Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom
Back by popular demand. Our most successful event in
seven years. Come by this exhibit during Hometown Days and
be amazed.
When: Thursday-Saturday (all day)
Where: Kincaid Fields
Cost: Free
Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom brings a
large variety of exotic animals to every event. From the
rare White Tiger to the Pygmy Hedgehogs, there's something
for everyone!
Cooper
& Cora: African Spur Thigh Tortoise
Also
called Sulcatta Tortoise. Their diet consists of
vegetation such as grasses and hay, and fruit. They
can live up to 120 years and reach a weight of up
to 200 pounds. These are the third largest tortoise
in the world. They are capable of burrowing into
the ground for shelter. Their hard shell offers
protection from predators.
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Drey:
Hamadryas Baboon
These
baboons live in Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia,
and Southwest Arabian Peninsula. An adult male
weighs about 40 pounds and females weigh half of
that. They live in troops and are diurnal. They are
a ground dwelling monkey, but are capable of
climbing. They live up to 35 years and are
considered omnivores.
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Harley:
Java Macaque Monkey
Native
to Southeast Asia in countries such as Java and
Borneo. Their lifespan is about 35 years and they
become mature around 4 years old. They are
omnivores that eat a variety of fruit and some meat
including crustaceans and shellfish when available.
They are diurnal and have arboreal ability but
forage on the ground as well. Monkeys are primates
and are highly social and intelligent.
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Kujo
& Kira: African Leopards
African
Leopards adapt to various habitats, are generally
nocturnal and can climb with great agility. Males
can weigh up to 180 lbs. and females up to 120 lbs.
Being carnivorous, they prey on animals such as
deer, gazelle, wildebeest and wild goats and pigs.
They are mainly solitary animals but occasionally a
male will help the female raise young. Leopards are
on the endangered species list.
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Mohan:
Tiger
Mohan
is currently retired and enjoys lounging on the
farm while the Leopards attend events in his place.
But for your information anyway: Tigers are on the
endangered species list. There are less than 4000
Bengal Tigers left in the wild. They are endangered
due to poaching and habitat destruction/loss. A
male adult weighs about 600 lbs. and females around
3-400 lbs. They are strictly carnivores (meat
eaters). They are solitary in the wild but will
live in groups in captivity. Bengal Tigers are
native to mainly India. Tigers live 8-10 years in
the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. The White
Tiger is even more rare with only about 300 in the
world.
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Ozzy:
Two Toed Sloth
Sloths
are native to the tropical rainforests of south,
central and northern South America in places such
as Brazil and Peru. They have a very low metabolism
and have the lowest body temperature of all mammals
(74.4 to 94.4 degrees farenheit). They are arboreal
and sleep 15 hours per day. They eat twigs, leaves,
fruits and small prey. Their lifespan in captivity
is 30-40 years, in the wild about 15 years.
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Kangaroos
are the largest marsupial in the world. A male can
grow to over 5 feet tall and weigh 175 lbs. Females
are about half the weight of males. They are
grazers and eat mostly grasses and hay. They are
native to Australia. Lifespan is up to 28 years in
captivity (12 to 18 in the wild). Upon breeding,
gestation is only about 30 days. The infant is born
and attaches itself to a teat and then further
develops in the pouch untilit comes out of the
pouch at about 6-11 months old. Normally live in
groups called pods.
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Pokey
& Prickles: African Pygmy Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs
are in the order insectivora. They have small
spines that cover the upper portion of their body
and are used as a defense mechanism. When startled
or when predators approach, they curl up into a
ball protecting themselves. They live in
grasslands, scrub, savannah and suburban gardens.
They are primarily nocturnal. They are omnivores
that eat insects, frogs, lizards, mice, eggs, fruit
and fungi. Lifespan 5-7 years.
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Porky:
African Crested Porcupine
Porcupines
are members of the order Rodentia. Weight is 20-60
pounds. Their quills (used as a defense against
predators) can reach a length of up to 18-20
inches. The tail quills are capable of rattling
when threatened by a predator. They use caves, rock
crevices and burrows for shelter. They are
nocturnal. They do not usually climb trees but can
swim well. Their diet includes roots, tubers,
rhizomes, bulbs, fallen fruits, crops, and
occasionally insects and small invertebrates. They
have sometimes even killed Lions and Leopards by
charging them backwards and ramming their quills
into them. Lifespan 12-15 years.
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Toby:
South American Cougar
Toby
travels occasionally but spends most of his time on
the farm these days. These Cougars are native to
western parts of South America such as Bolivia, and
Argentina. Lifespan is 10-15 years. The main
difference between South American Cougars and those
native to the U.S. is size. South American Cougars
weigh 60-150 lbs and an adult male cougar found in
the U.S. can weigh over 200 pounds. They are
strictly carnivores, and excellent hunters, preying
on deer and small mammals.
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Toto
(& Tori): Ringtail Lemurs
Lemurs
are found only on the island of Madagascar and are
an endangered species. They are considered a Lesser
Primate. They live partly on the ground and partly
in the trees and use their long tail for balance.
They are diurnal (awake both night and day). Diet
is mostly fruits, some leaves, and rarely insects.
Live in groups of about 5-30 animals. Lifespan is
20-25 years.
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Willie:
Capuchin Monkey
Capuchin
Monkeys are native to South America, in Belize,
Honduras, Western Columbia, and Equador. Their
lifespan is about 35 years. They are diurnal and
arboreal. They are omnivores with their diet
consisting of fruits, seeds, bark, eggs, insects
etc...
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