adaptations

Exhibit a period of deep sleep (October to December) in which they allow their body

temperature to drop by a few degrees. It is not true hibernation, it is called Torpor, and

bears can generally be aroused readily from their winter sleep.

o Store up to 400lbs of fat during the summer for use during this time.

Brown bears have an excellent sense of smell (able to follow the scent of a rotting

carcass for more than two miles), human-level hearing, but relatively poor eyesight.

Large muscle used for digging create hump above shoulders

Claws on front feet are curved and reach 4 inches in length which helps them in digging

compared to Black Bear with shorter (1.5 inches) and used for climbing.

Can run at speeds up to 40 mph

Behavior – Solitary, Diurnal

Brown bears communicate primarily through smells and sounds.

Brown bears may excavate shallow depressions in which to lie.


Persecution, habitat destruction and fragmentation threaten them throughout their

range. Both bears here at John Ball Zoo were brought here due to repeated human area

conflict and would have been euthanized if no suitable placement was found.

Conservation Ask

Be thoughtful while engaging and connecting with Nature.

o Actions – Participate in nature friendly behavior

Only feed animals the appropriate diet in appropriate locations.

Brown Bear

Ursus arctos

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John Ball Zoo Habitat – Constructed in 1982

Located in between the Bear and Snow

Leopard Habitats in the North America

section of the zoo.


Female – Elsa (Smaller, lighter color)

o Born May 28, 2011

At Alameda Park Zoo

o Arrived October 20, 2011

From Alameda Park Zoo

Male – Eli (Larger, darker color)

o Born Summer 2011 (Estimate)

Wild (Oregon)

o Arrived February 08, 2012

From Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife

Species – Puma concolor

Common names: Mountain Lion, Cougar, Puma, Panther,

and Catamount

Life Expectancy

Average at AZA institutions:

o Male: 13.6 years; Female: 16 years

Oldest recorded at AZA institutions:

o Male: 20.1 years; Female: 21.5 years

Average life span in Wild: 8-13 years

Statistics

Weight – 64-264 pounds (males tend to be larger)

Length – 3.5-5 feet

Diet – Carnivore

Wild – Moose, elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, caribou,

squirrels, muskrat, porcupine, beaver, raccoon, striped

skunk, coyote, bobcats, other mountain lions, rabbits,

opossums, birds, and even snails and fish.

Zoo – Feline diet 6 times per week and a knuckle bone on

the 7th.

Predators – They may be preyed on by other

mountain lions, wolves, or bears when they are

young or ill.

Mountain Lion

Puma concolor

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Habitat – Coniferous forests, lowland tropical forests, lowland tropical

forests, grasslands, dry bush lands. Dense vegetation, caves and rocky

crevices provide shelter.

Region – Ranging from areas in Canada, down through the United States,

south to Central and South America.

Historically, mountain lions had the most extensive distribution of

all American terrestrial mammals. They ranged from coast to coast

in North America, and from southern Argentina and Chile to

southeastern Alaska.

Reproduction – Polygynous: having more than one female mate at a time.

Sexually mature at 2.5-3 years

Mating occurs year-round and estrous can occur any time of year.

One to six cubs are born to a litter (average of 3-4) after 82-96 days of gestation.

The cubs are weaned at 40 days of age and remain with mother as long as 26 months.

Adaptations

Retractable claws

Mountain lions have one additional smaller premolar

on each side of the upper jaw than do bobcats and lynx.

Behavior – Nocturnal, Solitary

Mountain lions mark their territories by depositing

urine or fecal materials by trees.

The Mountain lion quietly stalks prey animals, then leaps at close range onto their back

and breaks the animal's neck with a powerful bite below the base of the skull.


Mountain Lions are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and poaching of their

wild prey base.

They are persecuted across their range by retaliatory hunting due to livestock

depredation, and due to fear that they pose a threat to human life.

Conservation Ask


o Donate time/money to the Zoo

By supporting JBZ guests are helping to care for animals injured in the

wild or displaced by human expansion.

Mountain Lion

Puma concolor

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John Ball Zoo Habitat – Constructed in 1982

Located next to the Mountain Lion habitat

in the North America area of the zoo.

Individual Animal – 1 Female

Female – Elsie

o Born June 25, 2003

At the Mill Mountain Zoo

o Arrived November 04, 2017

From Blank Park Zoo of Des Moines Life Expectancy

Oldest recorded at AZA institutions: 22 years

Wild: Unknown due to the reclusive nature of this

species.

Statistics

Weight – 77-100 pounds

Length – Body: 3.2-4.2 feet; Tail: 2.6-3.2 feet

Diet – Carnivore

Wild – Birds and mammals. Primarily Blue Sheep, but also Ibex, Markhors, and Wild Boar

Zoo – 32oz of meat (feline diet) 6 days a week. 8oz in the morning and 24oz in the

evening. On the 7th day (typically Saturday) she receives a knuckle bone.

o Enrichment/training: chicken, blood, milk, Hard-boiled eggs.

Predators

Humans and some predations with other snow leopards when resources are less

plentiful.

Habitat

Steep, rocky and broken terrain is

preferred. Mountains, savanna, or

grassland.

Region

Central Asia. This includes the entire

Himalayan mountain system and extends

to southern and western Mongolia and

South Russia.

Snow Leopard

Panthera uncia

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Reproduction – Polygynous: having more than one female as a mate.

Females are sexually mature at 2-3, while

males may take up to 4 years.

Breeding season takes place in late winter

from January to March. Gestation period of about 90-100 days.

Average litter size of 2-3 cubs. Their eyes

do not open until about 1 week of age.

The cubs are weaned at 5 months.

The mother is solely responsible for supplying the cubs with food, protection, resources,

and learning for the first year of their life.

Adaptations

Large paws, compared to other felids aids in

walking on snow.

Relatively long hind legs helps with agility and

jumping ability in their rugged habitat.

Small rounded ears minimizes heat loss.

Extremely long tail, equaling 75% to 90% of total

body length, is used for balance, but also to

cover up their extremities during harsh winter weather.

Behavior – Solitary

Crepuscular, meaning that they are most active during dawn and dusk.


Competition with livestock, Habitat loss, declines in prey, climate change, and illegal

trade in furs, bones and other body parts.

There is a lack of awareness across the globe on the importance of this species to its

ecosystem.

Conservation Ask


o Action – Join and support conservation organizations

Snow Leopard Trust

o Action – Donate time/money to the Zoo

John Ball Zoo participates in the Species

Survival Plan for Snow Leopards

Snow Leopard

Panthera uncia

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