Alpaca
(Llama pacos)

Alpacas are members of the camel family that live in high altitudes in Chile, Peru, Bolivia and the Andes Mountains of South America. There are two types of Alpacas, the Suri and the Huacaya. The Suri is the less common of the two and resembles an Alpaca with dreadlocks. The Huacaya is referred to as the "teddy bear" Alpaca and has a smooth, wooly coat. Alpacas stand four to five feet tall and weigh 125 to 175 pounds.

Alpacas eat grasses and plants that grow close to the ground. they are bred for their fiber (fur), which is used for clothing. Alpacas have a lifespan of 20 years.

Amazon Parrot
(Amazona ochrocephala)

The Amazon Parrot is a small, mainly green member of the parrot family, which has a yellow head and red highlights on the wings. The bright coloration actually works as a type of camouflage in the high forest canopy where they live. These birds are mainly found in rain forests in Central and South America. With an average size of only 12 to 15 inches, the Amazon Parrot uses small tree hollows for nesting.

Feeding on nuts, berries, and sometimes insects, the Amazon Parrot uses its beak and feet to climb and eat. These colorful birds are also seen in flocks, and when resting will often preen, or groom each other. Parental couples share the feeding responsibilities of the young. Babies are fledged, or leave the nest at about 11 weeks. It is not uncommon for these parrots to live 30 years.

Aoudad
(Ammotragus lervia)

The Aoudad is also known as the Barbary Sheep and is a large member of the sheep family raising on average a length of almost 5 feet. They are easily recognizable by the thick fringe of hair on their neck, thick horns and reddish brown color.

The Aoudad consumes mainly grasses and leafy plants. Found in the arid regions of Northern Africa the Aoudad prefers areas of rocky terrain. Well-known for their agility and sure-footedness the Aoudad is able to leap great distances and travel easily through mountain terrain.

The social group of the Aoudad consists of several females and their calves as well as one adult male. Females may have up to two calves at a time. Even the calves are able to navigate rocky terrain at birth. The Aoudad uses its natural coloration to blend into its surroundings when threatened. It will simply stand still and use camouflage.

Boer Goat
(Capra hircus)

The Boer Goat gets its name from a Dutch colony in South Africa. The word "Boer" actually translates to "farmer" in English. The Boer Goat is typically red with a white coat and floppy ears. Reaching an average weight of 200 to 300 pounds, the male goat is normally larger than the female. The diet of the Boer Goat consists mainly of grass and grain. This particular breed of goat can live on very little food when necessary.

The Boer Goat has a longer than normal breeding season. The female can have 3 birthing groups or "kiddings" in a 2 year time span. This makes the goat a very popular farm animal. These animals are bred mainly for meat production, and are known as the ultimate meat goat because they are so heavily used on farms around the world.

Dromedary Camel
(Camelus dromidarius)

The Dromedary Camel is easily recognizable by its single hump, beige to caramel colored wooly coat, long slender neck and legs, long eyelashes and short tail. They reach a head and body length of 10 feet, a shoulder height of 6 to 7 feet and a weight of 1,000 to 1,500 pounds. The Dromedary Camel is classified as a domesticated animal that inhabits arid regions of the Middle East, Northern Africa and Australia. They are used as saddle animals or beasts of burden that can cover up to 100 miles in a day.

Active during the day, Dromedary Camels eat vegetation, but occasionally they will also eat fish, meat and bones. The Dromedary Camel is well equipped for desert life because of its coloration that matches its environment, thick lips that are able to withstand thorny plants, long eyelashes that protect its eyes from the sand and calloused knees and body that enable it to touch the hot sand. They are even able to store a reserve of fat in their humps. Dromedary Camels have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years.

Emu
(Dromiceius novaehollandiae)

Emus, also referred to as ratites, are large, flightless birds with powerful legs that inhabit grassy plains and open forests in Australia. Covered with long, drooping brown feathers, Emus have three toes on each foot. light blue neck patches and grey-brown legs and bills. Emus reach a height of 5 to 6 feet tall and a weight of 80 to 120 pounds.

Active during the day, Emus feed on fruits, flowers, insects, seeds and vegetation. Emus are extremely fast runners, often reaching speeds of 30 miles per hour for short bursts. Unlike most animals, the male Emu is in charge of incubating the eggs and raising the young. In fact, male Emus are such devoted parents that they will often refuse to leave the nest to eat or drink. Males will sit on the nests for 8 weeks and will guard the chicks for up to 18 months. Emus have a lifespan of 5 to 10 years in the wild.

Fallow Deer
(Dama dama)

Unlike other deer species, Fallow Deer originally inhabited forests throughout Southern Europe and Asia, and were introduced to many parts of the world. Today, they can be found in forested regions throughout Western Europe, Great Brittan and the United States. Fallow deer are typically fawn colored with white spots, but they can vary in color from white to dark brown, and even black. They stand 3 feet high at the shoulder and weigh 100 to 180 pounds. Females are smaller than males and do not have antlers.

Fallow deer live in herds and feed on grasses, berries, nuts and twigs. They don't need to drink much water because of the moisture contained in the plants they eat. Females typically give birth to just one offspring. Fallow deer have a lifespan of 15 years.

Japanese Koi
(Ciprinus carpio)

Koi are a colorful type of carp that were originally developed in Japan. Using creative breeding, Japanese breeders have created over 100 different varieties of Koi. Koi are commonly kept in ponds as pets where they can attain a length of 2 to 3 feet and weigh 20 to 30 lbs. In Japan and other parts of the world, Koi shows are held to judge the individual beauty of individual fish and to select winners based on the criteria for each breed. A Koi judged best in show can be worth $25,000 or more.

Koi are omnivores and feed on aquatic plants, insects, fish eggs, fry and pellets. Koi are highly prized in oriental cultures and are often handed down from generation to generation.  Although Koi have an average lifespan of 25 to 50 years, it has been reported that some Koi have lived to be 200 years old. Koi are easily distinguished from goldfish by their whisker-like projections on the corner of their mouths that are called barbels.

Llama
(Llama glama)

Llamas are members of the camel family and are covered with long, dense fine wool that may be brown, gray, white or black in color. Llamas are found in South American and the Andes Mountains. Llamas stand 5 to 6 feet tall and weigh and average of 260 pounds. In South America, Lamas are used as pack animals, for fiber production (from their fur) and as a meat source. In the United States they are used for fiber production, show animals and as guard animals.

Llamas have a three-chambered stomach and eat shrubs, lichens and other plants that grow on high mountains. Llamas are able to survive in high altitudes because their hemoglobin has a much greater affinity  for oxygen and contains more red corpuscles than other animals. In the wild, Llamas live in groups that are defended by a male. In captivity, Llamas live an average of 20 years.

Nilgai Antelope
(Boselaphus tragocamelus)

The Nilgai Antelope inhabits dry forests regions in India and Pakistan. However in the 1930's, it was imported into Texas as a game animal and has established free ranging populations in that state. Typically Nilgali Antelope weigh 330 to 550 pounds. Adult males have short, black horns and are called "blue bulls" because of their bluish color. Females are smaller than males and are brown in color.

Nilgai Antelope feed on grass, plants and fruit. They have keen eyesight and hearing, and are able to run for long periods of time. Males and females segregate into their own separate groups except during breeding season. It is estimated that over 60 percent of Nilgai births result in twins.

Nubian Goat
(Capra hircus)

Nubian Goats are easily recognizable by their hornless heads, large droopy ears and short hair. Their fur coats may be solid in color, or any combination of colors including white, tan, red and black. These animals are though to have originated in Egypt but they have been domesticated and are now found throughout the world. Nubian Goats stand 30 to 35 inches high at the shoulder and weigh 135 to 175 pounds.

Nubian Goats are often raised for milk production because their milk has a higher buttermilk content that other goats' milk. Because of their long breeding season, they can also produce milk all year. Nubian Goats feed on grass, plants, hay and grain, and are able to reach high branches by standing on their hind legs. These intelligent and gregarious animals have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years.

Pot-Bellied Pig
(Sus scrofa)

A smaller variety of the Domestic Pig, the Pot-Bellied Pig gets its name from a sag in its backbone that causes its belly to sag. These animals are usually black in color and reach an average weight of less than 100 lbs.  Originally found in Southeast Asia, the Pot-Bellied Pig has been domesticated and imported to many different countries to be used as pets. This animal has short hair, a flat snout and relatively loose skin that tends to form wrinkles on its face. Although they have poor vision, they easily make up for it with their excellent hearing and sense of smell. This type of animal is classified as an omnivore, which means that it will eat any type of food, although it usually prefers tubers and roots.

In the wild, coma the Pot-Bellied Pig is nocturnal, meaning that it is most active at night. Because these animals are unable to swear, they require water and mud to keep them cool. Wallowing, or rolling in the mud is a common activity used by pigs to cool their skin and protect themselves against insects. Female Pot-Bellied Pigs usually have between 4 and 10 offspring that they take care of for about a year.  Because of their keen sense of smell, they have been used by police as drug sniffing animals. Pot-Bellied Pigs have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.

Pygmy Goat
(Capra hicus)

Pygmy Goats are small, horned goats with short, smooth coats that range in color from gray, black, brown or white. Both sexes have horns and scent glands on the crown of their heads. Pygmy Goats are native to West Africa, but have been domesticated and are now found worldwide where they are used for milk and meat production. They reach a weight of 35 to 75 pounds and a height of 15 to 17 inches at the shoulders.

Pygmy Goats are agile climbers and prefer rocky or rugged, mountainous terrain. Hair grows between their cloven hooves and gives them excellent traction on a variety of surfaces. their diet consists of leaves, grass, bushes and trees, and the are able to stand on heir hind legs to reach high branches. Pygmy Goats are social, playful animals that have a lifespan of 10 to 18 years.

Red-Eared Slider Turtle
(Trachemys scripta elegans)

The Red-Eared Slider Turtle gets its name from bright red markings just behind its eyes. Other markings on the turtle consist of yellow, olive and black stripes on the shell and body. This turtle spends almost all of its life in the water. The Red-Eared Slider normally will only venture out of the water to lay eggs or to bask on a log or rock. These turtles can be seen basking on logs, piled up vegetation or even on each other if their are no available areas.

These common turtles begin their lives as a carnivore then, later in life, become herbivores and feed on aquatic plants. The Red-Eared Slider Turtle can lay up to 23 eggs in one year. This species of turtle can grow up to 11 inches wide and live in excess of 20 years. They can be found in many parts of the eastern United States and shallow waters that warm easily in the sun. They prefer areas with dense vegetation. 

Ring-Tailed Lemur
(Lemur catta)

Ring-Tailed Lemurs are easily recognizable by their long tails with alternating black and white stripes. Ring-Tailed Lemurs are small primates known as prosimians that have light brown or gray bodies, white undersides, and a black nose. They are found in the forests of Southern Madagascar and reach a weight of 5 to 8 pounds and a height of 15 to 18 inches (not including their 22 to 25 inch tails).

Active during the day, Ring-tailed Lemurs are social animals that live in groups of 5 to 30. Females spend their whole lives in the group that they are born into, but males often change groups several times during their lives. Ring-Tailed Lemurs are excellent leapers that nest in trees and love to sunbathe. Their diet consists of flowers, fruit, leaves and insects. They have a lifespan into the mid-twenties. Ring-Tailed Lemur populations have been decimated by habitat destruction.

Scottish Highlander
(Bos taurus)

The Scottish Highlander was originally bred to survive the harsh conditions of the Scottish Highlands. These animals have a long, heavy fur coat to protect them from the rain and cold. Originally thought to have a strictly black coat, they are more commonly seen in red and brown colorations. Both male and female of the species have long pointed horns and long bangs that hang down over their face.

Although originally bred as beef cattle, their milk is very desirable because of its  high butterfat content. These gentle creatures reach a weight of over 1000 pounds and a height of over 5 feet at the shoulder. Preferring cooler climates, the highlander can adapt to warmer zones by shedding most of its heavy fur. The Scottish Highlander is a browser that can be seen feeding on grass, shrubs and brush throughout its pasture.

Mini-Shetland Sheep
(Ovis aries)

The domestic sheep is a common animal found throughout many parts of the world. These animals are found in a variety of subspecies and are most often kept for their fleece. The sheep's coat is a heavy fur that is shaved several times during the year and is used to make many types of wool products. They are also used for meat and milk production. While these domesticated animals can be found in a multitude of colors, they are often identified by their distinctive white coat, long face and floppy black ears. Sheep feed on grass, weeds and hay, and have the ability to chew grass that is much closer to the ground than cattle. Throughout history, this destructive trait has caused many problems between farmers raising sheep and cattlemen.

During mating season, females give birth to 1 or 2 lambs. These young sheep are able to stand within minutes of their birth. Sheep are very handy animals and can survive a variety of climates. Their average lifespan is often over 10 years. These animals were often used in ancient times as sacrificial animals.

Tortoise
(Geochelone)

The Tortoise is seen n many different sub-species and inhabits all of the major continents except Australia. The head and legs of the tortoise are covered with hard scales and a domed shell covers the rest of its body. These animals are terrestrial, which means that they live mainly on  land. Preferring warm regions of the reaches of the various continents, the Tortoise generally reaches a length of between 8 and 30 inches.

Active at dusk and dawn, Tortoises are herbivorous and feed on plants and grasses. Although their skin is resistant to fluid loss, some species dig burrows up to 30 inches deep to protect them from the heat and to get to areas with higher moisture levels. Many species of Tortoise live for more than 100 years.

Zebu
(Bos indicus)

Zebus are easily recognizable by their drooping ears, large dewlap and prominent hump over their shoulders. They vary from grey, to white, to reddish-brown or black in color. Although Zebus originally inhabited parts of Asia, India and Africa, they have been domesticated and now be found throughout the world. They typically weigh 300 to 600 pounds, although males are much lager than females.

Unlike other cattle, Zebus are able to withstand very hot weather. They also have sebaceous glands beneath their skin that secrete an oily substance that repels ticks and other insects. Because of this ability, they are often interbred with other cattle strains. Their diet consists of grasses, hay and grain. In India, Zebus are considered sacred and allowed to roam free. They have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.