It seems like that because it's true.
But even so not many roadsides even have them anymore.Making African Sections More Unique
- Thread starter Van Beal
- Start date
But even so not many roadsides even have them anymore.
Thank you for the correction on the penguins, I didn't realise the penguins nested up among the vegetation itself which is really cool to see. Looking at photos and videos online, I wonder if anywhere has tried to exhibit African penguins and rock hyrax together, as they seem to occur in very close proximity at these coastal sites?
re brown hyenas, I was reading a paper recently that mentioned their historical distribution around Table Bay/Cape Peninsula, and assumed that would have been within the fynbos. I didn't realise the species was completely extirpated from the Cape Floristic Region now.
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
While that sounds like a really cool and unique mix, I don’t know how safe that would be for the Hyraxes if they’re in an exhibit with a large, deep, saltwater pool.
IMO, a good thing to incorporate would be buildings that hold smaller species alongside your larger ones ala. the Carter Giraffe Building or Lincoln Park's African Journey. With these buildings, you can do a lot of things like herp displays, aviaries, etc.
Without them, I feel like many African sections can be really boring. Also, when the weather's bad, it provides a break.
Without them, I feel like many African sections can be really boring. Also, when the weather's bad, it provides a break.
Most AZA zoos use their African canine spaces for Painted Dogs, which are an endangered species as well as (one might argue) a more interesting and distinctive display due to their color palette and pack dynamics. Jackals would have to either be shoehorned in or take away space from these or other species.
Penguins can be kept in freshwater just fine, but the point remains how good a swimmer are hyrax?
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
But would the penguins and hyraxes even get along?
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
I mean, they're found in the same region on the coasts, so I'd say it's at least somewhat likely that they would.
I'd imagine so. Neither species are rather extremely territorial or aggressive, so I imagine it should be fine.
It would be quite a cool exhibit if a zoo managed to create this.
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
I thought penguins were rather territorial. I don't know about hyraxes though.
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
Have you seen their teeth? Those could probably mess up a penguin and force the mix to end.
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Fair enough. Every bit of me forgot that hyraxes had nasty teeth just because they're herbivorous.
I think you're underestimating both species here.
Probably.
I've never heard of Penguins being territorial.
I think both species could be mixed together; they wouldn't really use the same space of the enclosure as well.
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Penguins are very territorial by nature within their own colonies. Nesting and all that, if one penguin tries to take another's territory, it gets nippy.
Towards other members of their own species, yes.
Penguins can also be rather dangerous in a fight to, their wings have incredibly hard bones!
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Exactly so I wouldn't necessarily want to test out hyraxes and penguins when the possible ensuing fight could lead to serious injury/death of one of the species.
Aardwolf
Well-Known Member
Re: Jackals - Canids have historically been pretty poorly represented in zoos compared to felids. Even today many zoos have at least a few species of large cat. Few have more than one large dog. Canids have a reputation of being more skittish, more prone to stereotypies in substandard enclosures, and having less appeal overall with the public. They also are much more prone to hiding. I like to say that wolves are one of those animals that people think they want to see, but seldom see when they come to the zoo, and are seldom actually impressed with (unless they are howling).
Re: Penguin/Hyrax - I could see it working in an exhibit that has an extensive enough land area - and a gradual enough pool - to give the hyraxes plenty of space to roam without even being tempted to go near the water. Essentially, it would be a hyrax exhibit next to a penguin exhibit, just with no wall in between. I still wouldn't rule out trouble, though - penguins can be giant jerks, and hyraxes are plucky and will stand up for themselves (Joy Adamson wrote about her pet hyrax dominating the lion cubs she was rearing, including the famous Elsa).
Unrelated note, I'm trying to avoid using "roadside" as a term for any non-AZA zoo. It does have a pretty negative connotation, and while there are some pretty shoddy non-AZA facilities out there, there are also some quite good ones which for one reason or another have parted ways with AZA, or never gone down that path at all through their own preferences.
Re: Penguin/Hyrax - I could see it working in an exhibit that has an extensive enough land area - and a gradual enough pool - to give the hyraxes plenty of space to roam without even being tempted to go near the water. Essentially, it would be a hyrax exhibit next to a penguin exhibit, just with no wall in between. I still wouldn't rule out trouble, though - penguins can be giant jerks, and hyraxes are plucky and will stand up for themselves (Joy Adamson wrote about her pet hyrax dominating the lion cubs she was rearing, including the famous Elsa).
Unrelated note, I'm trying to avoid using "roadside" as a term for any non-AZA zoo. It does have a pretty negative connotation, and while there are some pretty shoddy non-AZA facilities out there, there are also some quite good ones which for one reason or another have parted ways with AZA, or never gone down that path at all through their own preferences.