Overview
Part 1: Zoo Habitat Design Paper
Species Information
What animal did you choose? The animal is the BLACK MAMBA
Summarize its natural habitat and lifestyle.
You will need to find out this information to design the appropriate enclosure.
Your paper must include the following information (not necessarily in this order):
Common and scientific name.
Pictures or drawings
Where does it live? Describe its habitat in as much detail as possible.
Include a range map.
Diet - What does it eat?
Do any predators try to eat it?
How does this animal reproduce?
How often and how many offspring?
What adaptations does it have to help it survive in its habitat?
Is the animal endangered? Why?
Enclosure Design
You must turn in a written description of your design and a drawing of your exhibit. You must draw YOUR exhibit – not find a picture of an existing one! You need to consider three big topics: space, environment, and care.
For your presentation you will be making a PowerPoint so you will need to scan in your drawing(s).
To write a good paper, you will need to consider the following as you research your species:
Natural habitat of the animal
Normal group size and structure
The dietary requirements of the animal – what does it eat in the wild and what will you feed it?
Vitamin or mineral supplements
Life history and needs of the animal
The needs of the keepers
Animal health requirements – disease prevention, maintenance of good health
Breeding requirements – dens, nests, privacy, needs of offspring
Signage – what information do you want the public to know? Is there a “message”?
Conservation: issues with the species, programs to be involved with
Education programing; Enrichment options
How many staff do you need? What training to they need?
Record keeping – what records will you keep?
Climate animal lives in vs. climate of where your zoo is located – do you need to consider seasons?
After you do your research read your paper and make sure it includes:
A physical description of the size and structure: - the space and complexity
Materials that the exhibit is made of
Safety concerns – animal, keeper, public
Educational component
Behavioral needs of animal
How many of your species are being kept in this exhibit? What is the ratio of males and females?
Is this a mixed species exhibit? If so what other animals are present and in what number?
How will the animals be fed?
Water sources
Animal husbandry and management plan
Horticulture concerns
Veterinary management
Physical parameters: temperature, pH, salinity, light, sound
Substrate of exhibit – dirt, water, rock etc.
Off exhibit space – “evening” quarters, quarantine