The Aldabra tortoise is one of the largest land tortoises found anywhere in the world. Native to coastal islands near Madagascar, it is the larger cousin of the Galapagos Island tortoise. The Aldabra tortoise may live as long as 150 years on a diet of vegetation and can have a shell that is 5 feet in length.
Asian Potbellied Pig
This dwarf breed was developed in the 1960's in Vietnam. First introduced to the United States in 1985, they are popular as pets due to their high intelligence and their ability to be house-trained. Their sense of smell is highly developed and their rooting instinct is very strong. They eat roots, vegetation, and fruits. Females mature at 6 months. Gestation period is about 114 days. Usually 4-12 piglets are born at a time.
Brazilian Tapir
These "living fossils" are easy to spot: look for the short, fleshy trunk which they use to find food. Tapirs live in forest areas in northeastern South America. They are excellent swimmers and spend much of their time in water. Their closest living relatives are the horse and the rhinoceros.
Fallow Deer
Fallow deer have a variety of coat colors ranging from white to dark brown, and are often heavily spotted even as adults. Only the males have antlers which are shed every spring and re-grown by the following autumn. During mating season, or "rutting" season, males bellow in a deep voice and fight intensely with other males for the right to mate. Gestation is 230 days and females give birth to a single fawn.
Florida Brown Pelican
Lion Country Safari has served as a refuge for these injured rehabilitated birds since 1984. Most of these pelicans received wing injuries in the wild, and cannot be returned to their natural habitat since they can no longer fly. The brown pelicans are here by permission of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Llama
Domesticated from wild guanacos more than 4000 years ago, llamas are still used today as beasts of burden in the Andes mountains of South America. They are also farmed for meat and milk, and for their long, coarse wool which is used in weaving textiles.
Marabou Stork
These storks tend to congregate around fishing villages, slaughter houses, and garbage dumps. Their numbers are increasing due to the increase in garbage produced by humans. The function of the pink pouch that hangs from the front of the neck is unknown. They eat carrion, fish, large insects, and small vertebrate animals. Nests are built in trees and are made of sticks, lined with twigs and green leaves. Lays 2-3 eggs. Incubation is 29-31 days.
Rhea
The South American rhea is the fourth largest of all birds in the world today. The rhea stands about 4 feet tall and weighs in at about 50 pounds. Their large size and tiny wings render them incapable of flight, but their powerful legs allow them to run at speeds of up to 30 m.p.h.
Home of the Drive Through Safari Adventure!
2003 Lion Country Safari Road - Loxahatchee, Florida 33470
