Mammals

Zebra de Chapman

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 09:41:06 +0000

Chapman's zebra

The unmistakeable and outstanding black and white patterns of zebra’s fur varies greatly according to the different geographic species and races that are distributed throughout eastern and southern Africa.

The Chapman’s zebra, characterised by its lighter brown lines between the black and white stripes, inhabits the savannahs and open and rather dry plain grasslands of southern Africa.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 10:41

Equus burchelli chapmanni

Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, northern South-Africa and south-east Angola.

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Mammalia

Order

Perissodactyla

Family

Equidae

175-320 kg

127-140 cm

15 - 20 years

25-35 kg

Habitat

Savannah

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Herbivorous

Viviparous

Days

360-396

Baby

Description

The black and white patterns of zebra’s fur vary greatly according to the different geographic species and races that are distributed throughout eastern and southern Africa.

The Chapman’s zebra can be distinguished by its brownish stripes, in a lower contrast with the black ones.

Habitat

Savannahs, grass plains and shrublands, always near to a source of water.

Feeding

It basically feeds on grass, but it can also eat leaves and tender sprouts on occasion. Unlike most African herbivores, who only eat short grass, the zebra also feeds on higher grass, so its herds are the firsts to arrive to areas where seasonal rains have fallen recently.

Reproduction

During the reproductive period, males fight by kicking and biting each other, in order to dominate a group of females. Gestation lasts for around twelve months and a single calf is born each time, that is able to raise and follow its mother a few minutes after birth.

Conduct

The spectacular pattern on zebras' coats has a very specific function: to blur their silhouette among the branches, thus disorienting predators –mainly lions and hyenas– trying to kill them on the African savannahs.

They are social animals that live in small family groups, but they can gather in large herds during the dry season, when they can travel great distances seeking water and grass, to survive during the arid conditions of their environment. They often form mixed herds with other herbivores such as gnus, impalas or gazelles.

Status and conservation programs

As in other zebras, Chapman zebra’s population have decreased greatly since not so long ago, mainly due to being hunted for their meat and hide, as well as to the degradation of most of their former habitat.

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Mammals

Jaguar

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 09:23:15 +0000

Jaguar

The jaguar is the largest feline of the American continent, in whose tropical rainforests it lives. It is a great predator that does not spare any kind of prey. It is notably aquatic and it captures, apart from fish, big snakes such as the anaconda.

As in many felines, it has been decimated, as a result of the trade of its skin. Its habits are quite nocturnal and solitary, and can move in very wide territories. As in leopards, some individuals are melanistic, completely black.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 10:23

Panthera onca

Breeding program

ESB

From southern USA and Mexico, through Central and South America, up to northern Argentina.

Degree of risk

Near threatened

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivorous

Family

Felidae

35-120 kg

60-80 cm

More than 22 years in captivity

700-900 g

Habitat

Jungle

Social life

Solitàiria

Feeding

Carnivorous

Viviparous

Days

93-105

Baby

1-4, usually 2

Description

It is the largest feline of the American continent, as it can weight more than 100 kg. Its coat is covered by spots, specially resembling the leopard, albeit bigger, with a general hefty constitution and more robust head, with general behavioural and habitat characteristics closer to the tiger’s.

Habitat

Although its preferred habitats are dense or swamp rainforests with abundant vegetation, the jaguar can live in a variety of more open forest areas, always near an easily accessible source of water.

Feeding

It is a powerful predator that does not spare any kind of prey, although it prefers mammals such as deer, tapirs, peccaries, capybaras, agoutis and monkeys. It is notably aquatic and it can capture fishes in the riverside or from a low branch. Often, it also captures caimans, big snakes such as the anaconda, birds, turtles and its eggs. On occasion it also eats ripe fruit.

Reproduction

They are solitary animals and both sexes only get together during oestrus, that can last for fifteen days, during which quick and frequent copulations are produced. Gestation lasts for 93 to 105 days, and one to four cubs are born each time, usually a couple. They are looked after exclusively by the mother, for almost two years.

Conduct

Its habits are rather nocturnal and it is a solitary animal, except during reproduction. Each individual occupies a territory of 5 to 5002, according to prey availability. Females can overlap their territories, which are smaller than males’. Jaguars mark their territories with urine, faeces, by scratching trees and with vocalizations.

It is an able swimmer and a good climber that nimbly moves on the branches of trees, although it usually captures its preys on the ground.

As in leopards, the presence of melanistic individuals is frequent, that is, with completely black fur, especially in the populations living in dense rainforests.

Status and conservation programs

Except for some reduced areas, such as Pantanal, an extensive wet area with little human presence, shared between Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, the jaguar populations are endangered in all of its distribution area. During the last decades, the territory occupied by the northern races of this species has been reduced in two thirds, while the southern races, in more than one third. The causes of such strong decrease are excessive hunting for its highly valued skin and the destruction of its habitat.

The Zoo of Barcelona takes part in the ESB of this species.

Reating

Mammals

Impala de cara negra

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 08:27:20 +0000

Black-faced impala atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 09:27

Aepyceros melampus petersi

Degree of risk

Vulnerable

Class

Mammalia

Order

Artiodactyla

Family

Bovidae

45-70 kg

90-100 cm

More than 15 years

4-6 kg

Habitat

Savannah

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Herbivorous

Viviparous

Days

195-210

Baby

Reating

Mammals

Búfal nan

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 08:02:24 +0000

Forest buffalo

It is the African buffalo subspecies, adapted to the life in the African rainforests. It is a small animal, compared to its large parent of the savannah, which can be also distinguished by its red coat.

It lives in small herds of less than 20 members, which usually consist of a single adult male, females and their offspring. As in the buffalo of the savannah, solitary animals are common, as well as groups of young males only.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 09:02

Syncerus caffer nanus

Breeding program

ESB

Plain rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, southern Cameroon, southern Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and the Sao Tomé and Príncipe Islands. Small isolated populations in central and western Angola.

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Mammalia

Order

Artiodactyla

Family

Bovidae

250-320 kg

100-130 cm

Up to 20 years

15-20 kg

Habitat

Jungle

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Herbivorous

Viviparous

Days

330-350

Baby

Description

It is the smallest and lighter of the African buffaloes, as an adaptation to life in the jungle, which requires a small and compact body to penetrate into the vegetation. Its fur is longer, with a reddish brown colour than the buffalo of the savannah, although older African forest buffaloes sometimes have dark brown fur. Its horns are smaller than the ones of their savannah counterparts, and they are curved more upwards.

Habitat

It inhabits the plain rainforests of central Africa, preferably dwelling near clearings and water sources.

Feeding

It feeds on grass, tender sprouts, canes, aquatic plants and leaves.

Reproduction

Gestation lasts for almost one year and they do not reproduce seasonally, but any time of the year. During their first weeks of life, calves remain away from the group with their mothers, who are especially aggressive before any possible danger.

Conduct

Unlike its savannah counterpart, who can form large herds of hundreds of individuals, the African forest buffalo tends to live in small family groups of four or five members, while the bigger herds that sometimes gather under certain circumstances, rarely exceed twenty animals. Due to its size and aggressive behaviour, it has few predators so, apart from humans, only lions and crocodiles can be a threat for this animal.

Status and conservation programs

Despite being still common in some regions, especially in parks, reserves and other protected areas, during the last decades, the populations have decreased considerably, due to the deforestation of their rainforests, excessive hunting, outbreak of infections such as anthrax, rinderpest or bovine tuberculosis passed by domestic cattle, or the extension of mining and oil exploitations within its habitat. In fact, it is extinct in countries like Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo or Benin.

Some scholars consider the African forest buffalo to be a different species, Syncerus nanus, and not merely a subspecies of the African buffalo Syncerus caffer.

The Zoo of Barcelona takes part in the ESB of this subspecies.

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Mammals

Bongo oriental

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 07:49:44 +0000

Eastern bongo

The bongo is a large antelope that lives in plain and montane rainforests of central and western Africa. The eastern subspecies only lives in Kenya. Its habits are crepuscular and nocturnal and it can often be found near water, as it is a skilled swimmer.

It lives in couples or small family groups and, despite its considerable size, it easily goes undetected in the wild thanks to its colour, apparently eye-catching, but which really allows this species to perfectly camouflage in the forest.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 08:49

Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci

Breeding program

EEP

Central Kenya.

Degree of risk

Critically endangered

Class

Mammalia

Order

Artiodactyla

Family

Bovidae

240-405 kg

122-130 cm

More than 20 years

15-20 kg

Habitat

Jungle

Social life

Solitary

Feeding

Herbivorous

Viviparous

Days

275-285

Baby

Description

The bongo is the largest rainforest antelope. Males can reach up to 1.30 m high, 2.5 m long and weight more than 400 kg. It is also the most colourful antelope, with a reddish-brown coat with twelve to fourteen vertical white stripes, and also white-striped dorsal crest and a series of light patches on the face, chest and legs. Its horns, spiral and lyre-shaped, are present in both sexes and can reach one metre long. This eye-catching colour actually helps them camouflage perfectly among the typical light and dark tonalities of their rainforest.

Habitat

The eastern bongo lives in dense forests and montane rainforests of central Kenya, with small populations remaining in the Averdare National Park, Mount Kenya and the Mau Forest and Eburu Forest reserves.

Feeding

It is a vegetarian animal that feeds on grass, tree and bush leaves, roots, fallen fruits and even bark from different plants.

Reproduction

Gestation lasts for a little longer than nine months and a single calf is born each time. Females reach sexual maturity when they are two and a half years, while males from three.

Conduct

Its habits are crepuscular and nocturnal, remaining among dense vegetation during the day. It usually lives in couples or small family groups, although in areas without abundant predators it can form small herds of up to twenty members. Its most important natural predators are leopards, spotted hyenas and great pythons, who can capture young calves.

Status and conservation programs

The main threat for this species is direct hunt by mankind and, especially, the destruction of its natural habitat. In the case of the eastern subspecies, it is also important to take the isolation of the small remaining populations into account for its decline.

The Zoo of Barcelona takes part in the EEP of this species.

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Mammals

Gosset de les praderies cuanegre

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 07:32:10 +0000

Black-tailed prairie dog

This small terrestrial rodent, which belongs to the squirrel family, lives on the prairies and other flat open spaces in North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico.

A gregarious animal, it forms large underground colonies that can be constructed by hundreds of thousands of individuals. The gestation period is from 33 to 38 days, with three to five babies born in each litter, although this number can be up to eight at times.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 08:32

Cynomys ludovicianus

North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico.

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Mammalia

Order

Rodentia

Family

Sciuridae

700-1600 g

35-40 cm

Up to 9 years in captivity

15-20 g

Habitat

Savannah

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Herbivorous

Viviparous

Days

33-38

Baby

1-8, usually 3-5

Description

Despite its appearance, the prairie dog is a small terrestrial rodent that belongs to the same family as the squirrel. Five different species are known, the most abundant of which we have at the Barcelona Zoo, the black-tailed prairie dog. Obviously, its main trait is having a tail with a black tip.

Habitat

It lives on the prairies and other flat and open regions of North America.

Feeding

They are herbivores that eat grass and other herbaceous plants that grow on the prairies, although they sporadically complement this diet with small invertebrates such as beetles, worms and locusts. They almost never drink, as they obtain the water they need directly from grasses.

Reproduction

The gestation period is around one month, and there can be between one and eight babies in each litter, normally though between three and five. They are born inside their underground caves, totally blind and hairless, measuring some seven cm and weighing from 10 to 15 grams. They are nursed by their mothers from 40 to 50 days.

Conduct

They are essentially diurnal, although they are most active in the early morning and at dusk.

They are very gregarious, forming authentic underground cities that can be comprised of kilometres of corridors that connect the nests of different family clans, the basic unit of these animals. Family clans tend to be made up of one adult male, two to five adult females and a variable number of babies and young, generally from four to six.

The family coteries live in underground homes that can measure up to 5 metres deep and more than 30 metres long. They tend to have the entrance raised above the surface in little mounds of earth to prevent possible flooding during rainy season. The entrance to each dwelling in the coterie is located some five to six metres from its neighbours and, along with the surrounding land, represents its territory, which it defends against all other family groups.

Their social behaviour is complex and eye-catching. For example, when you see two animals that have left the burrow to feed, they approach each other while moving their tails until their noses touch, the famous prairie dog ‘kiss’, which in reality is a signal of recognition and greeting. However, beware, as if the fellow prairie dog is a stranger, it will be deemed a threat. However, normally communication with the other members of the coterie is done by loud cries emitted from the entry to the nest. The territorial cry, characteristic of each individual and made while sitting back on their rear legs with the snout pointing skyward, causes no reaction among the colony’s members, while the warning cry, even more powerful, makes all animals run for their homes. This cry of danger, which can be repeated up to 40 times per minute, is what led to the unsuitable name of prairie dog.

Status and conservation programs

Prairie dog coteries can have thousands of individuals and, during historic periods, these numbers have skyrocketed into the millions. However, man has always considered this animal a great pest for agriculture and livestock, so that almost 98% of their original distribution has been eliminated by direct hunting, mass poisoning and by destroying their underground coteries. The result is that the only remaining large populations of this animal are found in parks and other protected regions.

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Mammals

Capibara

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 07:07:58 +0000

Capybara

This is the largest rodent in existence, as it reaches over half a metre in height and can weigh up to 65 kgs. It inhabits the shores of tropical swamps, lakes and rivers in most of South America.

Well-adapted to living in the water, it is a good swimmer and always turns to the water to find shelter from its enemies. It can stay underwater for a long time, if necessary.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 08:07

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Northern South America: from Colombia, Venezuela and the Guyanas to Uruguay and northern Argentina.

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Mammalia

Order

Rodentia

Family

Hydrochaeridae

30-65 kg

50-60 cm

8-12 years

1-1,5 kg

Habitat

Fresh water

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Herbivorous

Viviparous

Days

110-150

Baby

2-8, usually 3-4

Description

This is the largest rodent in the world. It has a thick body, a blunt muzzle, four short legs, with the rear legs slightly longer than the forelegs, thick toes that look like hooves, and no tail. The front feet have four toes and the rear feet three, all joined by interdigital webbing. The dentition is typical of rodents, with two incisors, two pre-molars and three molars, without roots and continuously growing, and a large space free of teeth called the diastema between the incisors and the pre-molars. This ongoing growth of their teeth is to compensate for the wear caused from ingesting grass.

Like other animals with aquatic lifestyles, the eyes, ears and nostrils of the capybara are located on the top of the head, so that they can immerse themselves in water to hide, while breathing and watching the surroundings.

Habitat

Capybaras can live in different habitats, but they are always close to lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes or mangroves. They mainly live on plains, but also inhabit reaches up to 1300 metres above sea level.

Feeding

The capybara’s diet is primarily based on different types of land grasses, complemented now and again by water plants. Sometimes they show up among the crops to eat sugarcane, watermelons and corn.

Reproduction

Mating can take place any time of year, although the majority of births take place during the rainy season. In general, each female gives birth once a year, but there may be two if weather conditions are propitious. The gestation period lasts from 110 to 150 days, and the litters normally have three or four babies, although this number can vary from two to eight.

Capybaras do not build nests and can give birth anywhere in their territory. New-borns are highly developed, weighing over one kilogram at birth and covered in full hair. Shortly after being born, babies can already eat grass, and become independent after three or four months.

Conduct

They live in groups that may be made up of a single pair and their offspring or a larger group of individuals, where the size is dependent on the availability of water. During the dry season, they can form into large groups around the rivers and lakes that still have water. The group is led by a dominant male that normally holds this position for years, along with the females with babies and some subordinate males. There is a well-defined hierarchy between males and females that is upheld via fights, which are not overly aggressive.

The capybaras’ most notorious predators are felines, such as the jaguar, puma or ocelot, but they may also be prey to foxes, caimans, anacondas and large birds of prey, such as the harpy eagle.

Status and conservation programs

In areas in which they are hunted in commercial numbers, which is the case in many regions of Venezuela, capybaras have become rare. In other regions, such as Peru, they have disappeared or their numbers have dropped drastically. However, they are generally abundant and have a wide area of distribution, so that they are not considered endangered.

The largest and densest capybara populations are in the extensive wetlands of South America, such as Pantanal, and the Los Llanos region in the north of the continent. Compared to other animal species around them, capybaras are quite tolerant of habitat changes caused by human activity, and can also survive in areas transformed into crops or pastures.

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Mammals

Lèmur de cua anellada

atenea — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 17:54:12 +0000

Ring-tailed lemur

Unlike most lemurs, which are arboreal and nocturnal, this species is diurnal and can often be found on the ground of arid forests in southern Madagascar.

It feeds on all kinds of leaves, sprouts, roots and fruit and it is a gregarious animal that forms groups of up to thirty individuals, which are usually led by females.

atenea Mon, 12/12/2016 - 18:54

Lemur catta

Breeding program

EEP

Southern and south-western Madagascar.

Degree of risk

Endangered

Class

Mammalia

Order

Primates

Family

Lemuridae

2,3-3,5 kg

56-63 cm

More than 30 years in captivity

80-100 g

Habitat

Forest

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Omnivorous

Viviparous

Days

135-141

Baby

1-2 cries

Description

This slender lemur whose feet are longer than its arms, has a brownish colour on the back and a white hue on the underparts. The top of the head, its snout and the area around the eyes are black, while its cheeks and ears are white. Its most distinguishable feature is its long tail, with its trademark black-and-white stripes.

Habitat

It lives in riparian forests, open forests, thorn forests and rather dry shrublands.

Feeding

The ring-tailed lemur is an opportunistic omnivore that mainly feeds on fruits, leaves, flowers, grass, bark and resin, but it can also capture and eat insects, eggs and small vertebrates.

Reproduction

Gestation lasts for a little over fourth months and usually a single pup is born each time, although twins are born quite often. Mothers carry them on the chest for the first weeks and later on they carry them on their backs. Young lemurs start eating solid food after two months and they are weaned at fourth months.

Conduct

Ring-railed lemurs are the exception to the characteristic behaviour of the rest of lemurs, as their habits are more arboreal. It is a diurnal animal, which differs from most lemurs as well. At early morning it can be easily spotted lying down sunbathing, stretching its limbs as if it were worshipping the Sun.

It forms groups of five to thirty individuals, organized in separate hierarchies of males and females, in which females are always the dominant ones. Its long and outstanding ringed tail, which is up when moving on the ground, is used as a visual means of communication.

Status and conservation programs

Although many other lemur species are more endangered than the ring-tailed lemur, its populations have been decreasing lately in a great portion of its distribution area, due to the destruction of its habitat, hunting for human consumption and to the increase of the length and severity of dry seasons affection the southern part of the island of Madagascar.

The Zoo of Barcelona takes part in the EEP of this species.

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Mammals

Talapoin septentrional

atenea — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 17:36:52 +0000

Northern talapoin monkey

Talapoins are the smallest guenon of the African continent. They can live in groups of up to one hundred individuals, although they normally gather in family groups of fifteen members. They are completely arboreal and occupy the lower stratum of trees.

They live in the rainforests of lowland swamps, mangroves and estuaries. They are very skilled swimmers and are able to dive, while looking for food. They eat fruit, seeds, insects and small vertebrates.

atenea Mon, 12/12/2016 - 18:36

Miopithecus ogouensis

From southern Cameroon until the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola.

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Mammalia

Order

Primates

Family

Cercopithecidae

1-1,5 kg

37-43 cm

Up to 28 years in captivity

50-80 g

Habitat

Jungle

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Omnivorous

Viviparous

Days

158-166

Baby

Description

It is a small-sized guenon, with an olive hue on the back and white underpart. It can be distinguished from the other talapoin species, the southern talapoin, in its small yellowish beard and by its flesh-coloured ears and face.

Habitat

Lowland rainforests, swamp forests, mangroves and estuaries of the rainforest of western Africa.

Feeding

Its diet is omnivorous, and feeds on fruits, seeds, insects and small vertebrates.

Reproduction

Its reproduction is strictly seasonal, for copulations always occur during the dry season and births take place after five or six months.

Conduct

It lives in big groups of up to one hundred individuals, among which there are several adult males, although it usually gathers in families of fifteen individuals approximately. It has arboreal and diurnal habits, and occupies the lower stratum of trees. It forms subgroups of the same sex to feed. At dusk, it hides among the bushes, where it sleeps in groups of three or four. It is one of the quietest monkeys, as the only sound it makes is a whistle in case of alarm.

Unlike most primates, it is a skilled swimmer in swamp areas and can dive underwater in search of food.

Status and conservation programs

It is a species that is still quite common in a great part of its distribution area and to whom human presence is favourable, as it can take advantage of food resources that crops or garden areas offer.

At the Zoo of Barcelona there is one of the few reproductive groups of this species in all Europe.

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Mammals

Cercopitec de Brazza

atenea — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 12:08:38 +0000

De Brazza's monkey

Among the several African arboreal monkeys, this species is the one living in the lowest stratum and prefers riparian forests, close to rivers and swamps, although it can also be found in dense forests, especially in bamboo forests.

As in most guenons, it is sociable and lives in groups that can become very large. In each group there usually can be found a single dominant male, and the other adult males are solitary.

atenea Mon, 12/12/2016 - 13:08

Cercopithecus neglectus

Central Africa, from Cameroon to Ethiopia and from Kenya to Angola.

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Mammalia

Order

Primates

Family

Cercopithecidae

3-6 kg

50-70 cm

More than 20 years

200-250 g

Habitat

Jungle

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Frugivorous

Viviparous

Days

165-187

Baby

Description

The De Brazza’s monkey is a small African primate that is sometimes referred to as the “Ayatollah Monkey”, after its characteristic white beard, which appears very outstanding, in contrast to the rest of the body. Its body fur is grey, its forehead as a cream colour and its tail and limbs are black.

Habitat

It inhabits riparian forests and rainforests, especially in swamp regions, in an extensive area in central Africa.

Feeding

Despite being basically a frugivorous, as its diet consists of fruit in a 75%, it also feeds on leaves, tender sprouts, insects, eggs and small vertebrates. Is in other species of Cercopithecidae, it has expandable cheeks, where they can store food while foraging.

Reproduction

Gestation lasts for five to six months and a single infant is born each time, who is looked after exclusively by its mother.

Conduct

Essentially arboreal, it often descends to the ground, in order to searching for food. Unlike other Cercopithecidae species, it usually does not live in large groups, preferring to live in couples or small family groups. The size of both sexes varies, as males are almost twice as big as females. Its mating system is polygenic, with a dominant male per group, although some populations have been reported to be monogamous.

Status and conservation programs

The populations are decreasing, as a consequence of excessive hunting and, mainly, due to the deforestation of their natural environment.

The Zoo of Barcelona takes part in the EEP of this species.

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Mammals

Space in the Zoo

Primates gallery