Family fun
Petting Zoo Ocala
MAMMALS
BONGO a male squirrel monkey
Bongo, a squirrel monkey, and so many others were used in labs for testing. Bongo is in his mid-twenties. He lives with his girl Chica.
Squirrel monkeys like some other monkeys are arboreal (lives in trees). They spend roughly 99% of their lives in the trees.
They are one of the cleverest monkeys.
Squirrel monkeys spread urine on their hands and feet to mark their path when they are moving through the treetops. By following the scent, other members of the group can locate each other.
TERRY a ring tailed lemur
A group of ring tailed lemurs is often known as a troop.
There are nearly 200 species of lemur.
Most lemurs are nocturnal. However, ring tailed lemurs are active during the day.
Diet
Omnivore
Origin
Central & South America
Status
Not Endangered
Diet
Herbivore
Origin
Madagascar
Status
Endangered
SHEABA & her baby, BELLA one-humped camels
Sheaba is very protective of her baby.
Camels have 3 eyelids and 2 rows of eyelashes to keep sand out of their eyes
There are two types of camels a Dromedary (one-humped) and a Bactrian (two-humped)
The word "camel" is actually Arabic and means beauty
Camels are very strong and can carry up to 900 pounds for 25 miles. Camels can also travel at 40 MPH - the same speed as a racehorse!
Diet
Herbivore
Origin
Middle East & Peninsula of Africa
Status
Not Extinct
CUZCO a llama
Cuzco is very shy but very sweet.
Llamas often get confused with an Alpaca because of their similar features.
Here are the differences:
Seamus and Murphy our young raccoons
- Llamas have long banana-shaped ears while Alpacas have straight short ears
- Llamas are more independent, and serves as guard of other livestock while Alpacas are more of a herd animal, and has a nervous disposition
- Llamas have longer faces while Alpaca faces look smushed
LULU a pot belly pig
Lulu with her best friend, Minstrel.
Lulu, as a piglet, was attacked by two Rottweiler's and was partially decapitated, before being rescued by the Petting Zoo.
The staff has to be careful going into his cage. Boogie likes to pick pocket.
There are 6 raccoon species in the world.
A group of raccoons is called a nursery or a gaze.
Baby raccoons are called kits or cubs and are usually born in the early summer.
Diet
Herbivore
Origin
Central North America
Status
Not Extinct
Diet
Omnivore
Origin
North America
Status
Least Concern
MARLEY a sheep
Marley is the most lovable sheep you will ever meet. She loves to nuzzle.
Sheep wool will grow forever! One pound of wool can make up to 10 miles of yarn. A sheep can produce between 2-30 pounds of wool a year!
Diet
Omnivore
Origin
Vietnam
Status
Endangered
This is Baxley.
There are some historical ties between sheep and U.S. Presidents:
Diet
Herbivore
Origin
Europe & Western Asia
Status
Not Endangered
- George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison all raised sheep
- James Madison was sworn in wearing a coat spun from his sheep's wool
- Woodrow Wilson kept a flock at the White House during World War I to keep the grass trimmed as a cost-cutting measure
WALTER & FUSHIA twin goats
BAXLEY a sheep
CAVY and Patty a Patagonian Cavy
Diet
Herbivore
Origin
West Asia & Eastern Europe
Status
Not Extinct
Diet
Herbivore
Origin
Argentina
Status
Near Threatened
COOKIE a miniature horse
Cookies with her baby colt who was born on July 26, 2014.
Diet
Herbivore
Origin
Australia & New Guinea
Status
Not Extinct
Goats can be taught their name and to come when called.
Goats are herd animals and will become depressed if kept without any goat companions.
Goat's pupils (like many hooved animals) are rectangular. This gives them 320-340 degree vision around them without having to move and they are thought to have excellent night vision.
Goats have four "stomachs"!
A Patagonian Cavy is the 4th largest rodent.
They need 24-hour access to hay which helps file down their back molars.
They have strong legs and can jump up to 7 feet high and have 4 toes on their front feet and 3 toes on their hind feet.
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Kangaroos use their tails for balance when moving and to prop themselves up in a sitting posture.
kangaroo babies immediately crawl into their mothers' pouches where they continue to develop after birth - usually for a couple of months.
They have powerful hind legs they use to bound along at high speeds and jump great distances.
Diet
Herbivore
Origin
Europe
Status
Not Endangered
A zebu
A Zebu is the smallest cow in the world!
Zebus are easily recognizable by the hump on their backs.
Just like camels, the hump is a reservoir of fat that can be used as a source of energy when regular food is unavailable.
Come visit the rest of my friends at Petting Zoo Ocala or on our Facebook page
PIXIE a miniature horse
Pixie, has dwarfism but is as cute as a button! Despite Pixie's limb deformities, she has a good life here at Petting Zoo Ocala.
Dwarfism is a complex genetic disorder. It is caused by a disruption of the structural processes in bone and/or ligament development.
Some problems with dwarfism include:
- Parts of their body are reduced in size
- Multiple health problems (metabolic, digestive, or respiration disorders)
- Suffer secondary conditions due to their skeletal deformities
- Abnormal hooves; difficulty walking and discomfort
Diet
Herbivore
Origin
Southwest Asia
Status
Not Extinct