ZOO Plzeň - Species list (02/2017) Hi everyone! Following suit on @geomorph's wonderful list of all on-show animals present at San Diego Zoo (San Diego Zoo - List of Species On Exhibit 11-26-13), I decided I wanted to do the same for one of my personal favorite collections, namely ZOO Plzeň. I figured this would be appreciated as ZOO Plzeň is a very large collection that switches up its species very often. A disclaimer is that I visited the wonderful park during the winter, when most birds/animals with moated exhibits were inside, and a lot of the collection was switched around to deal with water freezing over, etc. I will be going over the various different exhibit in an order that seems the most straightforward to me, though as all large zoos it is very maze-like, so there might be some odd ends here and there. Like geomorph's list, it will be split up in multiple different posts. Since I'm also writing up this list for my own purposes (to be able to remember in 10+ years what all I saw, and what all I didn't), I will be putting all no-shows in italic text. This has no further meaning relevant to anyone but me. MADAGASCAR (20 exhibits): One of the first things you see upon entering the zoo from the Southern entrance are 2 houses; the African night house, and the Madagascar house. The Madagascar house is a house, split in 3 on-show areas: one is on the ground flour and contains "U lemura," the zoo's main gift shop. Also visible on this ground level, from inside of the shop, is an indoor exhibit for Ring-tailed lemurs. Upstairs is divided in 2 areas; one nocturnal (with 2 normally-lit exhibits, an aquarium and many nocturnal exhibits) and one diurnal (with indoor exhibits for lemurs all around the edges, and 2 terraria in the middle). Some of the exhibits have outdoor exhibits in the form of aviaries or islands (the ring-tailed lemurs have a walkthrough island as outdoor exhibit), but they were indoors for the winter and it's hard to say what's currently held on what island/aviary as either none, or multiple (incompatible) species are signed. Ground floor: 1) Ring-tailed lemur, Lemur catta Nocturnal area: 1) Grey mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus Malagasy jumping rat, Hypogeomys antimena 2) Madagascar tree boa, Sanzinia madagascariensis Hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa 3) Collared lemur, Eulemur collaris (behind the scenes, though the door is often open and they are visible) Red ruffed lemur, Varecia rubra (behind the scenes, but often on-show outdoors in summer) 4) Dumeril's tree boa, Acrantophis dumerili 5) Malagasy jumping rat, Hypogeomys antimena 6) Rodriguez flying fox, Pteropus rodricensis 7) Red-bellied lemur, Eulemur rubriventer (0,1) Black lemur, Eulemur macaco (0,1) Tailless tenrec, Tenrec ecaudatus (0,0,2) 8) Belted black-and-white ruffed lemur, Varecia variegata subcincta (0,0,4) 9) Western fat-tailed lemur, Cheirogaleus medius (0,0,3) Malagasy jumping rat, Hypogeomys antimena 10) Red-tailed silverside, Bedotia geayi Black diamond cichlid, Paratilapia polleni Kotsovato, Paretroplus kieneri Pachypanchax sakaramyi Diurnal area: 1) White-headed lemur, Eulemur albifrons (1,1) Narrow-striped mongoose, Mungotictis decemlineata (0,1) 2) Red-bellied lemur, Eulemur rubriventer (1,1,1) Ring-tailed mongoose, Galidia elegans elegans (1,0) 3) Black lemur, Eulemur macaco (1,1,1) 4) Lac Alaotran bamboo lemur, Hapalemur alaotrensis (1,1,1) (first birth in Czech Republic!) 5) Black-and-white ruffed lemur, Varecia variegata variegata (1,1) 6) Red-fronted brown lemur, Eulemur rufifrons (1,1) Radiated tortoise, Astrochelys radiata 7) Common brown lemur, Eulemur fulvus (1,1) Radiated tortoise, Astrochelys radiata 8) Oustalet's chameleon, Furcifer oustaleti (1,0) Karsten's zonosaur, Zonosaurus karsteni Cuvier's malagasy swift, Oplurus cuvieri Spider tortoise, Pyxis arachnoides arachnoides 9) Grandidier's madagascar swift, Oplurus grandidieri Broad-tailed girdled lizard, Zonosaurus laticaudatus Greater day gecko, Phelsuma grandis Madagascar velvet gecko, Blaesodactylus boivini I'll end it there as it's getting late. Up next time is Africa by night!
I spent my entire day returning to the fat-tailed lemur enclosure hoping to spot it, only to realise that it had been in full sight all along masquerading as a branch
@FunkyGibbon, same here! Eventually I even saw all 3 of them (and managed to get 2 on the same picture), something the keeper herself mentioned she hadn't even been able to since she started working there in August. They're such wonderful animals! Either way, here's the next building: AFRICA BY NIGHT (29 exhibits) Unlike the name on the map would make you think, not all of this house is quite nocturnal. Like the Madagascar house, it is split in a diurnal and a nocturnal area, each with a very nice range of (mainly) small African mammals. The diurnal part has a window into the lion indoor exhibit, and then a handful of indoor exhibits for mongooses and foxes. The nocturnal area has a few large "terraria" for rodents, elephant shrews and snakes on the left side of the main room, some larger exhibits for small carnivores and large rodents throughout the rest of the house, and then another few smaller exhibits for small rodents. In the diurnal area, all species except slender mongoose have a rather spacious outdoor exhibit. In the nocturnal area, yellow mongoose and black-backed jackal have an outdoor exhibit, the rest doesn't. Also in the diurnal area is a screen showing a live feed of an aviary for Tarictic hornbills kept off-show. Diurnal area: 1) Slender mongoose, Galerella sanguinea 2) Barbary lion, Panthera leo leo 3) Bat-eared fox, Otocyon megalotis 4) Dwarf mongoose, Helogale parvula 5) Banded mongoose, Mungos mungo 6) Common cusimanse, Crossarchus obscurus Nocturnal area: 1) Checkered elephant shrew, Rhynchocyon cirnei macrurus Gambian epauletted bat, Epomophorus gambianus 2) Lesser Shaw's jird, Meriones shawi 3) West African gaboon viper, Bitis rhinoceros 4) Nile rat, Arvicanthis niloticus niloticus 5) Typical striped grass mouse, Lemniscomys striatus ardens 6) Four-toed jerboa, Allactaga tetradactyla 7) Tibesti spiny mouse, Acomys cahirinus seurati 8) Xeric four-striped grass rat, Rhabdomys pumilio 9) Mesic four-striped grass rat, Rhabdomys dilectus 10) Greater Egyptian jerboa, Jaculus orientalis 11) Lesser Egyptian jerboa, Jaculus jaculus 12) Emin's giant pouched rat, Cricetomys emini 13) Eastern springhare, Pedetes surdaster Garnett's bushbaby, Otolemur garnettii Four-toed hedgehog, Atelerix albiventris 14) Cape fox, Vulpes chama 15) Straw-coloured fruit bat, Eidolon helvum Emin's giant pouched rat, Cricetomys emini African brush-tailed porcupine, Atherurus africanus 16) Northern lesser bushbaby, Galago senegalensis senegalensis African brush-tailed porcupine, Atherurus africanus 17) Tristam's jird, Meriones tristrami 18) Acacia rat, Thallomys paedulcus (signed as T.loringi but listed on ZTL as T.paedulcus) 19) Matthey's mouse, Mus mattheyi 20) Black-backed jackal, Canis mesomelas mesomelas 21) Yellow mongoose, Cynictis penicillata 22) Hausa genet, Genetta thierryi 23) Hausa genet, Genetta thierryi
GONDWANA: SOUTH AMERICAN AREA (4 exhibits) This next area of the zoo consists of a handful of exhibits, and the Gondwana area actually includes the 2 houses above, and the tropical pavilion and Australian area mentioned below. This specific small area has a handful of outdoor exhibits for birds. Waterfowl exhibits: 1) Ruddy-headed goose, Chloephaga rubidiceps 2) Humboldt penguin, Spheniscus humboldti Patagonian crested duck, Lophonetta specularioides specularioides Black-necked swan, Cygnus melancoryphus 3) Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata Chiloe wigeon, Anas sibilatrix Rosy-billed pochard, Netta peposaca Patagonian crested duck, Lophonetta specularioides specularioides Hawaiian goose, Branta sandvicensis Red shoveler, Spatula platalea South American aviary: 1) Great kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica Chaco chachalaca, Ortalis canicollis Guira cuckoo, Guira guira TROPICAL PAVILION (40+ exhibits) Another one of my favorite houses in the zoo. Actually consists of 3 or 4 different 'houses', but referred to as a single unit by the zoo map as they are all connected in one building. The first consists of a shelter where you can buy snacks and look at an indoor exhibit for tortoises and many weaver species. The tortoises also have an outdoor exhibit, though naturally that wasn't used in the harsh winter. There is also a large door that heads to restrooms, but don't let that fool you, as what is actually there is yet another small nocturnal house with 2 exhibits for very interesting mammals, and 3 for insects. The second, main area of the building is based on the Philippines. It has a row of outdoor aviaries in front, and indoors is seperated in 2 hallways; one has mammals and birds found in/around the Philippines, the other has snakes and fish from around the world. At the end of this hall is a window looking into a room with various terraria for young reptiles, though these are very hard to spot/photograph and most not indicated. Split off of this area used to be a small room with 2 exhibits for larger reptiles (Western dwarf crocodiles and Komodo dragons), but this was closed off on my visit now (and from what I could see through the doors, completely removed altogether). And last but not least is an area for 3 primate and 3 reptile species from all around the world, with a less geographic approach. Outdoors there are exhibits for the 3 primates in the last house, and a row of aviaries next to the Philippine part of the house. In the winter these had very random species in them, in the summer they were (at least somewhat) connected to the indoor exhibits. I decided not to count these in the total exhibit count of the pavilion as a whole, as in the summer they just function as a second part of the indoor exhibits and in the winter multiple exhibits were connected to each other to exhibit species that would otherwise be in other areas of the zoo. Weavers + 'Australian' terrarium: 1) African golden weaver, Ploceus subaureus Napoleon bishop, Euplectes afer afer Sudan golden sparrow, Passer luteus Western village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus cucullatus Southern masked weaver, Ploceus velatus Black-winged red bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus Northern red bishop, Euplectes franciscanus African spurred tortoise, Centrochelys sulcata 2) New Guinea ground cuscus, Phalanger gymnotis Western woylie, Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi Sugar glider, Petaurus breviceps 3) Southern flying squirrel, (exhibit was empty on this visit, but not in July) 4) Trachyaretaon sp "Aurora" (exhibit was empty on this visit, but not in July) 5) Sungaya inexpectata (exhibit was empty on this visit, but not in July) 6) Extatosoma tiaratum (exhibit was empty on this visit, but not in July) Philippine house (outdoor aviaries): 1) Kea, Nestor notabilis 2) Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus 3) American kestrel, Falco sparverius 4) Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo Philippine house (mammal/bird hallway): 1) Pallas' squirrel, Callosciurus erythraeus Palawan porcupine, Hystrix pumila Northern Luzon giant cloud rat, Phloeomys pallidus 2) Palawan leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis heaneyi 3) Balabac mouse deer, Tragulus nigricans Asian glossy starling, Aplonis panayensis Philippine metallic pigeon, Columba vitiensis griseogularis Luzon bleeding-heart pigeon, Gallicolumba luzonica Buff-banded rail, Hypotaenidia philippensis 4) Coleto, Sarcops calvus Short-tailed starling, Aplonis minor Pied imperial pigeon, Ducula bicolor Nicobar pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica Luzon bleeding-heart pigeon, Gallicolumba luzonica Red turtle dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica Black-naped fruit dove, Ptilinopus melanospila Palawan peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron napoleonis 5) Balabac mouse deer, Tragulus nigricans Coleto, Sarcops calvus Mindanao bleeding-heart pigeon, Gallicolumba crinigera Spotted imperial pigeon, Ducula carola Red turtle dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus gallus 6) Visayan tarictic hornbill, Penelopides panini panini Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus gallus 7) Mindanao bleeding-heart pigeon, Gallicolumba crinigera Chinese spotted dove, Streptopelia chinensis chinensis Palawan peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron napoleonis Spotted crake, Porzana porzana 8) Luzon hornbill, Penelopides manillae manillae Philippine house (herps/fish/inverts hallway): 1) King cobra, Ophiophagus hannah (exhibit was empty on this visit, but not in July) 2) Golden poison dart frog, Phyllobates terribilis Dyeing poison dart frog, Dendrobates tinctorius 3) Chinese moccasin, Deinagkistrodon acutus 4) Russel's viper, Daboia russelii 5) Common death adder, Acanthophis antarcticus 6) Inland taipan, Oxyuranus microlepidotus 7) Montane tiger spider, Poecilotheria subfusca 8) Black forest scorpion, Heterometrus petersii 9) Philippine orange tarantula, Orphnaecus philippinus 10) Black mamba, Dendroaspis polylepis 11) Red spitting cobra, Naja pallida 12) Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus 13) Peruphasma schultei 14) Anisomorpha paromalus 15) Horrid king assassin bug, Psytalla horrida 16) Baron's green racer, Philodryas baroni 17) Central American bushmaster, Lachesis stenophrys 18) Eyelash viper, Bothriechis schlegelii Honduras montane pitviper, Cerrophidion wilsoni 19) Spotted green pufferfish, Tetraodon nigroviridis 20) Indochinese spitting cobra, Naja siamensis 21-Young reptiles) Rainbow mabuya, Trachylepis margaritifera Ornate mastigure, Uromastyx ornata Babcock's leopard tortoise, Stigmochelys pardalis babcocki Two-striped Gran Canaria skink, Chalcides sexlineatus bistriatus Primate/reptile hall: 1) Ring-tailed lemur, Lemur catta Aldabra giant tortoise, Aldabrachelys gigantea 2) Mertens' water monitor, Varanus mertensi 3) Reticulated python, Python reticulata 4) Chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes Central common chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes troglodytes 5) Golden-handed tamarin, Saguinus midas Next up will be the Australian area, after which the entire "Gondwana" area will be completely finished.
Not entirely sure what you mean. I didn't see any work going on, nor did anything look temporary at all, however the exhibit is still pretty small and old-looking. I wasn't aware of any construction going on, it just looked the same as it did in July, but with quite a bit more snow!
Ah ok. When I was there in September they were putting in something. There was quite a lot of timber stacked in the outdoor area. I wonder what it was used for exactly.
@FunkyGibbon, I can't say that really caught my eye, sorry! Wouldn't know if a lot was changed, don't think I have pictures of the exhibit either, sadly. :/ GONDWANA: AUSTRALIAN AREA (11 exhibits) Somewhat intertwined with the outdoor exhibits of the primates in the jungle pavilion and the outdoor 'South American Area' mentioned last time is an area dedicated to Australian wildlife, which, in the form of species diversity, is probably one of the best within Europe. In this area, we also see the first of the very characteristic 'bird islands' of the zoo: A small, hexagonal wooden shed that has a small exhibit for a rodent or other small mammal in the middle, 2 indoor exhibits for hexagonal aviaries on both sides, and in most cases also a third, off-show exhibit in the back. If you see me using the term, this is what I refer to. Outdoor exhibits beside/behind the jungle pavilion: 1) Tasmanian red-necked wallaby, Notamacropus rufogriseus fruticus Parma wallaby, Notamacropus parma 2) Dingo, Canis lupus f. dingo 3) Australian brush-turkey, Alectura lathami lathami Green rosella, Platycercus caledonicus Australian 'bird island': 1) Long-nosed potoroo, Potorous tridactylus White-backed magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen hypoleuca Blue-faced honeyeater, Entomyzon cyanotis Laughing kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae Chestnut teal, Anas castanea New Zealand shoveler, Spatula rhynchotis variegata New Zealand scaup, Aythya novaeseelandiae Australian hardhead, Aythya australis 2) Kowari, Dasyuroides byrnei 3) Eastern rosella, Platycercus eximius Crimson rosella, Platycercus elegans Superb parrot, Polytelis swainsonii Australian ringneck, Barnardius zonarius Peaceful dove, Geopelia placida Common bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera Wonga pigeon, Leucosarcia melanoleuca Bar-shouldered dove, Geopelia humeralis Diamond dove, Geopelia cuneata Masked lapwing, Vanellus miles Australian thick-knee, Burhinus grallarius Waterfowl aviary: 1) Australian white ibis, Threskiornis molucca Straw-necked ibis, Threskiornis spinicollis White-faced heron, Egretta novaehollandiae Javan pond heron, Ardeola speciosa Asian woolly-necked stork, Ciconia episcopus episcopus White-winged wood duck, Asarcornis scutulata Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus (temporarily in this aviary because of frost in their exhibit next doors) Outdoor exhibits near the zoo entrance/exit: 1) Cape barren goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae novaehollandiae 2) Grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae Australian pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus Black swan, Cygnus atratus Paradise shelduck, Tadorna variegata Small hut: 1) Dusky pademelon, Thylogale brunii 2) Eastern quoll, Dasyurus viverrinus That concludes the "Gondwana" trail on the map, by far the shortest trail. I'm terribly sorry for how slow this is going! Really want to get this up as soon as possible before I start forgetting things (and because it'll help out tremendously for updating the 2017 zoochat challenge thread, which I don't want to have to do with too much delay).
Is this and the Philippine house new? I don't recall this area from my 2012 visit, although I do remember the Chimpanzee outdoor exhibit, the adjacent hall with mostly South American primates and rodents (plus few other mammals and reptiles) and the weaver/tortoise exhibit (viewed from outside). I think most of the species you list were in the Indian Rhino house in 2012, have they since relocated here? I think I probably missed the restroom door, although I was lucky enough to chance across the hut with dusky pademelon (and Australian Water Rat at the time of my visit). Enjoying the list however, very interesting to read!
Thanks for the comment! I'm not sure when this was built/renovated, but the interior did look fairly new compared to some of the other buildings in the zoo. Perhaps it originally didn't have a specific geographical theme, but has been redesigned and re-purposed to act as a Philippine house? The building itself did not look new at all, though the interior did look relatively modern. AFRICAN SAVANNA (14 exhibits) This area holds, as the name implies, African fauna. It consists of a big aviary for waterfowl (which was very overstocked with a lot of non-African species due to most other ponds being frozen over), a rather interesting exhibit for pygmy hippopotamus, multiple different savannah style exhibits, a handful of smaller aviaries and houses, and a cheetah pen. Most of the animals of the savannah have their indoor quarters in the Afro-asian pavilion which is on the other side of the savannah and which visitors only reach later, so I'll discuss this later to keep the chronologic 'tour' of the zoo consistent. African aviaries: 1) Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus African grey-headed gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus poiocephalus Grey gull, Leucophaeus modestus European great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax Grey heron, Ardea cinerea White-naped crane, Antigone vipio Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus Black swan, Cygnus atratus Black-necked swan, Cygnus melancoryphus Bar-headed goose, Anser indicus Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus Greylag goose, Anser anser Pink-footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus Red-breasted goose, Branta ruficollis Australian shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors Red shoveler, Spatula platalea South African black duck, Anas sparsa sparsa Australian black duck, Anas superciliosa rogersi South Georgian pintail, Anas georgica georgica Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata Wigeon, Mareca penelope Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca Mandarin duck, Aix galericulata Australian wood duck, Chenonetta jubata Canvasback, Aythya valisineria Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula clangula Common merganser, Mergus merganser merganser Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus ... (probably more, almost nothing was signed. I saw plumed and rufous whistling-ducks here in July.) 2) Dusky turtle-dove, Streptopelia lugens Layard's bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus layardi Purple glossy starling, Lamprotornis purpureus Lilac-breasted roller, Coracias caudatus caudatus Blacksmith lapwing, Vanellus armatus Black crake, Zapornia flavirostra Bernier's teal, Anas bernieri 3) Madagascar turtle dove, Nesoenas picturata picturata Malagasy crested ibis, Lophotibis cristata Black crake, Zapornia flavirostra Bernier's teal, Anas bernieri Meller's duck, Anas melleri Hippopotamus area:* 1) Pygmy hippopotamus, Choeropsis liberiensis liberiensis Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens 2) Angolan black-and-white colobus, Colobus angolensis palliates DeBrazza's meerkat, Cercopithecus neglectus 3) Upper Guinea bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus inornatus Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild Sudan golden sparrow, Passer luteus Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer afer Emerald starling, Lamprotornis iris Golden-breasted starling, Lamprotornis regius White wagtail, Motacilla alba alba European black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis Blue-naped mousebird, Urocolius macrourus Blue-headed wood dove, Turtur brehmeri Ring-necked pigeon, Streptopelia capicola Namaqua dove, Oena capensis Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula Eurasian golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria Egyptian plover, Pluvianus aegyptius Three-banded plover, Charadrius tricollaris Common redshank, Tringa totanus Ruff, Philomachus pugnax Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta Water rail, Rallus aquaticus Green-winged teal, Anas crecca crecca Hottentot teal, Spatula hottentota Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa 4) African land snail, Achatina albopicta 5) Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens Australian pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Spot-billed pelican, Pelecanus philippensis 6) Manchurian crane, Grus japonensis Blue-winged goose, Cyanochen cyanopterus Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca European kestrel, Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus *The pygmy hippopotamus, in the summer, have access to the water separating the main savannah, the monkey islands, and the visitor pathways. They themselves cannot, however, reach any of the three land areas, only their own near the hippopotamus house itself. A similar concept is used for the Indian rhinoceros exhibit later. African savannah: 1) Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus 2) Chapmann's zebra, Equus quagga chapmani Kafue lechwe, Kobus leche kafuensis Ostrich, Struthio camelus 3) Nyala, Tragelaphus angasii 4) Blesbok, Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi Greater kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros Nubian giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardus* 5) Northern warthog, Phacochoerus africanus africanus *Was surprised to see the taxon signed as such! I suppose after the latest taxonomic changes it's no more than logical, but this was the first time I've seen 'Nubian' as opposed to 'Rothschild's' or 'Baringo' used on a sign.
This was undergoing the renovations in September, but they were mostly finished. Had they not started in July? Martin did tell me the Philippine theming was very new. You're making me doubt myself now, but I'm sure I saw a hippo on one of the monkey islands. In any case, it's a really great exhibit. I take it there are no longer Goliath Herons in one of the indoor aviaries in the Hippopotamus House? They had a pair in what was a fairly undersized room before. Also sorry to see the Northern Carmine Bee-eaters have left the building; they were the real stars for me.
Actually having reread the start of the thread, I suspect the 'work' I saw was the area for large reptiles that you mention as having gone.
ASIA (24 exhibits) The Asian area is next up, however its borders are less obvious, as it transitions into areas for European fauna as well and there is no clear line between the two. A large, open first exhibit is home to Indian rhinoceroses, and like with the hippos they have access to the large moat surrounding their exhibit and a couple primate islands; these ones for gibbons and macaques. Besides this is a Mongolian steppe exhibit that looked absolutely stunning with the tall grasses and snow. Next up is an area for Siberian forest birds, and between all this is a row of the aforementioned "bird islands," the last one actually home to mammals as opposed to birds. I decided to include 3 exhibits for big cats in this area as well, as this is where they fit best. Rhinoceros area: 1) Northern white-cheeked gibbon, Nomascus leucogenys 2) Lion-tailed macaque, Macaca silenus 3) Indian rhinoceros, Rhinoceros unicornis Blackbuck, Antilope cervicapra Mongolian steppe: 1) Bactrian camel, Camelus ferus f. bactrianus Persian goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa 2) Kulan, Equus hemionus kulan Siberian forest: 1) Ashy-faced owl, Tyto glaucops glaucops 2) Ashy-faced owl, Tyto glaucops glaucops 3) European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis carduelis European siskin, Carduelis spinus European linnet, Carduelis cannabina cannabina Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes coccothraustes Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra curvirostra Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus Black-breasted thrush, Turdus dissimilis Mistle thrush, Turdus viscivorus Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris Common starling, Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris Stock pigeon, Columba oenas Wood pigeon, Columba palumbus European turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur turtur Great spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major pinetorum Black grouse, Lyrurus tetrix 4) Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga 5) Shaggy crested porcupine, Hystrix indica hirsutirostris Asian bird islands (1)*: [1] 1) White wagtail, Motacilla alba alba White-spectacled bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthopygos House bunting, Emberiza sahari Senegal laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis senegalensis Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus oedicnemus Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus Corn crake, Crex crex Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris 2) Bushy-tailed jird, Sekeetamys calurus (exhibit was empty on this visit, but not in July) 3) Bank myna, Acridotheres ginginianus Crested myna, Acridotheres cristatellus Brahminy starling, Sturnia pagodarum Black-breasted thrush, Turdus dissimilis Black-headed bunting, Emberiza melanocephala Red-vented bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer Chinese spotted dove, Streptopelia chinensis chinensis Grey junglefowl, Gallus sonneratii Mongolian ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus mongolicus Philippine duck, Anas luzonica [2] 1) Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus Brahminy starling, Sturnia pagodarum Chinese red-whiskered bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus jocosus Oriental magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis Zebra dove, Geopelia striata Ashy wood pigeon, Columba pulchricollis Phasianus colchicus bianchii Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana 2) Persian jird, Meriones persicus rossicus (exhibit was empty on this visit, but not in July) 3) Black-throated laughingthrush, Dryonastes chinensis chinensis Spotted dove, Streptopelia chinensis chinensis Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus White-crested kalij pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos hamiltonii Cypriot chukar partridge, Alectoris chukar cypriotes Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana Falcated duck, Mareca falcata [3] 1) Nepalese red panda, Ailurus fulgens fulgens 2) Garden dormouse, Eliomys quercinus 3) Philippine palm civet, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus philippinensis *"(1)" because in the Northeastern part of the zoo is an Asian garden with another set of 'Asian bird islands.' Himalayas: 1) Snow leopard, Panthera uncia 2) Missouri cougar, Puma concolor missoulensis 3) Chinese goral, Naemorhedus griseus arnouxianus Far east: 1) Siberian tiger, Panthera tigris altaica 2) Stone moroko, Pseudorasbora parva Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus AFRO-ASIAN PAVILION (21 exhibits not counting stalls) Probably the largest building in the zoo, which functions as stalls for the giraffes, rhinos, the other hoofstock in the savanna exhibits, and a series of smaller fauna from Asia and Africa as well, to further elaborate on the themes. Before the entrance is another African-themed bird island. Sadly, because of a birth the day before my visit, during all 3 days I was there the rhinoceros stalls were closed off, meaning only one of the two entrances was opened, so I had to go through the building in a sort of awkward order. African bird island: 1) Lesser blue-eared starling, Lamprotornis chloropterus White-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha albicapillus Buffon's turaco, Tauraco persa buffoni Rock pigeon, Columba livia Black-cheeked lovebird, Agapornis nigrigenis Eastern crested guineafowl, Guttera pucherani pucherani Blacksmith lapwing, Vanellus armatus Garganey, Spatula querquedula 2) Woodland dormouse, Graphiurus murinus Outdoor aviaries ('African themed'): 1) Common pheasant, Phasianus colchicus colchicus Northern green pheasant, Phasianus versicolor robustipes 2) Blue peafowl, Pavo cristatus Vietnamese pheasant, Lophura hatinhensis African stalls seen from outside: 1) Eastern grey crowned crane, Balearica regulorum gibbericeps Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus 2) White stork, Ciconia ciconia ciconia Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea 3) Goliath heron, Ardea goliath 4) Sarus crane, Antigone antigone antigone 5) Nyala, Tragelaphus angasii 6) Blesbok, Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi Afro-Asian pavilion - African area: 1) Nubian giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardus 2) Cape ground squirrel, Geosciurus inauris Rock hyrax, Procavia capensis capensis Spurred tortoise, Centrochelys sulcata Leopard tortoise, Stigmochelys pardalis bobcocki Sudan plated lizard, Broadleysaurus major Red-headed rock agama, Agama agama 3) Emperator scorpion, Pandinus imperator 4) Two-spotted assassin bug, Platymeris biguttatus 5) Suraka silk moth, Anthirina suraka 6) Anisomorpha paromalus 7) Mecynorhina polyphemus confluens 8) Pachnoda marginata marginata 9) Brown African house snake, Boaedon fuliginosus 10) Yellow-spotted rock hyrax, Heterohyrax brucei Pancake tortoise, Malacochersus tornieri West African rainbow lizard, Agama agama africana Rainbow skink, Trachylepis margaritifera Jones' armadillo lizard, Cordylus jonesii 11) Rhyparobia maderae 12) Pachnoda marginata peregrina Eudicella hereroensis Mecynorhina polyphemus confluens Mecynorhina torquata ugandensis Eudicella smithi bertherandi Afro-Asian pavilion - Asian area: 1) Philippine palm civet, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus philippinensis 2) Palawan binturong, Arctictis binturong whitei 3) Indian rhinoceros, Rhinoceros unicornis 4) Blackbuck, Antilope cervicapra
Philippine theming: What I meant to say was that I don't know how recent the transformation to a Philippine house was, as it was already like this on my first visit (last July.) De Brazza: In dutch, confusingly, guenons are called 'meerkats' so that's where that came from! Hippo: And now you're making me doubt myself! I was actually not convinced it was a great exhibit because they had such little land, but if they do have access to the islands then it would indeed be great! Less ideal, however, is that they're permanently stuck indoors for half the year, and the indoor stalls aren't exactly state-of-the-art. Goliath heron: Their rather undersized room was (temporarily, I hope) inhabited by pelicans indoors and cranes/kestrels/sheldgeese outdoors, and they themselves moved to the Afro-Asian pavilion. Probably because the pelicans and cranes had no other place to go, they moved those in that exhibit. I'm not sure if the cranes were locked out, but I can't imagine them sharing the indoor exhibit with the (way too many) pelicans. Bee-eaters: They are still there! I just forgot to add them to my post. Thanks for noticing that I have to say the stars for me were either the emerald starlings or one of the plover species! I thoroughly enjoyed watching every bird live their own life in the (maybe a little overcrowded) exhibit.
PALEARCTIC ECOZONE (~28 exhibits) Backtracking a little, next to the Mongolian steppe is an area for mainly European fauna with very spacious exhibits (I think the bear exhibit has to be one of the biggest I've seen in my life). I decided to include the Luftnerka farmhouse, Czech river and livestock exhibits in this area as well, since they also predominantly hold European (or domestic) species. This ecozone and the previous ones are also filled with areas designed to show the flora of these regions, making for some very interesting botanic displays. Besides fauna and flora, there are also displays of an Iron Age village, and the farmhouse has rooms with blacksmith and carpentry workshops in the summer, old agricultural machinery, an apartment, etc. I didn't bother listing the domestic animals I saw for multiple reasons, the most important one being that they frankly just don't interest me. You can expect some of the smaller domestics (chickens, goats, rabbits) in the farmhouse, and some of the larger ones (sheep, pigs, horses, cattle, goats) in the hoofstock exhibits around this area. North America: 1) Barren ground musk oxen, Ovibos moschatus moschatus Black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus European forest: 1) Wisent, Bison bonasus Eastern kiang, Equus kiang holdereri 2) European brown bear, Ursus arctos arctos 3) Wolf, Canis lupus Luftnerka farmhouse: ~1-5) A children's zoo with goats, rabbits, chickens, and apparently an attic with owls (didn't know this during my visit, just reading it on the map now) Czech river: 1) Crucian carp, Carassius carassius Tench, Tinca tinca Rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus Pikeperch, Sander lucioperca Asp, Leuciscus aspius White bream, Blicca bjoerkna Common bream, Abramis brama European perch, Perca fluviatilis 2) Common carp, Cyprinus carpio Roach, Rutilus rutilus Wels catfish, Silurus glanis Pike, Esox lucius Pikeperch, Sander lucioperca European eel, Anguilla anguilla 3) Tench, Tinca tinca Sunbleak, Leucaspius delineatus Barbel, Barbus barbus Baltic vimba, Vimba vimba Rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus Bleak, Alburnus alburnus Roach, Rutilus rutilus Ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernua White bream, Blicca bjoerkna 4) Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra lutra 5) Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra lutra 6) Empty exhibit, with a sign saying 'hybernating animals' 7) Burbot, Lota lota Ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernua European perch, Perca fluviatilis 8) Grayling, Thymallus thymallus Gudgeon, Gobio gobio Stone loach, Barbatula barbatula European chub, Squalius cephalus 9) Brown trout, Salmo trutta fario 10) Bullhead, Cottus gobio Dace, Leuciscus leuciscus Stone loach, Barbatula barbatula 11) Freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera Slender-clawed crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus Hoofstock pens: ~1-6) Larger pens for horses, goats, sheep, pigs and cattle 7-8) Smaller aviaries for pigeon breeds, close to the wolf exhibit NORTH AMERICA (24 exhibits) A wonderful area that really portrays the wildlife of North America well, with some large ungulate exhibits, a house for Sonora desert animals, exhibits for both American lynx species, and an aviary for larger Central American birds. Ungulate exhibits: 1) Tule wapiti, Cervus canadensis nannodes 2) California bighorn, Ovis canadensis californiana 3) Dall's sheep, Ovis dalli dalli Sonora house + outdoor aviary: 1) Eastern red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis borealis 2) Western diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox 3) Hispid cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus Southern flying squirrel, Glaucomys volans 4) California kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula californiae 5) Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum Desert spiny lizard, Sceloporus magister 6) Giant hairy scorpion, Hadrurus arisonensis 7) San Lucan rock lizard, Petrosaurus thalassinus Great plains toad, Anaxyrus cognatus 8) Green toad, Bufo debilis 9) Chuckwalla, Sauromalus ater 10) Western hog-nosed snake, Heterodon nasicus 11) Eastern tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum 12) Giant hairy scorpion, Hadrurus arisonensis 13) Mexican redknee tarantula, Brachypelma smithi 14) Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia 15) Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus 16) Blind cave tetra, Astyanax jordani 17) Rio Fuerte beaded lizard, Heloderma horridum exasperatum Mexican mud turtle, Kinosternon integrum Central American aviary: 1) Striated caracara, Phalcoboenus australis Black vulture, Coragyps atratus Western turkey vulture, Cathartes aura aura Black-rumped agouti, Dasyprocta prymnolopha (not signed anymore, but seen in the summer) Green military macaw, Ara militaris (not signed anymore, but seen in the summer) Canada: 1) Woodchuck, Marmota monax 2) Canadian lynx, Lynx canadensis 3) Bobcat, Lynx rufus SOUTH AMERICA (12 exhibits) This area lies between the North American area and the Afro-Asian pavilion. It consists of a large pampa exhibit, the 'Amazonia' house, and a few older exhibits. The pampa exhibit and older outdoor exhibits are quite regular, functional and not all that aesthetically exciting, but the Amazonia house is just wonderful; besides its amazing collection of new world primates, it has a very interesting informative display in the middle about plants, crops and culture of people in the Amazon rainforest. Around the house are aviaries for every species, and at the back is a rather interesting walkthrough-style aviary for night monkeys, brazilian porcupines, and white tufted-ear marmosets (though practically, you'll only ever see the marmosets here of course) Amazonia: 1) Bolivian night monkey, Aotus azarae boliviensis 2) Red-bellied tamarin, Saguinus labiatus 3) Silvery marmoset, Mico argentatus 4) Red-mantled saddleback tamarin, Leontocebus lagonotus Southern three-banded armadillo, Tolypeutes matacus 5) Bolivian night monkey, Aotus azarae boliviensis Brazilian porcupine, Coendou prehensilis Big hairy armadillo, Chaetophractus villosus 6) White tufted-ear marmoset, Callithrix jacchus Lowland paca, Cuniculus paca 7) Western pygmy marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea pygmaea Southern three-banded armadillo, Tolypeutes matacus Golden-headed lion tamarin, Leontopithecus chrysomelas White-headed saki, Pithecia pithecia 8) Bearded emperor tamarin, Saguinus imperator subgrisescens South American pampa + pens: 1) Vicuna, Vicugna vicugna Capybara, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Greater rhea, Rhea americana 2) Reeves' muntjac, Muntiacus reevesi reevesi Bewick's swan, Cygnus bewickii Red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans 3) Collared peccary, Pecari tajacu South Brazilian coati, Nasua nasua solitaria 4) Maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus
MEDITERRANEUM (10 exhibits) A rather wonderful greenhouse with a nice collection of mediterranean plants, reptiles and fish, next to a small garden with European mountain plants and a large aviary for vultures (and other large birds like crowned cranes and marabou in the summer). Vulture aviary: 1) Eurasian griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus fulvus Mediterraneum: 1) European legless lizard, Pseudopus apodus 2) Spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca graeca 3) Hermann's tortoise,Testudo hermanni hermanni 4) Tropidophoxinellus hellenicus Pelasgus marathonicus Rutilus aula Alburnus arborella 5) European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis Western Caspian turtle, Mauremys rivulata 6) Marginated tortoise, Testudo marginata 7) Hermann's tortoise, Testudo hermanni hermanni Western Caspian turtle, Mauremys rivulata 8) Moroccan eyed lizard, Timon tangitanus North African spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx acanthinura 9) Cyclades blunt-nosed viper, Macrovipera schweizeri UNDERGROUND WORLD (27 exhibits) A very, very interesting and unique concept I've never seen anywhere else; a small museum area (complete with some very interesting taxidermied species) that leads into a set of tunnels that go underneath the rest of the zoo. In here are a lot of species that live underground, from bats to rats to amphibians, etc. After you exit, you pass by a wonderful outdoor glass-fronted aviary for native reptiles. Museum: 1) Grass snake, Natrix natrix 2) Endler guppy, Poecilia wingei Caves of the Czech republic: 1) Edible dormouse, Glis glis 2) Common toad, Bufo bufo 3) Barn funnel weaver, Tegenaria domestica The Herald, Scoliopteryx libatrix 4) European green toad, Bufo viridis Amphibian ark: A semi-off-show room in which the public can look, but only see the tanks from a very bad angle (and very rarely see any inhabitants at all). Large information boards for Kaiser's newt, Olm and Mallorcan midwife toad were present, but Olm isn't listed on zootierliste and they seem to not have the midwife toads anymore, so I suspect it's main function is a breeding centre for the Kaiser's newts. Also present in some of the tanks were fish I couldn't quite identify. I won't count these for the total area exhibit count, as they're technically off-show and there's something between 20-35 tanks in this room. Underground spaces of the Mediterranean: 1) Cave cricket, Diestrammena asynamora 2) Phaeophilacris bredoides 3) Cellar beetle, Blaps mortisaga Anobium pertinax 4) Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus Black rat, Rattus rattus 5) Brown rat, Rattus norvegicus Caribbean caves: 1) Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus 2) Blind cave tetra, Astyanax jordani Rio cauca caecilian, Typhlonectes natans 4) Phormictopus platus 5) Reticulated python, Python reticulata Giant toad, Rhinella marina 6) Cuban burrowing cockroach, Byrsotria fumigata American cockroach, Periplaneta americana 7) Cuban boa, Chilabothrus angulifer Giant toad, Rhinella marina 8) Cuban tree frog, Osteopilus septentrionalis 9) Pallas's long-tongued bat, Glossophaga soricina Southern long-nosed bat, Leptonycteris curasoae Seba's short-tailed bat, Carollia perspicillata Evolution of life on earth: 1) Zebrasoma xanthurum Zebrasoma desjardinii Amphiprion ocellaris Amphiprion frenatus Paracabthurus hepatus Pholidichthys leucotaenia Paracentrotus lividis Epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum Soil formation: 2) Lumbricus terrestris 3) Lasius emarginatus 4) Mandarin salamander, Tylototriton shanjing 5) North African fire salamander, Salamandra algira tingitana Thermophytic flora and fauna of the Czech republic: 1) Green lizard, Lacerta viridis Sand lizard, Lacerta agilis Common lizard, Zootoca vivipara Minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus SUCCULENTS HOUSE (13 exhibits) Another wonderful greenhouse for, as the name would imply, succulents, cactuses and other desert/mediterranean plants, that also makes good use of the heat, lighting and theme to exhibit a good few reptile species. Though it can appear quite messy (there's pots for plants everywhere, giving it a very plant shop-like vibe), it is a truly unique place, and a great change from the freezing climate outside. Ocellated lizards roam freely in the greenhouse. Succulents house: 1) Ocellated lizard, Timon lepidus (freeroaming) 2) Eastern collared lizard, Crotaphytus collaris Blue spiny lizard, Sceloporus cyanogenys 3) Veiled chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus Moroccan eyed lizard, Timon tangitanus 4) Malagasy giant hognose snake, Leioheterodon madagascariensis 5) Kleinmann's tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni 6) Sudan plated lizard, Broadleysaurus major Pancake tortoise, Malacochersus tornieri 7) Kleinmann's tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni 8) Mozambique girdled lizard, Smaug mossambicus Limpopo girdled lizard, Cordylus jonesii Rainbow skink, Trachylepis margaritifera Bibron's gecko, Chondrodactylus bibronii 9) Ornate mastigure, Uromastyx ornata 10) Moroccan mastigure, Uromastyx nigriventris 11) Blonde hognose snake, Leioheterodon modestus 12) Vaillant's mabuya, Chioninia vaillantii 13) Speckled padloper, Homopus signatus* *Was surprised to see this species here, as it wasn't indicated as being present on zootierliste, and up until now the taxon was only present in Amsterdam's Artis!
ASIAN GARDEN (18 exhibits) In the summer, this place is another beautiful japanese-themed botanical garden, unfortunately it somewhat loses this feel in the winter (though it is an absolutely great place to spot nuthatches and woodpeckers!). The first area is reserved for a crane/waterfowl exhibit, and after this comes a series of the typical 'bird islands' mentioned earlier in this thread, present throughout the zoo. After these bird islands is another crane exhibit. First crane exhibit: 1) White-naped crane, Antigone vipio Pink-footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus Red-breasted goose, Branta ruficollis Common eider, Somateria mollissima mollissima Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata European wigeon, Mareca penelope Greater scaup, Aythya marila marila Asian bird islands (2): [1] 1) Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea Long-tailed rosefinch, Uragus sibiricus sibiricus Bearded reedling, Panurus biarmicus Azure tit, Cyanistes cyanus Smew, Mergellus albellus Corn crake, Crex crex 2) White-winged redstart, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus 3) Garden dormouse, Eliomys quercinus 4) Dusky pademelon, Thylogale brunii [2] 1) Yellow-billed grosbeak, Eophona migratoria Azure tit, Cyanistes cyanus Siberian rubythroat, Luscinia calliope Siberian thrush, Zoothera sibirica Red-tailed laughingthrush, Trochalopteron milnei Indian green-winged pigeon, Chalcophaps indica indica Red turtle dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica Edward's pheasant, Lophura edwardsi 2) European wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus 3) Grey-backed thrush, Turdus hortulorum Himalayan bulbul, Pycnonotus leucogenys Blue-crowned laughingthrush, Dryonastes courtoisi Indian green-winged pigeon, Chalcophaps indica indica Red turtle dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica Vietnamese pheasant, Lophura hatinhensis [3] 1) Pale-bellied myna, Acridotheres cinereus Red-necked Sulawesi ground dove, Gallicolumba tristigmata bimaculata Philippine pied imperial pigeon, Ducula bicolor bicolor (the ones in Philippine house are also of this subspecies) Emperor goose, Anser canagicus Sunda teal, Anas gibberifrons Striated heron, Butorides striata Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus Southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis 2) Gunther's vole, Microtus guentheri 3) Grosbeak starling, Scissirostrum dubium Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea Collared kingfisher, Todiramphus chloris Red-necked Sulawesi ground dove, Gallicolumba tristigmata bimaculata Black-naped fruit dove, Ptilinopus melanospila Sunda green imperial pigeon, Ducula aenea aenea Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos [4] 1) Yellow-vented bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthopygos analis Ruby-throated bulbul, Pycnonotus dispar Pink-necked green pigeon, Treron vernans Greater yellownape, Chrysophlegma flavinucha mystacalis Spotted whistling-duck, Dendrocygna guttata North Sumatran bronze-tailed peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron chalcurum scutulatum Great argus pheasant, Argusianus argus argus 2) Siberian flying squirrel, Pteromys volans volans 3) Sumatran laughingthrush, Garrulax bicolor Chestnut-capped laughingthrush, Garrulax mitratus Sunda collared dove, Streptopelia bitorquata Pink-necked green pigeon, Treron vernans Wandering whistling-duck, Dendrocygna arcuata Flying steamer duck, Tachyeres patachonicus* Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus gallus Salvadori pheasant, Lophura inornata [5] 1) Scaly laughingthrush, Trochalopteron subunicolor Western crowned pigeon, Goura cristata Chestnut-naped green imperial pigeon, Ducula aenea paulina Striated heron, Butorides striata Australian thick-knee, Burhinus grallarius Masked lapwing, Vanellus miles Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus colchicus 2) Striped field mouse, Apodemus agrarius 3) Oriental greenfinch, Carduelis sinica Black-breasted thrush, Turdus dissimilis Omei Shan liocichla, Liocichla omeiensis Red-winged laughingthrush, Trochalopteron formosum Eastern oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis orientalis White-necklaced partridge, Arborophila gingica Sichuan pheasant, Phasianus colchicus strauchi *unsigned. Second crane exhibit: 1) Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis Northern pintail, Anas acuta Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca Eastern spot-billed duck, Anas zonorhyncha Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina Common merganser, Mergus merganser Freeroaming / rather fitting escapee: I saw a freeroaming Reeves' muntjac in this area, of which I'm not sure if it was part of a self-sustaining population or just an escapee from the other side of the zoo. 1) Reeves' muntjac, Muntiacus reevesi (ssp. reevesi?) DINOPARK (16 exhibits) A separate area from the zoo for which you have to buy an additional ticket (which doesn't really matter, as a combination ticket of zoo+dinopark still only equals 240CZK, so about 8.8 EUR), but this is apparently only so in the summer months; in the winter months the entrance said the dinopark was closed and one could not buy tickets for it, but in reality the gates between the zoo and dinopark were just wide open. The majority of this area is just a bunch of artificial dinosaurs and a small 3D cinema, but it also has 5 Eurasian-themed bird islands and another crane+waterfowl exhibit. Eurasian bird islands: [1] 1) Iberian azure-winged magpie, Cyanopica cooki Spotless starling, Sturnus unicolor Common pheasant, Phasianus colchicus colchicus 2) Persian jird, Meriones persicus rossicus 3) White-spectacled bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthopygos Coal tit, Periparus ater ater Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella Senegal laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis senegalensis Persian pheasant, Phasianus colchicus persicus [2] 1) Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus Rosy starling, Pastor roseus Rock bunting, Emberiza cia Red-headed bunting, Emberiza bruniceps Oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis orientalis Baer's pochard, Aythya baeri Turkmenian pheasant, Phasianus colchicus zarudnyi 2) Steppe lemming, Lagurus lagurus 3) Eastern white-eared bulbul, Pycnonotus leucotis leucotis (ssp. mesopotamia kept behind the scenes) Chestnut-winged laughingthrush, Dryonastes berthemyi Slender-billed spotted nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes macrorhynchos Madagascar turtle dove, Nesoenas picturata picturata Garganey, Spatula querquedula Zeravshan pheasant, Phasianus colchicus zerafshanicus [3] 1) Dark grey tit, Periparus rufonuchalis Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis carduelis Long-tailed rosefinch, Uragus sibiricus sibiricus Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris chloris Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes coccothraustes Oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis orientalis Chiwa pheasant, Phasianus colchicus chrysomelas 2) Garden dormouse, Eliomys quercinus 3) Azure tit, Cyanistes cyanus Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis carduelis Song thrush, Turdus philomelos philomelos European bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula pyrrhula Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio Red-vented bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer Red-headed bunting, Emberiza bruniceps Green-winged teal, Anas crecca crecca Cypriot chukar partridge, Alectoris chukar cypriotes Formosan pheasant, Phasianus colchicus formosanus [4] 1) Spotted nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes White-shouldered starling, Sturnia sinensis Black-breasted thrush, Turdus dissimilis Chinese spotted dove, Streptopelia chinensis chinensis Green-winged teal, Anas crecca crecca Water rail, Rallus aquaticus Mikado pheasant, Syrmaticus mikado 2) Empty exhibit 3) Siamese white-crested laughingthrush, Garrulax leucolophus diardi Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio Chinese spotted dove, Streptopelia chinensis chinensis Baikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa Korean pheasant, Phasianus colchicus karpowi Sichuan pheasant, Phasianus colchicus strauchi [5] 1) Asian azure-winged magpie, Cyanopica cyanus Black-collared starling, Gracupica nigricollis Purple-backed starling, Agropsar sturninus Baer's pochard, Aythya baeri Pallas' pheasant, Phasianus colchicus pallasi 2) Reed vole, Microtus fortis 3) White-headed black bulbul, nominate Grey-backed thrush, Turdus hortulorum Moustached laughingthrush, Ianthocincla cineracea Black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis Chinese spotted dove, Streptopelia chinensis chinensis Baer's pochard, Aythya baeri Chinese pheasant, Phasianus colchicus torquatus Third crane exhibit: 1) Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo Emperor goose, Anser canagicus Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis American wood duck, Aix sponsa Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula clangula And that concludes the list of on-show species at Plzen! I will also post lists of the species off-show, hopefully sooner rather than later. I also took notes of AkvaTera in case there is interest (might skip invertebrates for that area except if there is serious interest, as that'll be a lot of work!)
BEHIND THE SCENES PART 1: BIRDS A really great aspect to Plzen's zoo is their wonderful staff and how open-minded they are towards zoo enthusiasts. Any visit to the zoo is incredibly enhanced if one manages to get a tour through their off-show area, which holds an incredibly diverse array of birds, reptiles, and rodents, and has some other very interesting mammals dotted throughout. I'll be splitting this post into 3 parts as I sorted out the birds first, and don't want to procrastinate the mammals and reptiles to the point where nothing ever gets posted. I will remind you, though, that none of these are signed; I took pictures of every bird species I saw and went through those pictures to identify them, but I may very well have made slight mistakes, or missed a certain bird. Additionally, I can never know if I was shown all species that are kept off-show, so this list might have a few gaps here and there. Pigeons: Domestic pigeon, Columba livia f. domestica Namaqua dove, Oena capensis Pink pigeon, Nesoenas mayeri Madagascar turtle dove, Nesoenas picturata picturata Eastern oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis orientalis Socorro dove, Zenaida graysoni White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica Ruddy ground-dove, Columbina talpacoti talpacoti Indian emerald dove, Chalcophaps indica indica Stephan’s dove, Chalcophaps stephani Mindanao bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba crinigera Luzon bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba luzonica Cinnamon ground-dove, Gallicolumba rufigula Red-necked Sulawesi ground-dove, Gallicolumba tristigmata bimaculata Diamond dove, Geopelia cuneata Bar-shouldered dove, Geopelia humeralis Barred dove, Geopelia maugeus Peaceful dove, Geopelia placida Zebra dove, Geopelia striata Wonga pigeon, Leucosarcia melanoleuca Common bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera Bush bronzewing, Phaps elegans Nicobar pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica White-eared brown dove, Phapitreron leucotis Pink-necked green pigeon, Treron vernans Orange-fronted fruit-dove, Ptilinopus aurantiifrons Black-naped fruit-dove, Ptilinopus melanospila Pink-headed fruit-dove, Ptilinopus porphyreus Beautiful fruit-dove, Ptilinopus pulchellus Superb fruit-dove, Ptilinopus superbus Sunda green imperial pigeon, Ducula aenea aenea Spotted imperial pigeon, Ducula carola Island imperial pigeon, Ducula pistrinaria Pink-headed imperial pigeon, Ducula rosacea Passerines: Steppe horned lark, Eremophila alpestris brandti Black lark, Melanocorypha yeltoniensis Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica rustica Chestnut bulbul, Hemixos castanonotus Black-headed bulbul, Pycnonotus atriceps Cream-striped bulbul, Pycnonotus leucogrammicus Chinese bulbul, Pycnonotus sinensis sinensis Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulous Grey hypoculius, Hypocolius ampelinus Oriental magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis Rufous scrub-robin, Erythropygia galactotes Black wheatear, Oenanthe leucura Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus Grey-backed thrush, Turdus hortulorum Eurasian song thrush, Turdus philomelos philomelos Chestnut-backed ground thrush, Zoothera dohertyi Oriole warbler, Hypergerus atriceps Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla Red-fronted laughingthrush, Garrulax rufifrons Great kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus Chestnut-flanked white-eye, Zosterops erythropleurus Blue-faced honeyeater, Entomyzon cyanotis Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio Sumatran treepie, Dendrocitta occipitalis Golden-crested myna, Ampeliceps coronatus Sulawesi myna, Basilornis celebensis Bali myna, Leucopsar rothschildi Emerald starling, Lamprotornis iris Yellow-faced myna, Mino dumontii Scissor-billed grosbeak, Scissirostrum dubium White-shouldered starling, Sturnia sinensis Napoleon bishop, Euplectes afer afer Fire-crowned bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus Madagascar fody, Foudia madagascariensis Western village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus cucullatus Grey-headed social weaver, Pseudonigrita arnaudi arnaudi Painted firetail, Emblema pictum Gouldian finch, Erythrura gouldiae Fiji parrotfinch, Erythrura pealii Blue-faced parrotfinch, Erythrura trichroa sigillifera Tricolor parrotfinch, Erythrura tricolor Madagascar bibfinch, Lepidopygia nana Malaysian chestnut munia, Lonchura atricapilla sinensis Chestnut-breasted munia, Lonchura castaneothorax castaneothorax Chestnut-breasted munia, Lonchura castaneothorax sharpii Dusky munia, Lonchura fuscans Javan munia, Lonchura leucogastroides White-faced munia, Lonchura maja Black-faced munia, Lonchura molucca Pale-headed munia, Lonchura pallida Indian scaly-breasted munia, Lonchura punctulata punctulata Black munia, Lonchura stygia Plum-headed finch, Neochmia modesta Timor sparrow, Padda fuscata Yellow-billed long-tailed finch, Poephila acuticauda acuticauda Black-throated finch, Poephila cincta Masked finch, Poephila personata Timor zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata guttate Chestnut-eared finch, Taeniopygia guttata castanotis Trumpeter finch, Bucanetes githagineus zedlitzi Eurasian goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis Oriental greenfinch, Carduelis sinica Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes coccothraustes Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs coelebs Island canary, Serinus canaria Cuban grassquit, Tiaris canorus Montserrat oriole, Icterus oberi Parrots: Ducorp’s corella, Cacatua ducorpsii Red-vented cockatoo, Cacatua haematuropygia Stella’s lorikeet, Charmosyna stellae Purple-naped lorikeet, Lorius domicella Marigold lorikeet, Trichoglossus capistratus capistratus Scaly-breasted lorikeet, Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus Sumba lorikeet, Trichoglossus forsteni forsteni Mitchell’s lorikeet, Trichoglossus forsteni mitchellii Mindanao lorikeet, Trichoglossus johnstoniae Vernal hanging-parrot, Loriculus vernalis Lesser vasa, Coracopsis nigra Greater vasa, Coracopsis vasa Madagascar lovebird, Agapornis canus Dammerman's moustached parakeet, Psittacula alexandri dammermani Yellow-fronted parakeet, Cyanoramphus auriceps Red-fronted parakeet, Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae Swift parrot, Lathamus discolour Budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus Blue-winged parrot, Neophema chrysostoma Elegant parrot, Neophema elegans Turquoise parrot, Neophema pulchella Scarlet-chested parrot, Neophema splendida Bourke’s parrot, Neopsephotus bourkii Green rosella, Platycercus caledonicus Golden-shouldered parrot, Psephotellus chrysopterygius Hooded parrot, Psephotellus dissimilis Bucerotiformes: Luzon hornbill, Penelopides manillae manillae Visayan tarictic hornbill, Penelopides panini panini Southern Sulawesi tarictic hornbill, Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus sanfordi Coraciiformes: Red-throated bee-eater, Merops bulocki Collared kingfisher, Todiramphus chloris Tinamous: Elegant crested tinamou, Eudromia elegans Caprimulgiformes: Tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides Shorebirds: Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola Blacksmith lapwing, Vanellus armatus Gruiformes: Corn crake, Crex crex Spotted crake, Porzana porzana Water rail, Rallus aquaticus Cuckoos: Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus Galliformes: European quail, Coturnix coturnix coturnix Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei Madagascar partridge, Margaroperdix madagarensis Jungle bush quail, Perdicula asiatica Owls: Philippine scops owl, Otus megalotis Undefined scops owl, Otus sp.
Brilliant thread!!!!! Next time I am in the Czech Republic (no idea when that will be) I definitely want to visit this zoo! The pygmy hippo exhibit and Indian rhino exhibits with the primate islands sound brilliant!!!
AKVATERA (85 exhibits) Besides the actual zoo itself, the zoo also owns a small terrarium in the city centre named "AkvaTera." I was able to visit this as the zoo only stayed open until 5PM (winter opening times), where the terrarium was open until 6. (and a visit to AkvaTera is half the price if you still have your zoo ticket) It's quite a nice, small terrarium that has some interesting species. A lot of mock rock is used, but standalone terraria are, in my opinion, places where that is forgivable: it doesn't look convincingly realistic, but it gives it more of an interesting look than a sterile empty room would. It had a few larger open-topped exhibits, a lot of small terraria, and a really good collection of invertebrates; an entire wall filled with glass-fronted terraria for them. Something worth noting is that the zoo and AkvaTera seem to switch their collections around a lot. First room / entrance: 1) Spotted sailfin catfish, Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps Chinese water dragon, Physignathus cocincinus Yellow-spotted river turtle, Podocnemis unifilis Mata-mata, Chelus fimbriata Tiger oscar, Astronotus ocellatus 2) Oustalet's chameleon, Furcifer oustaleti Madagascar greater day gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis Radiated tortoise, Astrochelys radiata Dumeril's Madagascar swift, Oplurus quadrimaculatus 3) Northern snake-necked turtle, Macrocgelodina rugosa 4) Western dwarf crocodile, Osteolaemus tetraspis subsp. nov. 5) Orxines xiphias 6) Gromphadorhina oblongonota 7) Blaberus giganteus 8) Pyxicephalus adspersus 9) Deroplatys dessicata 10) Trachyaretaon sp. Aurora 11) Green tree python, Morelia viridis 12) Theraphosa blondi 13) Sphodromantis sp. Maroko Second room: 1) Cope's false chameleon, Anolis porcus 2) Jamaican giant anole, Anolis garmani 3) Dyeing dart frog, Dendrobates tinctorius 4) Rosy boa, Lichanura trivirgata 5) Emerald tree skink, Lamprolepis smaragdina 6) Gran Canaria giant lizard, Gallotia stehlini 7) Boehme's monitor, Varanus boehmei 8) Brown basilisk, Basiliscus vittatus Knight anolis, Anolis equestris Eastern casquehead iguana, Laemanctus longipes Cane toad, Rhinella marina Rococo toad, Rhinella schneideri Western twist-neck turtle, Platemys platycephala Second room - Invertebrate 'wall': 1) Vitatus paranensis 2) Citharischius crawshayi 3) Euathlus sp. Yellow 4) Acanthoscurria juruenicola 5) Chilobrachys huahini 6) Aphonophelma caniceps 7) Aphonophelma seemanni 8) Chilobrachys andersoni 9) Pterinochilus murinus "Usambara" 10) Therea olegrandjeani 11) Therea petiveriana 12) Aphonophelma stoicum 13) Acanthoscurria musculosa 14) Nhandu coloratovillosus 15) Lasiodora parahybana 16) Brachypelma boehmei 17) Grammostola alticeps 18) Phormictophus auratus 19) Chaetopelma sp. 20) Sericopelma sp. 21) Hapalopus formosus 22) Hysterocrates hercules 23) Psalmopoeus reduncus 24) Theraphosidae sp. 25) Lomaeaus sp. (?) 26) Euathlus sp. Yellow 27) Heterometrus sp. 28) Phylloerania paradoxa 29) Sphodromantis sp. 30) Uropygi sp. 31) Achatina sp. 32) Archispirostreptus gigas 33) Sungaya inexpectata "lowland" 34) Archimandrita tesselata 35) Mecynorrhina torquata Pachnoda marginata peregrina 36) Achatina reticulata 37) Platymeris biguttatus Third room: 1) California kingsnake, Lampropeltis californiae 2) Western cliff anole, Anolis bartschi Green-and-black poison dart frog, Dendrobates auratus Yellow-banded poison dart frog, Dendrobates leucomelas Splashback poison dart frog, Adelphobates galactonotus Golden poison dart frog, Phyllobates terribilis 3) Lined gecko, Gekko vittatus 4) Green tree python, Morelia viridis 5) Philippine sailfin lizard, Hydrosaurus pustulatus Blue-spotted tree monitor, Varanus macraei Fourth room (saltwater aquaria): 1) Snowflake moray, Echidna nebulosa Twospot turkeyfish, Dendrochirus biocellatus 2) Pacific sail-fin surgeonfish, Zebrasoma veliferum Ocellaris clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris Pajama cardinalfish, Sphaeramia nematoptera Foxface rabbitfish, Siganus vulpinus Six-line wrasse, Pseudocheilinus hexataenia Picturesque dragonet, Synchiropus picturatus 3) Orange-band surgeonfish, Acanthurus olivaceus Foxface rabbitfish, Siganus vulpinus Azure damselfish, Chrysiptera hemicyanea Yellowtail damselfish, Chrysiptera parasema Blue-girdled angelfish, Pomacanthus navarchus Pink skunk clownfish, Amphiprion perideraion Short-nosed unicornfish, Naso brevirostris Fifth room (freshwater aquaria): 1) Red-bellied piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri Freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare Bristlenose catfish, Ancistrus sp. Suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus plecostomus Glowlight tetra, Hemigrammus erythrozonus X-ray tetra, Pristella maxillaris Dwarf pencilfish, Nannostomus marginatus Golden pencilfish, Nannostomus beckfordi Marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata 2) Spanner barb, Barbodes lateristriga Bala shark, Balantiocheilos melanopterus Pangasius catfish, Pangasius sp. Ceylonese combtail, Belontia signata Siamese algae-eater, Gyrinocheilus aymonieri Chameleon loach, Syncrossus beauforti Redtail botia, Yasuhikotakia modesta 3) Northern cayman lizard, Dracaena guianensis 4) Garden tree boa, Corallus hortulanus Hallway from 5th to 1st room - invertebrates: 1) Brachypelma vagans 2) Brachypelma boehmei 3) Phormictopus cancerides 4) Citharacanthus spinicrus 5) Uroplatus fimbriatus 6) Pecilotheria regalis 7) Vitalius paranaensis 8) Acanthoscurria geniculata 9) Holothele sp. 10) Lasiodora parahybana 11) Lasiodora parahybana 12) Poecilotheria subfusca "lowland" 13) Psalmopoeus irminia 14) Brachypelma albopilosum 15) Phormictopus auratus - I'll get to listing the other off-show species as soon as possible, but wanted to get this out of the way!
