Domestic cattle are large, heavy mammals that vary in size and appearance. Although there are many breeds of cattle, only Milking Shorthorn and Dutch Belted are represented at Lincoln Park Zoo. These heritage breeds are not as large as some other dairy cows. Milking Shorthorns, “established” in the 18th century in Northeastern England, are usually…
True to their name, Solomon Islands leaf frogs resemble leaves in both color and shape. These small terrestrial frogs have a triangular head and coloration that varies from brown to gold to green. Their appearance helps them blend into their habitat. Nocturnal animals, Solomon Islands leaf frogs hunt for insects at night. Females lay eggs…
Northern blue-tongued skinks are terrestrial lizards measuring up to 22 inches in length with a stout body, large head, and relatively short legs. These skinks range in color, but they usually have a banded pattern. They are omnivores with a diet primarily consisting of plants, insects, small mammals, reptiles, birds, and carrion. Their larger rear…
Green tree pythons are vivid green with a broken stripe of white or dull yellow running down their vertebrate. These snakes can reach up to seven feet long, but adults average at four feet. They spend their entire life in rainforest trees, often preying on rodents and birds while dangling from their roost, using their…
Brush-tailed bettongs can reach up to two and a half feet long, with their tail accounting for nearly half that length, and weigh up to three pounds. Their fur is grayish-brown on top but lighter underneath, and the tips of their muzzle are naked and flesh-colored. Females have a well-developed pouch for caring young, earning…
Tawny frogmouths have gray plumage with occasional black streaks, which allow them to blend into the branches and avoid detection by predators. Nocturnal birds, they use their large, bright yellow eyes and excellent hearing to hunt. Breeding pairs typically return and add to the same nest each year.
Masked lapwings have a bright yellow bill and face, a black crown, a white throat and chest, and gray wings. These birds spend much of their time on the ground searching for worms and insects. They even build their nests on the ground, and defend them by swooping at nearby animals and people.
Laughing kookaburras have a white chest and head, dark brown wings, a brown back, brown stripes around their eyes, and a reddish-colored tail with black bars. They often kill their prey by grasping them with their beak and striking them against their perch. These birds live in territorial groups of three or more birds. Mature…
Kagus are large flightless birds that can reach up to two feet in height. Males and females both have blueish-gray plumage, orange beaks and legs, and red eyes. During courtship displays and territorial disputes, males display a large crest of feathers above their head. They feed on insects and lizards on the forest floor.
Flightless birds, Guam rails are mostly dark brown but have white stripes on their belly. Their compact body enables them to move rapidly through dense vegetation. In the wild, they hunts snails, insects, and lizards.They are territorial and will aggressively defend their area against other birds.
