Grasslands Aviary Habitat
Greater Roadrunner – Geococcyx californianus
Habitat: Southwestern deserts and other arid regions of the United States, as well as a robust presence throughout Mexico
Diet: Small rodents
Fun Fact: The species can run as fast as 26mph & are the state bird of New Mexico.
African Sulcata (Spurred) Tortoise – Centrochelys sulcata
Habitat: This tortoise can be found in the Sahara Desert and the Sahel (an area of arid savanna and shrubland) in the northern part of central Africa.
Adaptations:These tortoises dig burrows where they will aestivate (or sleep while lowering heart and breathing rate, but not hibernating) and spend time cooling off during the hottest part of the day. When threatened, they will pull their head into their shell and the spurs on their legs help to protect their head.
Diet: Sulcata tortoises require a low-protein, low-moisture diet that is high in calcium. In the wild the diet is mostly comprised of grasses. At the zoo, the tortoise is fed grass, hay or hay flakes, with small amounts of vegetables.
Fun Fact:When African sulcata tortoises are born, they are only about two inches across, but they can grow to be 24-36 inches long and weigh up to 200 pounds. They can live to be up to 150 years old.
Burrowing Owl – Speotyto Cunicularia
Habitat: The burrowing owl is found in open country, grasslands, prairies, farmlands, airfields, golf courses and vacant lots. They live in Mexico, Central America, Southern South America and Florida year-round, and for breeding, they live in Western North America an a small portion of Canada. They are capable of digging their own burrow, but most often live in tunnels dug by prairie dogs, gophers, desert tortoises, ground squirrels, and other burrowing animals.
Adaptations: Burrowing owls have long legs, which allow them to hunt on the ground as well as in the air. They live in loose colonies which will warn each other of predators.
Diet: The burrowing owls’ diet in the wild consists of insects, small mammals, birds, frogs, snakes and lizards. Unlike many other owls, they will also eat some fruits and seeds. At the zoo, the burrowing owls eat mice, chicks, bird of prey diet, and occasionally, crickets.
Fun Fact: To scare away predators, burrowing owls issue an incredibly accurate vocal mimicry of the rattling of a rattlesnake, accompanied with some hissing sounds.