Southern Tamandua Latin Name: Tamandua tetradactyla Order: Pilosa Family: Myrmecophagidae Southern tamandua are also known as lesser anteaters (based on a comparison to Giant Anteaters) and collared anteaters/tamandua (due to their standard coloration of a dark patch of fur in a collar shape on their back). There is a second species of tamandua, the northern tamandua (T. mexicana). This species
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Geochelone carbonaria Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae Natural History Information Range and Habitat This tortoise is native to central and northern South America, from Panama to northern Argentina, and on several Caribbean islands. Preferred habitats include drier forest areas, grasslands, savannas, or rainforest belts adjoining more open habitats. Longevity Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Life Cycle Natural History Relevant Information Red-footed tortoises
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As with any species, variation in individual temperament must be taken into account when selecting ambassador animals. However, when desensitized to humans at an early age, these large, charismatic rodents can be excellent program animals. They have many interesting adaptations and teaching facts that can be tied to conservation messaging; and they are generally food motivated, which allows for positive, choice-based presentations.
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Green-winged Macaw Ara chloroptera Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Overview With regard to their availability and suitability as ambassador animals: Contact the Parrot TAG for availability of macaws through AZA facilities. Macaws do not need to be hand-reared from hatch to make good ambassador birds, in fact, allowing birds to remain with their parents until weaned makes for a healthier individual
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Chilean Rose Tarantula Latin Name Grammostola rosea Order: Araneae Family: Overview The Chilean rose-haired tarantula is the hardiest of tarantulas and is easy to find in human care and is one of the most common found in ambassador animal situations. Although it has a reputation for being docile (calm), it varies in temperment widely from individual to individual.
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Barn Owl Tyto Alba Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae Overview Although often readily available through wildlife rehabilitation sources, barn owls are not a beginner owl, and acquisition of one should only be considered if facility has experienced handlers. Many facilities have noted they are more challenging than other owl species due to their naturally secretive nature. For use in programming, it
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Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae Overview Raised correctly, spectacled owls are reported to make excellent glove birds for educational programming. To maximize lifelong welfare of an owl that is going to participate in ambassador animal programs, and as such be exposed to close contact with humans and a variety of stimuli that could otherwise be intimidating or
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Cathartes aura Order: Accipitriformes Family: Cathartidae Overview With regard to their availability and suitability as ambassador animals: Turkey vultures can be acquired from rehab and rescue centers. With good training, this species can be reliable in both flighted and non-flighted situations. Turkey vultures are a little more sensitive to large crowds and chaos than some other species. With good desensitization
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Poison Dart Frogs (Green & Black) Dendrobates auratus Order: Anura Family: Dendrobatidae Overview Green and Black poison dart frogs are relatively easy to care for and have many programming messages, making them a wonderful addition to an ambassador team. At Akron Zoo, our frogs are set up in bioactive housing, which takes some time to establish. However,
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Species Latin Name Tolypeutes matacus Order: Edentata or Xenarthra Family: Dasypodidae Overview The unique look of these mammals, as well as many interesting facts about this species, makes the Southern Three-Banded Armadillo a good addition to an education team. When hormonal behavior is presented, staff must take into consideration that the armadillo might not be willing to sit still during
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