Riverbanks Volume XXVIII, Number 3 - Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Pygocentrus nattereri
Common
Amazon River Basin in South America
Tropical Habitat Gallery in the ARC
Anytime
Insects, worms and fish in the wild; Zoo fare includes gel
food (a healthy mixture of fish meal, algae, vitamins and
minerals)
These fish have amazingly sharp teeth; however, they are
not as dangerous as Hollywood would have you believe! In
fact, people in South America routinely bathe and swim in
rivers where piranha are known to be found.
Surprising to many guests, our piranha do not go into
feeding frenzies! Actually, they often shy away from the
aquarist during tank cleanings.
20
Felis nigripes
Vulnerable
Arid semi-desert and savannas of South Africa, Namibia,
and Botswana
Riverbanks Conservation Outpost
The black-footed cat is most active at night; however, visitors
are more likely to see it early in the morning or near the end
of the day.
Rodents and small birds in the wild
This small and shy felid can become ferocious when
provoked. Legend among native Bushmen claims that
the black-footed cat can kill a giraffe by piercing its
jugular. Although this is purely legend, it was intended to
characterize the persistent and ferocious nature of this
little feline.
On March 12, 2009, animal keepers inserted an infrared
camera into the tunnel leading to the underground
black-footed cat den and discovered three black-footed cat
offspring. (Females usually produce two kittens per litter,
but litter size can vary from one to four.) Their birth is very
significant to the captive population bringing the total
managed captive population to 45. Since 1996, Riverbanks
has now produced a total of 20 black-footed cats.