Mixed species exhibit ideas

Congo River: West African Slender-snouted Crocodiles paired with African Helmeted Turtles and Nile Softshell Turtles (I know these are not present in the Congo). In the water will be large fish such as Giraffe Catfish, Zebra Tilapia, and African Arowana. There will also be free flight birds in here, (Speckled Mousebird, Superb Starling, Great Blue Turaco, etc.)

Western Ghats: An enclosure with a tangle of branches and trees for Binturongs,
and a small pool for Small-clawed Otters. Possibly also a few turtles that are too large for the otter to eat.( I figured since the binturongs are aboreal, they won’t be much of a problem for the otters, if not, then they can rotate in this exhibit.)…
 
AndyJ08 said:
New Congo River: West African Slender-snouted Crocodiles paired with African Helmeted Turtles and Nile Softshell Turtles (I know these are not present in the Congo). In the water will be large fish such as Giraffe Catfish, Zebra Tilapia, and African Arowana. There will also be free flight birds in here, (Speckled Mousebird, Superb Starling, Great Blue Turaco, etc.)
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The crocodiles will attempt eating the fish, as well as any birds that get too close.
 
AndyJ08 said:
Congo River: West African Slender-snouted Crocodiles paired with African Helmeted Turtles and Nile Softshell Turtles (I know these are not present in the Congo). In the water will be large fish such as Giraffe Catfish, Zebra Tilapia, and African Arowana. There will also be free flight birds in here, (Speckled Mousebird, Superb Starling, Great Blue Turaco, etc.)

Western Ghats: An enclosure with a tangle of branches and trees for Binturongs,
and a small pool for Small-clawed Otters. Possibly also a few turtles that are too large for the otter to eat.( I figured since the binturongs are aboreal, they won’t be much of a problem for the otters, if not, then they can rotate in this exhibit.)…
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Maryland Zoo used to house a big Nile softshell with two large slender snout crocs. It bullied them, stole their food, ate their eggs, and was eventually shipped out
 
AndyJ08 said:
Congo River: West African Slender-snouted Crocodiles paired with African Helmeted Turtles and Nile Softshell Turtles (I know these are not present in the Congo). In the water will be large fish such as Giraffe Catfish, Zebra Tilapia, and African Arowana. There will also be free flight birds in here, (Speckled Mousebird, Superb Starling, Great Blue Turaco, etc.)
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Those three birds (as well as a few others) are held with slender snouted crocs in Rotterdam zoo. But it does depend on the design. I'm not sure about Helmeted turtles, but it think it should be fine as long as the crocs aren't too big
 
AndyJ08 said:
Congo River: West African Slender-snouted Crocodiles paired with African Helmeted Turtles and Nile Softshell Turtles (I know these are not present in the Congo). In the water will be large fish such as Giraffe Catfish, Zebra Tilapia, and African Arowana. There will also be free flight birds in here, (Speckled Mousebird, Superb Starling, Great Blue Turaco, etc.)

Western Ghats: An enclosure with a tangle of branches and trees for Binturongs,
and a small pool for Small-clawed Otters. Possibly also a few turtles that are too large for the otter to eat.( I figured since the binturongs are aboreal, they won’t be much of a problem for the otters, if not, then they can rotate in this exhibit.)…
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I would avoid any mix with otters.
Maybe a rotation would be fine, and even an enrichment for both species (I've heard about a large rotating exhibit in the US, with large African carnivores, it wouldn't be more difficult in this case).
 
Great Argus said:
Binturong and otter has generally worked from what I've heard, as in a well designed exhibit they're usually not occupying the same spaces on a regular basis.
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I chose this mix because both occupy different niches, but if the otters got too aggressive, I could replace them with something more peaceable like say, Indian Crested Porcupines.
 
Secretarybird, Ruppel's Griffon Vulture, and Marabou Stork? I was thinking of putting African Pygmy Falcon in as well but that seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.
 
Van Beal said:
Secretarybird, Ruppel's Griffon Vulture, and Marabou Stork? I was thinking of putting African Pygmy Falcon in as well but that seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.
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That might work out, until one of the birds starts breeding (if in pairs) and then it couldn’t work out. The Pygmy Falcon would be a no-no, especially with the Marabou’s predatory tendencies.
 
Van Beal said:
Secretarybird, Ruppel's Griffon Vulture, and Marabou Stork? I was thinking of putting African Pygmy Falcon in as well but that seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.
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Should be fine, probably even during breeding if exhibit is large enough though not probably optimal. Pygmy-falcon does not belong with birds that size.
 
AndyJ08 said:
That might work out, until one of the birds starts breeding (if in pairs) and then it couldn’t work out. The Pygmy Falcon would be a no-no, especially with the Marabou’s predatory tendencies.
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Marabous likely don't play nice with anyone.
 
Hippos or warthogs with bee-eaters and Aldabra tortoises? Knowing the hippos are a seldom mix, thought I'd check them and warthogs.
 
Great Argus said:
Should be fine, probably even during breeding if exhibit is large enough though not probably optimal. Pygmy-falcon does not belong with birds that size.
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Now a little off-topic of the thread, but just how big an aviary do you think would be needed if the inhabiting species were kept in breeding pairs?
 
Van Beal said:
Hippos or warthogs with bee-eaters and Aldabra tortoises? Knowing the hippos are a seldom mix, thought I'd check them and warthogs.
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Neither. Adult hippos with Giant tortoises is just asking for the tortoises to get hurt. Warthog would also likely harass and possibly injure the tortoises. Bee-eaters would obviously require enclosing the exhibit in glass or small-grade mesh, which really isn't necessary but it's doable. Personally I don't think doing it just for bee-eaters is really worth the effort.

Van Beal said:
Now a little off-topic of the thread, but just how big an aviary do you think would be needed if the inhabiting species were kept in breeding pairs?
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I wouldn't go any smaller than 75 x 100 x 15 feet, at absolute minimum.
 
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