All Stories

3/29/22

A Pig With A Mohawk: The Critically Endangered Visayan Warty Pig

Meet the Visayan Warty Pig, a pig with mohawk-like hair that can stretch from the crown of the head to the rump and can grow up to nine inches long for males during mating season. Warty Pigs are critically endangered and have been eliminated from three of the six islands that the species inhabits. The infrared rate of decline is due to overhunting, habitat loss and genetic contamination through crossbreeding with domesticated pigs.  Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens recently started funding ... Read More
at 3/29/22
AIYI

3/23/22

Fast & Flightless: What is the North African Ostrich?

What has feathers, a beak, lays eggs, but cannot fly? Welcome to the world of ratites. Ratites are flightless birds that have a smoother breastbone that is almost “raftlike”, instead of having the presence of a keel that attaches the muscles used for flight. These birds include ostrich, emu, cassowary, rhea and kiwi. We have ostrich, cassowary and emu in our collection. Today, we are going to focus on one in particular: the North African ostrich. North African ostriches can be fo... Read More
at 3/23/22
AIYI

3/17/22

~Leaf~ Southern Live Oaks Alone

Nothing can compete with the Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) for beauty, shade and wildlife habitat. In spring, however, this giant of the southern landscape presents a challenge: leaf litter! As annoying as this may be, some understanding might be helpful. Live Oaks are truly deciduous trees. The term “live” refers to the tree staying green year-round. Unlike other species, these oaks shed leaves in early spring rather than fall, and new leaf buds appear at the same time, having t... Read More
at 3/17/22
AIYI Horticulture