After two months of renovations, the former Cotton-top Tamarin exhibit has a new face, new residents and a new name - Toucan Heights. The tropical rainforest exhibit, which occupies the corner of the rainforest above the Orinoco crocodiles, is now 35 feet tall and double the previous floor space.

After two months of renovations the former Cotton-top tamarin exhibit has a new face, new residents and a new name - Toucan Heights.

The tropical rainforest exhibit, which occupies the corner of the rainforest above the Orinoco crocodiles, is now 35 feet tall and double the previous floor space. Toucan Heights features a rock wall with a trickling waterfall that runs down the wall into a small pond and a second waterfall that sprinkles into the Orinoco crocodile exhibit. There are also three large palm trees that give the many animals places to hang out. The exhibit houses eight species and 16 specimens, making it one of the most diverse exhibits at the aquarium. Residents of Toucan Heights include:

• Plate-billed mountain toucans (Andigena laminostris) are native to the Pacific slope of Ecuador and southwest Colombia. In the wild these beautiful blue toucans can live up to 9,000 feet above sea level.
• Ivory-billed aracaris (Pteroglossus azara) are some of the smallest members of the toucan family. They have a striking white bill with black tooth-like tick marks along the edge. Ivory-billed aracaris are very rare in captivity. The DWA was also the first facility to successfully breed this species outside of South America.
• Many-banded aracaris (Pteroglossus pluricinctus) are medium-sized members of the toucan family. They are mainly fruit eaters but will also eat insects. Aracaris live among the trees and nest in holes in tree trunks. Currently, The DWA is the only facility to publicly display Plate-billed mountain toucans, Ivory-billed aracaris and Many-banded aracaris.
• Sunbitterns (Eurypyga helias) are the only species in the Eurypygidae family. They thrive on small fish and insects which they spear by thrusting their sharp beak forward with quick accuracy. These birds rarely fly but instead prefer to walk along the ground in search of food.
• Cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) share the many branches and vines in the exhibit. These monkeys are about the size of a squirrel and weigh less than a pound. They are territorial and use scent to mark their territory. In the wild their diet consists of 40 percent insects with the remainder being fruit and tree sap. They are endangered due to habitat loss in the humid tropical and dry deciduous forests of Colombia.
• Peruvian red-necked owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) are the only nocturnal New World primates. Unlike other nocturnal mammals, they lack a tapetum lucidum, a layer of light gathering cells on the back of the cornea that gives many nocturnal animals a reflective eye-shine and they also have color vision. They feed primarily on fruit but supplement their diet with flowers, insects, nectar and leaves. They are native to the tropical rainforest of Brazil, Colombia and Peru.
• The Southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla), an arboreal species of anteater, is pale yellow in color and weighs between seven and 15 pounds. A prehensile tail is used to negotiate through the rainforest trees in search of insects. The long snout holds its sticky tongue that is used to catch ants and other small insects as it uncovers them with powerful large claws.
• Dwarf cherry-headed tortoises (Geochelone carbonaria) grow to eight inches in length and in the wild, feast on red and yellow flowers, wild mushrooms, vines, grasses and leaves. This tortoise is native to central and northern South America and is protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

With this many species making this exhibit their home, there is never a dull moment so stop by and see what's going on at Toucan Heights next time you visit The Dallas World Aquarium.

Madagascar, an island nation off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, is the fourth largest island in the world (approximately 226,597 square miles). It is home to five percent of the world's plant and animal species (more than 80 percent of which are endemic).

Madagascar, an island nation off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, is the fourth largest island in the world (approximately 226,597 square miles). It is home to five percent of the world's plant and animal species (more than 80 percent of which are endemic).

It is believed that 50% of all species of chameleons can be found on this island. One of the most colorful species can be seen in the outdoor Madagascar exhibit at The Dallas World Aquarium -- the Parson's chameleon (Chamaeleo parsonii). It is one of the world's heaviest and largest chameleons. The male, slightly larger than the female, can reach two feet in length. The male is adorned with blunt nasal shovel-like "horns" that are used during their ritualistic dominance and territorial competitions.

Females are generally a bright green color with curved, diagonal stripes. The primary colors of the male are brilliant green, turquoise-blue and yellow, with a central lateral dot. The bright yellow or orange eye turrets make the large, bulging eyes very obvious. The eyelids cover all but a small opening over the pupil and each eye can move independently, allowing the chameleon to see 360 degrees without turning its head.

Chameleons are "sit and wait" predators. The tongue can quickly be projected to a length up to 1.5 times that of its body. A sticky, suction tip on the end allows the chameleon to catch its prey (preferably large insects or small vertebrates) and quickly draw its tongue back into its mouth.

A long-lived species, Chamaeleo parsonii reach sexual maturity at three to five years of age. Despite a long life expectancy of more than 20 years, imported captive specimens are not easy to accommodate because of their close ties to their natural environment. Only two living young have been produced from a single incubation in captivity and this event still awaits publication. Breeding in captivity is a real accomplishment. Listed as Appendix II of CITES, Parson's chameleons are considered vulnerable to extinction because population densities are low in their limited native range. Conservation is dependent on prevention of commercial trade and preservation of suitable habitat.

On February 28, 2007, the first Ornate hawk eagle (Spizaetus ornatus) hatched at The Dallas World Aquarium. The Dallas Zoo and DWA are the only AZA accredited facilities in the U.S. to maintain this species.

On February 28, 2007, the first Ornate hawk eagle (Spizaetus ornatus) hatched at The Dallas World Aquarium. The Dallas Zoo and DWA are the only AZA accredited facilities in the U.S. to maintain this species.

Named "Audrey" by its keepers, the hatchling was hand fed for two months, at which time the young bird could eat on its own. It has been decided the bird is a male, so it is now called "Andy". As seen in the photo taken in March, he seemed to be all legs. The picture taken on April 28th, shows him observing visitors as they walk down Corbin Street. Andy is now housed in the off-exhibit breeding aviary.

April 18, 2007	April 28, 2007

The Ornate hawk eagle is a medium-large raptor (approximately 23 - 25 inches in length and 2.6 pounds in weight). An adult Ornate hawk eagle has a prominent, black pointed crest and crown and a black, hooked bill. The head, sides of the neck and breast are bright chestnut. The chin, throat and upper breast are white. The powerful feet and eyes are yellow. Both sexes are similar but the female is slightly larger than the male.

This formidable bird of prey lives in tropical forests in Central and South America, from Central Mexico to northern Argentina and Paraguay (also in Trinidad and Tobago). It hunts with stealth and ambush, taking prey from the ground, on branches or in flight. Their diet includes birds, small mammals and reptiles.

Many of the most interesting and important animals in the rainforest are often overlooked, simply because of their size. It is easier to see a large toucan than a small tanager, although the colors and behaviors are equally as intriguing. Several of these smaller, colorful "jewels" will be on display in the new Jungle Jewels exhibit being built on the right side of the entrance into the rainforest.

Many of the most interesting and important animals in the rainforest are often overlooked, simply because of their size. It is easier to see a large toucan than a small tanager, although the colors and behaviors are equally as intriguing. Several of these smaller, colorful "jewels" will be on display in the new Jungle Jewels exhibit being built on the right side of the entrance into the rainforest.

Tanagers are a group of small perching birds restricted to the New World tropics. Although some species are only black and white in color, the majority of tanagers are brightly colored (males and females usually have similar plumage, although some males may be more brightly colored than females). Their common names are usually descriptive of their colors or unique patterns, such as the Speckled tanager. Chlorophonians are small, bright yellow and green, tanager-like birds that inhabit cloud forests from Mexico to South America.

Manakins are a family of some sixty small passerine bird species that are usually found in lowland forests. These are compact, fruit-eating birds, with males typically being brightly colored; females of most species are usually drab olive green and yellow. Like tanagers, their names are often descriptive of their colors or patterns, such as the Golden collared manakin. Many of these tiny beautiful gems have some of the most spectacular lekking courtship displays of any species.

Barbets get their name from the bristles that outline their wide, heavy bills. These plump, colorful birds have short necks and large heads. American barbets, found in the forested areas of the Neotropics, feed on fruit and insects.

The Antillean crested hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) will add a beautiful metallic color to the exhibit. The flattened, pointed green crest makes the male of this species easy to identify.

Scattered throughout the exhibit will be DWA captive born Dendrobates species such as the Black and green poison frog (Dendrobates auratus).

The Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), one of the world's oldest animals, is estimated to be more than 300 million years old. Its survival can be attributed to such factors as: able to endure extreme temperatures and salinity, can survive in low oxygen environments and can go for extended periods without eating (up to one year).

The Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), one of the world's oldest animals, is estimated to be more than 300 million years old. Its survival can be attributed to such factors as: able to endure extreme temperatures and salinity, can survive in low oxygen environments and can go for extended periods without eating (up to one year).

The heavily armored, bottom-dwelling creatures are arthropods, part of the group that includes spiders, insects, scorpions and crabs. They are closer in form to scorpions and spiders because they lack antennae and jaws. The helmet-shaped shell is made of a tough, but flexible, material called chitin. The front part if the shell is somewhat shaped like the hoof or "shoe" of a horse (houses the pincers, eyes and mouth); the middle part is the triangular-shaped abdomen; the back part is the sharp pointed tail (used as a rudder to aid in moving through mud or sand and for turning itself over if it gets turned upside down). The first two parts are hinged, allowing the crab to bend in the middle. Adult females are often twice as large as males, reaching two feet in length, including the tail.

Not only are Horseshoe crabs the oldest living relic in the aquarium, they are probably of more medicinal value than any other creature. Of the many medicinal research projects and derived products from the Horseshoe crab, they are probably best known for their copper-based blood (that turns bright blue when exposed to air) that has an extract used to test the purity of medicines used in humans.

One of the world's rarest and most elusive mammals is the Matschie's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei). There is little information regarding this extraordinary mammal and we were excited to be able to obtain the book "Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea" by Sy Montgomery.

One of the world's rarest and most elusive mammals is the Matschie's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei). There is little information regarding this extraordinary mammal and we were excited to be able to obtain the book "Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea" by Sy Montgomery. The story follows the author, scientist Lisa Dabek, photographer Nic Bishop and a whole crew of international and local explorers as they trek through the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea to gather information about the Matschie's tree kangaroo. This book is full of photos and information about Papua New Guinea, its people, flora and fauna. It is available in the Book Store for $18.00 (less your member discount).

"Diego" and "Reeses", the tree kangaroos at The Dallas World Aquarium, are part of the Indo-Pacific exhibits on the main ramp of the Mundo Maya entrance. If you enter through the members entrance, you may have missed the many outdoor plants and animals - if so, it is worth a walk, either up or down the 200-foot ramp to enjoy the sights.