Introduced last April, Capybaras Nancy and Sam hit it off immediately at Schönbrunn Zoo in Austria. After a gestation period of about six months, Nancy gave birth to three healthy pups on November 29!
Capybaras are born well-developed and grow quickly. Pups are able to follow behind their mother almost immediately after they are born. Excellent swimmers, these rodents even have webbing between their toes. The three little ones have already ventured into their pool with mom.
Capybaras are found throughout South America and eat mainly plants. The world's largest rodents, Capybaras can reach a shoulder height of about 1.6 feet (50 cm), and are most closely related to Guinea Pigs.
Photo credits: Schönbrunn Zoo / Friedrich Mader (1); Daniel Zupanc (2-8)
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is celebrating the birth of their first-ever Giant Anteater! The baby, whose sex is still undetermined, was born on exhibit on November 25 to mom, Pica, and dad, Kutter. The baby seems to be healthy and thriving. For now, animal care and veterinary staff are keeping their distance and giving mom and baby time to bond, as Pica is very protective of her newborn. (We're told it was even tricky to snap a few photos!) Now weighing about two pounds, the little Anteater will cling to mom's back for several weeks as it develops.
The successful birth of this tricky-to-care-for species was the result of careful collaboration between the zoo's conservation and science staff. To predict the optimal time to pair Pica with Kutter, staff sampled the hormones in Pica's urine. Further hormone monitoring allowed the zoo to confirm Pica’s pregnancy and make a reasonable prediction of when the birth might take place.
Photo credit: Cleveland Metropark Zoo
The baby Anteater is a welcome addition not just to the zoo, but to the managed nationwide population of Giant Anteaters as well. The zoo participates in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Giant Anteaters, which are classified as Vulnerable in the wild. SSPs are cooperative breeding and management groups for endangered or threatened species such as Black Rhinos, African Elephants, Lowland Gorillas and Amur Tigers.
Giant Anteaters are native to Central and South America and can eat tens of thousands of ants and termites in a single day with their long, sticky tongues. Full-grown males can measure up to 7 feet (2.13 m) long and weigh more than 100 pounds (45.36 kg).
If Africa had a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, this would be its Clarice.
More doe-eyed cuteness on Zooborns.
On November 2, a fluffy Tawny Frogmouth chick hatched at St. Louis Zoo! This strange and wonderful bird has grown a lot over the course of its first month, and is doing well under the care of keepers and its parents.
Says Matt Schamberger, keeper of birds at the zoo, "Our goal is to always have the parents rear their own birds, but this pair is a pair of first-time parents and often times the learning curve is pretty steep, so we try to help out the parents if we can."
The Saint Louis Zoo received the chick's parents as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for this species. An SSP coordinates breeding and conservation of a species between AZA accredited zoos, with the goal of maintaining healthy genetic diversity.
"The tawny frogmouth population in the United States is about 125 birds in zoos around the United States," Michael Macek, curator of birds explains. "And what we're trying to do is maintain genetic diversity in the population."
Photo credits: St. Louis Zoo / Michael Macek (2, 3); Matt Schamberger (4, 6, 7)
Watch the chick develop over the course of a month:
See and learn more after the fold!
Tawny Frogmouths are nocturnal birds native to Australia, Tasmania and southern New Guinea. They are named for their large mouths, which look frog-like when opened up wide. While they might look like owls, these bird's aren't raptors like owls, hawks and eagles. They sit quietly during the day, camouflaged on tree stumps, and at night feed on insects, frogs, and small rodents. The International Union for Conservation of Species lists them as a species of Least Concern, as their wild populations currently seem to be stable.
Grandma says it brings out my eyes.
“Daryl the Pug!” -Samantha P.
A warm welcome to the newest White-handed Gibbon born at Mississippi's Jackson Zoo! The baby is a little female named Jari, an Indonesian word meaning 'fingers'. She was born on November 22 to mom Mia and father Cookie-Man, and weighed 1.3 pounds (.6 kg) at birth.
The infant is being hand-raised by veterinary staff due to complications and an unreliable parenting history. Animal care staff feel this is the best way to ensure that the little baby will grow up healthy and safely. The newborn is now under the constant care of veterinary technician Donna Todd. She is being fed half an ounce of formula every 2 to 3 hours, 24 hours a day. Visitors can see the new White-handed Gibbon weekdays at the 11:00 a.m. feeding at the Vet Hospital nursery window.
Photo credit: Jackson Zoo / Chris Todd
The Jackson Zoo houses a breeding pair of White-handed Gibbons as part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP). An SSP is a cooperative breeding program between zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The programs help to coordinate breeding between zoos to keep the captive population healthy and genetically diverse. This management is especially vital for the conservation of species that are threatened in the wild.
White-handed Gibbons are listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Living in the evergreen forests of Indonesia and Malaysia, the White-handed Gibbon eats mainly fruits and leaves. Because they consume both the fruit and the seeds, these small apes are important seed dispersers, with some plant species relying solely on the Gibbon for dispersal. Currently, the main threats to the wild Gibbon population is hunting and habitat loss.
[Me? Superstitious? No. Why you ask?]
Photos of Jojo by The Furrtographer : Music by Stevie Wonder.
Seven Bonnethead Shark pups are cruising the waters at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Born in mid-November, the pups are thriving in a behind-the scenes tank at the aquarium.
Photo Credt: North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
Bonnethead Sharks are the smallest of the Hammerhead Sharks. The purpose of their wide, shovel-like heads, known as cephalofoils, has been debated for decades. It is now believed that their flat heads, with eyes located on the outer edges, give them a very wide field of vision. Sharks in the Hammerhead family can see 360 degrees, meaning they can see to the front, to the sides, and behind themselves. The placement of the eyes also allows the Sharks to see above and below themselves as well.
Such a visual field is an advantage for any animal, allowing it to more easily spot predators and prey.
Bonnethead Sharks are found along the east and west coasts of North and South America. Adults are shy and harmless, growing three to five feet long. They are often seen swimming together in small groups.
See more photos of the pups below the fold.
“Dear Cuteologists, As the superstorm “Xaver” had Europe in its grip, I took this photo of Alba, the galga, huddled in my down-jacket. (Yes, that’s me in the background laughing my butt off) …”
And so with that, we have the most forlorn puppy pupae that ever pupated as a puppy in a toasted marshmallow monster cocoon!
“Cheers from Hamburg, Germany.” -Janne.
‘Member we told you ’bout the brand new Bebeh Hoofsters? Did you know their names were Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen? What timing! Kyle B. at Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary says “Just a little update on the piglets with a cute video- it’s gone a bit crazy on Facebook!”
And watch what the Little Porkster does @ :30.
Maybe it’s just me. But prolly not. Every. Single. Time. When I see a Yorkie…I want it. Right then. They look at you with those Little Yorkie Eyes, then toss in a wicked Baroo for good measure, and you’re done for. Do Yorksters do that to you, too?
Ri The Yorkie photos via The Furrtographer. But you knew that.
Got a terrif email from Cuteporter Inés M., who (I can’t believe she did this) actually took a trip to the Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica.
Whoa.
She says, “Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica. That place is simply…a cute epiphany. [Scurries to find out what the word means. -Ed] I live in Spain and I discovered it through Cute Overload! Thanks so much for letting the world know about the sanctuary.”
Post title via S & G, “59th Street Bridge Song.” Video and all photos by Inés M.
Possessing without a doubt one of THE proshest snouts ever, we present Ember The Playtypus, and thank Teresa C. for the tip!
[Note: Sqweak @ :37...Nomming Of Hoomin @ :46...Great Aussie Accent @ 1:11. -Ed]
“I’m a computer science student at Glasgow University and I’ve just finished creating an interactive gallery of the top-scoring posts of all time on the ‘aww’ Subreddit. I’m just writing in case it might be something you’d like to feature in a post :-). James T.”
[Oh, I think we can find a FEW examples of The QTE. -Ed]
Every time their tracking tags check in.
Vancouver Aquarium. One of those places where it must be wonderful to work, and your bosses are all short and blubbery in a good way! On Nov. 22, the Marine Mammal Rescue program released 5 rehabbed sealios named Oberon, Lagoon, Polaris, Pan and Puck. Each seal was fitted with a tracking device on its head. What’s a special occasion without cool party hats? The awesomest thing is we don’t have to say goodbye because we can follow them too! Get on over to the site and take a look at how two of them are just all over the place! Sooo cute!
When life gets you down,
You know what you gotta do?
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming. Swimming, swimming, …
Find out more at Zooborns.
