PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ST. AUGUSTINE, FL PERMIT NO 40

999 Anastasia Blvd • St. Augustine, FL 32080

FEATURING THE K O M O D O D R A G O N BY JOHN BRUEGGEN

.com www.alligatorfarm Visit Us On line at IN THIS ISSUE • WHAT’S NEW AT THE ZOO? FEATURING THE • KOMODO ISLAND VISIT • TRAINING K O M O D O D R A G O N • SPRING CAMP By John brueggen • STAFF SPOTLIGHT • KID’S ZONE

Indo-Pacific Reef Habitat by Brett Funk

A new exhibit at the Alligator Farm is an Indo-Pacific Clownfish are unique in that they can build their home Coral Reef Habitat. Here you can see a variety of in stinging anemones and corals that would injure other fish, corals, sea anemone, shrimp, and other sea life. fish and invertebrates. Other animals know to stay away The assortment of corals includes Trumpet Corals, from the corals and the clownfish has a home safe from Kenyan Tree Corals, Mushroom Corals, and many predators. In return the clown fish helps protect the sea others. Although they may look like plants, these anemone. They will chase away some predators that bright colored animals are related to jellyfish. They will feed on corals and even share pieces of food with are found in warm, clear ocean habitats called coral the sea anemone. reefs. Most corals and anemone need the strong sun the fish found in the Pacific reef habitat are often of the tropics to produce their food. Small algae, bright colored. Some of these colors allow fish to blend called zooxanthellae, live inside their cells and use in with the bright colors of the corals. Stripes, spots, photosynthesis to produce food. This is a mutualistic and other markings often help to break up the shape relationship, where both members benefit. The of the fish when viewed against the varied coral reef. corals get food and oxygen from the plants and Other fish use their bright colors to make themselves the plants get a safe habitat and nutrients from the more obvious. The contrasting colors of yellow and animals. These algae also help give the corals their blue are easily spotted underwater allowing the fish to bright colors. Like their cousins, the jellyfish, their find mates, chase away rivals, and even chase away tentacles are covered in tiny stinging cells called predators. Poisonous fish use their colors to warm nematocysts. These stinging cells are used in that they are toxic to predators. Because red light defense and collecting food. Unlike their cousins, cannot travel as deep under water, bright red fish are the jellyfish and sea anemone, many corals build often found in deeper water or are nocturnal. Some a hard skeleton around their bodies as protection. fish can even change their colors depending on their Each generation builds on the previous, and the background, time of day and even their mood. corals slowly grow to form a coral reef. Our new Indo-Pacific Reef Habitat also houses a variety of fish. These include a Percula clownfish and a rare black Percula clownfish. Visit Us Online at www.alligatorfarm.com What’s New At the

In October, I traveled to Indonesia with my wife, Eleanor, and David Drysdale and Collared Aracari his wife, Cece, and Dr. Kent Vliet. We were on a mission to see Komodo dragons in Like other members of the toucan family, Collared Aracaris have a large, colorful bill the wild. Komodo dragons are the largest which they use mostly for eating fruit. Their long, serrated bill and thin, feather-like lizards in the world, some attaining lengths tongue help them to grab and position their food before tossing their head back to of 10 feet and weights of 150 pounds! Of swallow it. Collared Aracaris, found from eastern Mexico south to northwestern South course we have a beautiful specimen here America, commonly live in groups of about 5-15 at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm that birds. They communicate by making a variety of They communicate most of you are aware of, named Krakatoa. sounds, including rattles, purrs and squeaks. They by making a variety Many of you may not know that we also now will also sometimes use their bills to pound on the of sounds, including entrance to their nest, which makes a sound similar have a girlfriend for Krakatoa. Her name is rattles, purrs and squeaks. Tambora. She is still too small to spend time to a woodpecker’s drumming. with Krakatoa, but we hope they will fall in love in a couple of years. The warm-climate (continued on page 4) lizard can not tolerate even the mild winter we have here in Florida. Krakatoa’s New Digs Crocodile Fossils Crocodile fossils are getting a lot of attention in the press lately. National Geographic This winter Krakatoa, our resident Komodo Dragon, is magazine had a recent article about the precursors to modern crocodilians and the National spending his days indoors. The warm-climate lizard can not FEATURING THE K O M O D O D R A G O N Geographic channel recently had a show about prehistoric crocodiles, called “When Crocodiles BY JOHN BRUEGGEN tolerate even the mild winter we have here in Florida. You Ate Dinosaurs”. can now check out Krakatoa’s new inside home which has The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is the only place in the world you can see every species been painted to resemble the island of Komodo. See if you of living crocodilian, but now you can come see some of the prehistoric crocs as well. We have opened a new exhibit displaying alligator and crocodile fossils from Florida, Germany, Morocco can find the deer and wild pigs painted somewhere alligatorfarm.com Visit Us Online at www. and more. You can see fossilized teeth, jaws, eggs, and even fossilized crocodile poop! along the walls! V o l ume 2 • N umber 1 • s p ring 2 0 1 0

Zoo HOURS & RATES How to reach us Zoo MEMBERS CONTRIBUTORS New Curator of Reptiles! Open 365 days a year! General Information 904/824-3337 General Public Editor/Curator of Education Katie Girvin Congratulations to Mr. Kevin Torregrosa, the new Curator of 9AM - 5PM • Adults $21.95 Membership ext. 10 Director John Brueggen Reptiles! Kevin began his career at the Alligator Farm 6.5 years Extended hours from Memorial Day Gift Shop ext. 14 • Children $10.95 (ages 3-11) Keeper I - Reptile Brett Funk ago and in that time he has learned a wealth of knowledge to Labor Day - Open till 6PM Education ext. 29 • Children age 2 & under are admitted free and has become a valued member of the zoo staff. Kevin is • Discounts available for locals, military, Education Specialist Debi Ricks Group Sales & Rentals ext. 10 very excited about his promotion, landing his ultimate AAA, seniors and groups Keeper II - Bird & Mammal Christine Shirey I see a Rookery Updates ext. 23 dream job so early in his career. With all of his Reptile Department ext. 15 Komodo Dragon! hard work, Kevin has truly earned his Bird & Mammal Department ext. 16 Zoo Members • FREE Admission Newsletter Design by Hybrid Design, Inc. new title!

Mission Statement To maintain the highest standards of zoological professionalism as it promotes wildlife conservation and education. Furthermore, the Alligator Farm is committed to promoting the appreciation of all animal and plant life, but specifically the living species of crocodilians and other animals in its collection. Komodo Dragon Sit . . . Stay . Good. . Bird! by Christine Shirey (continued from page 1) Husbandry Training in the Bird and Mammal Department

Flying Dragon - Notice the flaps of skin used for gliding.

Our recent trip to Indonesia helped us secure beautiful When most people hear, “animal training,” David Drysdale with new art from this region. at the Alligator Farm they think of our show a Komodo Dragon performances: a parrot saying, “Hello,” alligators hot on his heels! Hand carved wooden Komodo Dragons opening their mouths to show off their teeth, Check out the enclosures directly from Komodo! By purchasing and don’t forget about Maximo jumping out of between shows and you might see: hand carved art from local artists we are his pool to grab a dangling piece of meat. This is animal training at it’s finest, but it’s not all the A gharial holding still to voluntarily give blood, a baby supporting conservation in those areas. animal training going on at the zoo. Another side marmoset climbing onto a scale to be weighed, Maximo Rather then destroying local resources, of animal training that mostly goes unnoticed by shifting from his shift pool to his exhibit yard, or a Palm local people begin to understand the the crowds who come through our doors is called Cockatoo shuffling over to a Keeper to receive a visual value of those resources. Husbandry Training. inspection and a peanut. onto it and place it in their mouths. Husbandry Training is defined as any Then we can depress the syringe and training which aids in the care and manage- they will drink the contents. Using this ment of an animal, making things easier for both method, we do not have to worry if they are re- Komodo dragons are dangerous lizards. They have very After flying to Flores we took the speed boat to Komodo Island. The water in this creature and keeper. In the Bird and Mammal ceiving medications or fluids, because we watch strong bacteria in their mouth that can cause an animal to die of infection, once bitten. area is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The water is sheeting over itself in some Department, some of the toughest behaviors to them drink it completely. It also makes sure that places and it forms whirlpools in others. It is very treacherous waters and it is obvious feet tall and weighing over one hundred and fifty There is even some preliminary, recent evidence that they may actually be venomous. none of the other animals in their enclosure ac- train are involved in husbandry, or the care of pounds. They have a large toenail on their inside Because of this, Komodo dragons can take down very large prey, including pigs, deer, why so many ships have been lost in this area. It is hard to believe that the dragons cidentally receive the medication or fluids instead. captive animals. For example, our male Lesser toe which they use to eviscerate (disembowel) are able to swim from one island to the Husbandry training, even though it goes and even water buffalo. Bornean Fire-Back Pheasant is a very aggressive predators or intruders. In this case husbandry next in such a dangerous environ- unnoticed by the public, is an essential part of After much preparation, we took individual, especially during breeding season. training is essential for everyday care. She is There are volcanoes, giant lizards, the care and management of the animal collec- a plane around the world to Australia, to ment, but somehow they do. He chases keepers and tries to scratch and kick shift trained, like the Fire-Back Pheasant, but in tions here at St. Augustine Alligator Farm. The visit our friend George Craig (the man who whirlpools, and adventure Once on the island we them with his powerful legs which have a long addition, we are working on scale training her. sharp spur much like roosters. Instead of stress- next time you visit us here at the zoo you might captured Gomek!), and then on to Indonesia. obtained a guide, named Herman, This means she will step up on a scale so we can ing out over this problem, we decided to shift train be able to catch a husbandry training session. The entire Indonesian area is the stuff of little around every corner! who stayed with us for three days, and monitor her and obtain an accurate body weight. him. When we feed him we place his meal inside Check out the enclosures between shows and took us around day and night to see the wildlife. Training can be slow. She currently stands on a boys’ dreams. There are volcanoes, giant lizards, you might see: a gharial holding still to voluntarily of a small area next to his display exhibit called mat comfortably which will later on be placed on whirlpools, and adventure around every corner! We Herman was a wonderful guide and very kind to give blood, a baby marmoset climbing onto a a shift, when he enters the shift to eat we shut top of the scale. The theory is if she stands on let me capture some of the wildlife for photos. I was able to capture a flying dragon scale to be weighed, Maximo shifting from his flew to Bali, and spent a couple of days getting to know Indonesia. The people were the door and close him in. Then we are able to the mat calmly now, she will stand on the mat with (Draco volans) as well as a small green snake (Dendrelaphis pictus intermedius). shift pool to his exhibit yard, or a Palm Cockatoo very friendly and the shopping was overwhelming. I’m sure you will see evidence service his enclosure. He gets to eat his favorite the scale underneath just as evenly. shuffling over to a Keeper to receive a visual of this as you start to notice new artwork around our zoo in the coming months. We Herman was also handy with his long dragon stick, which he did have to use to stop treats calmly in the shift, while we get to clean We also husbandry train our monkeys. All of inspection and a peanut. communicated at length with Daniel, from the PT. Putri Naga Komodo Conservation two charging dragons that were hot on David Drysdale’s trail. We saw many dragons! and care for his mate safely on exhibit. our Callitrichids, a family of primates containing Another example is our Southern Cassowary, Group (a partner with the Nature Conservancy). Daniel was able to arrange for us to We were able to see juveniles, medium adults, huge adults, dragons eating, dragons marmosets and tamarins, are syringe trained, a large flightless bird from parts of Australia, use a fast boat to get to the island as well as allow us to stay in the guest house on wrestling, even one taking a swipe at a pig with its tail. It was an amazing time. Trav- meaning they will accept liquids orally from a which can be very dangerous, growing over five syringe. When the syringe is presented they grab Komodo Island. eling to Indonesia and seeing Komodo dragons in the wild was a dream come true. S p ring break UP Coming ED•ZOO•Cation ZOO Camp F E BR U ARY Walk, waddle, swim or run to this feathery, fun-filled camp! Conduct feather and beak experiments, Parents Night Out Feb 5 make bird feeders and play fowl games. We’ll become “bird brainiacs” Zoo Camp Feb 12 as we spot native birds in our natural Florida rookery. Zoo Snooze Feb 14-15 There are thousands of different species of reptiles all over the world. Find out how much you know free t-shirts & visors! about these interesting animals by reading the statements below. If you think the statement is true, Time: 8 am to Noon (K-5th) • Noon to 4 pm (2nd-5th) Cost: $120 for members, $140 for non-members PER WEEK circle the letter in the first column. If it’s false, circle the letter in the second column. MARCH dates: March 28 - April 2, 2010 Parents Night Out March 5 (Registration for Spring Camp will open in February) Zoo Snooze March 20-21 TRUE FALSE Spring Zoo Camp March 29-Apr 2 Zoo Camp Registration is now available ONLINE! Visit www.alligatorfarm.com to register your child today. K O 1. All reptiles have scales. APR i l I W 2. Komodo dragons are the largest type of lizard. Zoo Camp April 5 T N 3. All snakes are venomous. Rumble G R 4. Turtles do not have teeth. in the Jungle 8 am to Noon (K-5th) P C 5. All lizards have legs. STAFF SPOTLIGHT Of course you can find a lot of rain E O 6. A turtle can crawl out of its shell. David Dively is in the rainforest but what else makes B D 7. Most reptiles lay eggs. originally from these soggy habitats so unique? This Pekin, Illinois and week will discover the many creatures H R 8. Snakes have no bones. that call the jungle home. This session has worked at the M A 9. Alligators can run faster than people. will include a zoo camp shirt. St Augustine Alliga- tor Farm for 9 years. Now use the circled letters to find the name of the longest species of venomous snake. David works in the maintenance department doing The ______can grow to a length of more than 18 feet. everything from fixing alligator chow machines, Wild building new enclosures, repairing old boardwalks, Wonders and tending to the vegetation. He says that his Noon to 4 pm (2nd-5th)

Answer Key: 1.T 2.T 3.F 4.T 5.F 6.F 7.T 8.F 9.F King Cobra King 9.F 8.F 7.T 6.F 5.F 4.T 3.F 2.T 1.T Key: Answer favorite part of the zoo is the swamp where the Enter the wacky and weird world rookery birds can be found even though his favor- of wildlife in this wondrous whirlwind of a week! We’ll get an up-close view of calling all budding artists! ite animals are snakes. Like many at the Alligator what makes animals so intriguing. This Send us a drawing of your favorite part of the Alligator Farm and you could see it in the next issue of the Investigator. Farm, David also has a zoo at home including session will include a zoo camp visor. Send artwork to: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Attn: Education, 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine FL 32080 dogs, cats, snakes and birds.

Congratulations! We would like to congratulate Maya Weed from The Webster School for winning the Second Annual EduGator Contest! For her prize, Mr. Hall’s class will be able to keep a REAL HATCHLING ALLIGATOR in their class for the rest of the school year! The Edu-Gator Contest is a contest where fourth graders in St Johns Public Schools can create a entry answering the question “Why are American Alligators Important?” Out of all the entries only one is selected as a winner and this year Maya’s was on top with her “A Gator Lesson” poem and sculpture. Again, Congratulations! Anna Nero, St. Lois, MO - Age 7 Ally Nero, St. Lois, MO - Age 7 Jonus Walker - Age 7 “Maximo” Christopher - Age 12