In July 2009, The Dallas World Aquarium received a pair of Giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) from the Pomerode Zoo in Brazil.

In July 2009, The Dallas World Aquarium received a pair of Giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) from the Pomerode Zoo in Brazil. After a 12-hour, uneventful flight, they arrived at DFW and were brought to their new home where they were treated to a special meal of Asian ants and water! They are known as Giant anteaters in English; in Portuguese they are called Tamandua-bandeira. Tamandua is a local Indian word that means “insect eater” and bandeira means “flag” (because their tail is shaped like a flag).

Gorda (chubby), the female, came from Pantanal, a region in Brazil noted for having these animals. The very small baby anteater was found alone in a burned sugar cane field. It was assumed that her mother had been killed in the fire, leaving the baby alone. She only weighed 8.9 pounds when she arrived at a rescue center where she was hand-raised by a biologist.

Pequeno (little), the male, was found clinging to the back of his mother that had been killed by a car as she tried to cross the road. Desperately crying for help, he was also taken to the rescue center where he met Gorda and two orphans soon became friends!

Myrmecophaga tridactyla is the largest species of living anteaters. They can reach 6.5 feet in length and weigh up to 120 pounds. In their natural habitats, they mainly eat termites and ants. They use their long tongue (up to 20 inches) to reach the termites and ants in their nests. A glue-like substance makes its tongue quite sticky, allowing the anteater to grab and bring the insects into its mouth. Rubbery skin and long hair protect its skin from insect bites.

In captivity, their food is a challenge, since termites and ants are often not an option. At the DWA they are fed a soup-like, blended mixture of sugar beets, bananas, eggs, yogurt, soy milk and dog food. Keepers also treat them to old pieces of wood or tree roots that contain insects – an amazing process to see how quickly the insects disappear!

Gorda and Pequeno will soon be exhibited at DWA, where these truly incredible animals will be enjoyed by all. Although they were hand-raised and are quite tame, they are considered wild animals and can become aggressive and dangerous if disturbed. The four-inch long, sharp claws on their front limbs are to be respected. Giant anteaters walk on the knuckles of their front limbs, with their claws curled under in order to keep them sharp for tearing into insect mounds when looking for food or fending off danger.

Gorda and Pequeno have been showing signs of maturity as their relationship develops into more than just friendship! We hope they will soon become proud parents of a baby anteater, adding one more member to this “nosey” family.

(Rodrigo Lopez)

In South America, it is a general linguistic rule that Brazilians speak Portuguese and everyone else speaks Spanish.

In South America, it is a general linguistic rule that Brazilians speak Portuguese and everyone else speaks Spanish. The exceptions are the three little countries sandwiched between Venezuela and Brazil, on the Caribbean Coast. The Guyanese speak English; the Surinamese speak Dutch. Strictly speaking, French Guiana is not really a country, but an Overseas Department of France, one of its 26 regions.

The birds in French Guiana tend to have colorful names, and perhaps the most unique is “Cet Oiseau mon Pere”, which translates as “This Bird, my Father.” This bird received its name for being bald, squat, solemn-looking and for its tendency to stay in one place for a long time. It may remind some people of “Uncle Fester” from the Addams family.

Its scientific name is Perrisocephalus tricolor, which can be translated from the Greek and Latin as “Three-colored weird-head.” In English, it’s called the Capuchinbird, because of its resemblance to a brown-robed, hooded monk. The dome of feathers behind this bird’s bald scalp resembles a hood (though I think it looks even more like Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula). Another name is calfbird, which could be due to its huge, dark, protuberant eyes, but is certainly chiefly due to its extraordinary call. Reminding many people of those little cow toys you tip upside-down, this deep loud sound is delivered while the male puffs out his feathers in a strange vertical position, looking even weirder than it normally would.

Bizarre courtship rituals are typical of the Cotinga family, of which this species is one of the unique series of 11 kept at the DWA. However, it differs from the more familiar cotingas, such as the Cocks-of-the-rock, the Pompadour cotinga or the Spangled cotinga, in being distinguished by a remarkable appearance rather than brilliant colors. Cotingas are found only in the New World, from Mexico down to Argentina. The Capuchinbird has a rather restricted range, defined by the Orinoco, the Amazon and the Rio Negro. It is found only in mature tropical rainforests. The part of the continent known as the Guianas, comprised of Guiana, Suriname and French Guiana, is where one is most likely to see it. The gatherings of males to perform their fantastic displays are a dream destination for master ecotourists.

Capuchinbirds have always been rare treasures in zoos. It was not until 1953, that the first specimens were brought into captivity, arriving at the Bronx and Philadephia Zoos. Only a few have been kept since. At present, only two places outside South America maintain Capuchinbirds. There is a single male in Holland, at the Parrot Park in Veldhoven and two males and two females at the DWA, kept side by side in the two exhibits which can be seen from the bridge near the entrance to the Orinoco Rainforest. The males now call regularly and can sometimes be observed from a distance, performing their displays. They are best observed with binoculars, as are many of the birds in the DWA collection.

Only one Capuchinbird has ever been hatched in captivity, at the San Diego Zoo in 1992. Needless to say, hopes are high that DWA will soon be as successful breeding these remarkable birds as it has been with their relatives, the Cocks-of-the-rock.

(by Josef Lindholm)

The word pigeon may often be associated with aggravation, pest or control.

The word pigeon may often be associated with aggravation, pest or control. The Victoria crowned pigeons (Goura victoria) exhibited near the elevator in Cafe Maya will certainly pique your interest in pigeons and add a more positive connotation to the word!

They are the largest living pigeons (moving into this hierarchy after the demise of their relatives, the Dodos). Like other pigeons, these gregarious birds live in large flocks. Unlike most pigeons, they do not “coo” but emit deep, loud booming calls when communicating with each other. These sounds can be heard echoing throughout the forests in New Guinea.

The steel gray-blue bird is quite spectacular with its crest of white-tipped, lacy feathers. Other striking features are the rich maroon plumage below, pale gray wing patches and a bright red eye. It is the coveted “crown” that has made this bird a prize that has been hunted for years, even though strict laws now protect this species.

A new exhibit in the Orinoco rainforest is home to one of the most beautiful snakes of the South American region, or perhaps in the world.

A new exhibit in the Orinoco rainforest is home to one of the most beautiful snakes of the South American region, or perhaps in the world. Known as the Brazilian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria), it is one of ten subspecies. The various subspecies are distinguished by their markings and the regions in which they are found.

The Brazilian rainbow boa is a medium-size snake (males can reach four feet in length and the larger females are often six feet long). The snake gets its common name from the iridescence of its skin which can be seen in good light. Tiny ridges in the scales act as prisms, refracting the light. The color of the Rainbow boa ranges from orange, red to reddish-brown, with dark brown or black-rimmed rings and spots on its back and sides.

These snakes are indigenous to the lush forests of Brazil and bordering countries. They are nocturnal and usually found near rivers and swamps. Although mostly terrestrial, they have been found in trees. In captivity, if given the opportunity, some will climb. Like other boas, the Rainbow has heat-sensitive pits on its head, which assist in locating warm-blooded prey (such as small mammals, birds, eggs and lizards) when hunting at night.

Because of its terrestrial habits, look for the boa at the bottom of the exhibit, where it will probably be coiled under the plants or taking a bath in the pond. The exhibit is shared with three brown basilisks who occupy the highest branches.

(Luis Sigler)

Living at the bottom of the Southern Australia exhibit is the interesting, but often difficult to find.

Living at the bottom of the Southern Australia exhibit is the interesting, but often difficult to find, Tassled anglerfish (Rhycherus filamentosus). Endemic to the rocky reefs of South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, it somewhat resembles a mass of seaweed rolling about the bottom at depths up to 200 feet. Covered with hairy tassles, the anglerfish has three extended dorsal-fin spines on its head. The first spine is the “lure” (illicium), adorned at the end with the “bait” (esca) – thus the common name of anglerfish. The bait varies among anglerfish from simple tissue balls, to those that resemble marine animals, such as fish, crustaceans or worms. The esca of the Tassled anglerfish looks like a fleshy worm that entices unsuspecting prey. The large inconspicuous mouth can accommodate prey that may be two-thirds the size of the anglerfish, which is swallowed whole.

In addition to numerous filaments and warts on their skin, Tassled anglerfish can change their color to match their background with much accuracy, allowing them to blend into the vegetation or coral, becoming almost indiscernible from their surroundings. Their patience for catching the next meal is remarkable, often sitting motionless until observers decide they are not going to ever move! When they do, they usually move about by “walking” on their pectoral fins, however, they can surprise you when they forcefully expel water from a small opercular opening, generally behind and below the pectoral fins, giving them a “jet propelled-type” locomotion!

"Ocean’s Child" by Christine Ford and Trish Holland is a simple bedtime story about a mother and child

"Ocean’s Child" by Christine Ford and Trish Holland is a simple bedtime story about a mother and child who canoe along the Alaskan Beaufort seacoast under the Northern Lights. Along the way they say good night to ocean animals they see - otters, dolphins, polar bears, puffins, etc. The book ends with human mother and her sleeping child gliding home for the night. “Good night, Mother Ocean, good night.”

The illustrations by David Diaz bring to life the beauty of the ocean and skies. An accomplished illustrator, Mr. Diaz was awarded the 1995 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations of Smoky Night.

The authors, Christine Ford and Trish Holland, live in Texas. The DWA will have the pleasure of Christine Ford at a book signing on Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in the Book Store. This book is for ages two to five and sells for $15.99. Stop by on the 31st and have your book signed! Members receive a 10% discount.