FUTURE RESIDENTS OF ASIAN TROPICS

Fishing cats : The fishing cat's total population world-wide is estimated to be below 10,000 mature breeding individuals. When swimming, the fishing cat uses its short, flattened tail like a rudder, helping control its direction in the water. Fishing cats currently are classified as vulnuerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

FUTURE RESIDENTS OF ASIAN TROPICS

Malayan tapirs : Malayan tapirs are the largest members of the tapir family and can weigh between 550 - 1,190 pounds!
Tapirus indicus : Prehensile Snout - The tapir’s upper lip and nose are elongated to form a distinctive prehensile snout that is similar to a stubby elephant’s trunk. This flexible extended nose is used for plucking leaves and shoots from trees as well as sniffing their way along forest trails.
Black White Black - Malayan tapirs are sometimes called “Oreo” tapirs because of their distinctive black and white color pattern resembles an Oreo cookie. The black on the front and back with white or gray in the middle is a form of camouflage that breaks up the tapir’s outline in the shadows of the forest. The stripes and spots on the vulnerable babies help them blend into the dappled sunlight and leaf shadows of the forest and protects them from predators.

FUTURE RESIDENTS OF ASIAN TROPICS

Flying foxes : Not a fox, actually a bat, the flying fox is one of the largest of all bats and has a wingspan of more than four feet. It does not prey on animals, feeding instead almost exclusively on a fruit.

FUTURE RESIDENTS OF ASIAN TROPICS

Many species that will be in the Asian Tropics exhibit are threatened by extinction. Several species soon will join the endangered or critically endangered list. These animals are disappearing faster than they can reproduce in the wild. They need our help if they are to survive.

Tropics will be home to several charismatic species including:
Muntjacs:
Also known as the barking deer, muntjacs are the oldest known species of deer, appearing 15-35 million years ago

ASIAN TROPICS

Imagine watching majestic Asian elephants care for their young, Indian one-horned rhinos cooling off in a shallow stream, acrobatic gibbons swinging overhead from tree to tree, fishing cats diving for their next meal and the piercing stare of a black leopard, all from the center of an Asian village. These, and a host of other experiences, soon will be possible without leaving Denver. Asian Tropics will be the new home for some of the zoo’s most beloved animals in addition to a number of important new species. Occupying 10-acres on the southern edge of the zoo, Asian Tropics’ expansive complex will allow visitors to explore and discover the rich history of animals in Asian culture, their complicated relationship with humans and the efforts of Denver Zoo and its partners around the world to protect their futures. The map below shows the 10-acre Asian Tropics exhibit in its location along the southern edge of Denver Zoo.

ANIMALS - INVERTIBRATES

An animal class is made up of animals that are all alike in important ways. Scientists have grouped animals into classes to make it easier to study them. There are many different animal classes and every animal in the world belongs to one of them. The six most important classes are mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Invertebrates:-Intervebrates include more than 95% of all known animal species. Invertebrates as a group are defined by what all members lack – a backbone, no bones and no cartilage. Invertebrates are found in every type of habitat but are most plentiful in the oceans. There are more than 30 types of invertebrates in this diverse group which includes sponges, jellyfish, flatworms, squid, crabs, venomous spiders and butterflies. The largest group of invertebrates is the arthropods.

ANIMALS - BIRDS

An animal class is made up of animals that are all alike in important ways. Scientists have grouped animals into classes to make it easier to study them. There are many different animal classes and every animal in the world belongs to one of them. The six most important classes are mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Birds :- Although not all birds can fly, their basic design and main characteristics resolve around adaptations for flight. All birds are covered with feathers. Flighted birds have partially hollow bones that are lightweight but strong and a very efficient respiratory system. All birds hatch from eggs, have two wings and two feet and are warm-blooded (endothermic) vertebrates.