September: Topeka Zoo
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Sulcata Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata)
Habitat: Desert edges and dry savannahs of Africa, in regions south of the Sahara and north of the equator. Diet: Grasses and succulent plants Average Lifespan: 50 years Average Length: 34 inches Average Weight: 50 lbs Fun Facts: The sulcata is the largest mainland tortoise, and the 3rd largest tortoise in the world. They are also known as 'spurred' or 'spur-thighed' tortoise due to large spurs found on the hind legs. Sulcatas are aggressive towards each other, even as hatchlings. They can live over 100 years, and males can weigh 200 pounds. To stay cool, these tortoises have been seen wiping saliva on their heads and front legs.
Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus)
As the smallest crocodilians, caimans have bony plates over their eyelids. They are distinquished by a high, smooth skull and brown eyes, instead of yellow, which are common in most crocodilians. The skull sits very high and the snout makes and upturned curl. The structure of the skull suggests that they make use of burrows as shelter during the day. Beacuse of its smaller size, caimans also have scales on the underside for protection. Their skin is heavily ossified, making them less flexible than other crocodilians. Their rather extreme dermal armor, however, provides them with considerable protections. They are so wel armored, in fact, that their patchwork of scutes have even been compared to the hardened shell of certain turtles. Femail caimans are mound-nesters, using available vegetation and mud. As the vegetation rots, the heat incubates the clutch of 10 to 25 eggs. Incubation period lasts around 90 days. Newly hatched young may not enter the water until the end of their first day. Habitat: They live in forest areas near large lakes and rivers across South America in the Amazon, Orinoco and Sao Francisco River systems as well as in the Northern Panama and Paraquay river systems. Size: Range from 3.9 to 5 feet in length Food: Caimans are carnivorous and eat fish, invertebrates and shrimp in the wild. At the zoo, they eat mice and small fish. Lifespan: Current estimates place caiman's life expectancy at 30-40 years. In captivity, they can live to be 60 years old. It should be noted, however, that larger crocodilians have been documented with lifespans of 70-90 years or in a few cases in excess of 100 years. Threat: Caimans are considered widespread and the population is stable. The value of its skin is not considered to be very high, given both its small size and the poor 'quality' of the belly skin. Double osteoderms are present in the ventral scales, making the skin tough and too costly to tan. Threats, therefore, come more than habitat destruction and pollution (for example, through gold mining activities).
Yellow-Spotted River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis)
Habitat: The yellow-spotted river turtle is semi-aquatic and can be found in and around calm waters. They will inhabit flooded forests, ponds, swamps, and lagoos in the wet season and riverbeds in the dry season. Diet: They are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal material. Size: 10-20 inches in length, with females being larger than males Lifespan: At least 30 years, and possibly as many as 70 years The yellow spots they are named for are present in juveniles and adult males, but fade almost completely in adult females. Side-necked turtles do no pull their heads into their shells vertically like other turtles. Instead they lay their heads horizontally between their top and bottom shells. Females lay up to 30 eggs, twice a year.
Lions live in many habitats in sub-Saharan Africa. They are extinct in northern Africa. They prefer open savannahs and scrublands. Lions live in groups, called prides. Prides are made up of related female lionesses and their young, plus 1 to 3 male lions. Female cubs will continue to live with the group after they reach maturity. Male lions will move on once they've groown to join a new pride, or live in an all-male group. Female lions (lionesses) are the primary hunters for the pride. They hunt in groups to provide food for the males and cubs of the pride. Lion cubs have fur that is covered in darker spots. These spots help the cubs blend in with their surroundings, keeping them safe. Although they are often called the "King of the Jungle," dense jungle habitat is one of the few places lions don't like living. A pride of lions usually has a large home range. One pride (or group) of lions can claim a territory up to 100 square miles.
