LEATHERBACK SEA TURLTE--SURINAME
Leatherback sea turtles spend their life in the water; only females crawl onto land every two years to lay their precious eggs. Last year, Katie travelled to Suriname, South America, to work with the World Wildlife Fund and Riverbanks Zoo to gather data on nesting turtles, and attach GPS trackers to leatherbacks and green sea turtles.
BLACK VULTURE--RIVERBANKS ZOO
Black Vultures are native to North and South America and are common to see flying over highways and forrested areas. Vultures are vital to our ecosystem; they are natures recyclers! If you see an injured raptor, like a vulutre, hawk, or eagle, please call a local wildlife rescue.
AFRICAN PYGMY HEDGEHOG
Careful--Don't touch! African Pygmy Hedgehogs have a great defense against predators: spines! Their spines are made of keratin--the same substance as our hair and fingernails. But, to a predator--like a bird of prey or a wild dog--these spines can hurt! Some people have hedgies as pets; but do your research first! They stay awake at night and need a special diet.
GALAPAGOS TORTOISE--RIVERBANKS ZOO
Galapagos tortoises are the largest tortoises on the planet! This one is over 100 years old; and he likes to have his neck scratched!