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T&D’s Cats of the World - Exotic and Wild Animal Refuge
Since 1985, the Mattive family has rescued many animals. T&D’s is a not-for-profit organization created to provide a permanent home for abused, mistreated, and unwanted exotic animals. Currently, T&D’s cares for almost 60 felines - including lions, tigers, cougars, bobcats, servals, jungle cats, lynx, and leopards - and other animals. The following information will provide you with facts about the species of animals that T&D’s care for and other information about the facility. You do not need to learn the scientific names for the test. General information is what we are aiming for you to know (ex. Weight, diet, longevity, etc.). You will need to know the answers to the FAQ’s sheet. If you have any questions or when you are ready to take the test, please contact us. FELINES African Lions (Panthera leo)Size and AppearanceLions are full grown when they are approximately 4 years old. Adult male lions weigh between 300 - 500 pounds and adult females weigh between 200 - 400 pounds depending on their diet and habitat. Most lions have a tawny coat. They are the only cat species that have a tufted tail and male lions grow a mane. The mane seems to have many functions: it is thick, therefore acts as a protection during fights, it can be seen from a distance and recognized by others that the lion is a male, and an indicator of individual fitness. HabitatOnce African lions were found throughout much of Africa, now they are found from the middle to the lower parts of Africa. BehaviourLions are a social cat. They live in families called prides.The females hold the pride together. All female lions in a pride (2-18 females) are related. Sometimes the group will split for short periods of time but they will reform. The females hunt together, which allows them to take down large prey such as buffalo. They also have their young around the same time. The young cubs will nurse from all the mothers. Female cubs usually stay with the pride, but the males leave the pride between 2-4 years old. These young males will form male prides until they are strong enough to "take over" a pride/territory that has females. A male has "reign" over a pride for 2-3 years until another group of males forces him/them out. Then the whole cycle repeats itself. Hunting and PreyBuffalo, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, impala, gazelle, etc. make up most of their diet. Lions, like other cats, would like to get as close to their prey as possible before attacking. They are not good at long distance running. Lions do hunt together making a catch more likely. However, they are still only successful 1 out of 20 attempts! StatusVulnerable. Human settlement and cattle culture is hurting African lion populations by destroying the habitat for grazing animals. If the lions do not have a food source, they will not survive. Why do lions roar? Both male and female lions roar. Humans can hear them up to 3 miles away! They roar as another way of "marking" their territory. They are not mad, hungry, or eating when they roar. The just want to say, "this is where I live". Tigers (Panthera tigris)Common
Name: Tiger The Siberian Tiger is the largest cat in the world. The biggest one ever recorded was 1,025 pounds! Siberian Tigers are usually about 3.5 feet tall at the shoulder and about 13 feet long from nose to tail. SpeedThe Siberian Tiger can run up to 50 miles per hour over the snow if they want to. That's only 10 miles per hours slower than the cheetah (the fastest cat in the world)! The tiger is very territorial and must have huge area to hunt. While hunting, a tiger may travel up to twelve miles. It hunts by night, from the ground, and seeks game of all types. Though tigers are skillful hunters, only about 1 in every 20 attempts is successful. RangeThe tiger may be found in all types of terrain of southern and south-eastern Asia and of eastern Asia northward to Mongolia and Siberia. T&D’s has Siberian and Bengal tigers. Siberian tigers live in Siberia and Bengal tigers are found in India HabitatTigers can live in a variety of habitats. They do need adequate cover to be able to ambush or stalk their prey, and are therefore usually found in forested areas. Habits:Solitary, tigers avoid their own kind, except at mating season. Territory sizes vary much in size. A male's can go from 60 to 500 square miles, and a female's can be from 20 to 200 square miles. A male may have many female's territories in their own, but a male's territory never overlaps with another male's territory. Usually, if a male enters another male's territory, they will fight. Tigers will mark their territories by either scratching trees or defecating around the border. Tigers will usually keep the same territory their whole lives. They will only move if food is scarce or another tiger beats them in a fight. Population: Vanishing from the Wild! Just 100 years ago there were as many as 100,000 tigers roaming the earth. During the past 63 years 4 subspecies have become extinct! They were known as the Bali, the Javan, the Caspian and South China Tiger. Today there are only 4 subspecies of tigers remaining.
Tigers are being slaughtered to the point of extinction. We must all do our part to save these magnificent animals. The reasons tigers are rapidly vanishing from large portions of its natural habitat are: Poaching, Habitat Destruction, and the effects of Isolated Forest Patches on tiger populations. White Tiger:Any white animal in the wild is rare because white is usually not a good camouflage. These animals are easily seen by predators and therefore, do not live very long. White tigers are not albinos and can be completely white or be white with chocolate or black stripes. Many have blue eyes, but some have greenish eyes. Almost all of white tigers in North America are descendents of a white Bengal tiger named Mohan who was captured in India in the 1950s. Mohan was first bred to a wild orange tiger. The cubs from this mating were orange but were carriers of the white gene. Then Mohan was bred to one of his daughters who was a carrier and that litter produced some white cubs. This means that almost all of the white tigers in North America are highly inbred. Because these animals are highly inbred, medical problems are likely and these animals are not used for conservation programs. Cougar (Felis concolor)Common Name: Cougar, Mountain Lion, Puma, Panther, Catamount Most cougars are a tawny color, but they can be reddish, gray, or even black (hence the name black panther). Black leopards are black with spots, they are not panthers. The graceful cougar is the grand champion jumper of all cats. Its exceptionally powerful hind legs can propel it thirty feet (30 ft) forward from a stand still and up to eighteen feet (18 ft) straight up! This jumping ability is needed for hunting fleet animals along mountain cliffs. Note the common name of Mountain Lion. Less than one hundred years ago the cougar was one of the top predators of North and South America (except the arctic). It is rapidly vanishing from large portions of the U.S. and Canada as rural land becomes cities. The cougar is very territorial and must have large area to hunt. It hunts by day, primarily from the ground but occasionally from high rocks, low cliffs, or trees, and seeks deer, sheep, goats, peccary, capybara and other similarly-sized game. It will occasionally stalk livestock when other prey is scarce, and this has made it the enemy of sheep and cattle raisers. HabitatCougars are found in a wide variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, swamps, and semi-desert areas. Cougars once lived in PA. The last native cougar was shot in the early 1900s. There has been no physical evidence of cougars in PA since that time. Leopards (Panthera pardus)Size and Appearance:Smallest member of the 4 "great cats" (tigers, lions, jaguar, & leopard). Leopards most resembles their cousin the jaguar. Height to shoulder: 20 - 30 inches Length: 3 - 6 feet plus a tail length 22 - 40 inches Weight: Males 80 - 150 pounds Females 60 - 100 pounds Leopards have short powerful legs, thick neck, heavy torso, and long tail. Their spotted coat color varies from a pale yellow to gray to chestnut and black. The large rosettes are found on the shoulders, back, upper arms, and flanks. Smaller spots are found on the head, throat, chest, and belly. BreedingSexual maturity: 2-3 years Mating: Year-round in tropics, seasonal in other areas DistributionMost of Africa and much of Asia from the Middle East to the Soviet Union, Korea, China, India, and Malaysia. HabitatThe leopard can adapt to almost any habitat with sufficient food and cover (this excludes the desert). Social SystemSolitary Vocal calls: roar, growl, grunt, hiss Diet:Opportunists and have a very flexible diet that consists of over 30 different species (including impala, gazelles, young zebra and wildebeest, hares, birds, small carnivores, and monkeys). After making their kill, leopards usually will drag their dinner up a tree for protection. ConservationEndangered due to human caused habitat destruction and poaching (illegally hunting and killing a protected animal). Did you know? q Leopards can hear twice as well as humans and can also see six times better in dim light than humans! q Leopards can go for as long as a month without water! q Black leopards or commonly called black panthers were once thought to be a separate species. However, they are now considered true leopards because of their spots. Large Felines (lions, tigers, cougars, leopards) have the following similarities...Litter Size: 1-4 cubs Gestation: 90 -120 days Longevity: 8-10 years in the wild and 12-20 years in captivity Lion and tiger cubs stay with their mothers for about 2 - 3 years. Cougars and Leopard cubs stay with their mothers for about 1 to 2 years. Female lion cubs stay with the pride usually their whole life. Male lion cubs are forced away from the pride when they are about 2-3 years. Bobcats (Lynx rufus)Named for its short "bobbed tail" about 6 inches long. Weight: 20-40 pounds Gestation: 60 days Number of kittens: 2-3 Life expectancy: In captivity up to 30 years In the wild up to 15 years. Bobcats are solitary and are usually nocturnal. They are strictly a carnivore and prey on rabbits, birds, and small rodents. Bobcats will also catch small deer! Bobcats are found throughout the US, Mexico, and southern parts of Canada. Yes, there are bobcats in PA! They inhabit brushy forests, swamps, and farmlands. Serval (Felis serval)Serval is derived from a Portuguese word meaning "wolf deer" Size and AppearanceA beautiful feline that looks similar to a cheetah, but much smaller. The serval has a small head and large rounded ears that rests on a long black striped neck. The long rounded ears help to pull sound into the serval’s inner ear. They can hear animals moving through the grass or underground! Long legs (hind legs longer than the front) allow the serval to leap in the air 10 feet high grabbing birds out of the sky! Their black ringed (6-7 rings) and black tipped tail is about ¾ the "normal" length of a domestic cat. The rest of the coat is golden with black spots. The serval is only 2-3 feet long with a 1-1 ½ foot tail. They stand 1 ½ - 2 feet at the shoulder and weigh in between 20-40 pounds. HabitatServals are found in the middle to lower part of Africa. They live in well-watered savannahs with long - grass environments (ex. Elephant grass) and areas associated with riparian vegetation. They can be found in forests that have good water sources nearby. Water is important to the serval. ReproductionServals are solitary felines. Their mating season varies according to region and climate. Gestation: 74 days Litter: 1-5 kittens (2 average) Weight at birth: 8.5-9 ounces Eyes will open between 9-12 days Solid food is introduced at 3 weeks. Servals are independent in 6-8 months and forced away from mother’s territory when they are sexually mature at 18-24 months. Servals may live up to 19 years in captivity. DietSmall mammals, rodents, birds, reptiles, fish, frogs, and insects. They have a hunting success rate of 50%. ThreatsLeopards, dogs, and man are the servals main threats. Because of their beautiful fur, poachers kill them. Their coat can be passed off to buyers as a young leopard or cheetah.Their coat is purchased for medicinal purposes, ceremonial, or for tourists. Also, humans are destroying their habitat. Jungle cat (Felis chaus)DescriptionTheir coat can be pale sandy brown, reddish, or gray, with faint stripes on the legs and tail. The tail has a solid black tip. Small lynx-like tufts are on the tips of tall, rounded ears. Chin, nose, and head often have white markings. Weight: 9 - 33 pounds Height at shoulder: 14 -16 inches Length (including tail): 28-48 inches Lifespan: Up to 14 years in captivity Habitat and DistributionThey live in grasslands to swampy ground to woodlands. Jungle cats are found in Egypt through Southwestern Asia to India and China. DietJungle cats are usually active during the day. Their main diet is rodents, but will also eat rabbits, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, young chital, and wild pigs. They are also strong swimmers and will catch fish. Reproduction and OffspringGestation: 63-68 days Number of kittens: 1- 6 They are weaned at 3 months and are independent by 5-6 months. Kittens are born with stripes and spots that act as a camouflage. They will lose the stripes and spots as they mature. In the wild, family groups (males, females and cubs) are formed. In these groups, males are very protective of their young. ThreatsHumans are destroying wetlands. Trade is restricted and the animal is listed in CITES: Appendix II Did you know? q The Jungle cat along with the African wildcat and domestic cats were mummified and placed in tombs in Egypt. q Although the Jungle cat looks similar to a domestic cat it is not the closest related wild feline to the domestic cat. Through DNA tests, the African wildcat is the closest living wild feline to the domestic cat. q The Jungle cat has a loud "bark" that sounds like it should be coming from a larger animal. q The Jungle cat is also called the Reed cat or Swamp cat. General rule for solitary felines:A male may have many females’ territories in their own, but a male’s territory never overlaps with another male’s territory. Usually, if a male enters another male's territory, they will fight. Felines will mark their territories by either scratching trees, defecating, or spraying around the border. Felines will usually keep the same territory their whole lives. They will only move if food is scarce or another feline beats them in a fight. MAMMALS Black Bear - Ursus americanusOf the three bear species that inhabit North America, the American black bear is the only one found exclusively on this continent. It relies upon its keep sense of smell to locate a variety of foods. The black bear’s diet changes seasonally, and includes berries, acorns, beechnuts, skunk cabbage, grass and carrion. Favorite den sties for extended sleeping include rock cavities, hollow trees, excavation dens or ground nests. During this extended sleeping period, a black bear does not eat, drink, urinate or defecate, and will lose up to thirty percent of its body weight. Typically, two to three cubs, each weighing about 12 ounces, are born to a sow in January or early February. The black bear is found throughout North America and parts of Mexico. On warm winter days, the black bears at T&D’s will come out to eat and drink. Even wild bears will do this. T&D’s black bears eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and dog food. White-tailed deer - Odocoileus virginianusDuring the past century, logging and farming caused drastic changes in the forests. This created ideal habitat for the white-tailed deer, now the most common large mammal of the eastern woodlands. Along the edge where the forest meets the field, a deer has easy access to a variety of food sources and to the safe cover of the forest. The whitetail is an adaptable browser, feeding on green plants in spring and summer, and surviving on twigs, buds, and acorns in the fall and winter. Their distinctive white under tail lifts and flashes when alarmed, and serves as a danger signal to other deer in the area. In summer, the coat is comprised of short, fine reddish hair. In winter, the fur is coarser and is grayish brown. Winter hairs are hollow for insulation. The hairs grow very thickly, and for extra warmth, they can stand on end to trap air between them. The deer’s senses are keen. Even when they appear to be resting, calmly chewing on their cud, their ears may be turning and twisting, scanning the area for the slightest sound. In the late winter of every year, the male deer loses his antlers. A new set of antlers will begin growing very soon and will continue to grow until the full size is reached in late summer. The age of a deer can’t be determined by the size of the antlers. Antler size depends on the animal's health, its age and genetics, and most importantly, on the quality of its diet. Antlers are shed yearly. In contrast, horns such as the bison’s or cattle’s are permanent. White-tailed deer have the most extensive range of all the North American deer species. They can be found throughout North America and into Central America. Their natural predators, including wolves, mountain lions, and bobcats, have been much reduced over the past century. Regulated hunting and highway accidents are now their means of population control. Fallow Deer - Dama damaFallow deer historically lived in southern Europe and from the Mediterranean to Asian minor and possibly in Africa. Now they are found on almost every continent. Usually fallow deer live in groups but must have access to forests. Diet includes grasses, saplings, leaves, etc. They are active in the early morning and at dusk. Males have antlers that are flattened and palmate with numerous points. Fallow deer can be different colors. The common color is the rusty color with white spots. They can also be light brown, white, or dark brown (almost black). White-tailed and fallow deer usually live up to 20 years in captivity. Red Fox -Vulpes vulpesRed and gray foxes are found in Pennsylvania. At T&D’s we have red fox. Red fox weigh between 8-12 pounds. They look heavier because of their thick fur. Red fox can be different colors. They can be reddish-orange, black, silver, or a mix of those colors. Most red fox in PA are reddish-orange. The various other colors are more common in northern US and Canada. Red fox will always have a white-tipped tail. Red fox also have a musk (smells like skunk) odor. Red fox live in farm areas with wooded tracts, marshes and streams. Red fox are nocturnal and opportunistic feeders. They eat whatever is most easily obtained. Food includes mice, rats, rabbits, woodchucks, birds, eggs, squirrels, fruits and grasses. They also scavenge for road-kills. Males are called "dogs" and females are called "vixens" In the wild, fox will live between 10-12 years. During the breeding season in late winter, sometimes you will hear the fox "barking" to let other fox know that they are there. Breeding is in February and young are born in a den (hollow log, woodchuck burrow, rocky ledge) in April. Litters are usually between 4-10. Predators include coyotes and humans hunting and trapping them. Fennec Fox - Fennecus zerdaGeographic range currently: North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan (1) Habitat: Desert Weight: 2 - 5 pounds Reproduction Mating Season:In captivity mating occurs in January and February. Birthing season: March and April Gestation period: About 50 to 63 days Other information:The pair occupies a permanent burrow they dig themselves Young called:Pup, kit Number of young (range):2 - 5 Weaned: Pups are weaned by ten weeks Other information: The male provides food for the female and young while they are in the den. Females aggressively defend their young and the den site. General Life expectancy: Maximum of roughly 14 years in captivity.> Social structure: >The core of the social structure is the mated pair; the Fennec fox will live in family groups; group size may reach up to about ten individuals. Unique behavior(s):Their large ears are reflective of their dependence on their hearing and also help to thermoregulate. They are fast runners and can jump distances of 1.2m (4ft) or more. They bark like a small dog and make a purring sound. Senses:Hearing is very important. Males scent mark their territory. Coat & coloration: The coat is a pale cream color overall, generally with a darker color (fawn to gray) on the sides and a more solid line running along the spine; the tail is black tipped. The soles of their feet are covered in hair. Diet: Desert rodents, lizards, roots, birds, insects, and eggs. Other information: Fennec fox will drink at water holes but they are physiologically adapted to hot temperatures, i.e. their kidneys restrict water loss in the form of urine. Coyote - Canis latransThe coyote has been referred to as the brush wolf, prairie wolf, coy-dog, and eastern coyote. They are found throughout northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. The eastern coyote is larger than its western counterpart. Adult males weigh 45 to 55 pounds. Females are smaller 35 to 40 pounds. Their coat color range from light blond, reddish blond, gray to dark brown washed with black, and black. Most are gray with gray legs, tan and reddish with black markings or lines down the front of the front legs. The cheeks and behind the ears are reddish or chestnut colored. Blond, reddish and black coyotes may not have any noticeable black stripes on their front legs. Their ears are erect and their bushy tail is usually held in a downward position. Normally, their eyes are yellow, but some with brown eyes have been found. Coyotes are social and have similar social structures as the gray wolf (see below). They live in a wide variety of habitats in PA including heavily forested areas, cropland areas, and in heavily populated areas. When it comes to food, the coyote is a generalist. They eat anything from small mice to deer, with deer making up most of their diet. Gray Wolf - Canis lupusGray wolves are social animals, living together in tightly organized packs. Packs are typically family groups, and consist of a dominant breeding pair, their pups, and young adults from previous litters. The dominant pair directs the pack’s traveling, hunting, resting, and breeding. Although only the dominant pair normally breeds, all pack members help raise the litter of four to six pups. Wolves communicate by using body postures, facial expressions, scent marking, and vocalizations. Their distinctive howling can be heard for up to six miles, and helps assemble the group and advertise its territory. Often traveling long distances, wolves can maintain a steady pace of about 5mph. They can approach 40 mph in short bursts of speed when chasing prey. Cooperative hunting enables a wolf pack to effectively take large hoofed animals, like deer, moose, and caribou. Though known as gray wolves, fur color can range from white to shades of gray, brown and black. Wolves were once the most widely distributed mammal in the world, and occupied almost every habitat in the Northern Hemisphere, including those of North America. Although stable populations survived in Canada and Alaska, large-scale predator control programs and loss of habitat and prey virtually eliminated gray wolves from the continental United States by the mid-1900s. Federal protection, successful reintroduction efforts and natural recolonization have resulted in the slow recovery of wolf populations in select portions of the Rocky Mountains, the southwest and the western Great Lakes region. The gray wolf is federally designated as a threatened in Minnesota and endangered in the remaining lower 48 states and Mexico. At T&D’s we have wolf-dog mixes. Wolf-dog mixes do NOT make good pets. Wolves normally have short ears that are full of hair. Wolves have dark tipped tails. They have a narrow front stance. Wolves have long legs and large feet. Wolves are also very shy and nervous animals and hold their tails down. How do our wolf-dog mixes compare to the wolf? Rodents – The following two species are classified as rodents.Order Rodentia Patagonian Cavy - Dolichotis patagonumFamily Caviidae Description: Cavies are large rodents. Their closest relative is the guinea pig, but they resemble hares or miniature antelope. They can weigh up to 35 pounds and be 2 ½ feet in length. Their fur is gray or brown, with lighter brown to white on the underparts and white on the rump, similar to the rump patches of many deer and antelope. They have long legs and large ears. Their hind feet have three toes, each with a large hoof-like claw. Their front feet have 4 toes with sharp claws for digging. Range: Patagonia in Argentina Habitat: Arid grasslands Diet: In the wild, they eat grasses and other plants. In the zoo, they browse on the grass that grows naturally in their yard. They also eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Life Cycle: The mother visits the burrow at least once each day to allow the young to nurse. For their first four months, the young stay in the burrow, coming out only to nurse or to graze on grass. They are mature when they are about 8 months old. Most live 10 years or less, but they can live up to 14 years in captivity. Conservation Status: Did You Know? Cavies can run up to 35 miles per hour. In the open grasslands, they rely on speed to escape from predators. They form life-long pair bonds, but are usually seen in larger groups of up to 35 pairs. Each male in the group defends his mate and the territory around her. Cavies are declining because of competition with the European hare, which has been introduced to Argentina. The hares eat the same type of food as the cavies, and can reproduce much faster. http://www.garden-city.org/zoo/ Prairie dog - Cynomys ludovicranusAlthough named for their barking alarm call, black-tailed prairie dogs are actually burrowing ground squirrels. Prairie dogs have a complex social structure and communicate by using special calls and postures. They live in colonies or "towns" that range in size from one to several thousand acres on heavily grazed, flat prairie lands, where they feed on grasses and forbs. A system of burrows connects several underground chambers, including sleeping, nursery and listening areas. Prairie dogs are very important to the prairie ecosystem. Their burrows provide critical habitat and shelter for a wide variety of species. Many predators, including hawks, eagles, coyotes, snakes, ferrets and badgers, depend on them for prey. The black-tailed prairie dog is the most widely distributed of the five prairie dog species found in North America, and occupies the short- and mixed-grass prairie from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Habitat destruction, poisoning, unregulated hunting and disease have eliminated prairie dogs from about 98 percent of their former range. RACCOON LIKE ANIMALS The next three species Raccoon - Procyon lotorA common raider of garbage cans and campsites, the adaptable raccoon with its characteristic black mask and ringed tail, can be found from cities to wilderness areas. Using its excellent senses, the omnivorous, nocturnal raccoon forages on the ground for a wide variety of plant and animal matter. An especially keen sense of touch in its front feet and long, sharp claws help the raccoon to be an agile climber and to grasp slippery food items in water. Biologists are unsure why raccoons tend to "dunk" their food in available water. Possibly, by using their excellent sense of touch, they derive some information from handling the food underwater, which may cause them to accept or reject the item. Although not a true hibernator, the raccoon sleeps soundly during the coldest parts of winter. Tree cavities, rock crevices, woodchuck burrows and caves are favorite den sites. The raccoon is strictly a New World animal, found in North and Central America. It occurs in all of the "lower 48" states, but not in the higher elevations of the western states or the Rocky Mountains. While often found near water, it also lives on mountain ridges and in suburban areas or cities. KINKAJOU - Protos flavusThe kinkajou, known as the "night walker" in Belize, is a nocturnal animal which lives among the upper canopy of the tropical forest. They feed mainly on fruit and insects. In the dry season of Belize, they often eat flowers for their nectar. The kinkajou is extremely agile and fast, traveling quickly along the tree tops, jumping noisily from tree to tree. The long prehensile tail is used to balance and hold on while traveling among the tree tops. The kinkajou is one of the most commonly seen tropical forest animals. A strong flashlight shined into the canopy will often reveal the kinkajou by its tremendous eyeshine which can be seen from a great distance. The kinkajou ranges from Southern Mexico to Southern Brazil. They are found in a variety of habitats, from mature tropical forests to heavily disturbed and secondary forests. It is sometimes hunted for its meat and fur. KEY FACTSSIZE BREEDING LIFESTYLE COATI - Nasua narica (white nose coati)Another raccoon relative, coatis live in the Arizona-Sonoran desert and New Mexico, but coatis are not truly adapted to desert life. Coatis can survive only by staying close to a water hole. Like raccoons, they are omnivorous. Their log snout, and accompanying excellent sense of smell, help them to root for food such as eggs, grubs, small reptiles, fruits, nuts, and a wide variety of invertebrates. As coatis forage along the ground, they travel with their two-foot long tails held vertically. Their strong front legs and long claws are useful for foraging and climbing. Able to climb trees easily, their long ringed tails help them to balance, but are not prehensile. Coatis are diurnal, and are most active in the morning and late afternoon. They are social animals and often travel in bands or troops of up to 20 or 30 individuals, consisting of females and their young. Males are usually solitary, except during the breeding season. The following two species are in the mustelid family. This includes the weasels, ferrets, martens, fishers, mink, otters, and badgers.Striped Skunks- Mephitis mephitisThree other skunk species are found in the US: hooded and hognose skunks (Southwest) and the spotted skunk (most of the country but in the East, north only to southwestern PA).The striped skunk has a black and white striped individual pattern (like a human fingerprint) is found throughout most of the US, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. They favor mixed woods and brushland, weedy fields, fencerows, wooded ravines and rocky outcrops in or near agricultural areas. They are omnivorous and will also forage for insects, including bees, Japanese beetles, potato bugs, and tobacco worms. Dens are found in ground burrows, stumps, wood, rock piles, and under buildings. They will also dig tunnels underground. Skunks do not hibernate but they are more dormant in the winter. Predators include great horned owl (which can not smell), dogs, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and humans (trapping, hit by cars, etc.). Striped skunks weigh between 3-12 pounds (males are usually larger) and are about two feet long with a 7-10 inch tail. Skunks walk in a plantigrade manner – on the soles of their hairless feet with heels touching the ground. Claws are used for digging, but they are poor climbers. They are slow animals; top speed is only about 10 miles per hour. Sight, smell, and hearing are poor to fair compared to other wild animals, but their sense of touch is acute. Striped skunks are solitary. Breeding occurs in February and March. Females are mature at a year old. They may have 2 – 10 young are born. They can spray at 3 weeks old. Striped skunks protect themselves by spraying their scent, or musk. Musk is an oily liquid, creamy or yellowish in color that is not only stinky but will make the predator sick or temporarily blind that animal. The skunk can spray up to 12 feet! Like other animals, skunks will usually give warnings before the final defense. Skunks will stomp the ground, snarl, arch its back, and then raise it’s tail. To spray, they aim their rump in the direction where they would like to spray. Skunks can spray even if you pick them up by the tail. T&D’s skunks are descented, but they still have a musk (skunky) odor. So, how do they spray? “There are large scent glands found beneath the skin on either side of the rectum. These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. Skunks discharge their scent, or musk, through these nozzles, powering the stream with a strong hip muscle contraction.” http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/ Fisher – Martes pennantiFishers are found throughout the northern part of North America. The fisher has an elongated body with short legs. This body shape along with sharp claws allows the fisher to climb trees and find or dig dens. Females usually weight between 4 and 8 pounds, while males weigh between 8-12 pounds. Fishers are solitary animals that need continuous forested areas to survive. Coniferous forests are preferred over mixed forests. Fishers are solitary opportunistic predators. Small mammals, such as mice, squirrels, and chipmunks, and carcasses make up the fisher’s diet. They also will prey on porcupines! Fishers will catch the porcupine by circling it until the fisher can bite at the porcupine’s face. Unlike their name, fishers seldom if ever hunt or eat fish. Females are sexually mature at a year old. Males are mature at 2 years old. Breeding occurs in spring and the gestation lasts for one year (due to delayed implantation). One litter of 2 or 3 cubs is produced every year. Dens are made in abandoned owl and hawk nests. ReintroductionFishers were abundant in most of the forested areas of northern United States and Canada until the late 1800s. Due to unregulated trapping and timber cutting in the 1800s, fishers no longer lived in PA by the early 1900s. Declines of fisher populations were also seen throughout other native habits during this time period. Since trapping and timber management has occurred over the last few decades, protection and habitat exist for fishers to thrive once again in their native areas. Fishers have been reintroduced to West Virginia and New York. Both populations are doing well and are expanding their ranges. Because of better management and successful reintroduction programs, PA Game Commission and Penn State University started reintroducing fishers in to selected areas of PA in 1994. The first release was in December 1994 in Sproul State Forest (Clinton County). Other releases happened on public lands and are managed by the PA bureau of Forestry, Game commission, or Allegheny National Forest. Since December 1994 to May 1998, 173 fishers have been reestablished in their once familiar home. Paco, the fisher at T&D’s, were part of the reintroduction project but could not be released. He was given to T&D’s for educational purposes. PRIMATESRuffed Lemur - Lemur variegates variegatusPhysical Characteristics These primates are black with large white areas on the limbs, back and head. the neck has a thick ruff or mane. The muzzle is fox-like. Size of average adult : length: 1.5 - 2 feet (head and body), weight: 7 - 10 pounds Approximate life span is 18 years in captivity. Diet Wild: mainly fruit, also leaves, flowers, and even soil Behavior Crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) Arboreal (tree dwelling) Variety of vocalizations Groups of 2-5 individuals, usually mated pair and offspring Usually mate for life Female builds a nest where she stays with her infants for almost 2 week, may also carry them in her mouth Reproduction sexual maturity: female = 20 months seasonal breeders gestation: 90 - 102 days litter size: over 1/2 births are twins, others are single or triplets at 5 weeks youngsters can climb tops of trees, they are weaned at 4.5 months Environmental/Global Habitat: forest dwellers Distribution: eastern Madagascar Status: Endangered, CITES Appendix I habitat destruction poaching: meat, fur commercial exportation Conservation Efforts Protective laws and enforcement Education programs in Madagascar Brown Lemur - Eulemur fulvusToxonomy: Mammalia Primata Lemuridae . Eulemur fulvus Identification: There are seven different sub species of the Brown Lemur. Five of which are common brown (Eulemur fulvus fulvus), white fronted, collared, red fronted, and sanford's (Eulemur fulvus sanfordi). All of them look very similar, with only a few small colorization differences, most of which are donated by their names. They are the size of a house cat, and weigh approximately 5.75 lbs. Both the male and female look alike. Environment: Each group of Brown lemurs has between 17 and 50 acres of land to call their own. Their habitats are the high plateaus and scattered forests on the west coast, which is to the north of the Betsiboka River, and the Islands of Mayotte, and the Comores. Diet: Of course they are plant eaters, and their diet consists of fruit, young leaves and flowers. They don't sway from that formula much. Behavior: The Brown lemurs can be found in groups of 3 to 12, although groups of up to 29 have been located. During the day the groups break off into sub groups of 3 to 4 for feeding and return at night. A very interesting point, no female dominance is present in the Brown lemur culture, quite different than most species. Reproduction: Not unlike some other species, the brown lemurs have a gestation period of 120 days. They give birth in the fall. The infants cling to their mother for 3 to 4 weeks to nurse. From that point they start to wean themselves from the parent. At the 5 to 6 month point the children are probably on their own. Conservation: The Brown lemurs are largely hunted, and their forest habitats are being steadily depleted. All of the sub species are held in conservation centers around the island, and they are generally the most protected species of lemur. http://www.stormloader.com/lemur/links.html Ring-Tailed Lemur - Lemur cattaHome: Forests and bush of southern Madagascar Description: Gray-furred body with white belly, up to 25 inch long black ringed fluffy white tail longer than body, up to eight pounds. The Lemur, which means "ghost" in Madagascar, is a good name for these mysterious looking creatures. Spending slightly more time in the trees then on the ground, the ring-tailed lemur is the only primate in Madagascar to make extensive use of the land for foraging. Whether it's fruits, leaves, or flowers, the lemur's happy to be out daily looking for food with a troop of as many as 30 others. On the ground these lemurs walk on all fours, their hind-ends perched high because their arms are so short! Ring-tailed lemurs on-the-go keep their tails raised high in the air like flags that tell each other "Follow me!" Lemurs rarely use their hands and feet to peel, pick, or prepare food. They use them mostly to pull branches close, and then they bite off what they want to eat! When male lemurs show off for the females, they rub their tails with a stinky perfume they secrete from glands in their wrists. Once soaked with stuff, they raise their tails over their heads and point them at each other, flinging the perfume around to show who makes more scents! White-bellied Spider Monkey - Ateles belzebuthThese primates live in groups of up to 30 individuals in the rainforests or forested habitats of Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru. They are diurnal and arboreal. Males and females are roughly the same size..around 14-20 pounds. Females have an elongated clitoris. Diet includes mainly fruits but also decaying wood and leaves. They live approximately 20 years. In the trees, they use a hand over hand movement to get from one place to another. They also have a prehensile tail (it is like having a fifth hand). Their tail does not have any hair on the underside. This helps to grip items. BIRDSThe following two birds are in the raptor family. This family includes hawks, owls, eagles, vultures, and falcons. All have long sharp talons and beaks. T&D’s raptors are non-releasable due to wing injuries. Turkey Vulture - Cathartes auraLacking the strong grasping talons needed for killing live prey, turkey vultures eat carrion, the flesh of dead animals. Vultures spend hours soaring over the countryside, with their long wings held in a shallow “V” while tilting from side to side. Excellent eyesight and a well-developed sense of smell are used to locate carcasses on the ground. Vultures are the only birds that have a well-developed sense of smell…all other birds can’t really smell. Despite an unseemly diet, these scavengers are remarkably hygienic in design. Their trademark bare heads and necks are easier than feathers to keep clean after a meal. In the morning, vultures bask in the sun with outstretched wings. The black color of their feathers absorbs sunlight, warming their bodies and killing bacteria. Turkey vultures are normally silent, but with hiss and grunt if disturbed. When threatened, they also regurgitate recently eaten food to help drive off the intruder while reducing their weight for a speedy takeoff. Turkey vultures are commonly found throughout most of the United States, Central and South America. Their range has recently expanded northward into southern Canada. Favored breeding habitat includes remote areas inaccessible to predators, and eggs are often laid in cave entrances, hollow logs or on steep cliffs. Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensisPreferring to hunt the open lands, this diurnal bird of prey will soar over fields or perch patiently on nearby trees. Using its extraordinary eyesight, the hawk locates unsuspecting prey like field mice and rabbits. An adult red-tailed hawk has very distinctive field marks, with a wide, reddish colored upper tail, broad wings for soaring, and a dark belly spotted band on a white chest. Like most raptors, the red-tail will mate for life, often returning annually to the same nesting area. The nest is usually located near a woodland edge, which provides cover for the nest, while keeping close access to preferred hunting grounds. One of the most common North American raptors, red-tailed hawks utilize a wide variety of habitats. Where trees are lacking, they may roost and nest on tall cacti, cliffs, and similar elevated sites throughout most of North and Central America, with the exception of the arctic tundra. Emu - Dromaius novaehollandiaeEmus are a flightless bird. Other flightless birds are Ostriches, rheas, cassowaries, penguins,and kiwi. Emus are the second largest bird in the world (ostrich is the largest). Emus are native to Australia and live in woods, scrubland, grassland, and desert areas but not in rainforests. Predators include lizards eating the emus’ egg, young emus are hunted by eagles and non-native fox, dogs, and cats. Emus can run about 30-40 mph. They run in a bouncy, swaying motion. The can also kick. Adults are mature when they are 2 years old. Weight: Around 90-100 pounds. Females are larger than males. Height: 4 – 6 feet tall Food: grass, flowers, seeds, insects, etc. Voice: Females make a drumming sound using air sacs in their throats and male makes a more harsher and “throatier” noise. Eggs: Dark green and are laid in nest of grass and weeds on the ground built by the male. Male incubates the eggs for 8 weeks. Males care for the hatchlings for 6-9 months. Lifespan: 5-10 years in the wild The following parrot information was researched by Megan Boyer, a volunteer at T&D’s.African GreysThe African Grey Parrot,
Psittacus erithacus, is the largest parrot found Greys feed on the fruits, seeds, nuts and berries of several native rainforest species, including the flesh of oil-palm trees. They usually gather food by climbing into the top branches of trees. Although they can fly, they are very adept climbers, often showing more skill maneuvering through tree canopies than while flying through the air. African grey parrots nest in tree holes. Their preferred nest sites are in trees or palms over water or on islands in rivers. After hatching, the three or four nestlings stay in the nest for almost three months. speak like humans They often mimic other birds and mammals -The average age of greys living as pets ranges between 40 and 50 years old; it is not unusual for them to live longer. ECLECTUS · the male is bright green with blue and red patches, while the female is crimson with a blue belly. CAIQUES White bellied: The white-bellied caique is a small parrot, averaging 23 cm in length and 165 g in weight. Black Capped: Macawsis a native of a wide
region of South America, almost the entire northern half of the continent. They
are primarily forest and rainforest birds in their natural setting, often
congregating in large flocks, though usually paired up with a mate or buddy
though deforestation is taking its toll Please note: The caiques live 20 years in captivity. The rest of the parrots at T&D’s live between 50-80 years in captivity. A parrot is a huge responsibility to have as a pet. This is an example of the scientific classification of living things. This one is for the serval. Notice “species” is plural. The word “species” always has an “s” on the end. When you write the genus and species of an animal, both genus and species is written in italics and species is always in lower case. There are also “sub’s” to each of groups. Such as “Sub-Class”, but we are not concerned about those. This is just for your information.
Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata (Vertebrata) Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Family Felidae Genus Felis Species serval
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