inside august 2013
Souls, Spirits, and Prosimians: Legendary Lemurs The story behind these elusive creatures is as intriguing as the animals themselves!
conservation
Tapirs and More: Fieldwork in the Brazilian Pantanal An animal care manager shares her experience volunteering on a tapir conservation project in Brazil.
wildlife
For Goodness, Snakes Slide through some serpentine secrets, and get a new view of these limbless legends.
Pygmy Animals: Small but Mighty For some species, “going small” is the best evolutionary strategy.
Palm Cockatoos: Birds of a Different Feather Somber shading and drumming on hollow logs are part of this species’ fascinating, offbeat story.
explore
Orchids: Not Just Your Grandmother’s Corsage One look at these amazing epiphytes, and you’ll realize beauty blossoms in many forms.
more
What’s in Store
Support
Through the Lens
Chairman’s Note
You Said It
From the Archives
on the cover: Ring-tailed lemur Lemur catta ©Ken Bohn, SDZG Photographer
Members get up close FREE all year long! Start your membership today. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org
Do you have the digital ZOONOOZ?
ZOONOOZ is now available in three digital formats: for iPad, Kindle Fire, and desktop computer. At home or on the go, you can now have ZOONOOZ at your fingertips!
Download ZOONOOZ for your iPad Download ZOONOOZ for your Kindle Fire
chairman’s note
Cats with a Cause
B
ig cats have long been among the favorite animals at the Zoo, and many guests make it a point to stop by and see them whenever they visit. Our leopards are certainly popular, with their beautiful coats and distinctive personalities. They 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 leopards that will be located just south of Panda Trek. These 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. The plans also include a new animal care area and a keeper workspace, providing upgraded facilities for the staff 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 619685-3213 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. Thanks to an outpouring of generosity by our many cat lovers, we are off to a great start. With your help, I am confident we will reach our goal of raising $3 million for these new exhibits before the end of 2013. Thank you!
Rick Gulley Chairman
you said it Can’t wait until I hit the lottery so I can spend my days at the SDZ :-) Janis, Winsted, CT
A great day for a Caravan Safari! Giraffes are so beautiful!! Marcia Ross
@sandiegozoo is one of my favorite places in the world! #letsgo
@SierraGunberg
Photo courtesy Marcia Ross
Watching animal mothers care for their babies is truly amazing… they have no “raising baby” books and know so much. Jane
I had a great day on the Caravan Safari. Got some amazing up-close experiences. Thank you Safari Park. Michelle Uzzi Lowry
No doubt we’re certifiably 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
If you’re looking for an amazingly fun Twitter account to follow, my
top recommendation is @sandiegozoo @ErinOlan
Photo courtesy Michelle
Uzzi Lowry
I’d like to thank the staff 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
Nighttime Zoo iNstagram ChalleNge Document your Nighttime Zoo experience on Instagram and tag your photos with #NighttimeZoo for a chance to win a San Diego Zoo Safari Park adventure for four. Tap here for contest rules and information.
THE
SAVE 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 619-718-3000 Proceeds benefit San Diego Zoo Global’s wildlife conservation efforts.
through the lens Photos 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
Lemurs move on all fours most of the time, a posture that is effective for a life in the trees.
By Peggy Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
F
ew animals spark human imaginations as much as the lemur. Among the Malagasy people of the species’ native Madagascar, lemurs are thought to contain the souls of their ancestors. These elusive creatures populate Roman mythology, and even the word lemur is mystical in nature: it derives from the Latin word lemures, 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 often killed on sight. Other lemurs are also associated with various fady (taboos), but most characterize lemurs as sacred, not to be hunted or harmed. The indri is highly regarded—in origin myths, there is a connection between the indri and humanity, usually through common ancestry. But as is often the case, truth can be stranger—and more interesting—
than fiction. Myths and misunderstandings aside, lemurs are engaging yet enigmatic creatures with plenty of character, and they need no help becoming legends in their own right.
Leapin’ Lemurs—there Are a Lot of Them!
The lemur’s powerful hind legs aid in jumping and climbing, and lemurs can stand upright for short periods of time.
While many people know the ringtailed 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, “There are around 100 types of lemur. That number changes periodically when the consensus changes about what is and what isn’t a lemur. We call the differing views ‘splitters’ and ‘lumpers.’ Splitters believe in making more categories, and lumpers put more animals in established categories. Right now, the splitters are winning.” Four families are consid-
Lemurs are prosimians, which means they are primates that evolved before monkeys and apes.
Running and leaping from branch to branch are easy activities for the agile and speedy lemur.
ered lemurs, including dwarf lemurs, indris, sifakas, and the aye-aye. That 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
A lemur’s rudder-like tail is longer than its body and is used for balance while leaping through trees.
The lemur’s incisor teeth form a dental comb, which they use for grooming their dense fur.
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.
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 lemur, ring-tailed lemur, and red-ruffed lemur. Lemurs in the Lemuridae family are squirrel- to cat-size animals, weighing from 1 to 11 pounds. Coat colors range from a muted gray-brown to black and white or black and red. They have a long, heavily furred tail and slender body and limbs, with the hind limbs longer than the forelimbs. The fur is usually soft, 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,
Lemurs have excellent eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell.
measuring 22.5 to 27.5 inches (plus a 2-inch tail) and weighing 15.5 to 22 pounds.
Prosimian Particulars
Lemurs are prosimians, which means they are primates that evolved before monkeys and apes. They 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 sniffers. They 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, running and leaping from branch to branch. They tend to move on all fours, and their hands and feet are tailor-made for life in the trees. Although
Ring-tailed lemurs also use their tail for communication, more than other lemur species.
Lemurs use both their strong hands and feet to grasp branches.
they are good at grasping branches, they lack the highly developed dexterity of monkeys and apes. “The pads on a lemur’s hands and feet are different. They have really big finger 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. “Ringtailed lemurs also use their tail for communication, more than other lemur species,” Dean adds. “The tail is held up, so other lemurs can see it in the brush. And males participate in what are called stink fights: they effuse their tail with their musky scent and flick it at their opponent.”
Lemur Life
Lemurs are social and live in troops or family groups. There are both diurnal and nocturnal lemurs, with nocturnal lemurs foraging alone at night but often nesting in groups during the day. When it comes to mealtime, lemur diets vary widely. The 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
The Zoo is currently home to two off-exhibit ring-tailed lemurs and five red ruffed lemurs. At the Safari Park, the new Lemur Walk offers an immersive experience to get up close: you walk along a path inside the exhibit as five 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
Pygmy Animals Small but Mighty
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.
By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
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, Nature 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 fills a different 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 dwarfism—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-
Nigerian dwarf goats tend to be friendlier to people than the pygmy goats.
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. The red deer of France found itself on one of the Channel Islands (15 miles off 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. There are trends, but not rules. If smaller body size enables an animal to fill a niche with less competition, then being small provides big benefits.
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 affectionate. “She’s a lap goat!” said Deb.
The dwarf crocodile is only about a quarter of the size of its 20-foot-long brethren. It is the smallest species of croc.
These hardy little goats come from Africa, where people with smaller farms favored them because 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 middle, “People always ask if they’re pregnant,” said Deb. “But they are just digesting their meals, which gives them that ‘hay belly’ look.” The 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 Thomas 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 safeThe pygmy spiny-tailed skinks of Australia seek shelter in rock cervices. ty. Their rigid, spiny scales help seThey are about 10 inches shorter than cure them into rock crannies. Fullfull-size skinks. 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 Anchieta’s dwarf python), endemic to southern Africa. This 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. The West African dwarf crocodile is the smallest of the 14 croc species at about 4 to 5 feet in length. The largest is the saltwater croc, which can exceed 20 feet. The dwarf variety is more terrestrial than its bulky cousins and has a widely varied diet.
The pygmy falcon can be found nesting in sociable weaver nests. It is the smallest raptor on the African continent.
Pygmy falcons are animal ambassadors at both the Zoo and the Safari Park, where visitors can get a good look at these mighty hunters.
Tiny Fliers
The pygmy falcon is the definition of small but mighty. Although it could fit in the palm of a human’s hand, this little bird is a formidable hunter. “The 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-off is worth it, because the falcons help the weavers fend off other predators like snakes. At the Zoo, one pygmy falcon located on Front Street near the African Kopje has a big personality in spite of his size. When Mike arrives in the morning, “The little guy calls and bobs his head at me. He might be saying ‘Where’s my breakfast?’ or ‘You’re late.’” Another pygmy falcon 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 Aviary, where a pair of cotton pygmy geese resides. Though more closely related to ducks than geese, one look at the head and gooselike beak
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.
and it’s clear how the misnomer came to be. This 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 Slow
Petite 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 differently, adopting super-fast or super-slow habits. The pygmy marmoset of South America is the smallest monkey in the world, weighing less than four ounces and measuring only about six inches in length. This 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 flexible neck that swivels backward enables the pygmy marmoset to watch out for danger; it serves as a built-in rearview mirror. The pygmy slow loris of the tropical forests of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and China could be considered downright paranoid in its behavior. This pint-sized primate is solitary and nocturnal, sleeping by day curled in a ball, its fluffy coat serving as camouflage. 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. This little loris has strong extremities, enabling it to clutch a branch tightly with its feet while grabbing and eating prey with its hands—upside down! It also has a toxic bite: when frightened, the animal licks an
In the wilds of West Africa, the pygmy hippo is nocturnal and reclusive.
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 Hippo
Although reliant on rain forests, swamps, and rivers in its African homeland, the pygmy hippo is significantly less aquatic than its fullsized relative. A voracious eater of plants and fruits, this nocturnal species can weigh 350 to 600 pounds, while a “regular� hippopotamus can weigh 10 times as much. Unlike the hefty river hippo, which is the most deadly animal in Africa, pygmy hippos would rather flee than fight. They managed to elude discovery by Western scientists until 1840. Zoo visitors can find them on Hippo Trail in the Lost Forest.
With a Little Help from Friends
No bigger than a squirrel, the dwarf mongoose is the smallest carnivore in Africa, but it fills an important role in the ecosystem, feasting on rats, lizards, snakes, scorpions, spiders, grasshoppers, and crickets. Dwarf
The smallest carnivore in Africa is the dwarf mongoose.
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 offspring and siblings. Unlike larger varieties of mongoose, when these little guys feel threatened, they let out a call, and it’s every mongoose for itself as they flee 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 benefit 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
palM coCkatoos biRds of A diFferenT feAther
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.
By Wendy Perkins STAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
A
mong the frequently flashy-hued birds that make up the parrot group, the palm cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus stands out by virtue of its somber coloring. These “tall, dark, and handsome” birds have a new home at the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback at the Zoo. They really are a sight to see!
The Subtle Approach
Native to northern Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea, palm cockatoos 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 fine, white powder from exfoliated down feathers covers their body, making the black plumage appear dusky gray. The “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 flushes from dark pink to orange-red to scarlet.
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 hardshelled pandanus fruit, which humans need an axe to open.
When feeling shy or uncertain, the palm cockatoo fans its facial feathers up to conceal its colorful cheek patch.
With their big beak, these birds are able to crack the large, tough nut of the pandanus plant, which is often called a palm but is not. Pandanus fruit is a palm cockatoo favorite. In fact, the birds’ common name comes from the fact that they are so often seen feeding in those trees.
Home Is Where the Hollow Is
Appearances aside, palm cockatoos differ from other parrots and cockatoos in other ways, too. “They are not easy to breed,” explained Dave Rimlinger, curator of birds at the Zoo. “They have a very slow lifecycle and quite specific nest requirements.” Palm cockatoos nest in hollows that are open at the top. What happens when it rains? No roof, no problem. During nest preparation, they fetch thin sticks, break them into small pieces, and drop them into the cavity. The accumulation of broken bits forms a platform that keeps the egg elevated above any water that collects.
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. Then, 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 drumming 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 after humans alter the habitat. Logging, mining, and land clearing for agricultural and development purposes have left 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 Hand
Jessica Theule, 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 different from other cockatoos.” Palm cockatoos lay a single egg. When the pair at the off-exhibit breeding area at the Safari Park laid their first egg in 2008, the keepers removed it, which triggered the birds to lay another. That first egg was carefully tended to in an incubator; after it hatched, the chick was sent to the APC for hand-rearing. “That was the first time any of us raised a palm cockatoo, and we had been told it was difficult,” 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 Jessica. “But as his feathers came in, he looked like he had big sideburns, so we nicknamed him Elvis.” Once fledged, 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 bonding 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, find 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 flaring 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
Snakes For 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.
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.
By Wendy Perkins STAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
I
t’s not easy being serpentine. For one thing, the court of public 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. The 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 human eyes to get a different, and perhaps more positive, image of what Emily Dickinson so charmingly dubbed the “narrow fellow.”
MOUNTAIN MYSTERY Due to their exquisite camouflage and silent movement, snakes easily take us by surprise. Indeed, their survival depends on going unnoticed: snakes acquire food through ambush or by actively hunting, and both techniques require stealth. Snakes are considered rather
SNAKES SPAN A RANGE OF SHAPES, SIZES, AND SHADES.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
secretive animals, because they are so difficult to find and observe in their natural habitat. The 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 decaying leaves on the forest floor. The Zoo is one of the few facilities to house and breed Mang Mountain vipers. “When these snakes first arrived in 2002, one of the females was gravid,” said Kim Lovich, curator of herpetology at the Zoo. After those eggs hatched, it was another 10 years before the snakes reproduced again. “With reptiles and amphibians,” Kim explained, “the life support factors—light, air temperature, and humidity—all have to be
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.
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, Thomas 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 Thomas. A careful check confirmed the hope: a clutch of six eggs rested on the dirt beneath the plant. What was the factor that triggered breeding? The answer is still hidden. “We don’t know everything about this species yet,” said Thomas. “At what age do they begin to breed? How often do they breed? Maybe they have to reach a certain size before breeding occurs.” As breeding continues over the years, the Zoo’s herpetology team will be able to fill in the blanks about Mang Mountain pit vipers.
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.
SLOW FOOD MOVEMENT As carnivorous hunters, snakes are a vital part of the population-control 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. They don’t dine and dash—getting a meal into your mouth without the use of limbs takes time. Snakes swallow prey headfirst, 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”
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.
its jaws forward. The left upper and lower jaws open wide enough to release the grip of the teeth, reach forward, and clamp down again. The same chain of moves then occurs on the right side, then left 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 SQUEEZE Constrictors, such as pythons and boas, lunge and grab their prey with their mouth, then quickly coil tightly around the animal’s body. A struggle ensues: as the prey wriggles to escape, the snake squeezes and wraps itself ever more tightly, until the prey animal suffocates 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. Their basic black skin
Roughly textured scales boost the camouflage quotient of the venomous bushmaster Lachesis muta in its native South America forest habitat.
is marked with red bands when they first hatch. The stripes change to a creamy yellow as they mature. The way light reflects off 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 PREP A venomous snake is a marvel of efficiency. Venom kills the prey, and in many cases it also begins breaking down the meal, just as human saliva begins the digestion process. After being bitten, an animal may move away from the snake, but it doesn’t go far before the venom takes effect. The snake relies on its sense of smell and other cues to find the dead animal. Although this capture method is different from constricting snakes, the swallowing process is the same. The bushmaster Lachesis muta of South America is the largest venomous snake in the Americas. These snakes are usually about 7 to 8
feet long, but some 12-foot-long specimens have been reported. Bushmaster 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 deserve while feeding and handling them. Brett Baldwin, animal care supervisor at the Zoo, keeps the studbook for bushmasters in zoos. “They are truly an iconic species,” he said. The 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 KEY Understandably, few people would want to encounter a venomous snake. The 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 after” 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 flourish around human habitation, and snakes are an efficient (not to mention free) form of pest control. They are important members of their ecosystems, so a little 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
The grain-ofwheat orchid is a true miniature plant with tiny leaves and flowers.
By Peggy Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
W
hile it may be true that “a rose is a rose is a rose,” the same cannot be said about the enigmatic orchid. With this intriguing epiphyte, all is often 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 floral arrangments for anniversaries and Mother’s Day. There are stunning orchid varieties out there with the classical appeal to fit that bill. There 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.
Orchid Anatomy Outer sepals
Inner petals
Inner petals
Center column Stigmatic surface
Outer sepals
Lip
Outer sepals
A Bounty of Blooms and Beliefs Orchids belong to the largest flowering plant family, with an estimated 35,000 different types in the wild, plus more than 45,000 hybrids—and more being discovered all the time. They grow in several ways: anchoring 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 flowers have the same basic structure: three outer sepals, two inner petals, and one central column. The column is formed by the fusion of the plant’s male and female sexual organs, a structure that is unique to the orchid family. The aerial roots, leaf structure and type, and growth habit are all contributing factors in identifying orchids. While orchids get considerable attention for their appearance, they can also be an olfactory experience, 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. The vanilla bean is the pollinated seed pod of Vanilla planifolia, the only “orchid of commerce.”
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 orchid. The ancient Greeks associated the blossoms with virility, and the Aztecs believed that drinking a mixture of vanilla and chocolate would give them power and strength. Today, orchids are often a symbol of love, beauty, and even luxury. After 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
The grain-of-wheat orchid hails from Queensland, Australia.
Grain-of-wheat orchid Dendrobium toressae The grain-of-wheat orchid from Queensland, Australia, is a true miniature plant with tiny leaves and equally miniscule green-yellow flowers. This 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. The single flower arises from the base of the leaf with virtually no peduncle (basal stalk) and can appear any time of year.
In a Pickle
The gherkin orchid is remarkable to look at but not so pleasant to smell.
Gherkin orchid Dendrobium cucumerinum As remarkable as the gherkin, or cucumber, orchid is, if you’re looking for a nice fragrance, your nose may wind up out of joint. This 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 usually yields 2 to 10 flowers no bigger than an inch across that are cream to greenish white with purple striping.
So Interesting, It’s Scary!
The vampire orchid doesn’t bite, but you may find yourself mesmerized by its exotic allure.
Vampire orchid Dracula vampira Here’s a species you can sink your teeth into! This magnificent orchid blooms with up to six flowers, 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 numerous blackish purple veins, and the tails are almost completely black. The large sepals dwarf the petals and lip of the flower, which are white and marked with purple and pinkish veins respectively. Where does this plant’s ghoulish common name come from? Dracula means little dragon, which may refer to the exotic flower shape. Or perhaps the misty cloud forest where these orchids are found is reminiscent of Count Dracula and dark environments. Like the infamous vampire, this orchid shuns sunlight!
It Takes a Licking…
Blooming in the fall and winter, the tongue orchid produces 15 to 20 fragrant blossoms.
Tongue orchid Dockrillia linguiformis Its flower 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. Growing 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 fleshy, dark green, and usually furrowed.
Seeing Stars—and More
The spicy-scented Angraecum sesquipedale has several common names, including Christmas orchid and Star of Bethlehem orchid.
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.
Angraecum sesquipedale In its native Madagascar, this plant’s star-shaped, waxy flowers grow on 12-inch stems from June to September, with most flowers wilting by August. But when grown elsewhere, the plant, which can be over three feet tall, blossoms between December and January. The timing probably 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 flower. The flowers open up green in color but eventually turn white with tones of light green. The amount of green in each flower can vary from plant to plant. This orchid’s scent is intensely spicy and has been found to contain 39 different chemical components. This unique species’ characteristics have attracted attention for many years. Its long nectar tube is tricky for most pollinators to navigate. Charles Darwin, who first described the species, believed that its pollinator would be a moth with a 12-inch tongue. Some scientists scoffed at the idea, but Darwin was later proved correct when a very large hawk moth Xanthropan morgani—and its long tongue—was discovered.
Orchid Overview If you find 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, orchids are a sight to see! Take time to stop and observe orchids—the roses won’t mind sharing the attention. n
Tapirs and
More
Fieldwork in the Brazilian Pantanal
Even the horses are well adapted to this moist terrain and are resistant to hoof rot.
By Michele Stancer ANIMAL CARE MANAGER, SAN DIEGO ZOO
S
an Diego Zoo Global has long been committed to tapir conservation 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 first 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. This was the start of my career-long interest in tapirs.
Working cattle ranches are integral to the Pantanal. Rural schools are sponsored by and located on the ranches.
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.
In 2006, I attended the third International Tapir Symposium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where attendees from 25 countries were involved in both in situ and ex situ tapir research and conservation projects. At the conference, I met Tapir Specialist Group Chair Patrícia Medici, Ph.D., and learned about her tapir conservation efforts in Brazil. Patrícia started the long-term Lowland Tapir Research and Conservation Program in São Paulo, a model for multidisciplinary conservation efforts. Interacting with fellow tapir supporters at this conference inspired me to do more: I became the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ population manager and studbook keeper for the Malayan tapir, the chair of its Tapir Taxon Advisory Group, and a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission’s Tapir Specialist Group.
Fieldwork in Brazil In 2008, Patrícia launched the Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative for all the key biomes where this species occurs in Brazil, including the
1
2
3
4 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.
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
Radio collars on the tapirs enable researchers to learn how the animals use their habitat.
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 The morning after our arrival, the tapir team organized all the equipment 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! There were 10 box traps that needed to be checked daily, as the primary goal of the expedition was to place Global Positioning System (GPS) collars on new animals. This 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. PatrĂcia has 18 still-photo camera traps and 2 video camera traps throughout the 105-square mile ranch. These cameras provide snapshots of wildlife activity day and night. We collected and reviewed the
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.
camera memory cards each day, which revealed macaws, ibis, spoonbills, coatimundis, capybaras, pampas deer, pumas, ocelots, armadillos, 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 field assistant, was an expert in using the equipment, listening for beeps of the VHF beacon and then finding the animal’s location using a compass. We captured two new tapirs during this expedition: an adult male that was fitted with a GPS radio collar (we named him Guilherme after the attending veterinarian, Guilherme Duarte) and a young female we named Michele (after me, I am happy to say!). The female was estimated to be six to nine months old, too small to be fitted with a radio collar, but she was given a microchip and a small ear notch so she can be identified later. Each tapir was anesthetized and measured and had blood drawn for epidemiological exams. Fecal cultures were taken, ticks were collected for identification, and photos and video were taken, and then the tapir was released—all of which took place in less than one hour! Five oth-
er tapirs that had been previously radio collared were recaptured, and they were only photographed, filmed, 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 observing tapirs. An adult female named Rita finished 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 Education Conservation education is a large part of the tapir program in the Pantanal. 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. PatrĂcia 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. This trip was amazing! I am deeply grateful that San Diego Zoo Global 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
what’s in store African Beaded Coasters $5.95 each
Nana Bells from India: 12.5” $145, 8” $39.95
African Beaded Napkin Ring $16.95 Beaded Bird from Mexico $339
African Bolga Basket with Handle $52
Chinaberry Giraffe from Indonesia $73
African Djembe Drum: Small $90, Medium $140
Peruvian Felt Bear $26.95
Guatemalan Huipil Pillow $60
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.
support
EVERYDAY WISHES,
ANIMAL DREAMS M
ost 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 everyday 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 benefit animals is the perfect answer! It’s a unique shopping list of enrichment items that help us keep diverse species engaged and healthy.
Bird toys for our toucans are popular Wish List items.
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS Richard B. Gulley, Chairman William H. May, Vice Chairman Sandra A. Brue, Secretary Robert B. Horsman, Treasurer BOARD OF TRUSTEES M. Javade Chaudhri Berit N. Durler Clifford W. Hague Nan C. Katona Patricia L. Roscoe Steven G. Tappan Judith A. Wheatley David S. Woodruff, Ph.D., D.Sc. TRUSTEES EMERITI Frank C. Alexander Kurt Benirschke, M.D. Weldon Donaldson Thompson Fetter Bill L. Fox Frederick A. Frye, M.D. George L. Gildred Yvonne W. Larsen John M. Thornton Albert Eugene Trepte Betty Jo F. Williams
This is where our donors step up, often over and over again, to help buy toys, aromatic scents, special grasses, moving crates, or even equipment for keepers so they can build or adapt hanging toys, hammocks, or feeders. Every animal loves to play: Boomer Balls for polar bears, snow days for giant pandas, Peek-a-Prize toy boxes for fossas, Knotrageous hanging toys for parrots, Wiggly Giggly balls for small cats, cherry scent for sun bears, and puzzle feeders for primates. There 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. Gorillas, bonobos, and orangutans are intelligent and energetic animals that need to use all their senses, just as they would in
William E. Beamer,General Counsel Douglas G. Myers,President/CEO Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus
The Foundation of San Diego Zoo Global OFFICERS John E. Gartman, Chair Murray H. Hutchison, Vice Chair Margie Warner, Secretary Maryanne C. Pfister, Treasurer Mark A. Stuart, President Richard B. Gulley, Ex officio Douglas G. Myers, Ex officio BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christine L. Andrews Richard A. Baldwin Joye D. Blount Rick Bregman Lisa S. Casey Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler, Ex officio U. Bertram Ellis, Jr. Arthur E. Engel Fran Golden Craig L. Grosvenor Judith C. Harris Richard M. Hills Craig A. Irving Susan B. Major Susan N. McClellan Michael D. McKinnon George A. Ramirez Joyce Summers Thomas Tull
Zoo friends helped provide special snow days for our giant pandas.
the wild. Dynamic forest sounds—often 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 molerats 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 artificial tree for Yun Zi—and close to 200 friends contributed to the cost of the tree in the first month. The 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 difference in the lives of our animals. At the Zoo and Safari Park, there’s always a need for toys and equipment,
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 everyday wishes transform animals’ lives. n 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!
helP prOvide neW
“SPOTS”
foR ouR LEOPARDS! Please 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 Appeal Development Department San Diego Zoo P.O. Box 120271 San Diego, CA 92112-0271
Tap to visit sandiegozoo.org/leopards for more information.
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.
from the archives
Double-header Celebration No one knew it at the time, but the arrival of the Zoo’s first
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. The best available information at the time indicated 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
PUBLISHED SINCE 1926
AUGUST 2013
MANAGING EDITOR
KAREN E. WORLEY
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
PEGGY SCOTT DEBBIE ANDREEN
STAFF WRITERS SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL™ PHOTOGRAPHER DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL™ VIDEOGRAPHERS
n
VOL. LXXXVI–NO. 8
WENDY PERKINS KARYL CARMIGNANI KEN BOHN TAMMY SPRATT DAMIEN LASATER CHRISTOPHER MARTIN HEIDI SCHMID STEPHANIE BEVIL-PAGADUAN DENNIS CORBRAN KAMBIZ MEHRAFSHANI KRISTIN NIELSEN TIM REAMER LEE RIEBER MARIA BERNAL-SILVA
The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in October 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.
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.