(Octodon degus)
The Zoo is home to three degus in our Ambassador Animal collection. As such they are not kept in public view, but available for various programs, classes, ZooMobiles, birthday parties etc.
Herbivorous. Grasses, leaves, and bark of shrubs and seeds in nature. Rodent chow, greens, vegetables, hay and seeds in conservation care.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status
(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.
Diet includes ants, termites, crickets, small beetles, spiders and occasionally frog tadpoles.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status
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.
(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.
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.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status
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.
(Grammostola pulchripes)
The Golden Knee tarantula at the Zoo is named Dasiy. She came to the Zoo in April 2026.
They are Carnivorous eating smaller anthropoids and occasionally lizards and rodents
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status
Although this species is not currently threatened with extinction, it still faces significant challenges in its natural habitat. Grasslands in the Gran Chaco region and similar ecosystems are declining due to human development, especially urbanization and agriculture. Climate change is also having an impact, as tarantulas and other spiders are particularly sensitive to shifts in temperature and weather patterns. In addition, pesticides can disrupt their sensory systems and alter their foraging behavior, affecting their longevity, reproduction, development, and overall health.
(Geochelone carbonaria)
Koopa is the name of our female red-footed tortoise. She loves to eat grapes!
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.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status
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.
(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.
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.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status
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.
(Vicugna paco)
Seneca Park Zoo is home to two alpacas. Chrome is 5 years old, and Thunder is 10 years old. They came to the Zoo in the spring of 2026 from Lazy Alpaca Acres in Bloomfield, Ontario.
Alpacas are herbivore. They eat grasses, hay, leaves, and other plants.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status
