Car Park

We have a free car park at the entrance to the Animal Farm.

PORCUPINE (HYSTRIX CRISTATA)

• Answers to

  SPIKE, MO, JO, QUIVER and PRICKLE

• Description
  The Porcupine is a large, ground-living nocturnal rodent with very small eyes and ears. It is covered in black bristly fur and has a crest of white bristly hairs running down the top of its' head and neck which give way to an array of black and white spines that cover the animal's back, sides and short tail. The spines on the tail are short and stout, and are also hollow, which makes them rattle when shaken.

• Size
  

  60 - 80cms long, with a tail 8 - 17cms long. Weighs 13 - 27 kg

• Origin
  

  North and north western Africa. Also found in southern Italy and Sicily. Recently introduced to Albania and Yugoslavia.

• Habitat
  

  Forests, rocky areas, mountains and deserts.

• Diet
  

  Mostly bark, roots, tubers, bulbs and fruit, but occasionally carrion and small animals. They commonly gnaw on bones, and many hominid fossil bones show the marks of porcupine teeth.

• Breeding
  

  Gestation is about 112 days and 1 or 2 young are born. When born, the young have no spines but are covered in sensitive bristles and have 5 white stripes on their sides. Their eyes open very soon after birth. Although small, they leave the nest after only a week, at which point their spines begin to harden. They begin eating solid food at 2-3 weeks and they lose the white side stripes at 4 weeks. They reach adult weight and sexual maturity at 1-2 years old.

• Status
  

  Not threatened.

• Did you know?
  

  Contrary to belief, porcupines do not shoot their quills at an enemy.

  • Porcupines are excellent swimmers.
  • Porcupine quills were once used as arrow tips or darts by African tribesmen.
  • Porcupines can drink large amounts of water without making a sound.

COATIMUNDI (NASUA NASUA)

• Answers to

  ELMO and GINGER

• Description
  The coatimundi has a long snout, pig-like features, and bear-like paws. It has a reddish, brown or dark coat, depending on the species, with a lighter under-part and a white-ringed tail in most cases. All coatis have a slender head with an elongated, slightly upward-turned nose, small ears, dark feet, and a long, non-prehensile tail used for balance and signaling.

• Size
  

  41 - 67cm from head to the base of the tail (tail adds 30 - 60cm to their length), about 30cm tall, weighs between 3 - 8kg.

• Origin
  

  Native to South, Central, and south-western North America.

• Habitat
  

  Coatimundi are diurnal, living both on the ground and in trees in dense tropical forests, grasslands, and brushy areas. During the night they sleep in the tree tops in a nest of leaves and branches.

• Diet
  

  The coatimundi is an omnivore. Its' diet consists of fruits, nuts, leaves, roots, insects, amphibians, fish, reptiles, eggs, small birds, mammals, and even carrion, which it finds or catches on the ground or on trees. The snout with a formidable sense of smell, assists the skilled paws in a hog-like manner to unearth insects and roots.

• Breeding
  

  Gestation is around 11 weeks. Litters are normally between 3 - 7 young. Their eyes open after 12 days and at 6 weeks they begin exploring the area and foraging with their mother. At 4 months they are completely weaned. Sexual maturity is attained at 2 years.

• Status
  

  Least concern.

• Did you know?
  

  • The coatimundi is a related to the Raccoon.

  • Coatimundi are extremely intelligent, inquisitive, and very skilful with their hands. There are few handles, clips, and knobs they cannot master.

  • The life span of the coatimundi is 14 years.

  • Natural enemies of the coati include foxes, jaguars and big cats, hawks, eagles, boa constrictors, and humans.

PLANTAIN SQUIRRELS

• information to come

BABY BARN

We have a baby barn with a selection of baby animals, some of which you can feed.

ASIAN SHORT CLAWED OTTER (AMBLONYX CINEREA)

• Answers to

  PEEP and SQUEAK

• Description
  This species of otter is the smallest of all otters and is dark brown to grey-brown in colour, with paler under parts. The chin, throat, and sides of the neck are cream-coloured. As their name suggests, the Short-clawed Otters have rudimentary claws that are blunt and do not project beyond the tips of its fingers and toes. The digits are partially webbed, usually only up to the first joint. This is because this species of otter have adapted to hunt in the shallows and don't need the ability to swim very fast.

• Size
  

  65 - 90cm, 2.7 - 5.4kg

• Origin
  

  Found in Southern India, Southeast China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Malay Peninsula and the Philippines.

• Habitat
  

  This otter lives in a wind range of habitats where there is permanent water and some tree cover, places such as freshwater wetlands (rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters), mangrove swamps and paddy fields. They are also often seen on the banks of larger rivers though they seldom venture into deep water.

• Diet
  

  Asian Short-Clawed Otters eat crabs, snails, crayfish, molluscs, frogs and small fish.

• Breeding
  

  They reach sexual maturity at two years, but don't usually breed until they are three years old. Couples will usually mate for life, with the female being the dominant partner. The gestation period is 60- 64 days. Usually 1- 2 cubs are born but up to 7 has been known. They can have up to 2 litters per year. The cubs open their eyes at 40 days and learn to swim at 9 weeks. Solid food is first taken after about 80 days.

• Status
  

  The conservation status of the Asian Short-Clawed Otter is 'Lower Risk : Near Threatened' in most of its' range.

• Did you know?
  

  • In parts of Asia, this otter has been trained to catch and bring fish to their owners. Others are bred by the fishermen to drive shoals of fish into their nets.

  • The otters are harnessed in a long line and allowed to eat any fish they catch.

  • Otter cubs are tiny at birth - not much bigger than a mouse.

ASIAN SHORT CLAWED OTTER (AMBLONYX CINEREA)

• Answers to

  PEEP and SQUEAK

• Description
  This species of otter is the smallest of all otters and is dark brown to grey-brown in colour, with paler under parts. The chin, throat, and sides of the neck are cream-coloured. As their name suggests, the Short-clawed Otters have rudimentary claws that are blunt and do not project beyond the tips of its fingers and toes. The digits are partially webbed, usually only up to the first joint. This is because this species of otter have adapted to hunt in the shallows and don't need the ability to swim very fast.

• Size
  

  65 - 90cm, 2.7 - 5.4kg

• Origin
  

  Found in Southern India, Southeast China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Malay Peninsula and the Philippines.

• Habitat
  

  This otter lives in a wind range of habitats where there is permanent water and some tree cover, places such as freshwater wetlands (rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters), mangrove swamps and paddy fields. They are also often seen on the banks of larger rivers though they seldom venture into deep water.

• Diet
  

  Asian Short-Clawed Otters eat crabs, snails, crayfish, molluscs, frogs and small fish.

• Breeding
  

  They reach sexual maturity at two years, but don't usually breed until they are three years old. Couples will usually mate for life, with the female being the dominant partner. The gestation period is 60- 64 days. Usually 1- 2 cubs are born but up to 7 has been known. They can have up to 2 litters per year. The cubs open their eyes at 40 days and learn to swim at 9 weeks. Solid food is first taken after about 80 days.

• Status
  

  The conservation status of the Asian Short-Clawed Otter is 'Lower Risk : Near Threatened' in most of its' range.

• Did you know?
  

  • In parts of Asia, this otter has been trained to catch and bring fish to their owners. Others are bred by the fishermen to drive shoals of fish into their nets.

  • The otters are harnessed in a long line and allowed to eat any fish they catch.

  • Otter cubs are tiny at birth - not much bigger than a mouse.

GUINEA PIGS (CAVIA PORCELLUS)

• Answers to

  ?

• Description
  The Guinea Pig has short legs, a short neck, a big head and no tail. The hands are strong with 4 fairly equal fingers and the feet are strong with 3-toes. The hair is coarse (although there are exceptions among the breeds) and comes in a wide variety of colours.

• Size
  

  20 - 25cm long, weigh 700 - 12009

• Origin
  

  Guinea Pigs were kept as pets in Peru and Chile long before the Spanish conquered South America. The Incas bred Guinea Pigs mainly for their meat and fur.

• Habitat
  

  Cavia Porcellus is not found naturally in the wild - it is likely to be a descendant from some closely related species of cavy. Wild cavies are found on grassy plains and occupy an ecological niche similar to that of a cow. Domesticated guinea pigs thrive in groups of 2 or more and generally live in cages.

• Diet
  

  All cavies are herbivores, most preferring grasses, hay, fruit and vegetables. Guinea Pigs are also fed a special food pellet containing Vitamin C. This is because they cannot produce their own and must obtain this valuable nutrient from food.

• Breeding
  

  Gestation is 9 weeks. This is a long time in the rodent world but understandable as the new-borns are already well developed at birth. They are fully furred, have their eyes open, and begin eating solid food when only 2 or 3 days old. They do, however, continue to nurse for up to 3 weeks. A litter is usually 2 and sexual maturity is reached at about 60 or 70 days, growth continues, however, for several more months.

• Status
  

  Domestic only.

• Did you know?
  

  • With good care, guinea pigs can live between 6 and 10 years.

  • Guinea Pigs are important to human medical research, especially in the development of vaccines.

  • They are excellent swimmers.

RED HANDED TAMARINS (SAGUINUS MIDAS)

• Answers to

  More information to follow.

• Description
  The Red-handed Tamarin is named because of the reddish or orange hair on its' hands and feet. Their bodies and faces are black and their backs are speckled with orange and reddish hairs. They have claws rather than fingernails on all fingers and toes except the big toe. It has a long tail that can be wrapped around branches.

• Size
  

  20.5 - 28cm, 400 - 5509

• Origin
  

  South America

• Habitat
  

  They are commonly found in trees, with small crowns within the tropical rainforest.

• Diet
  

  The main diet for the Red-handed Tamarin is fruit, flowers, insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, and nectar.

• Breeding
  

  Red-handed Tamarins generally breed twice a year. The gestation period lasts anywhere from 140 to 170 days. They will usually produce two non­identical twins. All members of the group will help to raise the children. In addition, only one female within a group will breed during any given mating season. The other females suppress reproduction. This may be due to submission to the dominant female. Young ones become independent at ten weeks.

• Status
  

  Least concern.

• Did you know?
  

  • Red-handed tamarins are superb jumpers and have been know to jump distances of over 60 feet from a tree to the ground with no sign of injury.

  • They can live for up to 16 years.

  • Red-handed tamarins are popular as pets in some countries.

TEA ROOM

• More information to follow.

REPTILE HOUSE / SMALL MAMMALS

• More information to follow.

WHITE FACED SAKI MONKEY (PITHECIA PITHECIA)

• Answers to

  More information to follow.

• Description
  Males are black with a white face and black nose. Females are brown with white stripes along the side of the nose.

• Size
  

  70cm in height and weigh less than 2kg.

• Origin
  

  Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, and French Guiana.

• Habitat
  

  They inhabit the rainforests of the above countries and are almost completely arboreal (they live almost completely in the trees).

• Diet
  

  The main diet for the White-faced Saki Monkey is fruit, seeds, flowers, leaves, and some animal prey such as small birds, mice, and bats. They use their canine teeth to crack hard nuts. They also eat termites, which are high in iron content.

• Breeding
  

  Births usually occur in the winter months after a gestation period of about 170 days. 1 baby is born and is the same colour as its' mother. Young males change colour once they reach sexual maturity. Females care for the young for 6 months after which they become completely independent. Sexual maturity can be reached as early as 2 years at which time the young will leave the adults to set up their own family.

• Status
  

  Least concern.

• Did you know?
  

  • White-faced Saki Monkeys live for up to 14 years.

  • Their nickname in Guyana is 'flying jacks'. This is because they sometimes hop on the back two legs.

  • These monkeys do not appear to be endangered but are under threat from the pet trade as they have a very mallow character.

MARMOSET MONKEYS (?)

• More information to follow.

NEW EXHIBIT ARRIVING SOON

• More information to follow.

RABBIT BARN

We have a wide range of rabbits in our rabbit barn where the children can pet and cuddle our animals

INDOOR PLAY AREA AND GO KART TRACK

More information to follow.

GIFT SHOP & UNDER 5'S PLAY AREA

We have a huge gift shop with a wide range of gifts and toys.

BIRDS OF PREY

More information to follow.

COMMON PLAM CIVET (PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS)

• Answers to

  More information to follow.

• Description
  The Common Palm Civet has coarse, shaggy hair that is usually a greyish colour, with black on its' feet, ears, and muzzle. It has 3 rows of black markings on its' body. The markings on its face resemble a raccoon's. Its' tail does not have rings. Their body is stocky and long.

• Size
  

  48 - 59cm in length, 44 - 53.5 tail length, weighs 2.4 - 4kgs.

• Origin
  

  South-east Asia and Southern China.

• Habitat
  

  The Common Palm Civet is found in temperate and tropical rainforests. However, it is a highly adaptable animal and can live in dense forests, agricultural areas, and even alongside humans.

• Diet
  

  The main diet for the Common Palm Civet is berries, fleshy fruits, and the fruit of Ficus trees. It is picky about the fruit that it eats, picking only ripe fruit. It will also eat birds, rodents and insects.

• Breeding
  

  Palm Civets reproduce throughout the year and the female has a litter of 2 to 5 kittens, which are born in tree hollows or boulder crevices. They are sexually mature at 11 - 12 months.

• Status
  

  Least concern.

• Did you know?
  
  • Palm Civets can live for up to 22 years in captivity.

DUCKS, CRANES AND STORKS

Information to follow

STORKS AND CRANES

• More information to follow.

OFFICE

TOILETS

RACOONS (PROCYON LOTOR)

• Answers to

  BONNIE and CLYDE

• Description
  The most distinguishable characteristics of this mammal, are its' black mask across the eyes and bushy tai I with anywhere from 4 to 10 back rings. Colouration varies with the habitat, but tends to range from grey to reddish fur.

• Size
  

  50 - 100cm in length (including the tail). Weigh 4.5 - 16kg.

• Origin
  

  Raccoons are very adaptable and live over much of the United States and southern Canada. About the only areas that don't have them are the purely coniferous areas, desert areas, and artic-tundra areas.

• Habitat
  

  Raccoons require ready access to water. They prefer to live in moist woodland areas. However, they can also be found in farmlands, suburban and urban areas. They can live in a wide variety of habitats from warm, tropical areas, to cold grasslands.

• Diet
  

  Raccoons are omnivores - they will eat almost anything - including frogs, crayfish, birds, mice (& other small mammals), fruit, nuts, plants, crops, and garbage. They find much of their food in water. They also love eggs, corn, and peanut butter.

• Breeding
  

  Raccoons are polygamous and will mate with any raccoon of the opposite sex that wanders by. They do not form lasting bonds and males will not stay to help raise the young. Average gestation is 63 days and an average of 4 young are born in a den made by the mother. The eyes and ears open about 18 - 24 days after birth and they can walk around after 4 - 6 weeks. They are weaned by 3 months, but remain with their mothers for another year. Males are sexually mature at 2 years and females at 1 year.

• Status
  

  Least Concern.

• Did you know?
  

  • Raccoons store fat in their tails. This is why in winter, when it is cold and food is scarce, their tails often appear to be very scrawny.

  • Raccoons have excellent night vision and an acute sense of hearing.

  • They are very agile climbers and strong swimmers.

RABBIT BARN

We have a wide range of rabbits in our rabbit barn where the children can pet and cuddle our animals

GUINEA PIGS (CAVIA PORCELLUS)

• Answers to

  ?

• Description
  The Guinea Pig has short legs, a short neck, a big head and no tail. The hands are strong with 4 fairly equal fingers and the feet are strong with 3-toes. The hair is coarse (although there are exceptions among the breeds) and comes in a wide variety of colours.

• Size
  

  20 - 25cm long, weigh 700 - 12009

• Origin
  

  Guinea Pigs were kept as pets in Peru and Chile long before the Spanish conquered South America. The Incas bred Guinea Pigs mainly for their meat and fur.

• Habitat
  

  Cavia Porcellus is not found naturally in the wild - it is likely to be a descendant from some closely related species of cavy. Wild cavies are found on grassy plains and occupy an ecological niche similar to that of a cow. Domesticated guinea pigs thrive in groups of 2 or more and generally live in cages.

• Diet
  

  All cavies are herbivores, most preferring grasses, hay, fruit and vegetables. Guinea Pigs are also fed a special food pellet containing Vitamin C. This is because they cannot produce their own and must obtain this valuable nutrient from food.

• Breeding
  

  Gestation is 9 weeks. This is a long time in the rodent world but understandable as the new-borns are already well developed at birth. They are fully furred, have their eyes open, and begin eating solid food when only 2 or 3 days old. They do, however, continue to nurse for up to 3 weeks. A litter is usually 2 and sexual maturity is reached at about 60 or 70 days, growth continues, however, for several more months.

• Status
  

  Domestic only.

• Did you know?
  

  • With good care, guinea pigs can live between 6 and 10 years.

  • Guinea Pigs are important to human medical research, especially in the development of vaccines.

  • They are excellent swimmers.

OUTDOOR BIRD AVERY

• More information to follow.

TRAIN AND INDOOR PICNIC AREA

• More information to follow.

PLAY AREA

PONY RIDES

• More information to follow.

TRACTOR AND BARREL RIDES

PYGMY GOAT (CAPRA HICUS)

• Answers to

  ANGUS, GRACE, TILLY, PHEOBE, BECKY and MEG

• Description
  Pygmy Goats come in a wide variety of colours. The hair is short and smooth. Both sexes have horns; the female's are generally short and straight while the male's are longer and either scimitar-shaped or spiraling; the scimitar shape apparently is the original condition.

• Size
  

  40 - 57cm tall (at the withers), weighs 18 - 30kg.

• Origin
  

  Pygmy Goats originally came from the Cameroon region of West Africa. Now they are found as pets in many places.

• Habitat
  

  Originally pygmy goats would have lived in dry climates with desert and savannah type vegetation. Now that pygmy goats have been domesticated they normally live in small sheds with access to a secure, fenced paddock for exercise. Their housing should be well-ventilated and straw should be provided for bedding.

• Diet
  

  The main diet for the Pygmy Goat is forage, including hay, and concentrates - i.e. grains such as oats, bran, and barley.

• Breeding
  

  Pygmy Goats do not have a specific breeding season, but most births happen in the spring. Gestation is about 151 days. They usually have 2-3 young in a litter, but up to 6 are possible. The kids are weaned by 12 weeks and are sexually mature as early as 6 months.

• Status
  

  Not endangered. Maintained only in the domesticated state.

• Did you know?
  

  • The African Pygmy Goat is a breed of the domestic goat, which was domesticated in the Middle East about 10,000 years ago. They have been kept for their milk and meat by West African tribes for several hundred years.

  • They can live 15 - 20 years.

  • Like other goats, they are excellent jumpers and climbers.

BACTRIAN CAMEL (CAMELUS BACTRIANUS)

• Answers to

  COLLIN and GEOFFREY

• Description
  The most distinctive feature of the Bactrian Camel is its' 2 humps. They are supremely adapted to protect themselves against the desert heat and sand, with wide, padded feet and thick leathery pads on the knees and chest, nostrils that can open and close, ears lined with protective hairs, and bushy eyebrows with 2 rows of long eyelashes. Thick fur and underwool, which is usually beige in colour, keeps the animal warm during cold desert nights and also insulated against daytime heat.

• Size

  Over 2m tall at the hump. Weigh in excess of 725kg.

• Origin

  Native to the steppes of eastern Asia.

• Habitat

  Desert plateaus and steppes in climates ranging from 122 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to 25 degrees Fahrenheit below freezing in the winter.

• Diet

  Bactrian Camels are herbivores (plant eaters). Like domestic cows, camels are ruminants. They are able to survive on extremely sparse vegetation and their mouths are very tough which allows them to eat thorny desert plants. They also eat tough grass, herbs, thin branches, and foliage of shrubs that grow in their arid environment. They search for food in the morning and evening and chew their cud in the afternoon.

• Breeding

  Average gestation is 406 days (for domestic camels). Most births are in March and early April. Newborns can walk after 2 hours and can follow their mothers after 24 hours. Independence comes at 1 year and females generally give birth at the age of 5 years. There is usually at least 2 years in between births.

• Status

  Critically endangered. There are fewer than 1,000 Bactrian Camels remaining in the wild. In contrast, there are over 2,000,000 domestic Bactrian Camels.

• Did you know?

  Contrary to popular belief the Bactrian Camel uses its' humps to store fat and not water. These fat stores are used by the camel for nourishing the body during times of little food or water and they can go several days without water by using these stores. If the camel used all its' water, it would need to drink 30 gallons of water to replenish its' reserves. This would only take 10 minutes.

KUNE KUNE PIGS

• More information to follow.

DONKEYS

• More information to follow.

WATER BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS)

• Answers to

  GEORGE and MILDRED

• Description
  The Water Buffalo is a heavy, bulky animal with large feet, whose wide hooves help it to avoid sinking too deeply in the mud. Its' coat is sparse and is dark grey to black - domesticated buffalo can have a range of coat colours. The long tail ends with a bushy tuft of black hairs.

• Size

  Average height to shoulder - 1.7m. Weigh 300 - 600kg.

• Origin

  The Buffalo survives in the wild in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Thailand and is very widespread as a domestic animal in Asia, South America, North Africa, and Europe. It is a feral animal in Northern Australia.

• Habitat

  Low lying alluvial grasslands and their surroundings. Riparian forests and woodlands are also utilised.

• Diet

  Grass and leafy aquatic vegetation. It is mainly a grazer, feeding in the morning and evening and lying up in dense cover or submerging in wallows during midday heat.

• Breeding

  Gestation is 300 - 340 days. Usually 1 calf is born. The calf is weaned between 6 and 9 months and puberty is reached at 18 months. The interval between births is usually about 2 years.

• Status

  Endangered.

• Did you know?

  It may seem that cattle species don't do much but rest and eat, but studies have shown that they only sleep from 2-10 minutes at a time, and they only get about 1 hours worth of sleep in a 24 hour period! Why don't they sleep more? Because its' not safe!! Wild cattle must always be on the lookout for danger. Their good sense of smell, along with their eyes and ears, helps them tell when danger is near.

  The Indian Wild Buffalo has the largest horns of any living animal. They normally measure about lm (3ft 3in) across, but in 1955 a bull was shot and his measured 4.24m (13ft 11in).

  Tigers are the Water Buffalo's only predators and can kill a full-grown male. However, only an experienced tiger will take them on.

LLAMA (LAMA GLAMA)

• Answers to

  ?

• Description
  Llamas boast a mind-boggling array of patterns and solid colours, ranging from snowy white to jet black and everything in between. They are gentle, non-aggressive, and very intelligent animals. Llamas have soft, fine wool, for protection against cold and heat. Their wool is grease-free and lightweight - due to the fibre shaft being hollow. Llama wool is very warm, and can be made into beautiful garments and blankets and is prized by many spinners around the world.

• Size

  3 - 4ft at the shoulder, 5 - 6.5ft tall at the head, weighing 250 - 450lb

• Origin

  A popular misconception is that Llamas are native to South America, and some people think their origins are in Asia. In fact, Llama ancestors could be found in North America approximately 40 million years ago

• Habitat

  Nowadays, Llamas are only known in the domestic state, therefore, their habitat today would mainly be pasture and grazing land. However, Llama ancestors would have lived either on the plains of North America or would have thrived easily above 17,000ft in the mountains of Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Peru. Their wild, camelid cousins, the vicuna and the guanaco, still do survive at high elevations in South America.

• Diet

  Llamas are highly adaptable feeders, being both grazers (grasses and herbs) and browsers (shrubs and trees). They need a low protein diet which means they can be kept on a variety of pastures or hay.

• Breeding

  Gestation is 350 days. When the baby (cria) is born, the Dam (female) does not lick it, she will nuzzle it and hum to it. This is because llamas have attached tongues which only reach outside of the mouth by half an inch.

• Status

  Domesticated.

• Did you know?

  Llamas learn quickly. They are easy to train and can usually learn a new task after only 3 or 4 repetitions. Llamas also like to meet people. For this reason they are used extensively for animal therapy.

RED DEER (CERVUS ELAPHUS)

• Description
  The red deer has a bright red-brown summer coat. In the autumn they grow waterproof guard hairs, which turn the coat much darker. The stag (male) red deer has antlers. Red beer have an even number of toes on each hoof, similar to camels, goats, and cattle and have a four-chambered stomach.

• Size

  The red deer is one of the largest species of deer in the world. The average male deer is 1.2m tall, weighs 295kgs, and is between 2.1 and 2.4m in length from nose to tail.

• Origin

  The red deer is native to Britain and is also found in southern Scandinavia, Turkey, and as far as China and Mongolia. It is the only species of deer to inhabit Africa. Red beer have been introduced to other areas including Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.

• Habitat

  Their natural habitat is forests, but as the forests of Britain were felled over the centuries, most were forced to live on exposed moor land, moving into wooded plantations during severe winter weather.

• Diet

  Red beer are browsers by nature, pulling off leaves from oak, birch, and rowan trees. They will also eat twigs, ivy, and lichen from trees, especially during the winter. In open habitats, the deer become mainly grazers, cropping grass and browsing from small shrubs such as heather. Feeding takes place mainly during the early morning and evening, the deer resting and ruminating (chewing the cud) by day.

• Breeding

  The gestation period is 240 - 262 days and 1, very rarely 2 calves are produced weighing between 15 and 16kgs. After 2 weeks, the calves are able to join the herd and are fully weaned after 2 months.

• Status

  Least concern.

• Did you know?

  • Red deer live up to 20 years in captivity and average 10 - 13 years in the wild

  • Red deer calves are born spotted, losing their spots by the end of summer

FALLOW DEER (DAMA DAMA)

• Description
  Fallow deer usually have a brown coat with white mottles that are most pronounced in summer with a much darker coat in winter. There are variants to this with the albinistic being almost white, the menil darker, and the melanistic very dark, even black. Most herds have these different variants amongst them. They do not stay separate but interbreed readily.

• Size

  Males - 140-160cms long, 90-100cms to shoulder height, weigh 60-85kg

  Females - 130-150cms long, 75-85cms to shoulder height, weigh 30-50kgs.

• Origin

  Native to the Mediterranean region and parts of the Middle East. They have been introduced widely in Europe, and to parts of North and South America, southern Africa, and Australasia.

• Habitat

  Mixed woodland and open grassland.

• Diet

  The main diet for the Fallow Deer is grass, herbs, foliage, nuts, berries, bark, and fungi. They prefer an open clearing with plenty of grass and other ground plants. During the day, the deer usually rest and ruminate (chew the cud) in undergrowth, they rarely drink and appear to get all the water they need from dew and moisture in plants.

• Breeding

  Does give birth to a single fawn after a gestation period of 31-32 weeks. She usually leaves the herd to look for a hiding place to give birth. After the fawn is born, it remains in its hiding place (in bushes or dense vegetation). The doe returns every four hours to feed it until it is about 4 months old, when it joins the herd. The fawn is weaned at 7-9 months.

• Status

  Least concern.

• Did you know?

  A male fallow deer is a buck, a female is a doe, and a baby deer is a fawn.

  Only bucks have antlers - these are broad and shovel shaped. They first begin to grow antlers after 2 years and from then on, each year in April, the antlers are shed and re grow a little larger and more elaborate each year.

EMU (DROMAIUS NOVAEHOLLANDIAE)

• Description
  The emu is the largest bird native to Australia and after the ostrich, is the second largest bird that survives today. Emus are a soft-feathered, light brown bird, their feathers darker at the tip. Like all birds in the ratite group, it is flightless, although unlike some it does have tiny wings hidden under the feathers.

• Size

  Up to 2 metres in height, and weigh between 30 - 45 kg

• Origin

  Australia

• Habitat

  Common over most of mainland Australia, although it avoids heavily populated areas, dense forest and arid areas.

• Diet

  Emus are omnivorous, therefore, their diet is similar to chickens and consists of seeds, grains, weeds, flowers, leaves, fruit, vegetables, insects and other small creatures.

• Breeding

  The female emu lays eggs from November to May. The male incubates the eggs - usually 10 - 12. Incubation takes 50-60 days. Newly hatched chicks are active and can leave the nest within a few days. They stand about 25cm tall and have distinctive brown and cream stripes for camouflage. These fade after about 3 months. The male stays with the growing chicks for up to 18 months, defending them and teaching them how to find food.

• Call

  Loud booming, drumming and grunting sounds that can be heard up to 2 km's away. The booming sound is created in an inflatable neck sac.

• Status

  Least concern.

• Did you know?

  Emus can live up to 20 years.

  Emus can travel great distances at a fast, economical trot and, if necessary, can sprint at 31 mph for some distance at a time. They are opportunistically nomadic and may travel long distances to find food.

RHEA (RHEA AMERICANUS)

• Description
  The rhea's plumage is drab grey-brown in both sexes, the base of the males' neck is black. There are no tail feathers, the legs and bill are light brown. Their wings are proportionally larger than other ratites and they use them to help gain speed and stability for quick sharp turns. The rhea is a flightless bird but is a fast runner, reaching speeds of up to 40mph. The rhea has only 3 toes which allows it to run faster than if it had 4 and when it runs its' neck is almost horizontal to the ground. The life span of the rhea is 20-25 years in the wild and around 40 years in captivity.

• Size

  4 - 6ft, 47 - 70 lbs

• Origin

  South America.

• Habitat

  They are found in grasslands, savannahs, scrub forests, and even deserts, but they prefer areas with at least some tall vegetation.

• Diet

  Rheas are omnivores, preferring broad-leafed plants, but also eating seeds, roots, fruit, insects, and small vertebrates.

• Breeding

  The rhea is polygamous, with the male courting between 2 and 12 females. After mating, the male builds a nest in which each female lays her eggs. The male incubates from 10 to 60 sixty. The chicks hatch within 36 hours of each other.

• Status

  Near threatened

• Did you know?

  The male rhea, once he begins to incubate the eggs, becomes so broody and protective that the female rhea cannot get to the nest to lay more eggs. She has to lay them nearby.

  While caring for the babies, the male will charge at anyone - including humans and female rheas who approach the chicks.

  Rheas are farmed in North America and Europe. While the main produce is meat and eggs, rhea oil is also used for cosmetics and soap.

OSTRICHES (STRUTHIO CAMELUS)

• Answer to

  OLLIE and OZZIE

• Description
  Males are mostly black, with some white at the wings and tail and females are greyish-brown, with a bit of white. The feathers are soft and quite different from the stiff air-foil feathers of flying birds. They serve as insulation. There are claws on two of the wing fingers. The strong legs don't have feathers. The bird stands on two toes, with the bigger toe resembling a hoof. This is an adaptation unique to ostriches and appears to aid fast running. The eyes of the ostrich are the biggest of all living land animals and are rimmed with thick, black lashes. Only whales have bigger eyes. The ostrich has a long neck and legs.

• Size

  8 - 9ft, 330lb

• Origin

  Africa - both north and south of the equatorial forest zone.

• Habitat

  Found on the savannahs and semi-deserts.

• Diet

  They mainly feed on seeds and other plant matter. Occasionally, they also eat animal matter such as locusts. Lacking teeth, they swallow pebbles that help to grind the swallowed foods in the gizzard. They can also go without water for a long time, exclusively living off the moisture in the ingested plants. However, they like water and frequently take baths.

• Call

  'Boo boo booh000000', also whistling, snorting, and guttural noises.

• Status

  Not globally threatened, but on the decline in the wild

• Did you know?

  In popular mythology, the ostrich is famous for hiding its' head in the sand at the first sign of danger. There have been no recorded observations of this behaviour. A common counter-argument is that the species that displayed this behaviour would not likely have survived very long. The myth may have resulted from the fact that, from a distance, when ostriches feed they appear to be burying their head in the sand because they deliberately swallow sand and pebbles.

  The life span of an ostrich is around 40 years in captivity (unknown in the wild).

  The ostrich is flightless and is capable of running at about 40 mph.

BENNETTS WALLABY (WALLABIA RUFOGUSCUS)

• Answers to

  WALLY and SHEILA

• Description
  The wallaby is a marsupial in the kangaroo family and is normally grey and brown with a white stomach. The female has a pouch in which they carry their young. Wallabies are also 'macro pods', which means 'big foot'. They have short arms with clawed fingers, strong legs, and long feet with 4 clawed toes.

• Size
  

  Up to 2.5ft, 30 - 50lbs

• Origin
  

  Wallabies are found in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and some surrounding islands. There are also reports of wild wallaby colonies in The Peak District, Loch Lomond, Devon, and East Sussex.

• Habitat
  

  Woodlands and coastal scrublands.

• Diet
  

  The wallaby is a herbivore and eats grass, hay, leaves, plants, bark, twigs, fruit, and vegetables. Like cows they have 'ructus' which is 'more than one stomach'.

• Breeding
  

  When a baby is born, it is tiny, blind, and not fully developed. It must find its' own way into the mother's pouch. The baby pulls itself along its' mothers' body by using its' front claws. When it reaches the pouch it begins to feed on the mother's milk. The baby is then carried in the pouch for 37 weeks, and then suckled for a further 9 months. Babies are called 'joeys'.

• Status
  

  Least concern.

• Did you know?
  

  Wallabies groom their entire body daily, combing their hair with their claws and teeth and even washing their faces and behind their ears like a cat. There is absolutely no smell to a wallaby at any stage of its life.

  The joeys box and wrestle each other when young but as they mature the females act like young ladies and the males act like typical boys. The males spar or box each other daily throughout life as a form of recreation.