Suggestions for new inhabitants of a particular enclosure.

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vs0u2086

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I work with a local science museum/regional 'zoo' that has an approximately 5' x 5' x 10' (tall) four-sided, clear perspex enclosure. At present, the inhabitant is a 40 year-old Scarlet macaw who suffers from severe arthritis in both legs and wings and shows very clear signs of being stressed when she is out on exhibit during the day. It is my opinion that it has now come to the point that this bird should be retired and kept permanently off-show.

Unfortunately, the managerial staff will not retire this bird because she is in such a high-profile enclosure, right in the middle of the busiest part of the establishment, overlooking a balcony, can be observed from all angles and they do not want to have an empty enclosure!

Can anyone think of any species which may be suitable for such an enclosure, and could potentially replace the parrot in there? The centre is mostly geared towards native North American wildlife (apart from this parrot and a couple of bearded dragons) so that would be preferable, although not mandatory. The centre already has a Virginia opossum in another exhibit (which was one thought I had).

As I say, the enclosure is all clear perspex, with some sound attenuation inside. That said, the centre is seaonally VERY busy and there may be 300 children at a time walking and running past and able to tap on the enclosure. There is no 'off-show' part to the exhibit - there is only one fully height perspex door straight into the enclosure, thus making it unsuitable for small primates or smaller birds, for example, as these could easily escape. At 10' tall, in a large open area of a big centre, I think it would be an unsuitable enclosure for most reptiles, due to the problems associated with maintaining high temperatures and humidity inside.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Best wishes.
 
Why not think of a slightly smaller parrot species such as cockatoos? ( I know these haven't got a north american theme). or perhaps reptiles such as a large constrictor?
 
Thanks for the suggestions 'foz'. They do have a large Boa constrictor in another enclosure. Another large parrot species is a possibility, however the enclosure would not be large enough for it to fly around and, despite having access to a hide-box, I think any intelligent bird in that enclosure would be prone to stress during the busiest periods, purely based on the location of the enclosure.
 
From your description, any live animal would be heavily stressed. The poor boa constrictor perhaps is stressed too, but being reptile, reacts by freezing.

Why not replace with a particularily impressive diorama with stuffed animals? Tall rainforest or so?
 
You could build an inner central rock structure with various hiding holes and keep a variety of North American desert reptiles, such as chuck wallahs, Common collared lizards etc. The animals could hide inside the central rock structure if too stressed by the visitors.

A similar construction with an inner hiding area & additional climbing opportunities could turn this enclosure into a very spacious exhibit for one of the larger North American snakes, such as the Indigo snake, Black Rat Snake, Pine Snake etc.

If it doesn't have to be a North American species, you can still think of various exotic rodents.
 
Ever since i saw the Harris' ground squirrels I've become a fan of them. If you create a rocky center, as Sun Wukong suggested, any ground squirrel could make a very fun addition. In Stockholm they are combined with a lot of other animals, including birds (with the door perhaps not a good idea) and various reptiles (there Gila monsters, but you could try any other small lizard that fits your purpose).

Another good (non-america) idea might be to add a tube-system and hold naked mole-rats, always a hit with the masses.

If all fails you could add a green iguana, they are usually pretty calm, docile, impressive, easy to come by and make a fun exhibit.
 
Funny enough, mole rats and ground squirrels were among the first exotic rodent species I thought of...;) I'm just wondering whether they could chew through perspex ( I learned the hard some degus & coruros can), and how difficult it would be to clean the exhibit...

If there's something I've learned, then it's that adult Green Iguanas can be anything but calm & docile...
 
You could do a lovely leafcutter ant enclosure, who don't seem bothered by visitors at all, and are found in north america.
It's a shame you have the door else it could be an aquatic or semi aquatic exhibit.
 
Sun Wukong said:
A similar construction with an inner hiding area & additional climbing opportunities could turn this enclosure into a very spacious exhibit for one of the larger North American snakes, such as the Indigo snake, Black Rat Snake, Pine Snake etc.
Click to expand...

Great suggestion but the centre already has a similar sized/proportioned exhibit housing black rat snakes. Thanks.
 
You could also take Sun Wukong's idea and turn it upside down. Have stallactites hanging from the top and make some ledges for hanging and you could house some little brown bats. I suppose it might not work, though if it's out in the open with traffic and you are unable to simulate darkness through it all. Nevermind.

If I were going to house a lizard in there, I'd look for a gila monster. They are hardy captives and very interesting.
 
Why not turn it into a small butterfly exhibit?

Or what about something original, easy-care and certainly quite attractive to most visitors (except those with arachnophobia)?

A Golden Silk orb-weaver spider exhibit , with specimens of Nephila clavipes.
If well fed, several large females can be housed together.
Giant desert hairy scorpions (Hadrurus arizonensis) could populate the groundfloor of the exhibit.
 
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