Cameron Park Zoo
Self-Guided Tour
Due to the large number of school groups that visit the zoo each year, we are not able to provide all
groups with guided tours. The Education Department hopes that you will find the following
information helpful in maximizing your student's learning experience at the zoo.
WHITE-HANDED GIBBONS - In addition to the gibbons on the island, you may be able to find a
pair of Black Swan swimming through the water or walking around.
 White Handed Gibbons are the smallest of the apes.
 Their fur is twice as dense compared to other Old World apes
 Gibbons may spend a half hour or more calling and displaying at dawn and dusk.
 Grooming each other and vocalizing reinforces social bonds.
 Long arms are adapted to moving about in the trees; they hold their long arms up high for balance when
walking on the ground.
 Gibbons are the pickiest eaters in the primate world preferring fruits that are high in sugar
Black Swan
Are exclusively herbivores; feeding on invertebrates is accidental
Wingspan reaches a width of five to six feet
BALD EAGLES
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The term "bald" comes from an old British word "bold", meaning white.
In birds of prey, females are generally larger than males
Bald Eagles build large nests or aeries; they add more material to it each year making it larger and
stronger.
Runoff from the use of the pesticide DDT washed into rivers and streams and concentrated in fish, which
are the principle diet of fish. Ingestion of the chemical cause females to lay eggs with brittle shells that
broke easily during incubation.
The bald eagle was declared an endangered species in 1967, in 1995, it moved into the threatened species
category. In 2007, it was officially de-listed.
The Bald Eagle is still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act which prohibit the „taking‟ of these eagles and even the ownership of such items such as
feathers; exceptions are made for Native American tribes which use such items in rituals
MACAWS
Military Macaw
 Can grow to be 28 inches in length with a 14 inch wingspan
 These birds are not easily frightened
 Very social; in captivity, they may frequently breed with related species
 They get their name due to many being imported to Europe as pets by military personnel
Green-Wing Macaw
Can grow to be 26 to 36 inches in length with a 41 to 46 inch wingspan
It is the second largest macaw in the world
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GALAPAGOS TORTOISES - In addition to two Galapagos Tortoises, the exhibit also includes an
Aldabra Tortoise; these two species are some of the largest tortoises in the world, as well as some of the most
long-lived of all animals. During cool weather, the tortoises are not on exhibit.
 The thirteen subspecies of Galapagos Tortoises are only found on nine islands that form the Galapagos
Archipelago; three of these subspecies are now thought to be extinct.
 Weight may reach up to 660 lbs. and can grow to be six feet long
 They are strict herbivores eating only grasses and other plant life. Zoo diet is fresh fruits and vegetables.
 Share a symbiotic relationship with a subspecies of the Galapagos finch; the finch cleans it of parasitic
ticks which the finch consumes
 Their life expectancy is unknown, but excepted to be around 200 years.
 In June 2006, Harriet, the oldest living animal in captivity at the time, died at the age of 176.
Aldabra Tortoise
 Average male weight is around 551 lbs.
 The main population of these tortoises live on the protected Aldabra Atoll off the coast of Africa
 They get most of their water from the plants it eats
 Just like the Galapagos Tortoise, their life expectancy is unknown
 With the death of Harriet last year, the oldest living animal in captivity is Esmeralda, a 170 year
old Aldabra Tortoise
EL REY DE LA MONTANA
King Vulture
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Typically nests in rock ledges or in tree stumps
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All vultures serve an important conservation role as “nature‟s clean up crew”
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The King Vulture is the largest and most colorful vulture found in the Americas
Capybara
 Females will nurse any young
 They are crepuscular being most active at dawn and dusk
Two-toed Sloth
 Lives most of its life upside down
 Algae growing on its fur makes it appear green and serves as camouflage
* During cool weather conditions, the sloth can be seen in its exhibit alongside South America
Patagonian Cavy
 Has been clocked running 18 – 27 mph and can hop as high as six and half feet
Squirrel Monkey
 Eats mostly leaves and fruit with occasional lizards, eggs and insects
 Lives in the upper canopy of the rainforest and is the most vocal of primates
Patagonian Conure
 Olive colored head, bright orange and yellow belly, bright blue and green tipped wings
* During cool weather conditions, the conure can be seen in its exhibit alongside the sloth
Scarlet Ibis
 Attain their color from the carotene in its food
 Although they‟re the national bird of Trinidad, they have not bred on the island in the last 30
years.
Agouti
 After about an hour, newborns become independent of their mothers
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 Sit down like people to eat using their front feet to hold their food
Common Green Iguana
 Can fall from the upper branches of trees 40 to 50 ft. high if they feel threatened
 Males have a row of pores on the underside of each thigh that serve an unknown purpose
 Off exhibit during cooler weather.
BRAZOS RIVER COUNTRY EXHIBIT
Saltwater Aquarium- Enter our shipwrecked Spanish Galleon and discover the marine fish of the Flower
Garden Reef that live in the Texas Gulf Coast. Also, see a natural coral reef exhibit beside the artificial reef
exhibit.
Shore Birds Aviary- Walk through the Texas Coastline and get a close up look at the various birds that live
in the region. Some of these birds include the white pelican, heron gull, black-necked stilt, and American
black duck.
American Alligator
 One of two living alligator species in the world
 The species has changed little during the million of years that they have been around
 Listed as an „endangered species‟ in 1967; however, their population has increased to where they
were de-listed in 1987
 Although their numbers have rebounded in most of their historic range, they still face dangers in
Florida due to temperature extremes and limited food resources
 Will eat almost anything, even Florida black bears and jaguars
 Alligators are illegal to have as pets in the state of Texas
East Texas Piney Woods- Discover some of the various wildlife that call the pine forests of East Texas
home
Cougar
 The largest cat in the „little‟ cat family
 Also known as the Puma or Mountain Lion
 Can jump as far as 40 ft. and one was once seen jumping 18 ft. straight into the air
Crested Caracara
 Have a four foot long wingspan
 Most terrestrial falcon, preferring to make stick nests on the ground
 National bird of Mexico
Black Bear
 Most common bear species native to North America
 Listed as threatened in Louisiana, east Texas, and southern Mississippi
 Two of the most iconic cartoon bears in our society are based on the black bear; Smokey the Bear
was based on a cub found after a forest fire and the creation of Winnie the Pooh was inspired by
Winnipeg bear.
River Otter
 Tail makes up 30-40% of their total body weight
 Since their eyes are adapted for underwater vision, they are nearsighted on land
 Although not nationally endangered, they are listed as endangered in many states and threatened
in others
Blackland Prairie/ Post Oak Savannah- View our „Living Relics‟ in the Braz Walker building, explore life
as a Hueco Indian, be a paleontologists at the fossil dig, and enjoy the flowers with the butterflies
Braz Walker River Encounter Building- As you enter, you‟ll notice our „living relics‟ exhibit. Running
parallel to the exhibit is another freshwater aquarium filled with various fish and turtles that you would find
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in the Brazos River. You can also view additional Texas native reptiles, amphibians that live here to.
Paddlefish
Is one of two living paddlefish species
Its rostrum, or snout, is lined with electrosensors that allow it to detect the small electric fields
generated by its food source
Bowfin
Is the only survivor of a family of fish that first appeared in the Jurassic
Has several sharp teeth set in a powerful jaw
Can use its swim bladder to breathe air on land
Shovelnose Sturgeon
Instead of scales, it is covered in bony plates
Smallest of the North American sturgeon
Hueco Indian Lodges- Replicas of the shelter built by the indigenous people of the area for whom Waco is
named after
Fossil Dig- Pretend to be a paleontologist unearthing one of the many Columbian Mammoth fossils at our
replica of the Waco Mammoth Site
Butterfly Gardens- Stop by and indulge yourself with the scents and colors of the various flowers while
butterflies and other nectar-loving insects look for food
Prairies & Cross Timbers- Explore the open grasslands of Texas and its surrounding forests
Coyote
 19 subspecies; 16 in North America and Mexico and three in Central America
 Live up to 10 years in the wild and up to 18 in captivity
 Male pups leave six to seven months after birth, while the females stay to form the basis of the
pack
* Shares exhibit with ocelot; put on exhibit Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Ocelot
 Usually ranges in Mexico, Central America and South America; sightings have been reported in
Texas
 They have been hunted since the time of the Aztecs for their fur
* Shares exhibit with coyotes; put on exhibit Tuesday, Thursday, and on the weekends
Jaguar
 Third largest feline in the world
 Ranges from Mexico, Central America into Paraguay and northern Argentina
 Like the tiger, it enjoys swimming
 Has a powerful bite enabling it to deliver fatal blows directly to the brain
Edwards Plateau
Harley Berg Brazos at Night Building- Get an up-close of look of some of the nocturnal animals that most
people never see.
Great Horned Owl
 Utilizes the nests of other birds
 Can take down prey two to three times its size
Porcupine
 Closest relative is the beaver
 Second largest rodent in North America
Striped Skunk
 Anal glands carry about a tablespoon of musk; enough for five to six jets
Raccoon
 The male will stay with the female a month prior to mating till the young are born; otherwise,
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raccoons are generally solitary
Jamaican Fruit Bat & Seba Island Fruit Bat
 Not native to Texas, native species eat insects and are too difficult to keep in captivity
 Seba Island bats are smaller than the Jamaican bats
Nine-banded Armadillo
 Each litter consists of four identical siblings
 Can jump up to 4 feet straight up when startled
Virginia Opossum
 Sexes only interact during the mating season
 Only marsupial in North America
Barn Owl
 Their large eyes can gather light very well, but focus poorly at close range
 Introduced in Malaysia to control rats with great success; each family killed around 1,300 rats per
year.
Screech Owl
 Are poor nest builders
 Their call is more of a weird trembling sound rather than a screech
Cap Rock
American Bison
 Largest terrestrial animal in North America
 Bison have few enemies, besides humans
 Native Americans hunted bison for food
TEXAS RANCH HOUSE - The building contains the Education Department classroom and animals. If
you would like to schedule an education program, call 750-8400.
White-Tailed Deer
 Very common in Texas
 Unlike horns, the males antlers fall of every winter and regenerate the following spring
Collared Peccary
 Is also called a javelina
 They have poor eyesight and good hearing
Wild Turkey
 Turkey‟s have between 5,000-6,000 feathers
 Hens nest on the ground at the base of a tree or in tall grass, they roost in trees at night
HERPETARIUM
Giant Snakes of the World- When entering, you‟ll notice an exhibit on either side of you; both of these
contain one of two of the largest snakes in the world. To your immediate left, is a Green Anaconda and to
your right is a Reticulated Python. Also, in the exhibit with the Reticulate Python is a Burmese Python.
Jewels of the Jungle- Across the bridge, you‟ll find several species of venomous and non-venomous snakes
as well as turtles and a dwarf caiman. Additionally, try to find the non-venomous snake that looks like the
venomous Florida Cottonmouth.
Gems of the Desert- Come view the snakes and lizards that call the desert their home. While you‟re here,
take the time to discover that while our culture demonizes snakes, some cultures consider them sacred.
Rattlesnake Den- Finish up your tour in the company of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. Here you‟ll
learn how to identify it and the various color mutations that are present with the species.
HERPATERIUM AVIARY
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Turkey Vulture
 Have the most highly developed sense of smell among all animals
 Feed on carrion to garbage; their feet are too weak and flat to kill an animal
 The bald head prevents the transfer of bacteria from carrion
American Black Vulture
Since it does not have a developed since of smell, it follows Turkey Vultures and steals their food
If startled, it will regurgitate to deter predators and decrease its weight for flight.
Roadrunner
 Is capable of short term flight; usually, when it senses danger or is going downhill
 It can eat rattlesnakes; however, if it cannot swallow the snake‟s entire length, it will walk around
slowly swallowing the snake as it digests
Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine
Porcupines are born with soft quills that harden in a few hours.
AFRICAN AVAIRY
Blue-Bellied Roller
The „roller‟ part of its name comes from the rolling it displays in courtship rituals
Red-Billed Hornbill
After mating, the female encloses herself and her nest in a cavity and remains sheltered till the
eggs hatch; during this time, the male feeds her through a small opening
Sacred Ibis
 Worshipped by the ancient Egyptians as the symbol for the god Thoth; ironically, the Sacred
Ibis is now extinct in Egypt
Helmeted Guineafowl
 Large bird with a round body and small head
 Very agile and powerful flyers, capable of hovering and even flying backwards when necessary
GUENTHER'S DIK-DIK & KORI BUSTARD
Dik-Dik
 Notice the mobile snout, the upper lip is able to grasp (similar to the tip of an elephant trunk).
 Crescent-shaped scent glands near eyes.
 Diet includes grass and shrubs.
Kori Bustard
 It is the heaviest flying bird weighing over 30 lbs. and standing three feet tall
 Bustards are only found in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia
AFRICAN SAVANNA
Giraffe
 Are the tallest living animals reaching heights of 18 feet
 Five minutes after birth, a newborn calf can stand on its own and begin foraging fifteen minutes
later
Greater Kudu
 Second largest antelope
 Can jump nine feet without much effort
Southern Generek
 Females are independent from their mothers at one year, while males become independent at two
 They require little water and stand on their hind feet to reach food
Maribou Stork
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 Is a scavenger, but will also eat live prey
African Crowned Crane
 Has a “crown” of stiff yellow feathers on its head
WHITE RHINOCEROS
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"White" came from the African word "weit" which means wide, referring to square mouth and lip.
The square lip enables the rhino to be an excellent grazer.
Poor eyesight (students can squint to help them imagine how rhinos see).
May live to be 45 years of age.
 The horn is made of compacted hair; unfortunately, human greed for this horn is also the main cause of
the Rhinos endangered status.
AFRICAN WATERFOWL
Lesser Flamingo
 Plumage color results from carotenoid substance in their diet.
 When they eat, they turn their heads nearly upside down and dip their beaks into the water. The
beak then acts like a filter or a net to catch their food.
Sacred Ibis (refer to African Aviary)
African Openbill Stork
 Display elaborate pair bonding behavior during mating
 Communication consists of nasal honking
African Spoonbill
 Feed by „fishing‟ with their bill, snapping at anything that swims by
 The unique spoon-shape of the bill develops as it grows
African Cape Teal
 They are nocturnal.
 Lamellae on the bill‟s border suggest filter feeding is important in finding food
White-Faced Whistling Duck
 Most common duck in Africa and South America
 Adult coloration is attained at four months
African Spur-Thighed Tortoise
Is the largest mainland tortoise
* During cool weather, the tortoise is not on exhibit.
AFRICAN ELEPHANTS
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Elephants can live to 70 or more years of age in captivity.
They use their trunks for many things like: bringing food and water to their mouth, showering their bodies
with water and dust, and as visual communication with other animals. The trunk does not work like a
straw!
Their ears contain many tiny blood vessels. The blood is cooled there in the ears by flapping them; the
cooled blood then travels onward to cool the rest of the body.
MEERKATS
Adults teach the young such behavior as hunting and eating scorpions
They can eat scorpion due to their immunity to the scorpion‟s venom
Like our fingerprints, the bars on the back of the meerkat are unique to each individual
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AFRICAN LION
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The lion is the largest African cat
They live in family groups called prides and are seldom seen alone
Lions are social animals, greeting each other by rubbing heads and faces together.
SUMATRAN TIGERS
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These beautiful animals are among the most endangered tigers in the world; it is believed that there are
less than 300 of these amazing animals remaining in the jungles.
Tigers are hunted for their beautiful pelts, as well as their bones, which are used for medicinal purposes in
some cultures.
Tigers tongues are rough for self-grooming and cleaning off the bones of their prey.
Stripes offer camouflage and protection as they stalk their prey in tall grasses.
KOMODO DRAGON
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The Komodo dragon is the largest living species of lizard.
They have a keen sense of smell.
Komodo dragons have been known to hunt in packs to bring down their prey. The larger dragons eat first,
while smaller dragons get what‟s left over.
Once the baby dragons hatch, they immediately take to the trees so they don‟t become dinner.
A Komodo dragon can eat up to 80% of its body weight in one meal.
ORANGUTAN
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These animals are the largest living arboreal (living in trees) animals with longer arms than any other
great ape. Their arms are twice as long as their legs.
Orangutans are considered critically endangered and are currently found only in rainforests on the islands
of Borneo and Sumatra.
They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making
sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage.
LEMUR ISLAND
Ring-Tailed Lemur
 One of the most vocal primates
 All females help in raising the young
Sclater’s Blue-Eyed Lemur
 The only non-human primate to express the trait for blue eyes
 Females are brown and males are black in color
Red-Ruffed Lemur
 Like all lemurs, native to Madagascar
Thank you for visiting Cameron Park Zoo!
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