New Year Babies
Saint Louis Zoo Kicks Off 2012 with a Banteng!
Many New Year babies arrived during the first several days of 2012 at the Saint Louis Zoo.
Banteng Calf
January 9 marked the arrival of a 42-pound bull banteng calf named “Studebaker” born to first-time mom “Bentley” and father “Knox.” Native to Southeastern Asia’s dense forests, glades and grasslands, this endangered species of shy wild cattle is born with a beautiful red coat, which in males will gradually change to black by the time they reach adulthood. The females retain their red color. Due to the cold temperatures, the calf is currently off exhibit with his mother. He will make a public debut with his herd at Red Rocks when the weather turns warmer.
King Penguin Chick
A king penguin chick weighing just seven ounces hatched at Penguin & Puffin Coast on Jan. 8. The chick is being reared by its parents “Francine” and “Kaiju” on exhibit, but may not be visible by visitors for a few weeks. A king penguin chick hatches after about 55 days, then its parents continue to keep it warm under their belly flap for 30-40 days until it grows too large to cover. They continue to share feeding duties for about eight months. It is not yet known if the chick is a male or female. This handsome bird is one of the largest penguin species. As an adult, it weighs about 33 pounds, second only to the emperor penguin.
Mountain Bongo
One of the last births of 2011 was a male mountain bongo calf named Tundra was born on December 27, 2011. At his neonatal exam, the calf weighed 52 pounds. Unlike the more common bongo, the mountain bongo is an endangered subspecies of antelope that lives only in a few pockets of mountain forests in Kenya. This birth is the result of a breeding recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Bongo Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program which manages bongo in AZA zoos. The calf can be seen with his mother and herd at the Red Rocks area on warmer days.
Insects
The Insectarium rang in the New Year with numerous hatchings on Jan. 1. The hatchlings are being cared for behind the scenes, but many of the adults can be seen on exhibit.
Eight giant spiny walking sticks
Native to Papua New Guinea, these babies measure about one inch compared to 5 to 6 inches for adults. Males have huge spines on their back legs which are like built-in weapons to help defend themselves if attacked by other males or potential predators.
30 Northern walking sticks
This species is native to forests and woodlands across the U.S.
One Vietnamese walking stick
This stick insect is native to tropical forests of Vietnam.
67 white-spotted assassin bugs
When hatched, this venomous bug native to Africa is a tiny, yellow, red and brown carnivore -- an opportunistic feeder that eats crickets but has been known to eat small lizards. As an adult, the assassin has two white or two red spots on its back and lives 18 months to two years.
Three greater angle-winged katydids
This species of katydid is native to Missouri.
Six water scorpions
Also native to Missouri, this insect carries no sting and no poison, but looks dangerous with a long scorpion-like tail that is simply part of its breathing apparatus.
