MAMMALS
African Elephant
COMMON NAME: African Elephant
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Loxodonta Africana
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Herd
LIFESPAN: 37.5 yrs
SIZE: 8.2 - 13 ft at the shoulder
WEIGHT: 2.5 - 7 tons
STATUS: Vulnerable
THREATS: Habitat loss and poaching
FUN FACT: African Elephants can eat up to 300 pounds of food a day
African Lion
COMMON NAME: African Elephant
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Panthera leo krugeri
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Carnivore
GROUP NAME: Pride
LIFESPAN: Wild - 9 - 18 yrs; Human Care - 15 - 25 yrs
SIZE: 3.5 - 4.5 ft at shoulder; Length - 8 - 10 ft
WEIGHT: Male - 330-550 lbs; Female - 260-400 lbs
STATUS: Vulnerable
THREATS: Habitat Loss and Poaching
FUN FACT: Lions sleep about 20 hours per day
African Painted Dog
COMMON NAME: African Painted Dog
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lycaon pictus
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Carnivore
GROUP NAME: Pack
LIFESPAN: 10 yrs
SIZE: 33 - 55 in; tail length 11 - 16 in
WEIGHT: 39 - 75 lbs
STATUS: Endangered
THREATS: Habitat Loss and Human Conflict
FUN FACT: African Painted Dogs can reach speeds of 35 mph
Asian Elephant
COMMON NAME: Asian Elephant
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Elephas maximus
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Herd
LIFESPAN: 41.7 yrs
SIZE: 8 - 10 ft at the shoulder
WEIGHT: 3 - 7 tons
STATUS: Endangered
THREATS: Habitat loss and poaching
FUN FACT: Baby Asian Elephants weigh 200 pounds at birth and are covered with long hair.
Black and White Ruffed Lemur
COMMON NAME: Black and White Ruffed Lemur
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Varecia variegata
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Conspiracy
LIFESPAN: Wild – 15 yrs; Human Care – 20 yrs
SIZE: Body - 1.5 - 2 ft; Tail - 2 ft
WEIGHT: 7.5 - 10 lbs
STATUS: Critically Endangered
THREATS: Habitat loss and Hunting
FUN FACT: Females form the core of the group and are dominant over the males.
Black-Footed Ferret
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Mustela nigripes
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Carnivore
GROUP NAME: -
LIFESPAN: Wild - 3 - 4 yrs; Human Care - 4 - 9 yrs
SIZE: 18 - 24 in
WEIGHT: 1.5 - 2.5 lbs
STATUS: Endangered
THREATS: Habitat loss and increase in prairie-dogs
FUN FACT: The black-footed ferret is the only ferret species native to North America
Bornean Orangutan
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pongo pygmaeus
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Vegitarian
GROUP NAME: Congress
LIFESPAN: 35 - 45 yrs
SIZE: 3.3 - 4.6 ft
WEIGHT: 66 - 220 lbs
STATUS: Critically Endagered
THREATS: Habitat loss, poaching, illegal pet trade
FUN FACT: Their big toes are opposable
just like thumbs
Cape Porcupine
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hystrix africaeaustralis
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Prickle
LIFESPAN: Wild - 12 - 15 yrs; Human Care - 20 yrs
SIZE: Length - 2 - 3 ft
WEIGHT: 22 - 66 lbs
STATUS: Stable
THREATS: Lions, leopards, birds of prey, hyenas, and humans
FUN FACT: The pines and quills of a porcupine are modified hairs that are soft at birth but then harden.
Chevrotain
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Tragulidae
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Herd
LIFESPAN: 14 yrs
SIZE: 12 - 18 in at the shoulder
WEIGHT: 3.4 - 5.4 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat loss and predators
FUN FACT: Often called “mouse deer.” The smallest hoofed animal in the world.
Cougar (Mountain Lion, Puma)
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Puma Concolor
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Carnivor
GROUP NAME: -
LIFESPAN: Wild - 8 - 10 yrs; Human Care - 20 yrs
SIZE: 2 - 2.5 ft at the shoulder, Length - 5 - 9 ft
WEIGHT: Male - 115 - 198 lbs, Female 64 - 141 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat loss and Fragmentation
FUN FACT: Cougars can not roar therefore; the cougar is not included in the group of big cats, but this large cat can purr.
Four-Toed Hedgehog
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Atelerix albiventris
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: -
LIFESPAN: Wild - 2-3 yrs; Human care - 10 yrs
SIZE: 7 - 9 in
WEIGHT: 1 - 2 lbs (females larger)
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Illegal Pet Trade
FUN FACT: There are approximately 3,000 spines on a hedgehog
Giant Indian Fruit Bat
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pteropus giganteus
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Camp, Colony
LIFESPAN: 20 - 30 years
SIZE: Length - 6 - 8.7 in; Wingspan - 3 - 4 ft
WEIGHT: 1.8 - 3 lbs; males are larger than females.
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat loss and viruses associated with humans and domestic animals
FUN FACT: The giant fruit bat relies on its keen sense of smell for locating food
Golden Lion Tamarin
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Leontopithecus Rosalia
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: Troop
LIFESPAN: 8 - 15 yrs
SIZE: 7.5 - 9 in
WEIGHT: 1.5 - 2 lbs
STATUS: Endangered
THREATS: Habitat Loss
FUN FACT: Golden Lion Tamarin usually give birth to twins that they cary on their back until they can move on their own
Hippopotamus
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hippopotamus amphibius
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Bloat, Herd
LIFESPAN: 36 yrs
SIZE: 5 ft at the shoulder; Length - 13 ft
WEIGHT: 1 - 3 tons
STATUS: Vulnerable
THREATS: Habitat loss and Poaching
FUN FACT: Hippos are the most dangerous animals in Africa, killing more people than lions or leopards.
Hoffmann's two-toed sloth
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Choloepus hoffmanni
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Bed
LIFESPAN: Wild - 12 - 20 yrs; Human Care - 32 yrs
SIZE: 24 - 27 in
WEIGHT: 15 - 20 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat Loss
FUN FACT: Sloths come down to the ground one time a week to defecate
Kirk’s Dik Dik
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Madoqua Kirkii
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Herd
LIFESPAN: 5 - 10 yrs
SIZE: 2.1 ft
WEIGHT: 11 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Predators
FUN FACT: They are water independent getting their water from the vegetation that they eat.
Lesser Madagascar Hedgehog
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Echinops telfairi
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: -
LIFESPAN: Wild - 10 yrs; Human care – up to 13 yea
SIZE: 5 - 7 in
WEIGHT: 4 - 7 ounces
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat Loss
FUN FACT: Scientists think that the lesser hedgehog tenrec is really the cousin of elephants, aardvarks, and manatees and is not closely related to hedgehogs we see as pets
Llama
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Larria glama
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Herd
LIFESPAN: 20 yrs
SIZE: 5.6 - 5.9 ft
WEIGHT: 290 - 440 lbs
STATUS: Not Listed
THREATS: None
FUN FACT: Llamas can carry 25 to 30 percent of their body weight
Nigerian Dwarf Goat
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Capra aegagrus hircus
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Herd
LIFESPAN: 12 - 14 yrs
SIZE: 17 - 23.5 in
WEIGHT: 75 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: None
FUN FACT: Goats can be bred to be dairy producers
North American Black Bear
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ursus americanus
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: Sloth, Sleuth
LIFESPAN: Wild - 12 - 15 yrs; Human Care - 25 - 32 yrs
SIZE: 2.5 - 3 ft at the shoulder; Length - 4 - 7 ft
WEIGHT: Male - 130 - 310 lbs; Female - 90 - 150 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat loss and Poaching
FUN FACT: Black Bears are not just black and can be brown, cinnamon, blonde, creamy white, or bluish-gray
North American Pronghorn
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Antilocapra Americana
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Herd
LIFESPAN: Wild - 9 - 10 yrs; Human Care - 12 yrs
SIZE: 3.5 ft at the shoulder; Length - 5 ft
WEIGHT: Male - 100 - 130 lbs; Female - 75 - 100 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat loss and fencing
FUN FACT: Pronghorn are the second fastest land mammal in the world, after the cheetah
North American River Otter
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lontra Canadensis lataxina
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Carnivore
GROUP NAME: Bevy, Family, Lodge, Romp, Raft
LIFESPAN: Wild - 8 - 13 yrs; Human Care - 21 - 25 yrs
SIZE: 26 - 42 in
WEIGHT: 11 - 30 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat loss and pollution
FUN FACT: River otters can hold their breath for up to 8 minutes while under water
Patas Monkey
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Erythrocebus patas
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: Troop
LIFESPAN: 15 - 24 yrs
SIZE: 1.6 - 3 ft
WEIGHT: 9 - 29 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Predators (hyenas, baboons, chimpanzees and eagles)
FUN FACT: They are the fastest primate in the world, running up to 55 MPH
Reticulated Giraffe
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Herbivore
GROUP NAME: Herd
LIFESPAN: 15 - 25 yrs
SIZE: 12 ft at the shoulder; 18 ft at the top of the head
WEIGHT: 1200 - 4200 lbs
STATUS: Endangered
THREATS: Habitat loss and poaching
FUN FACT: Giraffes have purplish-black, 18-22-inch-long tongues that can grasp leaves to eat.
Sumatran Tiger
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Panthera tigris sumatrae
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Carnivore
GROUP NAME: Streak, Ambush
LIFESPAN: Wild - 10 - 15 yrs; Human Care - 16 - 26 yrs
SIZE: 2.5 ft at shoulder; length - 7 - 9 ft
WEIGHT: Male - 220-380 lbs; Female - 200 lbs
STATUS: Critically Endangered
THREATS: Habitat loss and poaching
FUN FACT: Tigers are good swimmers with webbed toes to help them swim
Sun Bear
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Helarctos malayanus
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: Sleuth
LIFESPAN: 30 yrs
SIZE: 5 ft
WEIGHT: 150 lbs
STATUS: Vulnerable
THREATS: Habitat loss and poaching
FUN FACT: Are the smallest of all bears and are arboreal-moving and living in the trees
Striped Skunk
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Mephitis mephitis
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: -
LIFESPAN: Wild - 4 - 6 yrs; Human Care - 10 yrs
SIZE: 13 - 18 in (males may be larger)
WEIGHT: 13 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Predators (Humans, lynx, bobcat, fox, coyote and Great Horned Owl)
FUN FACT: A skunk’s spray is used as a last means of defense and can be sprayed 10-15 feet
Virginia Opossum
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Didelphis virginiana
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: -
LIFESPAN: Wild - 1.5 - 2 yrs; Human Care - 3-4 yrs
SIZE: Length - 14 - 37 in
WEIGHT: Males - 1.5 - 14 lbs; Females - 0.5 - 8 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Predators (Owls, domestic dogs, coyotes, red foxes, raccoons, bobcats, large snakes and humans)
FUN FACT: Opossums are one of the oldest species of mammal around, having waddled past dinosaurs.
Three Banded Armadillo
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Tolypeutes tricinotus
TYPE: Mammal
DIET: Insectivore
GROUP NAME: Roll
LIFESPAN: 16 yrs
SIZE: 8.5 - 10.6 in
WEIGHT: 2.2 - 3.5 lbs
STATUS: Vulnerable
THREATS: Habitat loss and predators
FUN FACT: The three-banded armadillo is the only species that can roll into a ball for protection