A Look at South America

Since its opening in the summer of 2023, the South America exhibit has quickly become a guest favorite. The exhibit houses two Galapagos Tortoises, two Giant Anteaters and two Chilean Pudus.

The Galápagos giant tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise and can weigh up to 900 lb.  They are also the largest extant terrestrial cold-blooded animals with a lifespan in the wild of over 100 years. In captivity Galapagos tortoises can live up to 177 years.

Our two Galapagos Giant Tortoises are brothers named Gala and Pagos. They are 32 years-old. When you put their names together, you get Galapagos. Gala is grumpy and does not like to be touched.  Pagos is friendly and loves to be scratched and petted. Even though their shells are hard, they can feel when they are being touched.  Pagos especially loves to be patted and scratched on his neck. When he is scratched, he wiggles his backend much like a dog.

The brothers go to bed around 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon. They return to their enclosure on their own and fall fast asleep. Occasionally they fall asleep in their pool. If their head goes under water, they wake up and lift their head to breathe. Pagos and Gala can be seen year-round, in their yard or through a viewing window that gives you sight into their enclosure building.

The tortoises are fed twice a day, and guests can take part in the feeding. Tickets are sold in advance or day of in the gift shop for $25. The feedings have a four-guest limit and sometimes fill up, so buying ahead of time is recommended. Sales end at 11:15 A.M. daily.

Also seen in the South America exhibit is our female anteater “Chili” who came to us in May of 2023. She is named after her home country Chile, located in western South America. In October 2023 we received our male anteater “Arnaud”. He is named after Arnaud Léonard Jean Desbiez the president and founder of a Brazilian NGO called ICAS (Instituto de Conservacao de Animais Silvestres). This organization coordinates the Giant Armadillo Conservation Program and the Anteaters & Highways Project. Chili and Arnaud are part of a Species Survival Plan and are intended to be a breeding pair.

Anteaters are solitary animals. This can make introductions a long and slow process.  While staff and guest were excited to see Arnaud, Chili was not. After quarantine they were placed in adjoining inside areas. These enclosures are separated by a Howdy Door so they were aware of each other. The next step was to replace that solid door with a clear door with holes in it. This allowed them to see, smell, and touch each other. During this time, they were rotated from holding to the outdoor area. While one was inside the other was outside. Once they appeared to be getting along, they were allowed to go outside together. Initially they did not enjoy each other’s company. However, they are now doing well together and will hopefully be a successful breeding pair.

Arnaud is more personable and curious than Chili. She is very food motivated. In their natural habitat they each would consume 30,000 ants a day. They only eat South American ants and will not eat American ants. At our zoo they consume an insectivore smoothie every day.

The third species found in the South America Exhibit are he Chilean Pudus. They are the smallest species of deer and like anteaters, are solitary animals. Their small stature and cautious nature make it challenging to get food in the wild. Their diet consists of vines, leaves from low trees, shrubs, succulent sprouts, herbs, ferns, blossoms, buds, tree bark, and fallen fruit. They can survive without drinking water for long periods due to the high-water content of succulent foliage in their diets.

Our female Chilean Pudu “Puddles” came to us from the Toledo Zoo in May of 2023. We recently acquired a male Pudu named “Nico” from Oakland Zoo, with the intention of creating a breeding pair. The two pudus bonded instantly and can often be seen sleeping among the tall grasses.

The South American exhibit is a wonderful addition to the zoo and has been a hit with guest.