zoonooz august 2013
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Legendary LemursTRANSCRIPT
Souls, Spirits, and Prosimians: Legendary Lemurs The story behind these elusive creatures is as intriguing as the animals themselves!
conservation
inside
august 2013
Tapirs and More: Fieldwork in the Brazilian PantanalAn animal care manager shares her experience volunteering on a tapir conservation project in Brazil.
wildlife
For Goodness, SnakesSlide through some serpentine secrets, and get a new view of these limbless legends.
Pygmy Animals: Small but MightyFor some species, “going small” is the best evolutionary strategy.
Palm Cockatoos: Birds of a Different FeatherSomber shading and drumming on hollow logs are part of this species’ fascinating, offbeat story.
on the cover: Ring-tailed lemur Lemur catta ©Ken Bohn, SDZG Photographer
SupportWhat’s in Store
You Said ItChairman’s Note
Through the Lens
From the Archives
Orchids: Not Just Your Grandmother’s CorsageOne look at these amazing epiphytes, and you’ll realize beauty blossoms in many forms.
explore
more
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chairman’s note
Cats with a Cause
Big cats have long been among the favorite animals at the Zoo, and many guests make it a point to stop by and see them when-ever they visit. Our leopards are certainly popular, with their
beautiful coats and distinctive personalities. �ey are also important representatives of their species, helping people to admire and value these cats that are endangered and under tremendous pressure in their wild habitats.
Two of our leopard species at the Zoo, the snow leopards and the Amur leopards (the rarest big cat in the world), currently live in an older area of the Zoo that was constructed in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Although these cat exhibits have been updated and remodeled over the years, it is time to build completely new homes for them—and you can help accomplish that.
We are currently raising funds to build new exhibits for these leop-ards that will be located just south of Panda Trek. �ese new exhibits will include a slope with trees and shrubs for the Amur leopards and a hillside habitat with rocky outcroppings for the snow leopards. Heated rocks, deadwood for scratching, and high lookout areas will provide opportunities for the cats to engage in natural behaviors, and there will be a maternity den for cubs that might come along. �e plans also include a new animal care area and a keeper workspace, providing up-graded facilities for the sta� as well.
As members and supporters of San Diego Zoo Global, if you would like to help us create these state-of-the-art environments and invest in the future of these endangered cats, please contact us by phone at 619-685-3213 or on our website at sandiegozoo.org/leopards/.
Donor recognition plaques will be included near the exhibit for those who give $1,000 or more. �anks to an outpouring of generosity by our many cat lovers, we are o� to a great start. With your help, I am con�-dent we will reach our goal of raising $3 million for these new exhibits before the end of 2013. �ank you!
Rick GulleyChairman
you said it
Can’t wait until I hit the lottery so I can spend my days at the SDZ :-)Janis, Winsted, CT
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A great day for a Caravan Safari! Gira�es are so beautiful!!Marcia Ross
Watching animal mothers care for their babies is truly amazing…they have no “raising baby” books and know so much.
Jane
@sandiegozoo is one of my favorite places in the world! #letsgo
@SierraGunberg
I had a great day on the Caravan Safari. Got some amazing up-close experiences. �ank you Safari Park.
Michelle Uzzi Lowry
If you’re looking for an amazingly fun Twitter account to follow, my top recommendation is @sandiegozoo
@ErinOlan
I’d like to thank the sta� at San Diego Zoo for the awesome experience in my VIP Exclusive tour. I was so tired afterwards that my long flight back to Nova Scotia, Canada, “flew” right by.
Rene Gallant
No doubt we’re certi�ably nuts about these incredibly wonderful, incredibly adorable creatures and I DON’T CARE, call me crazy. Just give me my Panda Cam when they put me away.
Stacy
Photo courtesy Marcia Ross
Photo courtesy Michelle Uzzi Lowry
SAVE TH
EDATE!SAVE TH
EDATE!DATE!DATE!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013 San Diego’s Wildest Tasting Event!
7:30 p.m. to midnight at the
Sample from more than 150 restaurants, wineries and breweries. Enjoy live music on four stages, dancing, silent auction, and special animal encounters presented by Joan Embery and Zoo animal trainers.
TICKETS START AT $90.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!www.zoofoodandwine.com
619-718-3000Proceeds benefit San Diego Zoo Global’s
wildlife conservation efforts.
through the lensPhotos by Ken Bohn, SDZG Photographer
Shining masdevallia Masdevallia norops
Rust-red ascocentrum Ascocentrum miniatum
Hairy ponthieva Ponthieva pilosissima
Fairrie’s paphiopedilium Paphiopedilium fairrieanum
Souls, Spirits, and Prosimians
Legendary Lemurs
Few animals spark human imaginations as much as the lemur. Among the Malagasy people of the species’ native Madagas-car, lemurs are thought to contain the souls of their ancestors. �ese elusive creatures populate Roman mythology, and even
the word lemur is mystical in nature: it derives from the Latin word le-mures, which means “ghosts” or “nocturnal spirits.”
Mythologically speaking, the aye-aye was probably dealt the worst hand. Considered a creature of ill-omen by many Malagasy, this shy, harmless little nocturnal prosimian is o�en killed on sight. Other le-murs are also associated with various fady (taboos), but most charac-terize lemurs as sacred, not to be hunted or harmed. �e indri is high-ly regarded—in origin myths, there is a connection between the indri and humanity, usually through common ancestry.
But as is o�en the case, truth can be stranger—and more interesting—
By Peggy ScottASSOCIATE EDITOR
Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
Lemurs move on all fours most of the time, a posture that is effective for a life in the trees.
than fiction. Myths and misunder-standings aside, lemurs are engaging yet enigmatic creatures with plenty of character, and they need no help be-coming legends in their own right.
Leapin’ Lemurs—there Are a Lot of Them!While many people know the ring-tailed lemur Lemur catta, which is pictured throughout this article, the lemur family tree has a lot more branches. As Dean Gibson, curator of primates for San Diego Zoo Global, explains, “�ere are around 100 types of lemur. �at number changes peri-odically when the consensus changes about what is and what isn’t a lemur. We call the di�ering views ‘splitters’ and ‘lumpers.’ Splitters believe in making more categories, and lump-ers put more animals in established categories. Right now, the splitters are winning.” Four families are consid-
ered lemurs, including dwarf lemurs, indris, sifakas, and the aye-aye. �at would make for a heck of a reunion picnic!
The taxonomy of what constitutes a “true lemur” can be controversial. Sometimes, only animals in the genus Eulemur receive that designation—in
Lemurs are prosimians, which means they are primates that evolved before monkeys and apes.
The lemur’s powerful hind legs aid in jumping and climbing, and lemurs can stand upright for short periods of time.
Running and leaping from branch to branch are easy activities for the agile and speedy lemur.
that case, there are 12 species. But to others, lemurs are the members of the Lemuridae family, which includes up to 25 species and subspecies, among them the red-fronted le-mur, ring-tailed lemur, and red-ru�ed lemur.
Lemurs in the Lemuridae family are squir-rel- to cat-size animals, weighing from 1 to 11 pounds. Coat colors range from a mut-ed gray-brown to black and white or black and red. �ey have a long, heavily furred tail and slender body and limbs, with the hind limbs longer than the forelimbs. �e fur is usually so�, thick, and woolly.
Size-wise, the smallest lemur species is the lesser mouse lemur, with a body length of 4 inches (add another 5 to 6 inches for the tail) and weight of a mere 1.9 to 2.3 ounces. At the other end of the scale is the indri, Large pads on a lemur’s fingers and toes provide
extra traction, helping the animal “stick” when it jumps onto a tree trunk or branch.
The lemur’s incisor teeth form a dental comb, which they use for grooming their dense fur.
A lemur’s rudder-like tail is longer than its body and is used for balance while leaping through trees.
measuring 22.5 to 27.5 inches (plus a 2-inch tail) and weighing 15.5 to 22 pounds.
Prosimian ParticularsLemurs are prosimians, which means they are primates that evolved before monkeys and apes. �ey are more primitive than their cousins but share certain characteristics. Prosimians rely more on their sense of smell than other primates, and their longer snout, wet and hairless black nose, and curved nostrils make them superior sni�ers. �ey have large eyes and special adaptations of the retina that enhance their night vision, but they cannot see color like apes can. Another telltale physical trait is in their teeth: prosimians have a dental comb formed by their incisor teeth, which they use for grooming.
Most prosimian species are arboreal and quite agile in the trees, run-ning and leaping from branch to branch. �ey tend to move on all fours, and their hands and feet are tailor-made for life in the trees. Although
Lemurs have excellent eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell.
Ring-tailed lemurs also use their tail for communication, more than other lemur species.
they are good at grasping branches, they lack the highly developed dex-terity of monkeys and apes. “The pads on a lemur’s hands and feet are di�erent. �ey have really big �nger and toe pads that help them ‘stick’ when they jump onto something,” Dean says.
Prosimians have a long tail that serves as a rudder for balance. “Ring-tailed lemurs also use their tail for communication, more than other le-mur species,” Dean adds. “�e tail is held up, so other lemurs can see it in the brush. And males participate in what are called stink �ghts: they ef-fuse their tail with their musky scent and �ick it at their opponent.”
Lemur LifeLemurs are social and live in troops
or family groups. �ere are both diurnal and nocturnal lemurs, with nocturnal lemurs foraging alone at night but o�en nesting in groups during the day. When it comes to mealtime, lemur diets vary widely. �e smaller species primarily eat fruits and insects, while the larger ones are mostly herbivorous, chowing down on plant material. But there is a “beggars can’t be choosers” exception: as with most primates, hungry lemurs might eat anything that is edible, whether or not the item is one of their favorite delicacies.
Getting to Know Them�e Zoo is currently home to two o�-exhibit ring-tailed lemurs and �ve red ru�ed lemurs. At the Safari Park, the new Lemur Walk o�ers an immersive experience to get up close: you walk along a path inside the exhibit as �ve ring-tailed lemurs frolic among the trees and branches around you. Come visit and get in the spirit! Chances are you’ll leave with lemur legends of your own. n
Lemurs use both their strong hands and feet to grasp branches.
Pygmy AnimalsSmall but Mighty
Stayin’ Alive, as the Bee Gees reminded us in the 1970s, is the name of the game for species everywhere. But big and brawny may not always be the best strategy: short and sweet can also win the day. Evolution can favor the particularly petite, because they require less food, fewer resources, and can remain below a predator’s radar. Of course, Na-ture has her constraints—you can’t get too tiny, or there won’t be enough room for everything needed to ensure survival and a next generation. But everything from primates to skinks can have a “fun size” version that �lls a di�erent niche than the full-sized counterparts.
Island-dwelling animals, which typically face fewer predators and have fewer resources than their mainland relatives, can go either way—gigantism or dwar�sm—depending upon environmental conditions and pressures. Human activities can also impact a species’ size. For instance, it’s thought that marsupial body sizes in Australia have de-
By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
Slow lorises live up to their name high in the forest canopy, sleeping in a camouflaged ball by day and moving slowly through the trees by night.
creased over the past 40,000 years in response to hunting pressures and a climate that was becoming less moist. Larger individuals were taken, so smaller animals lived to see—and reproduce—another day.
Body size changes can happen at astonishing speed. �e red deer of France found itself on one of the Channel Islands (15 miles o� the coast of France) and shrank to one-sixth the size of its mainland kin in a mere 6,000 years, according to researchers. But there aren’t any hard and fast rules as to why animals “go small” in nature. �ere are trends, but not rules. If smaller body size enables an animal to �ll a niche with less competition, then being small provides big bene�ts.
Your Little Ones Can Pet Ours One place at the San Diego Zoo where people can encounter pygmy animals is the Petting Paddock in the Children’s Zoo, which is home to African pygmy goats and Nigerian dwarf goats. Deb Hewitt, senior keeper, explained that the Nigerian dwarf goats tend to be “nicer.” One in particular, named Fudge Ripple (for her coat color), was hand-reared, so she is extra a�ectionate. “She’s a lap goat!” said Deb.
Nigerian dwarf goats tend to be friendlier to people than the pygmy goats.
These hardy little goats come from Africa, where people with smaller farms favored them be-cause the animals didn’t require as much food and space, but they still provided milk and meat for the owners. Because the Zoo’s pygmy goats look rotund around the mid-dle, “People always ask if they’re pregnant,” said Deb. “But they are just digesting their meals, which gives them that ‘hay belly’ look.” �e voracious little herbivores can live up to 17 years at the Zoo, so trot by for a pet and a smile.
It Skinks in Here!Reptiles have good reason to go small. “Being small allows them to go unnoticed,” explained �omas Owen, senior keeper at the Zoo. “Species that are rock dwellers tend toward tiny,” like the pygmy spiny-tailed skinks of Australia that scurry into crevices for safe-ty. �eir rigid, spiny scales help se-cure them into rock crannies. Full-sized skinks can reach 18 inches in length, while the pygmy variety is about 8 inches long.
Another “rock star” species is the Angolan dwarf python (or Anchi-eta’s dwarf python), endemic to southern Africa. �is nonvenomous snake also resides in rocky outcroppings. At about 4 feet long, it is a fraction of the size of its open savanna brethren, which can reach 18 feet in length.
Even the crocs have found reason to shrink. �e West African dwarf crocodile is the smallest of the 14 croc species at about 4 to 5 feet in length. �e largest is the saltwater croc, which can exceed 20 feet. �e dwarf variety is more terrestrial than its bulky cousins and has a widely varied diet.
The pygmy spiny-tailed skinks of Australia seek shelter in rock cervices. They are about 10 inches shorter than full-size skinks.
The dwarf crocodile is only about a quarter of the size of its 20-foot-long brethren. It is the smallest species of croc.
The pygmy falcon can be found nesting in sociable weaver nests. It is the smallest raptor on the African continent.
Tiny Fliers�e pygmy falcon is the de�nition of small but mighty. Although it could �t in the palm of a human’s hand, this little bird is a formidable hunter. “�e pygmy falcon is built for speed,” said Mike Grue, a senior keeper. “Its size has nothing to do with what an impressive animal it is.” Being tiny has its perks in the wild, since this raptor is small enough—and has the moxie—to move into vacant rooms in the nest of another bird species, the sociable weaver. Even though the falcons occasionally take out a weaver or two, the trade-o� is worth it, because the falcons help the weavers fend o� other predators like snakes.
At the Zoo, one pygmy falcon located on Front Street near the Afri-can Kopje has a big personality in spite of his size. When Mike arrives in the morning, “�e little guy calls and bobs his head at me. He might be saying ‘Where’s my breakfast?’ or ‘You’re late.’” Another pygmy fal-con at the Zoo is part of the animal ambassador program, and visitors can see the gray-and-white falconette up close.
More avian smallness can be found at the third pool in Owens Avi-ary, where a pair of cotton pygmy geese resides. �ough more closely related to ducks than geese, one look at the head and gooselike beak
Pygmy falcons are animal ambassadors at both the Zoo and the Safari Park, where visitors can get a good look at these mighty hunters.
and it’s clear how the misnomer came to be. �is shy species represents some of the smallest waterfowl on the planet, barely clearing 10 inches in length and weighing 5 ½ ounces.
The Quick and the SlowPetite primates at the Zoo include the pygmy slow loris and the pygmy marmoset. Both of these tree-living species can be prey for a variety of other larger animals, but each deals with the threat di�erently, adopting super-fast or super-slow habits. �e pygmy marmoset of South Ameri-ca is the smallest monkey in the world, weighing less than four ounces and measuring only about six inches in length. �is little guy lives high in the forest canopy, masked by branches and tree trunks, alternately staying still and dashing with lightning speed to stay out of a predator’s reach. A �exible neck that swivels backward enables the pygmy mar-moset to watch out for danger; it serves as a built-in rearview mirror.
�e pygmy slow loris of the tropical forests of Vietnam, Laos, Cam-bodia, and China could be considered downright paranoid in its be-havior. �is pint-sized primate is solitary and nocturnal, sleeping by day curled in a ball, its �u�y coat serving as camou�age. It has the ability to move incredibly slowly and hold still for extended lengths of time, which helps it to both ambush its prey and hide from predators.
�is little loris has strong extremities, enabling it to clutch a branch tightly with its feet while grabbing and eating prey with its hands—up-side down! It also has a toxic bite: when frightened, the animal licks an
The pygmy marmoset is the smallest monkey in the world, and it inhabits tropical forests in South America. Unlike most primates, these marmosets tend to give birth to twins, each weighing less than an ounce.
area around its elbows where the toxin is produced, and its next bite will be venomous. But even all these measures are not enough to save it from habitat loss and hunters who exploit the animal for use in folk remedies and to sell as a (terrible) pet.
Honey, I Shrunk the HippoAlthough reliant on rain forests, swamps, and rivers in its African homeland, the pygmy hippo is signi�cantly less aquatic than its full-sized relative. A voracious eater of plants and fruits, this nocturnal spe-cies can weigh 350 to 600 pounds, while a “regular” hippopotamus can weigh 10 times as much. Unlike the he�y river hippo, which is the most deadly animal in Africa, pygmy hippos would rather �ee than �ght. �ey managed to elude discovery by Western scientists until 1840. Zoo visitors can �nd them on Hippo Trail in the Lost Forest.
With a Little Help from FriendsNo bigger than a squirrel, the dwarf mongoose is the smallest carnivore in Africa, but it �lls an important role in the ecosystem, feasting on rats, lizards, snakes, scorpions, spiders, grasshoppers, and crickets. Dwarf
In the wilds of West Africa, the pygmy hippo is nocturnal and reclusive.
mongooses rely on “safety in numbers” and live in packs, claiming a territory about 85 acres in size. Males keep a sharp eye out for intruders and predators while other members tend to the o�spring and siblings.
Unlike larger varieties of mongoose, when these little guys feel threat-ened, they let out a call, and it’s every mongoose for itself as they �ee for safety. Sometimes, the pygmy mongoose hooks up with eastern yellow-billed hornbills for a hunting expedition. As the mongooses stir up insects while foraging, the hornbills gobble them down, and the tiny mongooses bene�t from the hornbills’ extra eyes and ears on the lookout for danger.
As it turns out, being little can be a huge deal. On strolls around the Zoo, keep an eye out for the small fry, because big surprises await you in the smallest of creatures! n
The smallest carnivore in Africa is the dwarf mongoose.
palM coCkatoos biRds of A diFferenT feAther
A mong the frequently �ashy-hued birds that make up the parrot group, the palm cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus stands out by virtue of its somber coloring. �ese “tall, dark, and handsome”
birds have a new home at the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback at the Zoo. �ey really are a sight to see!
The Subtle ApproachNative to northern Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea, palm cock-atoos are the largest of all the cockatoos, measuring up to 25 inches from head to tail, and have the largest beak among their kind. A �ne, white powder from exfoliated down feathers covers their body, mak-ing the black plumage appear dusky gray. �e “bright spot” on a palm cockatoo’s face is the featherless patch of red skin under its ebony eyes. When the bird is excited, its spot �ushes from dark pink to orange-red to scarlet.
By Wendy PerkinsSTAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
A raised crest is a sign of excitement or alarm in cockatoos. A palm cockatoo’s bare cheek patches also deepen in color so that the bird appears to blush.
The palm cockatoo’s imposing beak is a powerful tool. The upper and lower mandibles don’t meet the way they do in other cockatoos. But the flat, step-like surfaces of this bird’s bill, coupled with its size, allow the palm cockatoo to tear into hard-shelled pandanus fruit, which humans need an axe to open.
With their big beak, these birds are able to crack the large, tough nut of the pandanus plant, which is o�en called a palm but is not. Panda-nus fruit is a palm cockatoo favorite. In fact, the birds’ common name comes from the fact that they are so o�en seen feeding in those trees.
Home Is Where the Hollow IsAppearances aside, palm cockatoos di�er from other parrots and cock-atoos in other ways, too. “�ey are not easy to breed,” explained Dave Rimlinger, curator of birds at the Zoo. “�ey have a very slow lifecycle and quite speci�c nest requirements.” Palm cockatoos nest in hollows that are open at the top. What happens when it rains? No roof, no prob-lem. During nest preparation, they fetch thin sticks, break them into small pieces, and drop them into the cavity. �e accumulation of bro-ken bits forms a platform that keeps the egg elevated above any water that collects.
When feeling shy or uncertain, the palm cockatoo fans its facial feathers up to conceal its colorful cheek patch.
Here’s our male, Elvis, at 42 days old. The impressive “sideburns” he developed as his feathers grew in reveal how he got his name.
A tree cavity not only makes for a cozy nest but is key to a unique behavior: drumming. While a number of animals use tools, these birds are among the few that actually make a tool by breaking a carefully selected stick to just the right size. �en, holding the stick in one foot, the bird bangs it repeatedly against the hollow section of the tree. “Like a lot of bird calls, the drumming sound probably serves as a territory announcement,” said Dave. “Females drum, too. It could be that drum-ming also reinforces the bond between a pair.”
Trees that are “just right” for these birds are usually around 100 years old and may be scarce, especially a�er humans alter the habitat. Log-ging, mining, and land clearing for agricultural and development pur-poses have le� glaring scars on the forests palm cockatoos inhabit in New Guinea. Breeding these birds in managed care is helping to keep the gene pool active and diverse—a hedge against extinction.
A Bird in the HandJessica �eule, a senior keeper at the Zoo’s Avian Propagation Center (APC), has been managing the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Palm Cockatoo Studbook since the end of 2011. “It’s kind of a dream come true,” she said. “I’ve always been a parrot person, and this is such a fascinating species—so di�erent from other cockatoos.”
Palm cockatoos lay a single egg. When the pair at the o�-exhibit breeding area at the Safari Park laid their �rst egg in 2008, the keepers removed it, which triggered the birds to lay another. �at �rst egg was carefully tended to in an incubator; a�er it hatched, the chick was sent to the APC for hand-rearing. “�at was the �rst time any of us raised a palm cockatoo, and we had been told it was di�cult,” said Jessica. “But thanks to the APC team’s research, hard work, and dedication, we were successful!”
Hand-rearing the chick allowed the keepers to observe all the stages of his development. “We don’t usually name the birds,” explained Jessi-ca. “But as his feathers came in, he looked like he had big sideburns, so we nicknamed him Elvis.” Once �edged, Elvis went to a “dating center” for this species at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas. Palm cockatoos are known to be quite particular when it comes to choosing and bond-ing with a mate. At the Kansas facility, they are kept in groups to allow for optimum socialization and lots of choices for mate selection. Elvis did, indeed, �nd a female that suited his fancy—and vice versa—and the two are now settling into their new space in Australian Outback at the San Diego Zoo.
Will visitors get to see the plumed percussionists in action? It’s hard to say, since the behavior can’t be predicted. However, keen observers will see the two expressing themselves and bonding in other ways: raising and �aring their crests, blushing their cheek patches, and grooming and feeding one another. Don’t miss a beat—be sure to watch for the palm cockatoos in action when you stroll through Australian Outback. n
SnakesFor Goodness,
In classic cobra style, a Suphan (or monocled) cobra Naja kaouthia rises up and makes itself appear larger to scare off most threats. Specialized muscles cause ribs in the neck to flare out to form the hood.
It’s not easy being serpentine. For one thing, the court of pub-lic opinion is as divided as a snake’s forked tongue. Few other animals receive such mixed reviews from humans. Snakes are lauded and loathed, revered and reviled. �e sight of a snake can spark either fear or fascination—sometimes both. Home to
about 60 snake species, the San Diego Zoo is the perfect place for hu-man eyes to get a di�erent, and perhaps more positive, image of what Emily Dickinson so charmingly dubbed the “narrow fellow.”
MOUNTAIN MYSTERYDue to their exquisite camou�age and silent movement, snakes easily take us by surprise. Indeed, their survival depends on going unno-ticed: snakes acquire food through ambush or by actively hunting, and both techniques require stealth. Snakes are considered rather
By Wendy PerkinsSTAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
The indentations along the top lip of this emerald tree boa Corallus caninus are heat-sensing pits. These allow this South American species to locate the body-heat signature of prey.
The vivid yellow of this Jerdon’s pit viper Protobothrops jerdonii advertises “venom on board.” Among reptiles and amphibians, bright colors serve as a warning that the bearer employs toxins in self defense.
The venomous Argentine racer Philodryas baroni has fangs that are set back in the mouth, making it a rear-fanged snake. While its mild venom could kill a small rodent, this snake constricts most of its prey.
Here’s an oxymoron: a rattleless rattlesnake. Also known as the Santa Catalina rattler Crotalus catalinensis, this species is found only on the island of Santa Catalina in the Sea of Cortez. One theory about the benefit of not having a rattle is that it allows the snake to move quietly as it searches for prey.
SNAKES SPAN A RANGE OF SHAPES, SIZES, AND SHADES.
Copperheads Agkistrodon contortrix have a somewhat social nature: they hibernate in groups and can be found near each other at sunning and drinking spots. They are native to the US, ranging from the Florida panhandle north to Massachusetts and west to Nebraska.
secretive animals, because they are so di�cult to �nd and observe in their natural habitat. �e Mang Mountain pit viper Protobothrops mangshanensis, for example, was not discoverd by scientists until the early 1990s. Found on the Chinese mountain it is named for and some surrounding areas, this venomous snake’s green-and-brown coloration helps it blend seamlessly into the lichen, moss, and decay-ing leaves on the forest �oor.
�e Zoo is one of the few facilities to house and breed Mang Moun-tain vipers. “When these snakes �rst arrived in 2002, one of the females was gravid,” said Kim Lovich, curator of herpetology at the Zoo. A�er those eggs hatched, it was another 10 years before the snakes repro-duced again. “With reptiles and amphibians,” Kim explained, “the life support factors—light, air temperature, and humidity—all have to be
Left: When it first hatches, a green tree python Morelia viridis is yellow—sometimes even red or orange. The snake’s green coloring comes in when it’s six to eight months old. Right: Native to New Guinea and parts of Australia and Indonesia, green tree pythons Morelia viridis spend much of their time coiled on a branch. They are an arboreal snake and rarely come down from the trees except to lay eggs. They are able to use a very small portion of their tail to support a major potion of their body as they strike at prey.
manipulated to create the right environment. One little change in the life-support system can trigger reproduction, and the challenge for us is to know what that is so we can replicate it.”
In 2012, �omas Owens, senior keeper, noticed a behavioral change in one of the female Mang Mountain vipers. She was staying in one spot, laid up under a potted plant. “It was similar to the behavior of the previous gravid female—and around the same time of year,” said �omas. A careful check con�rmed the hope: a clutch of six eggs rest-ed on the dirt beneath the plant. What was the factor that triggered breeding? �e answer is still hidden.
“We don’t know everything about this species yet,” said �omas. “At what age do they begin to breed? How o�en do they breed? Maybe they have to reach a certain size before breeding occurs.” As breeding con-tinues over the years, the Zoo’s herpetology team will be able to �ll in the blanks about Mang Mountain pit vipers.
Quite a mouthful: the skin of an African egg-eating snake Dasypeltis scabra is stretched to the limit to swallow its nutrient-rich meal. As the egg moves into the throat, sharp spines puncture the shell. The liquid contents continue to the snake’s stomach, while the shell is expelled back out the mouth.
SLOW FOOD MOVEMENTAs carnivorous hunters, snakes are a vital part of the population-con-trol patrol that helps keep an ecosystem balanced. Depending on the type and age of the individual, a snake seeks sustenance in the form of other animals, ranging in size from insects to eggs to large rodents. Lacking limbs, snakes rely on physical adaptations to capture and hold prey. �ey don’t dine and dash—getting a meal into your mouth with-out the use of limbs takes time. Snakes swallow prey head�rst, holding on with sharp, backward-pointing teeth that line the jaw.
A snake’s mouth bones are loosely attached to each other and to the skull. To move the prey into the throat, a snake has to sort of “walk”
A snake’s steady stare unnerves some people. It’s not meant as a threat, it’s simply that snakes can’t blink because they have no eyelids. Rather, a specialized scale, sometimes called a spectacle, covers and protects this vital sense organ. When the spectacle appears milky, as with this Boelen’s python Morelia boeleni, it’s a sign the snake is about to shed its skin.
its jaws forward. �e le� upper and lower jaws open wide enough to release the grip of the teeth, reach forward, and clamp down again. �e same chain of moves then occurs on the right side, then le� again, and so on. When the prey is in the snake’s throat, muscular movements pull and push the food toward the stomach. It can then take days to weeks for the meal to digest.
THE MAIN SQUEEZEConstrictors, such as pythons and boas, lunge and grab their prey with their mouth, then quickly coil tightly around the animal’s body. A strug-gle ensues: as the prey wriggles to escape, the snake squeezes and wraps itself ever more tightly, until the prey animal su�ocates or its heart stops.
Boelen’s pythons Morelia boeleni feed in this manner. One of the few snakes found at extremely high elevations, they are native to the cloud forests of Papua New Guinea. At the Reptile House, you can get a good look at these uncommon zoo inhabitants. �eir basic black skin
The Mang Mountain viper Zhaoermia mangshanensis is only known to exist on and around one mountain in China and was discovered by scientists in the 1990s. The San Diego Zoo is learning more about this rare snake and is proud to have successfully bred the species.
is marked with red bands when they �rst hatch. �e stripes change to a creamy yellow as they mature. �e way light re�ects o� the hard scales of some snakes and makes them look shiny gives rise to the myth that snakes are slimy. In reality, they are quite smooth—and it’s a dry smooth. Any moisture one might feel while touching a snake most likely comes from one’s own sweaty palms.
MEAL PREPA venomous snake is a marvel of e�ciency. Venom kills the prey, and in many cases it also begins breaking down the meal, just as human saliva begins the digestion process. A�er being bitten, an animal may move away from the snake, but it doesn’t go far before the venom takes e�ect. �e snake relies on its sense of smell and other cues to �nd the dead animal. Although this capture method is di�erent from constrict-ing snakes, the swallowing process is the same.
�e bushmaster Lachesis muta of South America is the largest ven-omous snake in the Americas. �ese snakes are usually about 7 to 8
Roughly textured scales boost the camouflage quotient of the venomous bushmaster Lachesis muta in its native South America forest habitat.
feet long, but some 12-foot-long specimens have been reported. Bush-master venom is not considered extremely toxic drop-for-drop, but the incredibly long fangs can deliver a large dose in a single bite. Reptile keepers at the Zoo give these and all other snakes the respect they de-serve while feeding and handling them.
Brett Baldwin, animal care supervisor at the Zoo, keeps the studbook for bushmasters in zoos. “�ey are truly an iconic species,” he said. �e studbook is a database of all the bushmasters in managed care. “It’s a small population, and gathering data has required some detective work,” Brett said. “But it’s worth it as we strive for sustainability of this species in zoos.”
COEXISTING IS THE KEYUnderstandably, few people would want to encounter a venomous snake. �e truth is that a snake—venomous or not—doesn’t want to encounter you, either. Rattlesnakes make noise to warn you away, while other snakes use visual cues like making themselves look large and threatening. It’s always a good idea to heed those warnings and let snakes be. Despite what some people think, a snake has no intent to harm you or “go a�er” you—it’s just looking for food or shelter and is just as happy to avoid you.
Some people believe the fear of snakes is an ancient human instinct. Yet in our modern lives, we have little to lose and much to gain by sharing habitat with them. Rodents tend to �ourish around human habitation, and snakes are an e�cient (not to mention free) form of pest control. �ey are important members of their ecosystems, so a lit-tle understanding can go a long way. In addition, recent research has scientists looking at ways venom components from some snake species could be used in human medicine.
On your next visit to the Zoo, take a leisurely turn or two around the Reptile House. It’s a safe way (for snakes and you) to open your eyes and mind and let any fear turn into fascination and respect. n
Orchids Not Just Your Grandmother’s Corsage
W hile it may be true that “a rose is a rose is a rose,” the same cannot be said about the enigmatic or-chid. With this intriguing epiphyte, all is o�en
not as it seems. Long admired for its elegant, exotic beauty, the orchid has also been a bit type cast, with many people considering it best suited to corsages and �oral arrangments for anniversaries and Mother’s Day. �ere are stunning orchid varieties out there with the classical appeal to �t that bill. �ere are also, however, thousands of other species that would make wonderful “character actors” rather than the stars of the show. And, just as with thespians, the more unusual-looking specimens can turn out to be quite fascinating.
By Peggy ScottASSOCIATE EDITOR
Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
The grain-of-wheat orchid is a true miniature plant with tiny leaves and flowers.
Orchid Anatomy
A Bounty of Blooms and BeliefsOrchids belong to the largest �owering plant family, with an estimated 35,000 di�erent types in the wild, plus more than 45,000 hybrids—and more being discovered all the time. �ey grow in several ways: anchor-ing themselves to trees to receive the light, air, and moisture they need, growing in or on rocks, or growing in the ground, underground, or in water. Despite their varied good looks, orchid �owers have the same basic structure: three outer sepals, two inner petals, and one central column. �e column is formed by the fusion of the plant’s male and female sexual organs, a structure that is unique to the orchid family.
�e aerial roots, leaf structure and type, and growth habit are all con-tributing factors in identifying orchids. While orchids get considerable attention for their appearance, they can also be an olfactory experi-ence, since approximately 25 percent of them are fragrant. Some of the scents are readily picked up by people, while the aroma of others can only be detected by the pollinators for those plants. Orchids pop up in many forms and serve many purposes. For example, the vanilla that we love in ice cream, extracts, and fragrances comes from an orchid plant. �e vanilla bean is the pollinated seed pod of Vanilla planifolia, the only “orchid of commerce.”
Outer sepals
Outer sepalsOuter sepals
Inner petals Inner petals
Center columnStigmatic surface
Lip
With such a number of varieties, it should come as no surprise that a wide range of meanings and interpretations have been bestowed upon the or-chid. �e ancient Greeks associated the blossoms with virility, and the Aztecs believed that drink-ing a mixture of vanilla and chocolate would give them power and strength. Today, orchids are of-ten a symbol of love, beauty, and even luxury. A�er taking a look at some of the more unusual orchid species, you can add extraordinary: you may never have seen some of them, but chances are you won’t be able to forget them.
Tiny but Mighty Grain-of-wheat orchid Dendrobium toressae�e grain-of-wheat orchid from Queensland, Australia, is a true miniature plant with tiny leaves and equally miniscule green-yellow �ow-ers. �is species can grow over a slab of cork or tree fern to form a nice clump. Each leaf is about the size and shape of a grain of wheat, hence the common name. �e single �ower arises from the base of the leaf with virtually no peduncle (basal stalk) and can appear any time of year.
In a PickleGherkin orchid Dendrobium cucumerinumAs remarkable as the gherkin, or cucumber, or-chid is, if you’re looking for a nice fragrance, your nose may wind up out of joint. �is cool-looking but foul-smelling Australian species hails from southeast Queensland through central eastern New South Wales, where it is most commonly found growing on river oaks. Plants may form large, dense clumps or strands. Blooming in the late spring through summer, this orchid usual-ly yields 2 to 10 �owers no bigger than an inch across that are cream to greenish white with purple striping.
The gherkin orchid is remarkable to look at but not so pleasant to smell.
The grain-of-wheat orchid hails from Queensland, Australia.
So Interesting, It’s Scary!Vampire orchid Dracula vampiraHere’s a species you can sink your teeth into! �is magni�cent orchid blooms with up to six �owers, which open in succession at any time of the year and measure over three inches wide. Found in the cloud forests of western Ecuador and Colombia, the distinctive vampire orchid’s sepals are rounded with the top corner pulled into a thin tail, which may grow to more than four inches long.
Although green, the sepals are covered by nu-merous blackish purple veins, and the tails are almost completely black. �e large sepals dwarf the petals and lip of the �ower, which are white and marked with purple and pinkish veins re-spectively.
Where does this plant’s ghoulish common name come from? Dracula means little dragon, which may refer to the exotic �ower shape. Or perhaps the misty cloud forest where these or-chids are found is reminiscent of Count Drac-ula and dark environments. Like the infamous vampire, this orchid shuns sunlight!
It Takes a Licking…Tongue orchid Dockrillia linguiformisIts f lower size is less than one inch, but one look at the leaves and it’s easy to see how the tongue orchid got its common name. Grow-ing north from Ulladulla in southeastern New South Wales, Australia, the tongue orchid favors warm climates with damp, bright conditions. It blooms in the fall and winter, producing 15 to 20 fragrant blossoms. Leaves are �eshy, dark green, and usually furrowed.
Blooming in the fall and winter, the tongue orchid produces 15 to 20 fragrant blossoms.
The vampire orchid doesn’t bite, but you may find yourself mesmerized by its exotic allure.
Seeing Stars—and MoreAngraecum sesquipedaleIn its native Madagascar, this plant’s star-shaped, waxy �owers grow on 12-inch stems from June to September, with most f lowers wilting by August. But when grown elsewhere, the plant, which can be over three feet tall, blossoms be-tween December and January. �e timing prob-ably led to several of its common names, which include Christmas orchid and Star of Bethlehem orchid. Another common name, comet orchid, probably refers to the shape of its �ower.
�e �owers open up green in color but even-tually turn white with tones of light green. �e amount of green in each �ower can vary from plant to plant. �is orchid’s scent is intensely spicy and has been found to contain 39 di�er-ent chemical components.
�is unique species’ characteristics have at-tracted attention for many years. Its long nectar tube is tricky for most pollinators to navigate. Charles Darwin, who �rst described the spe-cies, believed that its pollinator would be a moth with a 12-inch tongue. Some scientists sco�ed at the idea, but Darwin was later proved correct when a very large hawk moth Xanthropan mor-gani—and its long tongue—was discovered.
Orchid OverviewIf you �nd these examples intriguing, pay a visit to the Orchid House at the San Diego Zoo, open to visitors on the third Friday of every month. Even when they’re not in bloom, or-chids are a sight to see! Take time to stop and observe orchids—the roses won’t mind shar-ing the attention. n
This Phalaenopsis hybrid is an example of the typical orchids commonly found in floral arrangements, the ones that most people are used to seeing—definitely pretty, but not one of the extraordinary species found in the Zoo’s collection.
The spicy-scented Angraecum sesquipedale has several common names, including Christmas orchid and Star of Bethlehem orchid.
Tapirs More and
Fieldwork in the Brazilian Pantanal
San Diego Zoo Global has long been committed to tapir con-servation and has been a consistent supporter of tapir projects worldwide. At one time or another, the San Diego Zoo has had
all four tapir species and presently has a pair of Malayan tapirs in Lost Forest and a pair of Baird’s tapirs in the Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey. My �rst experience working with these appealing animals was in the 1980s, when I worked in the Zoo’s animal nursery—a rotund little Baird’s tapir calf was neglected by its mother and needed hand-rearing. �is was the start of my career-long interest in tapirs.
By Michele StancerANIMAL CARE MANAGER, SAN DIEGO ZOO
Even the horses are well adapted to this moist terrain and are resistant to hoof rot.
In 2006, I attended the third In-ternational Tapir Symposium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where attendees from 25 countries were involved in both in situ and ex situ tapir research and conserva-tion projects. At the conference, I met Tapir Specialist Group Chair Patrícia Medici, Ph.D., and learned about her tapir conser-vation e�orts in Brazil. Patrícia started the long-term Lowland Tapir Research and Conserva-
tion Program in São Paulo, a model for multidisciplinary conservation e�orts. Interacting with fellow tapir supporters at this conference in-spired me to do more: I became the Association of Zoos and Aquari-ums’ population manager and studbook keeper for the Malayan tapir, the chair of its Tapir Taxon Advisory Group, and a member of the In-ternational Union for Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Com-mission’s Tapir Specialist Group.
Fieldwork in BrazilIn 2008, Patrícia launched the Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative for all the key biomes where this species occurs in Brazil, including the
The rich diversity of this region has been compared to the African savanna, although it is threatened by traditional cattle ranching practices and widespread deforestation.
Working cattle ranches are integral to the Pantanal. Rural schools are sponsored by and located on the ranches.
Pantanal, where no tapir research had ever been conducted. After 30 years of working with animals at the San Diego Zoo, I was excited to participate in this field research, and in 2012, I secured a spot in one of Patrícia’s expeditions in the Pantanal.
After flying 7,000 miles from San Diego to Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, and traveling 7 hours by truck, I reached the Pantanal. This vast wetland system (about 74,000 square miles) in
1.Tapirs tend to be more active at night; camera-trap images combined with each animal’s GPS data paint a clearer picture of how they use their habitat. 2. Capybaras, the largest rodents in the world, were photographed by several of the camera traps in a city park in Campo Grande. 3. After a tapir was captured in the pen, it was sedated for its exam, which minimized stress for the animal and the staff. 4. Once the medical exam was completed and the radio collar attached, the tapir was released back into its forest home.
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3 4
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the center of South America has the greatest concentration of wildlife in the Americas—the rich diversity of this region has been compared to the African savanna, although it is threatened by traditional cattle ranching practices and widespread deforestation.
Study Site�e morning a�er our arrival, the tapir team organized all the equip-ment and supplies needed for tapir captures and immobilizations and prepared camera traps for installation. We headed out at dawn in a four-wheel-drive vehicle to set up box traps. Due to the rugged terrain, it took us three hours to reach our destination!
�ere were 10 box traps that needed to be checked daily, as the pri-mary goal of the expedition was to place Global Positioning System (GPS) collars on new animals. �is allows us to monitor their use of habitat and activity patterns via satellite. Typically, tapirs sleep in the forest during the day and move around and forage at night.
Patrícia has 18 still-photo camera traps and 2 video camera traps throughout the 105-square mile ranch. �ese cameras provide snap-shots of wildlife activity day and night. We collected and reviewed the
Radio collars on the tapirs enable researchers to learn how the animals use their habitat.
camera memory cards each day, which revealed macaws, ibis, spoon-bills, coatimundis, capybaras, pampas deer, pumas, ocelots, armadil-los, anteaters, tapirs, and several kinds of reptiles.
Each night we took a trip through the ranch, radio tracking and checking on the status of the collared tapirs. José Maria de Aragão, Patrícia’s �eld assistant, was an expert in using the equipment, listen-ing for beeps of the VHF beacon and then �nding the animal’s location using a compass.
We captured two new tapirs during this expedition: an adult male that was �tted with a GPS radio collar (we named him Guilherme af-ter the attending veterinarian, Guilherme Duarte) and a young female we named Michele (a�er me, I am happy to say!). �e female was esti-mated to be six to nine months old, too small to be �tted with a radio collar, but she was given a microchip and a small ear notch so she can be identi�ed later.
Each tapir was anesthetized and measured and had blood drawn for epidemiological exams. Fecal cultures were taken, ticks were collected for identi�cation, and photos and video were taken, and then the tapir was released—all of which took place in less than one hour! Five oth-
Following a refreshing lagoon soak, a tapir named Rita sauntered right past the researchers, who held their collective breath in excitement as she went by.
er tapirs that had been previously radio collared were recaptured, and they were only photographed, �lmed, and released.
I had 13 direct sightings of wild tapirs during my 2-week stay. One of the most memorable moments was while we were at a lagoon observ-ing tapirs. An adult female named Rita �nished her lagoon soak, and as she was returning to the forest, she headed directly toward where we were sitting! We stayed very still as she calmly walked past us less than 10 feet away.
Conservation EducationConservation education is a large part of the tapir program in the Pan-tanal. Educating both landowners and children is vital to protecting and conserving the area’s resources, and rural schools in the Pantanal are sponsored by and located on working cattle ranches. Due to the vast area of the Pantanal, the closest school for a child can be several hours away. Patrícia and her husband, biologist Arnaud Desbiez, Ph.D., visit the schools and share information about the native wildlife and conservation projects, emphasizing the importance of protecting the forest habitat.
�is trip was amazing! I am deeply grateful that San Diego Zoo Glob-al supported my participation in this lowland tapir project. It gave me a new perspective on tapirs, as well as a true appreciation of the sweaty work that is involved in the conservation of wildlife. n
Visit our shops at the Zoo and Safari Park to purchase these featured items.
Items and prices may vary based on availability. Available in select stores.
what’s in storeNana Bells from India: Nana Bells from India: 12.5” $145, 8” $39.9512.5” $145, 8” $39.95
African Beaded Napkin African Beaded Napkin Ring $16.95
Beaded Bird from Mexico $339
Chinaberry Chinaberry Giraffe from Giraffe from Indonesia $73Indonesia $73
African Bolga Basket African Bolga Basket with Handle $52with Handle $52
Guatemalan Huipil Pillow $60Guatemalan Huipil Pillow $60
African Djembe Drum: Djembe Drum: Small $90, Medium $140Medium $140
Peruvian Felt Bear $26.95Peruvian Felt Bear $26.95
African Beaded Coasters $5.95 eachAfrican Beaded Coasters $5.95 eachAfrican Beaded Coasters $5.95 each
support
ANIMAL DREAMSANIMAL DREAMS
Most folks have a wish list, but just imagine one for a gorilla, panda, or parrot. You might also include their keepers at the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park, who have wish lists for every-
day items that will enrich the lives of animals they care for. Yet what is a keeper to do when the budget won’t stretch to cover it all? Our monthly Wish List to bene�t animals is the perfect answer! It’s a unique shop-ping list of enrichment items that help us keep diverse species engaged and healthy.
EVERYDAY WISHES,
�is is where our donors step up, o�en over and over again, to help buy toys, aromatic scents, special grasses, mov-ing crates, or even equipment for keep-ers so they can build or adapt hanging toys, hammocks, or feeders. Every ani-mal loves to play: Boomer Balls for po-lar bears, snow days for giant pandas, Peek-a-Prize toy boxes for fossas, Kno-trageous hanging toys for parrots, Wig-gly Giggly balls for small cats, cherry scent for sun bears, and puzzle feeders for primates. �ere are hundreds of ways just one Wish List item can transform an ordinary day into a stimulating and exciting one for every species.
Some items are small, like a portable CD/clock radio for our great apes. Goril-las, bonobos, and orangutans are intelli-gent and energetic animals that need to use all their senses, just as they would in
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
OFFICERSRichard B. Gulley, Chairman
William H. May, Vice ChairmanSandra A. Brue, Secretary
Robert B. Horsman, Treasurer
BOARD OF TRUSTEESM. Javade Chaudhri
Berit N. DurlerClifford W. Hague
Nan C. KatonaPatricia L. RoscoeSteven G. Tappan
Judith A. WheatleyDavid S. Woodruff, Ph.D., D.Sc.
TRUSTEES EMERITIFrank C. Alexander
Kurt Benirschke, M.D. Weldon DonaldsonThompson Fetter
Bill L. FoxFrederick A. Frye, M.D.
George L. GildredYvonne W. LarsenJohn M. Thornton
Albert Eugene TrepteBetty Jo F. Williams
William E. Beamer,General CounselDouglas G. Myers,President/CEO
Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus
The Foundation of San Diego Zoo Global
OFFICERSJohn E. Gartman, Chair
Murray H. Hutchison, Vice ChairMargie Warner, Secretary
Maryanne C. Pfister, TreasurerMark A. Stuart, President
Richard B. Gulley, Ex officioDouglas G. Myers, Ex officio
BOARD OF DIRECTORSChristine L. AndrewsRichard A. Baldwin
Joye D. BlountRick BregmanLisa S. Casey
Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler, Ex officio
U. Bertram Ellis, Jr.Arthur E. Engel
Fran GoldenCraig L. Grosvenor
Judith C. HarrisRichard M. HillsCraig A. IrvingSusan B. Major
Susan N. McClellanMichael D. McKinnon
George A. RamirezJoyce Summers
Thomas Tull
Bird toys for our toucans are popular Wish List items.
the wild. Dynamic forest sounds—o�en running water and birdsong—help to stimulate their auditory sense, and radios (placed out of reach in back bedrooms) have long been a great way to add a little something extra to their world. Elephants, bears, and lions need sturdy toys like large Boomer Balls that can be rolled, chomped, and even stepped on: they need to be indestructible! For diminutive animals like naked mole-rats that measure just two to three inches long, sea grass or sisal balls for chewing and small feeder tubes will get the entire colony excited.
Giant panda fans are sure to remember our appeal for an arti�cial tree for Yun Zi—and close to 200 friends contributed to the cost of the tree in the �rst month. �e call for a snow day for our youngest cub, Xiao Liwu, brought in more donors for a single item than we have ever seen for the Wish List!
It’s easy to see why everything on our Wish List is an enrichment item: each one truly makes a di�erence in the lives of our animals. At the Zoo and Safari Park, there’s always a need for toys and equipment,
Zoo friends helped provide special snow days for our giant pandas.
and our keepers appreciate every wish that’s granted from our Wish List; they’re sure to see excitement when they place items in exhibits. When you become a Wish List donor, you’ll see for yourself how ev-eryday wishes transform animals’ lives. n
Where there’s a WILL there’s a WAY.To request a complimentary brochure about
including the Zoological Society of San Diego in your will or trust, please call 619-744-3352 or
tap here to visit www.zoolegacy.org.
helP prOvide neW
foR ouRPlease help us give our leopards the best “spots” for prowling, growling, and napping in the Zoo. With your support, we can enhance the lives of our endangered Amur and snow leopards, and they can continue to be conservation catalysts for their wild relatives. To donate online, please click here: sandiegozoo.org/leopards. To contribute by check, please make it payable to the San Diego Zoo and mail to:Leopard AppealDevelopment DepartmentSan Diego ZooP.O. Box 120271San Diego, CA 92112-0271
LEOPARDS!“SPOTS”
Tap to visit sandiegozoo.org/leopards for more information.
Your San Diego Zoo Global Wish List Team invites you to explore this month’s animal wishes at sandiegozoo.org/wishlist. There’s a new theme every month, with items that cost from $5 to $5,000. You can even purchase a gift in someone’s honor—and we know the animals will thank you!
No one knew it at the time, but the arrival of the Zoo’s �rst two-headed snake in 1953 would turn out to be a double-header in terms of success. Dubbed Dudley Duplex, the native California kingsnake had been found by a local property owner and donated to the Zoo’s collection.
Due to his size—about one foot in length—Dudley was estimated to have hatched earlier that year. Two-headed snakes were (and are) rare, but not unheard of. �e best available information at the time indicat-ed such serpents only lived for about a year in zoos—less in the wild.
Dudley, however, went on to celebrate many birthdays at the Reptile House, setting a longevity record of 6.5 years and bringing the Zoo a great deal of media attention. Of course, as an article in ZOONOOZ reported at the time, “All [Dudley’s] publicity…failed to turn either head.” n
from the archives
Double-header Celebration
PUBLISHED SINCE 1926 AUGUST 2013 n VOL. LXXXVI–NO. 8
SAN DIEGO ZOO HOURS August 1–31: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK HOURS August 1–18: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; August 19–31: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information about our animals and events, visit sandiegozoo.org or call 619-231-1515.
The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in Octo ber 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation. The Zoological Society of San Diego does business as San Diego Zoo Global.THE DIGITAL VERSION OF ZOONOOZ® is currently published bi-monthly and is available for the iPad and Kindle Fire. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Global, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-231-1515. Copyright® 2013 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved. “ZOONOOZ” Reg. U.S. Pat. Office. All column and program titles are trademarks of San Diego Zoo Global.Annual Memberships: Dual $114, new; $99, renewal. Single $94, new; $82, renewal. Each membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
MANAGING EDITOR KAREN E. WORLEY
ASSOCIATE EDITORS PEGGY SCOTTDEBBIE ANDREEN
STAFF WRITERS WENDY PERKINSKARYL CARMIGNANI
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL™ PHOTOGRAPHER KEN BOHN
DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN TAMMY SPRATT
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION DAMIEN LASATERCHRISTOPHER MARTINHEIDI SCHMIDSTEPHANIE BEVIL-PAGADUANDENNIS CORBRANKAMBIZ MEHRAFSHANIKRISTIN NIELSENTIM REAMER
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL™ VIDEOGRAPHERS LEE RIEBERMARIA BERNAL-SILVA