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BAILEY: - I send my apology on the fact i could not give you more information on some of the animals. The facts above are true, and the names are as best of spelling. You see, I work with the North American animals, so I am not 100% sure on the names of everything else ;) -
DEAN: As you enter the under the Lrt station, you find this Woolley Mammoth.
DEAN: What creature is this?
BAILEY: Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis. These animals are located in the Africa Savannah in the
Calgary zoo. The names to me are not known. The Rock Hyrax is closely related to the Elephant,
and it seems to be odd when you look at them, but it is very true. Here is some information on the
Rock Hyrax: Distribution: It lives in southern Africa and in the south-west of the
continent. Habitat: It prefers rocky areas. Size: Body lenght from 40 to 50 cm.
Weight: 3 to 4 kg. Behaviour: Diurnal. It lives in big colonies. Food:
Mostly herbivorous. It prefers to feed with bushes and litlle plants. Reproduction:
About 250 days for 2 or 3 offsprings. Longevity: 7 years.
DEAN: Love to watch these inquisitive Meerkats!
BAILEY: The Meerkats, Suricata suricatta, are also in the same building as the rock hyrax.
They live in close knit family groups in the wild, with similar hirearchy as a wolf pack.
Alpha males and females, then so on. The Meerkats at the Calgary zoo have names, but I am also
unsure of them.
DEAN: Is this Pumba? Where is the Lion King?
BAILEY:
Warthogs, Phacochoerus aethiopicus, are an african animal. They live on the plains,
and live in smaller family groupings. The eldest female is most always the 'leader'. Warthog facts:
CLASS: MammaliaORDER: ArtiodactylaFAMILY: SuidaeGENUS &
SPECIES: Phacochoerus aethiopicusCLASSIFICATION: Artiodactyla, the even-toed
ungulates (toe-nail walkers), is an enormous group when compared to Perissodactyla, the
odd-toed horses, rhinos and tapirs.Sus is Latin for "pig" and the suids are the Old World pigs,
the True Pigs. Pigs are not native to the Americas and animals resembling pigs, the peccary and
javelina, are tayassuids and are not true pigs. Aethiopicus is the Latinization of Ethiopia,
where these pigs were first described. The genus name means "lentil" (phaco) "pig"
(choerus). Shaped like a lentil? They like lentils? Who knows?RANGE: Warthogs use
grasslands and open woodlands across most of sub-Saharan Africa. In much drier habitats than
most pigs, they are usually within walking distance of water. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
Length: 3 feetTail: 15 inches Weight: 100-250 pounds. Warthogs are sparsely haired with a
long and bristly mane down the neck to the middle of the back. The legs are relatively longer
than most pigs. Males have three pairs of warts, one pair near the eyes, one on the snout and a
pair on the lower jaw. The female's two pair of warts are smaller, with none on the snout. The
eyes are set high on the head. They have a typical pig's disc-like nose pad. The hooves are
relatively small, with four toes on each foot. Digit 2 and 5 are reduced, more so on the hind.
They have a relatively long, tasseled tail.COLORATION: Warthogs are over-all gray
but may look red or some other color due to wallowing. Young animals have white wart whiskers.
Newborns have a hint of striping. DIET: Warthogs, more specialized than most pigs, are
primarily grazers, eating mostly grasses and forbes. They do root taking bulbs, rhizomes and
various worms and insects.
DEAN: A giraffe pokes it's head over the fence.
BAILEY: There are two Reticulated Giraffes, Giraffa camelopardalis at the Calgary Zoo. Mardie,
and Carrie. I am not sure which one this is, but they are both female. I am unsure also of the ages.
Here are some Giraffe facts: Adult Height17'Adult Length6' to 8' when neck
upright Weight 2000 to 3000 lbs Longevity25 years in the wild, often longer in
captivity Food/DietGiraffes are vegetarians, browsing from tall trees, such as the Acacia,
and easily feasting on branches with long sharp thorns that would easily puncture a thick rubber
truck tire. Range Savanna from south of the Sahara down to Namibia and Botswana.
DEAN: A lion lies...
BAILEY: This is the zoo's only male African Lion, Panthera leo. His name is Okonko.
I am unsure of the age. There are 3 other lionesses in the enclosure also. They are all related.
In the wild, the lions will live in a famile group called a Pride (I am sure most of us have seen
"Lion King"). The male is the leader of this pride, and he will be the only male within it. The
lionesses do most of the hunting. Although people seem to think that lions are the main
predators on the savannah, it is untrue. Most of the kills that lions are filmed at are actually kills
Hyena's have made. The lions just prance in and take over. Lions are the only social Cats in the
world. They preffer to be with the large group. Although you will see the occasional 'lone'. Most
juvenile males will roam alone, until they find a pride to take over, killing all the cubs from spring.
DEAN: A female lion.
DEAN: What is the name of this lizard?
BAILEY: Bearded Dragon, Pogona vitticeps. These wonderfull lizards are housed in the Austrailia
Nocturnal building in the zoo. They are omnivours, which means they need both meats and
veggies in their diet. They are awesome pets, although I would not suggest unless you know a
lot about them. Facts: Native to: Australia Size Range: 6-24 inches Life Span:
4-10 years General Appearance: Medium sized lizard with a large triangular shaped
bead, flattened body and a tail measuring half the length of the animal. Gray, brown or reddish
brown in color with small spiny scales covering the body with longer scales from the back of the
head. When threatened a bearded dragon will puff out its throat resembling a spiky beard.
DEAN: What is the name of this bird?
BAILEY: Kookaburra, Dacelo novaguinae, are an australian bird. One of the most recognisable
Australian birds, the Kookaburra is famous for it's 'laughing' call. The Kookaburra is one of the
largest members of the Kingfisher family. According to Aboriginal legend, the Kookaburra's
famous chorus of laughter every morning is a signal for the sky people to light the great fire
that illuminates and warms the earth by day. Kookaburras are found in a diverse range of
habitats, including forests, farmlands, parks and gardens. Kookaburras eat lizards, snakes,
mice and other small mammals.
DEAN: Look at the long tail on this creature!
BAILEY: Tree Kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi, are also located in the Australia Nocturnal
building. There are 3 adults, and one baby. The animal is found in patches of Queensland
rainforest in the Atherton Tablelands and surrounding hills. The Tree-kangaroo is vegetarian,
eating leaves and fruits found high in the rainforest canopy Up there the food is unspoilt by
other animals. Tree-kangaroo has a large stomach that allows the leaves etc the time to dissolve
as they eat fairly large quantities of food.
DEAN: It looks like this bird is smoking an invisible cigarette!
DEAN: Name this flower!
DEAN: A nice place to sit for a rest. But the sound of that water makes me want to do something else... :)
DEAN: A Paradis flower!
You can visit Bailey's website here!
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