Issue 75
JUNE 2014
The WildTimes
NEW ZOO & ADVENTURE PARK
Photo by Garth Seehawer
Spotlight on: the Green Frog
Green frogs (Lithobates
clamitans) are a very common
frog species found mostly in
the eastern half of the United States and up into Canada.
They average about
three to five inches in length
and, as their name implies,
they are usually green in
color. However, they can
also be brown, greenish
brown, yellowish green, olive
and in rare cases, blue.
Their chest, which is typically brighter than the rest of
their body, displays an array
of small black spots which is
unique to each frog. There
is a large visible circle below
their eye, called the tympanum, and it is used for hearing. Males have a slightly
larger tympanum than females and also have a bright
yellow throat. Their toes are
connected with webbed tissue and their first fingers do
not extend past their second
fingers like in some frog
species.
will eat any reasonably-sized
prey that comes into their
reach. Typical prey items
are things like slugs, snails,
crayfish, spiders, flies, caterpillars, butterflies and moths.
Younger frogs and tadpoles
will usually stick to smaller
organisms such as diatoms,
algae and zooplankton.
Most green frogs can be
both active during the day
and night. They are mostly
solitary animals, only coming
together in large groups to
breed.
To communicate,
they use about six different
voice calls, each with its own
purpose and meaning.
“Advertisement calls” are
given by males during the
breeding season to try and
attract a mate. Male frogs
will also use aggressive
grunts and growls to scare
off other males encroaching
on their territory. Females
use a “release call” to let a
male know that they’re not
interested in breeding.
Males will also use this same
call if they are accidentally
grabbed by another breeding
male. And finally, there is an
“alert call” given by both
sexes when they’re being
attacked by a predator.
Green frogs can be found in
aquatic habitats such as
wooded swamps, ponds,
lakes, marshes, bogs and
riverbanks. During the winter months, they bury themselves in the mud at the bottom of a water body and
hibernate until it becomes Breeding between green
warmer. They are opportun- frogs begins in late spring
istic predators, meaning they and the season usually lasts
Inside this issue:
Conservation Connection: Hope for Red Wolves
2
N.E.W. Zoological Society News
3
Upcoming Events & Things to Remember
4
about one to three months.
Male frogs will find and set
up a breeding territory and
remain there until the breeding season is over. Once a
breeding territory is established, males will sing from it
regularly, hoping to attract a
female. Females will choose
a male based on how good a
territory he’s claimed. Once
a female chooses, the two
frogs will mate and anywhere from 1,000 to 7,000
eggs will be laid. After three
to seven days, the eggs will
hatch into tadpoles and
begin their development into
becoming full grown adult
green frogs.
The NEW Zoo’s green frog,
Bizmaroon, can be seen up
at the Riley Building, near
where the
moose lives.
Bizmaroon shares an exhibit
with the American bullfrogs
– so look closely to spot the
differences between the species next time you’re here!
Article contributed by NEW Zoo Intern
Missy Homan. Sources include: http://
animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/
accounts/
Lithobates_clamitans_clamitans/;
http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/
hobates_clamitans_clamitans/
The June 2014 Paws & Claws Gift
Shop Special is:
10% off all ALLIGATOR
items
Conservation Connection: Hope for Red Wolves
North America is home to two species of
wolves; the gray and the red. The red wolf
is one of the world’s most endangered
wild canids. Once common throughout
the southeastern United States, red wolf
populations were decimated by the 1960’s
due to intensive predator control programs and loss of habitat.
Red wolves are social animals that live in
packs consisting of a breeding adult pair
and their offspring of different years, typically five to eight animals in total. They
prey on a variety of wild mammals, such as
raccoon, rabbit, white-tailed deer, nutria,
and other rodents. Most active at dusk and
dawn, red wolves are elusive and generally
avoid humans and human activity,
After being declared an endangered species in 1973, efforts were initiated to locate and capture as many wild red
wolves as possible. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service established a captive
breeding program for the red wolf and
biologists began to remove remaining red
wolves from the wild in an effort to save
the species from extinction. Over a period
of six years, more than 400 wolf-like
canids were captured in Louisiana and
Texas, but of this number, only 43 were
considered to be purebred red wolves and
were therefore placed in captivity. Further
breeding experiments and blood tests revealed that only 17 of those 43 were true
red wolves. (The other individuals were
determined to be other species of canine –
OR they were the result of red wolves that
had bred with other species, such as coyotes. This means they were not purebred
red wolves, but instead “hybrid” animals.)
Only 14 of these original 17 animals successfully bred in captivity. By 1980, the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
declared red wolves extinct in the wild, or
“extirpated.” All remaining individuals left
in the population were in captivity.
By 1987, enough red wolves were bred in
captivity to begin a restoration program.
Today, an estimated 90 to 110 red wolves
roam the wilds of northeastern North
Carolina, and another 178 comprise the
captive breeding program, still an essential
element of red wolf recovery. InterbreedPage 2
Photo by Garth Seehawer
There will be very little “lounging around” anymore, now that our red wolves are busy being such good parents,
raising a litter of six!
ing with coyotes has been recognized as
the most significant and detrimental threat
affecting recovery of red wolves in their
native habitat. Currently, adaptive management efforts are making good progress in
reducing the threat of coyotes while building the wild red wolf population.
The red wolves at the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park recently did their part to help
their struggling species survive: it was discovered on May 22nd that they became
the proud parents of six newborn puppies!
The pups were briefly examined by our Veterinarian
Four males and two females were born to shortly after their birth to ensure they were growing well.
vet was happy to report that all six had very full, fat
our adult female, Mayo, and her mate, The
tummies, meaning they are getting plenty of milk from
Tamaska. Mayo (pronounced MY-oh) was
mom, Mayo!
born on May 5th of 2009 and arrived here
in October of 2013. Tamaska was born
April 30 of 2006 and came to live at the
zoo in December of 2012. Both wolves
have had litters with previous mates, so we
are confident in their parenting abilities.
The newborn pups will likely stay with
their parents for at least their first year, or
until the SSP (Species Survival Plan)
makes recommendations for their new
homes to help further propagate their
species. We are hopeful that by July, the
puppies will start coming out of their den
The pups are quite comfortable in their den box,
getting plenty of attention from mom!
box to explore their exhibit. Be sure to
stop by to view these very adorable, very
important new additions to the NEW Zoo Article contributed by Educator Dustin
& Adventure Park family.
Herrmann. Sources include: http://
www.iucnredlist.org/details/3747/0
T H E W I L DT I M E S
N.E.W. Zoological Society News
N.E.W. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY JUNE SPECIALS
Month of June…Dads Are Amazing Too Specials!
Be one of the first to purchase our new hand-carved “Granite Garden Bench” in honor of that special
man in your life. This 39”W x 15”D x 18”H has a polished seat with a natural rock face finish. The
cost of this bench includes 15 letters engraved on the seat. The bench colors vary due to availability.
This bench will be placed at the zoo, in the area of your choice, with the approval of the Zoo Director.
Cost ~$1200.00
~OR~
Purchase an 8x8 laser-engraved brick for $175.00 and we will throw in a clipart for FREE! That is a
$75.00 value. This brick includes up to 6 lines of type and will be placed in a large stainless steel
frame located in front of the Penguin Exhibit.
We all have special men in our lives that deserve to be celebrated. Let them know how you feel by
saying it on a brick or bench for the world to see while helping us support our NEW Zoo!
Happy Father’s Day!
Please write “June Special” on the brick order form to receive the special offer. Contact the Society
at 920920-434434-6814 or visit newzoo.org/Zoological Society/Brick Program to obtain an order form.
Save the Date!
Pioneer & Capital Credit Union
Proudly Present the
15th Annual
“Feast with the Beasts”
Event held at the NEW Zoo on
Monday, August 4th
6pm until 8pm
Take in the sights and sounds while tasting some of the finest food and beverages from local favorites. Call 434434-6814 for ticket information. Tickets are limited. This is one event you don’t want to
miss! Proceeds from this event benefit educational programs.
Hosted by the N.E.W. Zoological Society, Inc. and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association
Page 3
Your NEW Zoo is an always new, natural adventure that promotes
recreation, education, and conservation through
NEW ZOO & ADVENTURE PARK
encounters with live animals.
4378 Reforestation Road
Green Bay, WI 54313
Phone: 920-434-7841
Fax: 920-434-4162
E-mail: [email protected]
OR [email protected]
Want to know more about the
WildTimes? Have a suggestion for an
article you would like to see? Or would you like to submit an article?
Contact the Editor, Angela,
There’s always something new at
YOUR NEW Zoo.
at 920-662-2405 or through email, at
Follow us online:
facebook.com/NEWZooGB
twitter.com/NEWZooGB
We are your only AZA Accredited Zoo in Northeastern Wisconsin.
[email protected]!
Upcoming Events & Things to Remember
June 7th
•
Girl Scout Day and World Oceans Day Event. Activities from 9am to 2pm. Free
with Admission.
June 15th
•
Father’s Day. 9am to 8pm. Dads & Granddads receive FREE admission to the
NEW Zoo.
July 4th
•
Independence Day. We are open 9am to 8pm! Adventure Park opens at 10am.
July 7th through 25th, Mondays through Fridays
•
Summer Zoo Camp. 8:45am to 2pm daily. Limited spaces remain and
registration is required. Email [email protected] or call 920-662-2405 to
register your child(ren)!
Remember SUMMER Hours began JUNE 1st!
We are open DAILY from 9am to 8pm