Eurasia
ZooMontana has had Amur (Siberian) tigers since 1995. We have a male and a female but we do not put them out together. They alternate days in and out. Tigers, like all members of the cat family except the African lion, are solitary and territorial animals. Both sexes mark their territory by spraying. There is also a tree they use to stand against to scratch and rub. This is their signpost; it tells all other intruders that these cats own this territory. Our tigers are on loan to us by the tiger SSP (Species Survival Plan). This subspecies of tiger is the largest cat in the world. They reach an average of 720 pounds and can reach 12 feet in length from nose to tip of tail. Average Amur Tiger lifespan is 18 years in captivity, less in the wild. Habitat loss is the tiger’s greatest threat.
The Northern Mainland sika deer are, historically, the Amur tiger’s main prey. These deer had been renamed after DNA testing concluded that they are actually natural hybrids of the two largest sika subspecies once found in China. Unfortunately, these species of sika deer have not been seen in the wild since 1912 and the only herds known in existence are at the San Diego Zoo, ZooMontana and now the Boise Zoo. These deer are actually Asian elk and bugle during rut. They do not lose their spots as they mature. This dappled effect gives them excellent camouflage in their native forested habitat. Their coats become very thick and dark gray during the winter and their spots all but disappear. Northern Mainland Sika lifespan is about We currently have one male.
Our two red pandas are brothers and came to us from the Eerie Zoo. Red pandas are related to the better-known giant pandas (black and white) and are just as rare and endangered. Both types of panda are found in similar areas of Asia, mountainous bamboo forests, and both rely heavily on bamboo (99% of their diet is bamboo!) Pandas are quite unique and scientists still debate whether they should be part of the bear family or the raccoon family or maybe they should be in a family all their own. Pandas are carnivores that are almost completely vegetarian. Their gut is not really designed to eat plant matter and they have to eat A LOT of bamboo (which isn’t very nutritious) just to meet their basic energy needs. Pandas try to conserve their energy and spend a lot of time resting or moving slowly. Red Panda average lifespan is about 10 years.
Red pandas spend a lot of time up in the trees, their claws are slightly retractable (like a cat’s) and this enables them to climb easily.
When they come down a tree they do it head first! Habitat loss is the panda’s greatest threat. We participate in the red panda SSP.
Continue on the tour!
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