ZooBlog

Lycaon pictus
Class: Mammalia
Habitat: Savannas, grasslands and open woodlands
Length: 2.5-3.5 feet
Weight: 40-80 pounds
Gestation: 70 days, 10 pups
Diet: Thomson's gazelle, lizards and eggspups
Photo ©Matt L.

Pack Hunters
Led by an alpha (dominant) male and female, African wild dogs hunt together and take care of one another. For example, the entire pack helps raise pups. The average pack of wild dogs today contains approximately ten members. Unlike other canines, packs usually contain more males than females. Wild dogs breed throughout the year, but at a peak from March to June. 2-19 pups are born but usually 10 is the average number.

An Endangered Species
African wild dogs, also called painted dogs, are a unique dog species often found on or around reserves in Africa. However, there are only 3,000-5,000 African wild dogs left in the wild. This is due to habitat loss and huntings from human. Disease also spread in isolated population.

Animal Info
African wild dogs can be seen at the Bronx Zoo.

Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci
Class: Mammalia
Habitat: Lowland rainforest with dense undergrowth, West Africa
Length: 6-8 feet
Weight: Average of 750 pounds, males are slightly larger
Gestation: 9.5 months, 1 offspring
Diet: A variety of plant materials
Photo © Matt L.

Appearance
Mountain bongos are the largest of forest antelopes, although they only stand about 3-4 feet high. Males are slightly larger than females and they can weigh up to 900 pounds. Mountain bongos have a reddish brown coat, while males may develop into a darker color when fully grown. Females, on the other hand, have lighter colors. The coat is marked with 10 vertical white-ish stripes, spreading along the back from the base of the neck to the rump. The number of stripes on each side is rarely the same.

Conservation
Unlike other common bongos, the mountain bongos are an endangered subspecies of antelopes. They are rarely seen in the wild, but the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) have added bongos into the Species Survival Plan (SSP) to maintain a cooperative captive breeding program, with a number of zoos working together to ensure the survival of the species.

Animal Info
Mountain bongos can be seen at the Bronx Zoo.

Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata
Class: Mammalia
Habitat: African savanna, Somalia, northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia
Height: 15-18 feet
Weight: 1500-2500 pounds
Gestation: 14-15 months, 1 calf
Diet: Leaves and shoots of trees and shrubs
Photo © Matt L.

The Most Common of the Nine Subspecies
Somali giraffes, or Reticulated giraffes, are the most commonly known giraffes out of the nine subspecies. They are native to Somalia, but is also found in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. Like other animals with their subspecies, Somalia giraffes can interbreed with other giraffe subspecies in captivity or if populations are low in the wild.

The Tallest of All
Somali griaffes, along with their closely related cousins, are the tallest living land animal. Males can reach a height of 16 to 18 feet, while females are somewhat smaller at 14-16 feet. When they need to drink water, which they dont always have to because of the moisture of the leaves they eat, they have to spread their legs very widely to stoop low enough to drink.

Social Behaviors
Young giraffes are born after a 14-month gestation, and they are always adored by their protective mother. When they are about a month old, the calves join a nursery group made up of several mothers and calves to look after each other. Young giraffes tend to stay in these groups until they are a year old, and even though they live in herds, they dont stay in the same herd for the rest of their life. individuals may come and go, and the social structure of the herds are always changing.

Conservation
Giraffes are considered to be threatened because of habitat loss and hunting. As the human population grows, giraffes' habitats are getting a bit crowded and they are also hunted for meat and for their hair and skin for different products.

Animal Info
Somali giraffes can be seen at the Bronx Zoo.