Many types of animals belong to the mammal classification, including humans. Some of the things that make mammals different are that they are hot-blooded, have mammary glands, give birth to live young (instead of laying eggs) and have sweat glands. Mammals come in all shapes and sizes. Below are pictures of some the mammals at Austin Zoo.

North American Black Bear

Diet: Omnivore
Lifespan: Up to 27 years
Weight: Up to 500 lbs.
Size: Up to six feet tall
Habitat: Forested areas are the black bear’s primary habitat, but they can adapt to live within a variety of habitats. They may live in low elevation swamps or high mountain meadows.

Did you know?

• A female bear is called a “sow” and a male bear is called a “boar”.
• Black bears can run up to 35 miles an hour.
• They eat a mix of fruit, nuts, acorns, insects, succulent greens and meat.
• Black bears can hibernate for up to seven months.
• They typically live in forests and are excellent tree climbers.
• Bears who become habituated to human food at campsites, cabins or rural homes can become dangerous.

Wolf Hybrid

Diet: Carnivore
Lifespan: Up to 13-15 years
Weight: Up to 40-100 lbs.
Status: Least Concern

Did you know?

• The Wolf Hybrid is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between a domestic dog and a wolf.
• Wolf-hybrids are a mixture of genetic traits, which results in less predictable behavior patterns compared to either the wolf or dog.
• Hybrids display a wide variety of appearances, ranging from a resemblance to dogs without wolf blood to animals that are often mistaken for full-blooded wolves. The Wolf Hybrid tends to have somewhat of a smaller head than a pure wolf, with larger, pointier ears that lack the dense fur commonly seen in those of wolves. Fur markings also tend to be very distinctive and not well blended.

Coatimundi

Diet: Omnivore
Lifespan: Up to 7-15 years
Weight: Up to 4.5-17 lbs.
Habitat: Native to South America, Central America, and south-western North America

Did you know?

• Coatimundi (or Coatis for short) are members of the raccoon family.
• All coatis share a slender head with an elongated, flexible, slightly upward-turned nose, small ears, dark feet, and a long, non-prehensile tail used for balance and signaling. Coloring can vary anywhere between light brown and black.
• Coatis are double-jointed and their ankles can rotate beyond 180°.
• They prefer to sleep or rest in elevated places and niches, like the rainforest canopy, in crudely built sleeping nests. Coatis are active day and night.

Genet



Diet: Omnivore
Lifespan: Up to 18-20 years
Weight: Up to 4.5 lbs.
Habitat: Native to Northwest Africa and Southwestern Europe

Did you know?

• They are related to cats, but more closely related to mongooses.
• Genets possess extremely long tails, typically around one to one and a half times the length of their bodies. These longs tails provide a highly effective counterweight that enables them to easily maintain balance as they leap from tree limb to tree limb.
• Genets are nocturnal and solitary, but some pairs and family groups are occasionally seen. Their highest levels of activity occur following sunset and just prior to sunrise.
• Genets are able to move through any opening that their head can fit through. They have semi-retractable claws, which they use for climbing and holding prey.

Binturong



Diet: Omnivore
Lifespan: Up to 23 years
Weight: Up to 45 lbs.
Size: Up to 5 feet long
Status: Least Concern
Habitat: The binturong lives in dense forests across the following Asian countries: India, Indochina, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Sumatra, Bangka, the Rhio Archipelago, Java and Borneo.

Did you know?

• The binturong will make a chuckling sound when seemingly happy and utter high-pitched wails when annoyed.
• The scent of binturong musk is often compared to that of warm popcorn and cornbread.
• They are sometimes referred to as the bear cat because of their bear-like gait while moving on the ground.
• The Binturong is nocturnal. Along with its excellent night vision, its long white whiskers help it to feel around while searching for prey in the dark.