Meet the Phoenix Zoo’s newest residents.
Ernie is a 1-1/2-year-old tamandua from the Staten Island Zoo. He shares a habitat with Fernando, the Linne’s two-toed sloth, on the Children’s Trail.
He and Fernando are nocturnal animals. They spend most of their day sleeping and are getting to know each other at night. Adult tamanduas are not too vocal. But, while vocalizing with other adult tamanduas or babies, they will hiss, snort, roar and sniff.
Then meet Gigi and Olive, prehensile-tailed porcupines who came to the zoo as a Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendation. Four-year-old Gigi comes from the Houston Zoo, and his mate, 6-year-old Olive, joins from the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
Prehensile-tailed porcupines are arboreal animals. They're excellent climbers and love to spend a majority of their time in the trees.
Next time you're at the zoo, make sure to stop by the Children's Trail to say hello to Ernie, Gigi and Olive.
The Phoenix Zoo is at 455 N. Galvin Parkway.
