Four-banded Poison Dart Frogs

Posted on September 19, 2022October 14, 2022 by tgwadmin

Four-banded Poison Dart Frog

(Dendrobates leucomelas)

There are two yellow and blue poison dart frogs (Dendrobates tinctorius); and four yellow-banded poison dart frogs (Dendrobates leucomelas) at the Zoo.

Animal Facts

Natives living in the habitat of the poison dart frog have been known to use the frog for poison-tipped arrows, where they get their name.

The bright coloring acts as a warning to predators of the poison.

They are diurnal, meaning they are awake during the day.

Diet

Elephants eat leaves, branches, fruit and grasses. They consume 300 pounds of food and 50 gallons of water every day.

Status in The Wild

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

These species are found only in South America. They are poor swimmers and are never found in the water.

The wild population of these species is not known. However, the destruction of rainforest habitat by fires and by humans for farmland has contributed to the decreasing numbers. The illegal pet trade has also negatively impacted their existence.

More Animals From South America

Four-banded Poison Dart Frogs

Red-Footed Tortoise

Rose Hair Tarantula

Southern 3-Banded Armadillo

Yellow and Blue Dart Frogs

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Yellow and Blue Dart Frogs

Posted on September 19, 2022October 17, 2022 by tgwadmin

Yellow and Blue Poison Dart Frog

(Dendrobates tinctorius)

There are two yellow and blue poison dart frogs (Dendrobates tinctorius); and four yellow-banded poison dart frogs (Dendrobates leucomelas) at the Zoo.

Animal Facts

Natives living in the habitat of the poison dart frog have been known to use the frog for poison-tipped arrows, where they get their name.

The bright coloring acts as a warning to predators of the poison.

They are diurnal, meaning they are awake during the day.

Diet

The poison dart frog is an insectivore though it eats non-insect arthropods as well. Its diet consists of ants, millipedes, beetles, flies, mites, spiders, maggots and caterpillars.

Status in The Wild

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

These species are found only in South America. They are poor swimmers and are never found in the water.

The wild population of these species is not known. However, the destruction of rainforest habitat by fires and by humans for farmland has contributed to the decreasing numbers. The illegal pet trade has also negatively impacted their existence.

More Animals From South America

Four-banded Poison Dart Frogs

Red-Footed Tortoise

Rose Hair Tarantula

Southern 3-Banded Armadillo

Yellow and Blue Dart Frogs

Browse Animals

By Region

By Class

Rose Hair Tarantula

Posted on September 19, 2022March 9, 2023 by tgwadmin

Rose Hair Tarantula

(Grammostola rosea)

The rose tarantula at the Zoo is named Rosie. She came to the Zoo in May 2014.

Animal Facts

These newly-found and studied spiders are thought to live about 15 to 20 years, but future research may show that they live considerably longer!

They are common in the international pet trade.

In the weeks following fertilization, the female produces around 500 eggs and the male dies.

As a defense mechanism, rose hair tarantulas can fling urticating hairs () at a predator. These tiny anchored hairs act as an irritant, and can be harmful if ingested or stuck in eyes.

Diet

Insects and other arthropods and occasionally small animals.

Status in The Wild

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

Chilean rose-haired tarantulas are found in deserts and scrublands.

The range includes habitats in Bolivia, northern Chile, and Argentina. Because of the widespread collection of this species from the wild for the pet trade, increasing regulation in the future is probably inevitable in order to protect it from becoming threatened and/or endangered.

More Animals From South America

Four-banded Poison Dart Frogs

Red-Footed Tortoise

Rose Hair Tarantula

Southern 3-Banded Armadillo

Yellow and Blue Dart Frogs

Browse Animals

By Region

By Class

Red-Footed Tortoise

Posted on September 15, 2022October 17, 2022 by tgwadmin

Red-Footed Tortoise

(Geochelone carbonaria)

Koopa is the name of our female red-footed tortoise. She loves to eat grapes!

Animal Facts

Red-footed tortoises can reach up to about 20 pounds, with males being a little heavier than females.

They can live up to 50 years!

Red feet help males attract females – the brighter the color, the more impressive a mate!

While habitat loss is increasingly a problem for these animals, overhunting is the most common cause of population decrease.

Tortoises are hunted for food and for their shells.

Diet

The forest habitat provides the red-foot with an abundance of fallen fruits such as wild plum. It also eats wild mushrooms, vines, grasses, succulents and carrion, and is attracted to yellow and red flowers.

Status in The Wild

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

The red-footed tortoise is found throughout extreme southern Central America, and central and northern South America

This includes the countries of Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. Red-foots are commonly found in relatively-dry grassland and forests areas. They can also be found in humid forest habitat. Red-foots are protected under Appendix II of the CITES, meaning they may not be exported from its home country without a permit. In every country in its range, the biggest threat to the survival of the red-footed tortoise is hunting by man.

More Animals From South America

Four-banded Poison Dart Frogs

Red-Footed Tortoise

Rose Hair Tarantula

Southern 3-Banded Armadillo

Yellow and Blue Dart Frogs

Browse Animals

By Region

By Class

Southern 3-Banded Armadillo

Posted on September 15, 2022October 14, 2022 by tgwadmin

Southern 3-Banded Armadillo

(Tolypeutes matacus)

Seneca Park Zoo is home to a three-banded armadillo named Doug, who was born in 2009 and came to the Zoo in 2010.

Animal Facts

Because of its ability to roll into a sphere, this animal is often called bolita (“little ball” in Spanish). They are the only armadillo able to roll into a ball.

Armadillos also like to swim and they are very good at it!

This armadillo has suffered a 30% decline in the last decade.

Their teeth are small and peg-like and are designed only for crushing the exoskeletons of insects.

Long, hard nails are designed to break through anthills and termite mounds.

Diet

Mainly beetle larvae, although ants and termites are an important portion of their diet during the dry season. During the wet season they feed on a significant amount of fruit.

Status in The Wild

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

The armadillo can be found in grassy or marshy areas between scattered forests.

They can be found in eastern and central Bolivia, Paraguay, the Mato Grasso of Central Brazil and northern and central Argentina. Many species of armadillo are endangered or threatened in the wild. Human encroachment, slash-and-burn farming and hunting account for a large percentage of the problem.

More Animals From South America

Four-banded Poison Dart Frogs

Red-Footed Tortoise

Rose Hair Tarantula

Southern 3-Banded Armadillo