Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Great Horned Owl

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Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Great Horned Owl Status (circle one): Special Notes–Conservation, Zoo Care, Exhibit Design etc.: Stable/Least Concern Species Name: Bubo virginianus Our owls here are rehabilitated from Near Threatened the wild. These animals are here due to the

Vulnerable fact that they would not survive on their own due to injuries they had aquired. Endangered Primary Diet: Habitat/Biome: Prefer large open fields for Critically Endangered • Mice hunting Extinct in the Wild • Skunks • Fish • Small Rodents Region: North America, Behavioral Adaptations (2-5) Three Supporting FACTS: Canada and South *CARNIVORE America • They are nocturnal • Feathers are frayed to keep them silent Physical Adaptations (3-5) • Solitary animals, only coming together for mating • Use their talons to catch their • Their ears are offset on their head for superb food, not their mouths hearing • They do not make their own nest, they actually take over other bird nests and • Since they don’t have a good • Their eyes are so large that they are fixed in their they do not use the same nest year to year sense of smell, they are one of head few animals that eat skunks

• They do not have a good sense of smell

• They can turn their heads about 280 degrees (not all of the way around) – use as a visual demo

• Large wingspan of up to 6 ft. – demonstrate with Titles for this animal’s critter chats: string

• Stomach separates fur and bone from the meat and 1. Whooooose looking at you? then the owl throws up the fur and bone in a “owl pellet”

Theme: Owls have several unique adaptations that make them great hunters of the night Animal: Great Horned Owl Title: Whoooose looking at you?

Introduction/Invitation: Props/Audience Involvement Suggested location(s): Activity: Critter Chat Welcome to John Ball Zoo! My name is Ideas (directions for use may Topic: Predator Prey ______and I am going to talk to you about our be on a separate sheet): Great Horned Owl! Talon of a owl. Front of Owl Mouse from kitchen, exhibit

Owl Pellet

2) Activities: 1) Open ended question: 2) Integrating Question: some activites you can do to incorporate the public… Anyone can answer, every Integrates information rather than just answer is right… recalling or describing, applies 1) Swing a piece of frayed rope to show how quiet it is then observations… use a piece of regular rope so that they can hear the sound What are some What might an owl eat? (demonstrates how frayed feathers keep them silent) animals you might see at night? 2) Have a child stand with eyes closed facing audience. Clap all around their head (ending with you clapping above their head) and have them point to where you clapped (demonstrates how we cant hear in all dimensions where as Theme Introduction: owls can) 3) Have a measure piece of string (6 ft long) to demonstrate Owls have many adaptations that help them hunt. the wing span of an owl 4) Have them open up their mouth and then their hand to demonstrate that their hand (claws) are larger than their mouths (beaks) to catch prey with

Body (Highlight 3-5 points to support the theme): • Hunting at night help them be successful because less Theme Conclusion: animals are also out hunting. Owls adaptations that includes a great sense of • Their frayed feathers help them fly silently as to surprise their hearing, those large eyes and the silent flight, all prey help them be successful hunters.

• Owls ears are offset on their heads so that they can hear in all different directions Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: North American Porcupine Status (circle one): Special Notes–Conservation, Zoo Care, etc.:

Stable/Least Concern Species Name: Erethizon dorsaum *Live up to 10 years in captivity Near Threatened *JBZ has the record of the longest living

Vulnerable porcupine * Primary Diet: Habitat/Biome: Endangered • Leaves Coniferous and Critically Endangered • Twigs/bark Deciduous forests in Extinct in the Wild • Fruit dead or decaying logs

• Green Plants Region: Behavioral Adaptations (2-5) Supporting FACTS: • antlers Parts of Canada, thru all

• They have up to 30,000 quills on their body at • Presents its rear when threatened for • Babies are born with soft one time. protection. quills which harden after a few hours for protection. • They cannot shoot their quills but they do come out easily and are barbed at one end.

• Babies are born with soft quills and harden within an hour of birth

Four possible themes for this animal: • They have very sharp claws to help them climb trees 1. They are not an animal to cuddle

2. Animal Needs • They are in the mustelid family (skunks and otters), which give them that strong musty smell.

Animal: Theme: Here at JBZ we give the best quality care for all of our animals North American Porcupine Title: Animal Needs

Introduction/Invitation: Props/Audience Involvement Suggested location(s): Activity: Critter Chat Ideas (directions for use may Porcupine Topic: Animal Care Hi, my name is ______, be on a separate sheet): Exhibit welcome to the Porcupine Exhibit! I 1. Props: diet, enrichment wanted to open up with a question, and that items is…. 3) Integrating Question: Integrates information rather than just recalling or describing, applies observations… 1) Open ended question: 2) Focus Question: What might be some things that a porcupine might Anyone can answer, every answer Zero in on specifics, focus on details, direct attention is right… to… need? Do you have any pets at What do you do to take care of those home? animals?

Body Part 2 (Highlight 3-5 points to support the theme): • JBZ has an animal hospital on site with a full- Theme Introduction: time vet and vet tech. Here at John Ball Zoo we give the best quality of care possible • Diets of animals have been fully researched to provide the best possible nutritional value. They may change due to season or growth of animal. Body (Highlight 3-5 points to support the theme): • Our exhibits are built in effort to reflect the • Talk about the needs of animals such as food, water, shelter, needs of each individual animal (ex: the and space. porcupine needs antlers to chew on, so we have some placed in the exhibit. Or that they tend to • Follow-up with describing all of the roles of a zookeeper and sleep in logs, so we have placed one in there for what they need to do to take care of these animals(majority of it) time cleaning exhibits, preparing diets, disinfecting animal areas, observations, preparing & providing enrichment, assist vet with medical care, write-up of paperwork for animal Theme Conclusion: needs, training) The porcupine receives the best of care from • Enrichment = items that stimulate animals’ minds. Types of the staff at JBZ. This leads to the animals living enrichment include: toys, scents, food items, rearrange longer in captivity with a higher quality of life. exhibit or holding area, change-up of routine, etc. Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: North American Porcupine Status (circle one): Special Notes–Conservation, Zoo Care, etc.:

Stable/Least Concern Species Name: Erethizon dorsaum *Live up to 10 years in captivity Near Threatened *JBZ has the record of the longest living

Vulnerable porcupine * Primary Diet: Habitat/Biome: Endangered • Leaves Coniferous and Critically Endangered • Twigs/bark Deciduous forests in Extinct in the Wild • Fruit dead or decaying logs

• Green Plants Region: Behavioral Adaptations (2-5) Supporting FACTS: • antlers Parts of Canada, thru all

of North America, down • The quills when imbedded in *HERBAVOIRE thru parts of Mexico • Nocturnal skin, expands as well as the skin itself swells making it Physical Adaptations (3-5) • They mate during fall and winter difficult for the quills to be instead of hibernating removed • Quills cover all parts of their body except: stomach, pads of feet, throat and snout. • Found to be mostly arboreal • They also have barbs on the end of the quills making it • They have up to 30,000 quills on their body at • Presents its rear when threatened for difficult to pull out one time. protection. • 2nd largest rodent in North • They cannot shoot their quills but they do come America out easily and are barbed at one end.

• Babies are born with soft quills and harden within an hour of birth

• They have very sharp claws to help them climb trees Four possible themes for this animal:

• They are in the mustelid family (skunks and 1. Animal Adaptations otters), which give them that strong musty 2. Animal Care smell.

Animal: Theme: Animal Adaptations North American Porcupine Title: They aren’t cuddlers!

Introduction/Invitation: Props/Audience Involvement Suggested location(s): Activity: Critter Chat Ideas (directions for use may Porcupine Topic: Defenses Hi, my name is ______, be on a separate sheet): Exhibit welcome to the Porcupine Exhibit! I 1. Props: quills/ quill board wanted to open up with a question, and that is…. 3) Integrating Question: Integrates information rather than just recalling or describing, applies observations… 1) Open ended question: 2) Focus Question: What do you see on the porcupine that he might Anyone can answer, every answer Zero in on specifics, focus on details, direct attention is right… to… use when he gets upset or is threatened? Do you have any pets at What does your pet do when it gets home? upset?

Body Part 2 (Highlight 3-5 points to support the theme): • How the quills of a porcupine are really hollow Theme Introduction: hairs. The porcupine has some great defenses that help him survive out in the wild. • How they posture themselves to ward off predators. • They cannot shoot their quills but they do Body (Highlight 3-5 points to support the theme): release easily. • Talk about how they live in the trees which helps hide them • Explain what happens to the quills when from predators imbedded in skin • Explain to the public how they are rarely seen due to being nocturnal and how that is a great defense in itself. • Ask about the smell and explain how that is another defense of the porcupine. Theme Conclusion: The porcupine has many defenses to protect itself, which explains why so few animals eat them! Report Start Date Report End Date 1/1/1900 Transaction Report for Uncia uncia 3/15/2011

Local ID Sex Age at date Date Transaction Vendor/Recipient Vendor ID Price Uncia uncia Snow leopard 300570 Male 0Y,0M,0D 12 May 1989 Birth 300571 Female 0Y,0M,0D 12 May 1989 Birth, Loan In CHICAGOLP 9014 301583 Male 0Y,0M,0D 3 May 1995 Birth 301584 Male 0Y,0M,0D 3 May 1995 Birth 301585 Female 0Y,0M,0D 3 May 1995 Birth 302202 Male 0Y,0M,0D 1 May 1999 Birth 302203 Female 0Y,0M,0D 1 May 1999 Birth 302722 Female 0Y,0M,0D 25 May 2003 Birth

Printed: 3/15/2011 John Ball Zoological Garden Page 1 Zoo Animal Fact Card Outline Common Name: Ring Tailed Lemur Status (circle one): Special Notes–Conservation, Zoo Care, Exhibit Design etc.: Stable/Least Concern Species Name: Lemur catta 18 species of Lemurs Near Threatened One female in our troop has a foot that

Vulnerable is curled. She was born that way and can move around on it just fine. It was Endangered Primary Diet: Habitat/Biome: Wide not removed because she has a callous • Seeds variety including rocky Critically Endangered built up on the foot and it can withstand • Plants areas, forested areas, her weight. • Fruits grassy, inland or coastline Extinct in the Wild • Vegetables regions • Sometimes Behavioral Adaptations Supporting FACTS: eggs and Region: The southern insects third of Madagascar *HERBIVORE • Females dominate the group • The word lemur in latin refers • Ring-tailed lemurs are the most terrestrial to ghosts or spirits. Physical Adaptations of the lemurs as they spend about 40% of their time on the ground. • Have nocturnal habits, but is • Scent glands in which males use to have a “stink considered to be dinural (active fight” against other males • Due to lack of drinking water, they bite during the day) off chunks of fruit with their back teeth • Eyes are so big that they have limited mobility in allowing juice to go into their mouth • They are a part of the primate their eyes, they must swivel their head to see most instead of on their fur. family. things • The group splits into 2 sleeping groups at • Tail is longer than the body but it isn’t prehensile night and huddle to preserve heat and for safety. • Very vocal creatures. Can meow and purr like a cat • In the morning they will assume the • Special dental structure just to help with grooming “Buddha” position to sun themselves.

Themes for this animal:

1. conservation 2. Primate Family

Theme: Ring-tailed Lemurs are part of the Primate Family Animal: Ring-tailed Lemur Title: Don’t monkey around with these lemurs!

Introduction/Invitation: Props/Audience Involvement Suggested location(s): Activity: Critter Chat Ideas (directions for use may Welcome to the Lemur exhibit! Topic: Primate Family be on a separate sheet): Lemur Exhibit My name is ______and I am here to tell you about our Ring-tailed Lemurs!

1) Open ended question: 2) Focus Question: 3) Integrating Question: Anyone can answer, every answer Zero in on specifics, focus on details, direct attention Integrates information rather than just recalling or describing, applies is right… to… observations… Who here has watched Did you know that Madagascar is a What are some animals that the lemurs look like? the movie real place? Madagascar?

Theme Introduction: Theme Conclusion: Lemurs are a part of the primate family just like monkeys! The lemurs are in the primate family. They have many similarities to monkeys, however they have special adaptations that help them survive in the wild. Body (Highlight 3-5 points to support the theme): • Lemurs are prosimions which is a part of primates that are ancestral • Lemurs survive in Madagascar because there are no monkeys around. Monkeys are stronger in the trees than the lemurs Conservation Connection: and they would bully & out-compete them for food. Lemurs are endangered as their habitat is being threatened by tree clearing. • They do not hang from the tree limbs like monkeys or branchiate (swing from tree to tree( to move thru the trees