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Category: Animals

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Ambassador Animal)

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Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

(Gromphadorhina portentosa)

Seneca Park Zoo raises a colony of Madagascar hissing cockroaches, both young and old and both males and females.

Animal Facts

When threatened, they hiss by forcibly pushing air out of tiny breathing holes.
Males can be distinguished by small – but prominent – bumpy horns near their head that are used to intimidate rival males during breeding.
They hiss when disturbed or when defending territory, and to attract a mate, males hiss more than females
Cockroaches are a very old insect species with some fossils estimated to be three hundred million years old!
Slow moving and docile, cannot fly.

Diet

Like other cockroaches, Madagascar hissing cockroaches are decomposers, meaning they feed on dead and decaying organic matter. They prefer plant sources such as fallen leaves and fruit.

Status in natural range

As the name suggests, Madagascar hissing cockroaches are only found in Madagascar, a large island nation off the southeast coast of mainland Africa. They prefer to live on the floor of tropical forests.

Although not yet evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they are considered not threatened because of their observable large population size. However, their forest habitats are some of the most threatened areas in Madagascar due to deforestation for mining and agricultural purposes. As decomposers, these cockroaches are important nutrient-cyclers in the local food chains.

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Lake Sturgeon

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Lake Sturgeon

(Acipenser fulvescens)

Called the “Dinosaurs of the Great Lakes,” the lake sturgeon is the oldest and largest native species of fish in the Great Lakes. Because of this, sturgeon are kind of like swimming fossils. Lake sturgeon are bottom-feeders with sensitive spade-like snouts and armor-like plates for protection. Fingerling sturgeon are raised at the Zoo, and some are released into the Genesee River each year as part of a reintroduction program led by the USGS and NYSDEC. Fingerlings reside in a tank in the Creatures from the River’s Edge Building; 2 larger sturgeon reside in the Genesee Trail pond.

Animal Facts

Lake sturgeon have inhabited the Great Lakes for more than 10,000 years.
Like sharks, sturgeon lack scales and are cartilaginous, which means they do not have bones. However, sturgeons do have scutes, which are hard plates that act as armor to provide them protection.
Full grown lake sturgeon can weigh as much as 200 pounds and grow to be up to seven-feet long.
Caviar, a delicacy for humans, is simply eggs from sturgeon.
The fossil record of sturgeon shows that they have remained relatively unchanged for more than 100 million years.

Diet

These carnivores eat snails, mollusks, worms, crayfish and larvae.

Status in The Wild

  • Endangered

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

Lake sturgeon inhabit the waters of the Great Lakes region, especially the Huron-Erie Corridor.

Lake sturgeon were once so abundant in the Great Lakes region that they were caught and discarded by fishermen. Today they are rarely seen and are considered a threatened and endangered species. Over harvested for their eggs, oil and meat, the lake sturgeon’s numbers have also dropped because its spawning grounds are being destroyed and polluted. The lake sturgeon’s extremely slow reproductive cycle also makes it susceptible to decline. In 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey along with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stocked the Genesee River with 1,900 juvenile lake sturgeon in an effort to restore the species to its natural habitat.

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Madagascar Tree Boa (Ambassador Animal)

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Madagascar Tree Boa

(Sanzinia madagascariensis)

There is one male Madagascar tree boa at Seneca Park Zoo. He was born in 2007 and came to the Zoo in 2015.

Animal Facts

While they provide some protection for the skin, the major role of scales is to prevent water loss – they provide a water-tight covering preventing dehydration for ectothermic animals that depend on basking in the sun for their body heat.
Though referred to as a tree boa, this snake is more commonly found on the ground. It’s designation as a tree boa perhaps stems from the fact that it is more arboreal than the other boas found on Madagascar.
The offspring of tree boas are a brilliant scarlet color, with darker markings, presumably as a mimicry warning coloration against predators and also as camouflage amongst the brightly colored treetop flowers.

Diet

Madagascar tree boas feed primarily on birds, bats and small, ground-dwelling mammals.

Status in The Wild

  • Least Concern

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

This snake is found solely on the island of Madagascar and on the small nearby island of Nosy Be. It can be found throughout the islands’ forested habitats, primarily where water is nearby.

Though very common throughout Madagascar, these snakes are still considered at risk. Their habitat is being lost through deforestation and mining. It is believed that only 15% of Madagascar’s original forested areas remain. Listed as CITES Appendix I, which means that it is threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade except when the purpose of the import is not commercial, (example: scientific research). Though sales are prohibited, there is still a problem with illegal pet trade.

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Canada Lynx

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Canada Lynx

(Lynx canadensis)

The Seneca Park Zoo is home to two Canada lynx: Bianca, a female born in 2013 who arrived here in 2014, and Albert, a male who joined us in 2024 from the Woodland Park Zoo. Bianca is also the mother of Stanley, a male lynx born on June 2, 2022, who now resides at the Trevor School Zoo. The name ‘lynx’ comes from the Greek word “to shine,” likely referencing the reflective ability of this cat’s striking eyes.

Animal Facts

The paws of Canada lynx are webbed, heavily furred and work like snowshoes, distributing the lynx’s weight and helping it move in the snow.
The name ‘lynx’ comes from the Greek word “to shine.” This may be in reference to the reflective ability of the cat’s eyes.
Females and young sometimes hunt for hares cooperatively by spreading out in a line and moving through relatively open areas. Prey scared up by one animal is often caught by others in the line. This method can be successful and is a learning opportunity for the young.
Lynx are mostly crepuscular, but hunt any time of day or night, nocturnal activity is next most frequent, then diurnal
The lynx’s survival in the U.S. is primarily jeopardized by habitat destruction and fragmentation. Attempts to reintroduce lynx from Canada into New York’s Adirondack Mountains failed, mainly because the cats were hit by cars and trucks

Diet

Snowshoe hares are a primary food source. Populations of the two are known to fluctuate in linked cycles with periods of about 10 years. They may also eat rodents, birds and fish. If they can find a deer, or other large ungulate that is very weak or sick, lynx will kill and eat it. They also feed on carcasses left by human hunters.

Status in The Wild

  • Least Concern

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

Major populations of Canada lynx are found throughout Canada and Alaska, western Montana, and in nearby parts of Idaho and Washington.

Small populations are found in New England, Utah and possibly Oregon, Wyoming and Colorado. Lynx usually live in alpine coniferous or mixed boreal/deciduous forest. They can also be found in more open forests, rocky areas, or tundra. Males occupy distinct territories; home territories of females may overlap.

Lynx are listed in CITES Appendix II. In March 2000, they were listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened in the lower 48 states. The state of Michigan lists the Canada lynx as endangered.In Canada and Alaska, trapping is regulated through closed seasons, quotas, limited entry, and long-term trapping concessions.

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Congo African Grey Parrot (Ambassador Animal)

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Congo African Grey Parrot

(Psittacus erithacus erithacus)

The Zoo is home to one African grey parrot named Minnow. He was born in 1995 and came to the Zoo in 1998. African grey parrots are well known for their ability to mimic sounds and words, and Minnow is no exception. Minnow is a part of the program animal collection.

Animal Facts

Greys are extremely social and will form a communal nesting area of several hundred. They have been observed roosting in tall palms in groups ranging from several hundred to thousands of birds.
African greys have a powder produced by feather on their flanks that helps to clean and protect their feathers. This powder also makes their feathers waterproof, a necessary adaptation for surviving in a tropical climate.
African greys can commonly be seen in the wild on the ground at waterholes where they ingest mud and minerals. This is thought to be an adaptation to compensate for increased pesticide and toxin levels in their food – the soil eaten absorbs the toxins that they would otherwise ingest.

Diet

The diet of the African grey parrot consists of the fruits, seeds, nuts and berries of several native rainforest species, including the flesh of oil-palm trees. Its powerful bill can crush most seeds and nuts.

Status in The Wild

  • Near Threatened

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

The Congo African grey is found in Equatorial Africa, ranging from Angola to The Ivory Coast, inland from Kenya to Tanzania. It inhabits rainforests, cultivated land, mangroves, wooded savannas and gardens.

Unfortunately, the African grey parrot has become popular in the pet trade due to its attractive colors and unbelievable talent to mimic sounds and words. It is in the top three most commonly traded birds. Due to such a large demand, baby greys are stolen from the wild to supply the demand. The U.S. Wild Bird Act forbids the commercial import of any bird listed by CITES which includes most parrots — endangered or threatened.

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Domestic Goat

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Domestic Goat

(Capra hircus)

Seneca Park Zoo is home to two goats – Harley and Bianca . They reside year-round in the Zoo’s A Step Into Africa area.

Animal Facts

A group of goats is called a trip. Captive trip size varies greatly, but wild goat trips are typically 5 to 20 individuals.
Goats can produce up to 1,500 pounds of milk in a year.
The Maasai people view livestock as a sign of wealth, with bovine stock being the most valuable and small stock (i.e. goats and sheep) being less valuable.
Livestock is often exchanged in social situations, such as a dowry in a wedding, or exchanged as an act of good will in disputes.
Goats communicate through sounds called “bleats.” Goats bleat when stressed, hungry, or calling to another individual. Goats also communicate through body language.

Diet

All sorts of plant materials: grasses, leaves and twigs from trees and shrubs, and vines.

Status in The Wild

  • Least Concern

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

Domestic goats are found throughout the world in a variety of habitats. In some areas such as Australia they have become an invasive species. The range of the domestic goat’s wild ancestor, the wild goat, is in the Middle East in mountainous habitats.

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Domestic Rat (Ambassador Animal)

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Domestic Rat

(Rattus norvegicus)

Domestic rats are a part of Seneca Park Zoo’s ambassador animal collection.

Animal Facts

Rats are now found on every continent in the world except Antarctica. They are the most successful mammal on the planet!
The terms rat and mouse are not taxonomically specific, but are generally just differentiated by size.
Some rat species are island endemics, and have become endangered due to competition with the black, brown or Polynesian rat.
Rats are very important as food for many animals, including reptiles, mammals, birds and even some amphibians!
Rats have an incredibly strong sense of smell.

Diet

Rats are excellent foragers. They feed on many types of food including food discarded by humans. They also eat mice, chicks, birds, small lizards, and occasionally fish.

Status in The Wild

  • Least Concern

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

Norway rats are originally native to northern China. These rats were native to forests and brushy areas; today however, they prefer a habitat right alongside the rapid expansion of human populations.

Norway rats are common. They are subject to persistent pest control due to the damage they cause and the numerous diseases they spread.

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Dumeril’s Ground Boa (Ambassador Animal)

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Dumeril's Ground Boa

(Acrantophis dumerili)

The Zoo is home to two Dumeril’s ground boas, a female named Ursula and her male offspring, Triton. Ursala’s habitat can be found inside the Creatures of the River’s Edge building. Triton was born at the Zoo in August 2018 and is currently a part of the Zoo’s ambassador animal collection.

Animal Facts

Six to eight months after mating, females give birth to a litter anywhere from around 6 up to nearly 30 babies, each measuring 12 to 18 inches.
Dumeril’s have some interesting behavior differences from most other boa species, particularly their style of ambush hunting.
Heavy-bodied snake, terrestrial, solitary, crepuscular and nocturnal, kill by constriction.
Live bearers, “eggs” develop within female’s body
Pattern makes good camouflage in leaf litter on forest floor.

Diet

Small animals such as birds, lizards and frogs.

Status in The Wild

  • Least Concern

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

The Dumeril’s ground boa is found along the western coast and southwestern regions of Madagascar. The preferred habitat of this reptile is a semi-arid forested area with low amounts of rainfall.

Listed as CITES Appendix I, which puts strict limits on its exportation from Madagascar. Their numbers are declining due to habitat destruction in order to create agricultural areas or grazing for livestock; they are killed due to fear and superstition. Their skins are sold in the markets of Madagascar as well as other countries. They are also exported to be sold in the pet trade.

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Great Plated Lizard

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Great Plated Lizard

(Gerrhosaurus major)

There is one great plated lizard here at the Zoo, a male born in 2016. He came to the Zoo in 2017 from Brookfield Zoo. Great plated lizards have a short head, large eyes and a tail that is usually twice the length of its body. The legs appear delicate because they are smaller than other lizards, such as iguanas. This reptile has rough scales on its head.

Animal Facts

The great plated lizard is diurnal, meaning it is awake during the day and would prefer to use its tail in defense rather than biting when threatened.
They can live up to 20 years and grow up to two feet long.
When threatened, they run into rocky crevices, which makes them almost invulnerable to predators.
Males are larger than females and have a more brightly-colored throat.
Females lay 2-4 large eggs that take 3-4 months to hatch

Diet

Young lizards will eat fruits, leaves and other vegetation as well as insects, spiders and other small invertebrates. In conservation care, older animals will eat small mice/rodents and commercial canned dog food.

Status in The Wild

  • Not Evaluated

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

Ranges from eastern Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. Lives on rocky hills where sparse vegetation grows. They will hide in the cracks of the hills or between rocks.

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Hellbender

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Hellbender

(Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

Hellbenders are the largest salamanders found in North America. They are indigenous to cold, swift-moving, oxygenated streams and important environmental indicators of water health. There are two hellbenders that reside in the C.R.E. Center at the Zoo.

Animal Facts

Hellbenders are nocturnal, meaning they hunt at night, and spend their daylight hours hidden beneath rocks and logs at the bottoms of streams.
Hellbenders are New York State’s largest aquatic salamander.
Hellbenders have lived 29 years in captivity and analysis suggests they can live up to 30 years in the wild.
Can swim but they prefer to walk along the bottom of riverbeds
They do have lungs but they “breathe” through their skin, and the wrinkly skin along their sides gives more area for breathing.

Diet

Hellbenders feed primarily on crayfish, but they also may eat fish, frogs and a variety of invertebrates. They do eat smaller hellbenders.

Status in The Wild

  • Vulnerable

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

The eastern hellbender’s range once extended from southwestern and south central New York, west to southern Illinois, and south to extreme northeastern Mississippi and the northern parts of Alabama and Georgia.

Today, healthy populations of hellbenders are limited to a relatively few stream systems in areas that have remained isolated from development and urbanization, mainly in the rugged mountains of West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

This species is probably in significant decline (but probably at a rate of less than 30% over three generations, assuming a generation length to be approximately ten years) because of widespread habitat loss through much of its range, thus making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable.

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