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& Plants:
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Reptiles
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Plants
FISH
AND AMPHIBIANS
These families of animal are totally reliant on water. Fish live in
it all their lives and Amphibians at least part of it. Both families are
vertebrates (have a bony spinal column) but differ in the way that they
breath and reproduce.
RED-BELLIED PIRANHA
This
fearsome predator gathers in shoals (groups) and attacks larger animals
that may be swimming or have fallen into the water. Attracted by blood
from fresh wounds or the thrashing around of a swimming or injured animal
they are famed for being able to strip flesh off a carcass in a very short
space of time. However not all Piranhas are meat eaters the closely related
Pacu only eat fruit.
RED
OSCAR
Related to the Cichlid family of Africa and Asia it has become popular
with fish keepers around the world. This strangely named fish can be found
with a variety of different markings including: stripes (Tiger Oscar)
and there is also an albino form. Although aggressive to other fish it
is not a fierce predator like the Piranha but will eat a wide range of
foods.
GARR FISH
‘Garr’ means spear and after looking at this fish you can
see how it got its name! Similar in shape and behaviour to our native
Pike it is not as aggressive and will live quite happily with other fish
too large to be prey.
HORNED FROG
This
huge frog can grow to over 20cms long! Easily recognised by the 'Horns'
above it's eyes it preys on fish, other frogs and even small rodents like
mice. It spends most of its time keeping moist in damp mossy undergrowth
but ventures out during heavy rainfall to breeding in shallow pools of
water.
When disturbed this frog can become quite aggressive this has made
them part of legend and superstition in parts of South America. In some
places native people make high leather boots called 'botas escuerzas'
to protect against attacks from this frog!
POISON DART FROG
These
tiny South American frogs (2-5cm) are some of the most brilliantly coloured
animals in the world! There are around 65 different species but although
all secrete poisonous toxins from their skin only 3 species have been
identified as having been used by native people to tip the darts for their
blowpipes.
These frogs have no predators and are very bold and active
during daylight. Some species have been bred successfully in captivity
but some females take special care of their young even laying unfertilised
eggs for them to feed from. This is behaviour that we have yet to encourage
them to reproduce in a controlled environment. As these beautiful frogs
are only found in the rainforest, deforestation is their biggest threat.
AXOLOTYL
Related to the Cichlid family of Africa and Asia it has become popular
with fish keepers around the world. This strangely named fish can be found
with a variety of different markings including: stripes (Tiger Oscar)
and there is also an albino form. Although aggressive to other fish it
is not a fierce predator like the Piranha but will eat a wide range of
foods.
MOLLUSCS AND CRUSTACEANS
GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAILS
This
unusual member of the Newt and Salamander family occurs in Mexico. It
is one of the only amphibians to become sexually mature during its larval
form.
If it remains in totally aquatic conditions it will quite happily
survive and lay eggs where most other amphibians need the 'dry land' stage
to enable them to reproduce. However if the water in which the Axolotl
lives starts to dry up it will begin metamorphosis into its adult form
(called the Mexican Salamander) and breed when conditions allow.
LAND HERMIT CRABS
Crustaceans are animals that have no internal skeleton but do have a hard
outer casing instead of soft skin. Again this is for protection and to
make sure that they do not dehydrate. Crabs have a hard shell covering
their internal organs but Hermit Crabs have evolved to take advantage
of the discarded shells of dead molluscs.
They find a shell of a suitable
size and insert their unprotected body into it only leaving their armoured
legs sticking out. As they grow they simply find a larger shell and 'move
house', swapping their old shell for a new larger one.
Amazon World Zoo Park Watery Lane, Nr Arreton, Isle of Wight PO36 0LX
Tel: 01983 867122 Fax: 01983 868560 Email: info@amazonworld.co.uk