1 Animal Information North America Table of Contents Golden Eagle……………………………………………………………………………………………2 North American River Otter…………………………………………………………………….4 Canada Lynx…………………………………………………………………………….……………..6 Brown Bear………………………………………………………………………….………………….8 Mountain Lion……………………………………………………………………………………….10 Snow Leopard………………………………………………………………..……………………..12 Updated January 2019 Golden Eagle 2 Aquila chrysaetos John Ball Zoo Habitat – Golden Eagles Aviary opened in 1988. Originally housed Bald Eagles. Individual Animals: 2 Male – Frank/Francis o Wild Born Est. 1987 o Arrived on March 20th 2007 . Cheyenne Mtn Zoological Park (Colorado) Male – No Name (Ernest) o Wild Born – Unknown age o Arrived on June 30th 2007 . United States Fish and Wildlife Services o Detached Retina (cloudy left eye) Life Expectancy Average Life Span: 28 years The oldest known golden eagle lived to 46 years under managed care Statistics – North America's largest predatory bird. Weight – Females: 8.6-13.5 pounds; males 6.6-9.8 pounds Length: 2.3-2.8 feet; wingspan: 6-7.2 feet Diet Wild – primarily small mammals such as rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and marmots. They also eat birds, reptiles and fish in smaller numbers. o Golden eagles occasionally capture large prey, including seals, ungulates, coyotes and badgers. A pair of eagles will often hunt together; one chases the prey to exhaustion, and the other swoops down for the kill. Predators – Golden eagles have few predators. Wolverines and grizzly bears are the only recorded predators of golden eagle nestlings. Habitat Tundra, shrublands, grasslands, woodland-brushlands, and coniferous forests. Most golden eagles are found in mountainous areas, but they also nest in wetland, riparian and estuarine habitats. Region – They occur throughout Eurasia, in northern Africa, and in North America. In North America, golden eagles are found in the western half of the continent, from Alaska to central Mexico, with small numbers in eastern Canada and scattered pairs in the eastern United States. Golden Eagle 3 Aquila chrysaetos Reproduction – Monogamous: may maintain pair bonds for several years. For migratory golden eagles, pair formation and courtship begin when the eagles return to the breeding grounds, between February and mid-April. Courtship activities in this species include undulating flight by one or both members of the pair, chases, dives, mock attacks, presenting talons, soaring together and circling. Golden eagles breed from March through August, depending on their geographic location. The female lays 1 to 4 (usually 2) eggs, with 3 to 4 day intervals between each egg. The female begins incubating after the first egg is laid, and is responsible for most of the incubation, though the male often takes part. Incubation lasts for 35 to 45 days. The chicks are brooded by the female with decreasing frequency for the first 45 days. Both parents bring food to the nestlings. The nestlings begin to leave the nest between 45 and 81 days of age by walking, hopping or falling out of the nest. They begin to fly around 10 weeks of age, and become independent from the parents 32 to 80 days after fledging. Juveniles do not breed until age 4 to 7 years, after attaining adult plumage. Adaptations – Powerful feet and massive, sharp talons to snatch up a variety of prey. Behavior – Solitary or in pairs They can fly up to 80 mph, though the average speed is 28-32 mph, and may reach speeds up to 200 mph in a dive. Conservation Concerns The golden eagle is federally protected under the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1962. Many golden eagles have been electrocuted in power lines, caught in steel traps set for coyotes and other animals, and poisoned by ranchers. Recreational activities may also disturb breeding, migration and wintering activities. Golden eagles are likely to abandon nests during incubation if they are disturbed. Conservation Ask Be thoughtful when engaging and connecting with nature Support Global and Local Conservation Programs o Donate time/money to the zoo . Become a member, return visit, make purchase North American River Otter 4 Lontra canadensis John Ball Zoo Habitat – Otter Habitat, located in North America Otters joined the John Ball Zoo collection in 1973. They have been in their current habitat since 1982 when they replaced Sea Lions. Individual Animals – 1 Male, 1 Female Female – Chumani (Black patch of fur under nose) o Born March 02, 2007 . At Connecticut’s Beardley Zoo o Arrived March 12, 2008 . From Connecticut’s Beardley Zoo Male – Slyde o Born March 20, 2012 . At Detroit Zoological Society o Arrived November 20, 2012 . From Detroit Zoological Society Life Expectancy Average at AZA institutions: 12.1 years Oldest recorded at AZA institutions: 27 years Wild: 8-9 years Statistics ● Body Length – 3-4 feet ● Tail Length – 0.9-1.6 feet ● Weight – 10-30 pounds Diet – Primarily Carnivorous ● Wild – Fish, turtles, crayfish, crabs, birds, eggs, small land mammals, and aquatic plants. Zoo – Feline diet twice a day. 300 grams of fish which varies between smelt, trout, capelin, and herring. Sweet potatoes, and carrots in the morning. Clams for enrichment. Knuckle bone once a week. Predators Alligators, bobcats, birds of prey, wolves, coyotes, cougars and other large predators. Habitat Freshwater and marine habitats such as lakes, rivers, swamps, and estuaries. Anywhere with a permanent supply of food and water source Region Canada through the United States except for Mohave Desert of Nevada and Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and Southern California. Reproduction – Polygynous: having more than one female mate at one time. Breeding takes place in late winter or early spring. Gestation lasts 60-63 days, but the female may delay implantation up to 8 months. North American River Otter 5 Lontra canadensis Females give birth to 1 to 6 young per litter, with an average of 2 to 3, in a den near the water. Pups are cared for solely by the mother until weaned around 3-4 months. At 6 months the pups head off on their own. Adaptations Physical shape made for quick swimming. Long slender bodies, small ears, nostrils that can close underwater, webbed feet and nictitating membranes (clear eyelids for underwater hunting and navigation). ● Sensitive whiskers help detect fish and other prey. The North American River Otter has 2 layers of fur; the first is a thick, dense under layer and a longer over layer of guard hairs that trap air bubbles for insulating while swimming. Their ‘playful’ behavior often serve a larger purpose such as strengthening bonds, improving hunting, or scent marking. Behavior – Territorial They are known as playful animals, exhibiting behaviors such as mud/snow sliding, burrowing through the snow, and water play. Very high metabolism Can stay underwater for up to 8 minutes They normally hunt at night, but can be seen at all times of day. Conservation Concerns Sensitive to pollution so will leave areas with water pollution. They were once extirpated in many areas of their region due to unregulated trapping, habitat destruction, and pollution specifically related to coal, gas, timber and tanning industries. Reintroductions and habitat restoration efforts have been deemed successful increasing the population. Conservation Ask Support Global and Local Conservation Programs o Action – Participate in local conservation and citizen science efforts . Example: Local River and beach cleanups Be mindful of wildlife and the environment as you make every day purchasing decisions. o Action – Refuse single-use plastic Canada Lynx 6 Lynx canadensis John Ball Zoo Habitat – North America – Canada Lynx Habitat Originally constructed in 1964 to house elephants. Renovated in 1982 to house Prairie Dogs and Coyotes, previously housed Bobcats. Individual Animals – 1 Male, 1 Female Male – Thor (Larger of the 2) o Born 03, 2013 . At New York State Zoo at Thompson Park o Arrived March 15, 2018 . Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo Female – Norrie (Smaller of the 2) o Born May 06, 2017 . At Cheyenne Mtn Zoological Park o Arrived February 28, 2018 . From Cheyenne Mtn Zoological Park Life Expectancy Wild: On average 15 years Under managed care lifespans of 26 years have been recorded. Statistics Weight – 10-38 pounds (Males tend to be larger than females.) Length – Head-Body: 2-3.5 feet; Tail: 2-5 inches Diet – Carnivore Wild – Snowshoe hares, also rodents, birds, and fish. Predators Young kittens are vulnerable to other large carnivores, such as wolves and bears. Hunting by humans is managed through regulated seasons. Habitat Usually mature forests with dense undergrowth, but also rocky areas, or tundra Region Throughout Canada, in western Montana, and in nearby parts of Idaho and Washington. There are small populations in New England, Utah and possibly in Oregon, Wyoming and Colorado. Canada Lynx 7 Lynx canadensis Reproduction – Polygynous: having two or more mates, either simultaneously or successively. The mating system of these animals is not well reported. Females reach sexual maturity at 21 months and males at 33 months. Females enter estrus only once per year, and lasts 1 to 2 days. Mating in February and March. Gestation lasts 8 to 10 weeks. Females give birth to one litter a year, usually in fallen logs, stumps, clumps of timber, or similar tangles of roots and branches. Litters typically have 2 or 3 kittens, though the number may range from 1 to 5. Lynxes weigh less than half a pound at birth. Lactation lasts for 5 months, although kittens eat some meat as early as 1 month of age. Young remain with the mother until the following winter's mating season, and siblings may remain together for a while after separation from the mother. Mothers may help to educate their young in hunting techniques, and cooperative hunting has been observed. Males do not participate in parental care. Adaptations – The paws are quite large and furry, helping to distribute the weight of the animal when moving on snow. Behavior – Nocturnal and solitary Territorial – female home ranges are usually encompassed by the home range of a male, and the home ranges of multiple females may overlap.