That’s right. We got a whopping 2 chicks out of the 42 we tried to hatch. Lots of different factors attributing to such a low hatch rate. Humidity and temperature mostly. Here they are waiting for their cage to be cleaned. The black ones name is Joker and the one behind it is Penguin.Read more
Month: April 2012
AAZK Annual Rummage Sale
Its about that time again where our AAZK (American Association of Zookeepers) is having a rummage sale. This year it will be held on May 5th, RAIN OR SHINE from 7am to 11am under the picnic dome here at the museum. Our mission is to promote the continued development of animal caregivers and the welfare of animals through encouraging excellence in husbandry, supporting continuing education and collaboration between professionals, and promoting conservation through fundraising and stewardship. So, come on outRead more
Speaking of eggs…
Let’s talk about egg laying mammals- sounds crazy but it’s true! There is a very small group of mammals that actually do lay eggs. They are called Monotremes which include the duckbilled platypus and the echidna. Duck-billed platypus- The breeding season lasts from June through October. Male platypuses are polygmous, meaning they mate with more than one female during the breeding season. The females have two ovaries but strangely only the left one is functional. A typical platypus burrow entrance isRead more
Candling the eggs
The other week we had a candling session with some of our staff. Candling is when you take the egg, shine a light underneath it in the dark and are able to see a shadows from inside the egg. If you were to candle an egg from the supermarket you would see However, if you were to candle a fertile egg you would see That picture there is of a fertile egg. In the video below you can see someRead more
Operation H.A.T.C.H- Days 14,16 and 17
Fourteenth day – embryo is in position suitable for breaking shell Sixteenth day – scales, claws and beak becoming firm Seventeenth day – beak turns toward air cell Read more
Shrimpcicle
I grabbed the camera when I saw Keeper Jill walking down the hall with a shrimpcicle. What the heck is a shrimpcicle, you ask? Shrimp frozen into an icecube = enrichment for the water turtles. Jill holding a shrimpcicle Below are several pictures of 3 of our water turtles enjoying their afternoon enrichment Click on the picture below to see it closer upRead more