the shoulder or neck, where the blood vessels are closer to the skin's surface. The bat then drinks the
blood that flows from the wound. Chemicals in the bat's saliva keep the blood flowing for the 2-3
minutes that the bat feeds. Often 2 or 3 bats feed from the same wound. In most instances, the host
animal suffers no ill effects from the loss of blood, although if too many bats feed on the same animal,
it may be weakened severely.
Interesting Facts:
In a year, a colony of 100 bats may consume a quantity of blood equivalent to the amount in 25 cows.
A vampire bat finds its prey with echolocation, smell, and sound. They also use special heat sensors in
their noses to find veins that are close to the skin. Usually when a bat approaches its prey, it does not
land directly on the animal, but rather, lands nearby and “walks” or hops up to the unsuspecting victim.
It then climbs up the animal and finds a suitable meal site. The common vampire bat usually climbs
backward, or slightly sideways, and is always highly alert while climbing. It is light on its feet and
moves delicately to avoid detection. Vampire bats are active only during the darkest periods of the
night. It is the time when they are most likely to avoid being caught by nocturnal predators such as
owls. During the day, vampire bats roost in colonies, hanging upside down in caves and hollow trees.
At outdoor exhibit adjacent to American Black Bears -- American Badger (Taxidea
taxus)
Geographic Location: Across western and central North America, from southwest Canada south to
Mexico.
Habitat: It is found in plains, grassland, and woodlands.
Natural History:
The length of the head and body is about 2 feet with the female being smaller. The tail is about 4
inches long. The body is flat, wedge-shaped, and muscular. It is covered in gray or reddish brown fur
with coarse guard hairs. It has a distinctive white head stripe and white patches on the face, throat, and
chin. The animal has strong claws on its forepaws to dig very rapidly.
Diet:
The American badger is a carnivore. It uses its strong jaws and teeth to crush prey. The badger
catches rabbits as well as other small mammals and even digs ground squirrels out of their burrows.
This badger also feeds on invertebrates, bird's eggs and nestlings, carrion, and garbage scraps. It stores
surplus food in its burrow.
Interesting Facts:
The badger is solitary except during the breeding season, when it pairs to mate. It marks its territory
with a strong-smelling secretion from its anal glands. It spends most of the day resting in its burrow
and emerges toward dusk to hunt. In the colder regions the badger remains in its burrow for much of
the winter, living off a layer of body fat. Although its body processes slow down, it is not a true
hibernator, and it may feed above ground in mild weather. When frightened by an intruder, it snarls
and growls. However, it rarely provokes an attack, preferring to retreat. Badgers locate their prey
primarily by scent.
At the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country -- Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Geographic Location: Sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat:
Open semi-arid grasslands, scrubland, savanna woodland and occasionally forest margins.
Natural History:
Length of their body from head to beginning of tail is 3 ½ - 4 ½ feet. Their tails extend from their
bodies 2 - 3 feet. They weigh anywhere from 86 to 143 pounds. Males are slightly larger than
females. Their coats are tawny with small round black spots. The face is marked conspicuously by
"tear stripes," which run from the corner of the eyes down the sides of the nose.
Diet:
Gazelles, impala, and wildebeest calves are the preferred prey. (Basically any hoofed animal up to 90
pounds is ideal). The cheetah first stalks the herd. At the right moment it shows itself and panics the
animals into running. The cheetah follows at high speed, usually catching up to its prey within a
minute. If forced to run longer than this, the cheetah gives up.
Interesting Facts:
The cheetah is the fastest land animal, reaching speeds of up to 60 - 70 miles per hour during short
sprints (it can keep up this speed only for a quarter-mile). It is designed for speed: lean body, small
head, light bones, very long legs, flexible spinal cord, and a sliding shoulder joint. It is the only cat
that cannot retract its claws. These claws provide additional traction during rapid acceleration and
direction change while chasing prey. Its tail works as a rudder, moving from side to side as the
cheetah twists and turns. Long teardrop-shaped lines on each side of the nose from the corner of its
eyes to its mouth are thought to help deflect light away from the eyes while the cheetah hunts during
the day. Another adaptation is the presence of spots on the coat. These spots camouflage the cheetah.
The cheetah's coloration and spots help to break up the outline of the cheetah's body form, making it
easier for a cheetah to approach prey animals without being detected.
Jaguar (Panthera onca)
Geographic Location: Mexico, Central and South America
Habitat: Tropical rain forests, swamps and grasslands near rivers, streams or other wetlands.
Natural History:
It has a total body length of 44 - 73 inches, of which the tail is 18 - 30 inches. Males weigh 125 -250
pounds, and females only 100 - 200 pounds. Its coat is basically yellowish-brown, but can vary from
almost white to black, with a pale chest and irregular placed black spots on the belly. Its back is
marked with dark rosettes, and the lower part of the tail is ringed with black.
Diet:
Jaguars hunt mainly on the ground; however they will climb trees to lie in wait for prey. The jaguar
can cover short distances rapidly, but it tires quickly. It hunts mainly at night and often surprises its
unsuspecting prey. Its food consists mostly of forest animals varying in size from mice to deer. The
jaguar is a proficient swimmer and also eats frogs, fish, turtles, and small alligators. It is especially
skilled at catching fish, which it does by flipping the fish out onto the riverbank with its paw. Jaguars
also will kill domestic animals, particularly where the forest has been cleared for farmland.
Interesting Facts:
The jaguar and the leopard are very similar in their body outlines. However, the jaguar has a more
heavily built body, with stocky legs and a short neck. Its jaw is larger and even more powerful looking
than the leopard’s. They are excellent climbers and swimmers. Jaguars hunt alone at night. They can
kill their prey with one blow and they regularly kill prey by piercing the base of the skull with their
canines. The jaguar is the only big cat that does not roar. Melanistic (all-black) jaguars are not
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