North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, North Caorlina






Zebras



Lion Family - The male lion may grow up to 10 feet long, including their tail. The lions come from Africa and live on the grasslands of the Savanna. The lions are unique since at a quick glance you can tell the male from the female because of the mane of the male. (Panthera leo)










Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas) - Africa bushland and Savannas from Senegal (west) to Ethiopis and Tanzania (east). In the wild the male Patas money keeps watch on a high spot and keeps the other monkeys in line and informed.

Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) - In saltwater areas from Peru to Tierra del Fuego and in Andes ( up to 15,000 foot Altitiues). They are 4 feet from head to tail. Flamingo get their distinctive color from things they eat such as tiny shrimp, insect larvae and algae, which contain betacarotene, which is the source of the flamingo's pink pigment. Different flamingo species are different shades of pink. The Chilean Flamingo is a lighter pink.

Mandarin Duck (Aiz galericulata) - Asia.

Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) - Central and South America.

Pekin Robin (Leiothrix lutea) - Asia.

Scarlet Ibis

Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus) - Island of East Indonrsia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and extreme Northeast tip of Australia. There is a startling difference in color between male and female. They fly above the forest canopy looking for fruits, nuts, nextar and leaf buds making a lot of noise as they look. In the evening they engage in display flights before gathering in large groups to roost for the night.

Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) - Grasslands of Africa. They are about three feet long.

Yellow-Footed Tortoise (Geochelone denticulata) - South American rainforest.


Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas) - Africa: Ethiopia, Somalia and Southern Saudi Arabia. Baboons have very complex social reltionships that are strenthened through an activity called social grooming. There is a hierarchy that is maintained.

Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) - Africa in rainforest. They can weigh as much as 500 pounds.

Ginger

Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) - Sub-Saharan Africa. The Bateleur Eagle gets it's name from the French word meaning "acrobat" due to the side-by-side balancing motion they display when flying. They can fly at speeds up to 50 miles per hour.

Bateleur Eagle's Back is interesting, too.

DeBrazza's Monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus) - Central Africa. They are active during the day, eating fruits and seeds. They have grizzled gray fur that makes them hard to see in the dense forests. These monkeys can sit for hours in one place, avoiding predators. They are 18 to 22 inches tall.

African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) - Africa in rainforests, mountains or savannas of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. They are usually near water. The large ears of an African Elephant have an elaborate network of blood vessels running through them, allowing heat to escape. This helps the elephant to keep cool. The ears not only swat away flies, but are used as a signal. They are 7 to 9 feet from the shoulder to feet.

Trumpeter Hornbill (Ceratogymna bucinator) - Southeastern Africa. This is one noisy bird. The loud trumpet-like noise is where the trumpeter Hornbill got it's name, but it makes other sounds as well, such as laughing and wailing.

Fennec (Vulpes zerda) - Northern Africa and Western Asia. The Fennec is the smallest species of fox. They can live in arid places, getting the water from the foods they eat. Thick fur protect their feet from the hot sand. They have huge ears that help them hear their prey tunneling under the sand. They are only 30 inches long, including their tail.

Kirk's Dik-Dik (Madoqua kirkii) - Southeast and east Africa. These antelope are about 15 inches long and live in dry, dense thickets. They are active in the early morning and in the late afternoon looking for food. Large glands under their eyes make a scented liquid used to mark objects in their territory. They make a "dik-dik" sound when startled.

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) - African savannas and drier grasslands of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Males and Females can be told apart, since the female is grayish-brown and the males are black and white. This female ostrich was running down this hill at a good clip. They are flightless birds, but, as we saw, can run at great speeds. The ostrich is about 6 feet tall and can weigh 300 - 350 pounds.

Cougar (Felis concolor) - North America mostly in southern Florida.

Wilhelm and Masha were confiscated from a Mexico-based circus and arrived at the North Carolina Zoo on November 19, 2002 where they are enjoying doing what they please rather than living in terrible conditions without proper food, cramped cages and abuse. Wilhelm was happily swimming and really seemed to enjoy the people.





seal

Hooded Merganser (Mergus cucullalus) - North America. While courting, male hooded Mergansers show off to attract a mate. They spread their white crests and expand their throats, displaying striking black and white feathers. Males also make loud croaks that can be heard a half mile away.

Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) - Western United States and Mexico. The males have a red head and the females a red-flecked throat. The male has an iridescent ear patch.



Ocelot (Felis pardalis)

The dogwood was in bloom along with cherry blossoms.

Buffalo