CategoriesReptiles by

Legless lizard

Origin- A species of large glass lizard found from southern Europe to Central Asia.

Lifespan- They are capable of living up to 50 years in captivity

Description- The sheltopusik can reach a length of 135 cm (4.43 ft). It has a tan coloration, paler on the ventral surface and the head, with a ring-like/segmented appearance that makes it look like a giant earthworm with a distinctive fold of skin down each side called a lateral groove. Though the legs are barely discernible, the sheltopusik can be quickly distinguished from a snake by its ears, eyelids, and ventral scales.

Conservation- Not listed by the IUCN

CategoriesReptiles by

Bearded Dragon

Origin- They originated in the arid, rocky, semi desert regions and dry open woodlands of Australia.

Lifespan- 7-10 years.

Diet- Omnivores. In the wild they eat small lizards, insects, mammals, flowers and fruit. In captivity they are fed crickets, mealworms, fruit and vegetables.

Description- Dragons are mainly grey in colour with some variations towards orange, fawn, brown and black. They can grow from 13-24 inches in length. Dragons regulate their temperature through subtle changes in colour shade, from light to dark becoming darker in cooler weather. They are calm and friendly in nature along with the relative ease of caring from them.

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CategoriesReptiles by

Sulcata Tortoise

Origin- The sulcata tortoise is a species of tortoise which inhabits the southern edge of the Sahara desert, in northern Africa. It is the third largest species of tortoise in the world and the largest species of mainland tortoise (not found on an island). They will spend the hottest part of the day in burrows that they make.

Lifespan- 50-150 years, though they can live much longer. (The oldest in captivity is 54 years, located in the Giza Zoological Gardens, Egypt, 1986).

Diet- Sulcata tortoises are herbivores. Primarily, their diet consists of many types of grasses and plants. Their diet is high in fibre and very low in protein. The consumption of too much protein can cause their shells to take on a pyramid appearance. Feeding of fruit should be avoided.

Description- Adults are usually 24 to 36 inches long and can weigh 100-200 pounds.

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CategoriesPrimates by

Ring- Tailed Lemurs

Origin- Like all lemurs, Ring-Tails come from the Island of Madagascar. They live in the deciduous forests and bush of South Western Madagascar.

Lifespan- In the wild they can live up to 18 years. The oldest lemur in captivity was 27 years old.

Diet- Ring-Tailed Lemurs are omnivores, feeding mostly on fruit, leaves, sap and some invertebrates or small birds during the dry season.

Description- This species is a relatively large lemur, averaging at 2.2kg. It’s tail is longer than its body, with alternating black and white stripes, always ending in black. They have very thick grey fur on their back and white on their chest. Lemurs have a dental comb; their lower incisors are arranged to brush through their fur for grooming. They are diurnal and often sunbathe, sitting with their arms spread open facing the sun. This species spends the most time on the ground  compared to other lemurs. Ring-Tailed Lemurs live in large social groups, between 7-30 individuals. Females are the dominant sex, with one female in charge of the troop.

Conservation-  The IUCN lists Ring-Tailed Lemurs as endangered.  They have a large range but it is fragmented and their population density is low. Their population is declining due to habitat destruction, the bush meat industry and the exotic pet trade.lemur

CategoriesPrimates by

Cotton top tamarin

Origin- The species is found in tropical forest edges and secondary forests in north-western Colombia, where it is arboreal and diurnal

Lifespan- Up to 23 years

Diet- Their diet mainly consists of vegetables but also includes insects and plant exudates, and it is an important seed disperser in the tropical ecosystem.

Description- The species is found in tropical forest edges and secondary forests in north-western Colombia, where it is arboreal and diurnal

Conservation- The species is at risk due to large-scale habitat destruction, as the lowland forest in north western Colombia where the cotton-top tamarin is found has been reduced to 5% of its previous area. It is currently classified as critically endangered and is one of the rarest primates in the world, with only 6,000 individuals left in the wild.cchart

CategoriesAnimals by

Ferrets

Origin- Ferret origins are uncertain but it is most likely domesticated from the European polecats about 2,500 years ago. New Zealand has the worlds largest population of ferrets.

Lifespan-  6-8 years

Diet- Carnivores. They eat meat, fish and proteins. At Secret Valley, we feed out ferrets a specially designed raw meat diet.

We have three ferrets- Aldi, Lidl and Slinky!

Description- There are four basic colours, the sable, albino, dark eyed white and silver. All other colours of a ferret are variations of these four categories. Female ferrets are called jills, a spaded female is called a sprite. Male ferrets are called hobs and neutered males are called gibs. A group of ferrets is called a business of ferrets. There are strict regulations on ferrets around the world and in some countries it is illegal to keep them as pets.

CategoriesBirds by

Blue and yellow Macaws

Origin- The blue and yellow macaw is a large parrot originating from South America. They nest in the high trees of the rainforest to avoid predators.

Lifespan- Blue and yellow macaws can live up to 50 years, both in the wild and in captivity.

Diet- Blue-and-yellow macaws mainly eat seeds, nuts, and fruits. They use their strong beaks to break open nut shells and to crush seeds. In some cases, they consume clay found at riverbanks which allows them to digest the toxins from unripe seeds that they may have ingested.

Description- Blue-and-yellow macaws are from 81 to 91.5 cm long, weigh from 0.9 to 1.8 kg, and have a wing span of 104 to 114 cm. They are vibrantly colored, with blue on their backs and wings, yellow under parts, green forehead feathers, and green tips on the end of their wings.

Conservation- Considered least concern by the IUCN due to their large geographic range. The population trend is declining but not enough to reach vulnerable statusblueand gold

CategoriesRodent by

Porcupines

Our porcupines love to chase their keepers around their enclosure! It always startles new keepers but its all fun for Asha and Ayo who just want a scratch and some apple.

Origin-  Crested porcupines are found in north and sub-Saharan Africa, mainland Italy and Sicily. They mainly inhabit Mediterranean forests and scrubland.

Lifespan- Up to 15 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity

Diet- The crested porcupine’s diet consists mainly of bulbs, roots, tubers, rhizomes, and bark. They will also eat agricultural crops, and occasionally will eat insects, small vertebrates, and some carrion. They commonly chew on bones from carrion to sharpen their teeth, and to provide a source of calcium, phosphorus, and sodium.

Description- The crested porcupine is one of the largest rodents in the world, weighing up to 30kg, and growing nearly up to a meter in length.

Their distinguishing feature is their long quills. The quills are a modified hair, made from keratin They are hollow and stiff, with a sharp, barb covered, point at the end.

The quills are usually black or brown and white in colour and can be up to 35cm long. If threatened they will run at speed backwards towards the threat, embedding the quills deep into them, often causing serious injury. It is a common myth that the porcupine can fire its quills out, however, just like hair, they will fall out regularly.

Like all rodents, the incisor teeth grow constantly and need to be worn down

Crested porcupines are social animals and live in small family groups with an adult pair and their offspring. The communicate using their body language and using a variety of vocalizations. They search for food alone during the night and return to their den in the morning.

Porcupines can run faster than humans and are good swimmers.

Conservation- Although not classed as endangered in any way, numbers in North Africa and Morocco are decreasing at a fast rate due to hunting.

Natural predators for the porcupine include lions, leopards, hyenas and some large birds of prey, although it is rare for them to succeed in killing a porcupine due to their spiky defence system.

The biggest threat to the porcupine is humans, often illegally trapping and killing them for meat, and for their valuable quills. The quills have many uses, including traditional medicine, talismans, fishing lure, and ornaments. The meat is also a local delicacy in many parts of their range.

Due to their taste for agricultural crops such as pumpkin, corn, sweet potato, and young cotton plants, they are often seen as a pest, and are persecuted by farmers. Some farmers will illegally control porcupine populations by lacing food with poisoned bait.porcthing

CategoriesMammals by

Asian Short Clawed Otter

Our otter Gem is very curious and loves to bite his keepers boots! His brother Obi is shy but likes to tap his keepers leg with his paw to get their attention. They both love beef mince.

Origin- The Asian short-clawed otter ranges in coastal regions from southern India to Southeast Asia including the islands of Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Palawan. It inhabits freshwater wetland systems such as swamps, meandering rivers, mangroves and tidal pools as well as irrigated rice fields. They spend most of their time on land unlike other otter species.

Lifespan-Up to 15 years in captivity but can live up to 20 years with excellent care.

Diet- Asian short clawed otters are carnivorous feeding on a variety of crustaceans, mollusks, freshwater fish, rodents and insects. There is seasonal variation in their diet. A large group of otters will also take on larger prey if the opportunity arises.

Description-  Asian short-clawed otters are the smallest species of otter. Weight can range from 1 to 5.4kg. Its body is slender and streamlined. Dark, greyish-brown fur covers most of the body with a lighter cream fur on the face and neck. Otters have a double coat with a fine, waterproof undercoat.

They have sensitive whiskers which sensitive to touch and to underwater vibrations and are important in detecting the movements of prey.

They have very sensitive and dexterous partially webbed paws which they use to catch their prey instead of their mouth. They have small, short claws.

They have a long tail which is used for propulsion when swimming at high speed, to steer when swimming slowly and for balance when standing upright on hind legs.

Short clawed otters are social and have over 12 different vocalizations. They live in large family groups made up of one breeding pair and their offspring.

Conservation- The IUCN lists short clawed otters as vulnerable. They are seriously threatened by rapid habitat destruction, hunting and pollution. Their popularity in the illegal pet trade is also causing wild populations to declineotterthing.

CategoriesAnimals, Mammals by

Alpaca

Origin- There are two types of Alpaca- Huacaya and Suri defined by coat type. Alpaca’s do not have hooved feet, they have two toes covered by a nail. They have been domesticated for over 6000 years. They are mainly used for their fine fiber coats, but are also kept as pets for showing and protecting other herd animals. Alpacas do not usually spit at humans but will spit at another if in an argument. They are a flock animal and need to be kept in a group or in pairs and get stressed if on their own.

Lifespan– 15 to 20 years

Diet– Mainly consists of grass in summer months. In winter they are supplemented with hay and meal.

Colour-Their hair (fiber) comes in 22 basic colors with many variations. Lily is brown and white with big brown eyes and nose.

Gestation– 11- 12 months, producing 1 single Cria

Conservation- Vicunas are protected in South America and the IUCN supports conservation programs to protect them.