Mammals - Mill Mountain Zoo

Here are a few of the animals you will see at the Mill Mountain Zoo.

Japanese Macaques

Habitat: Thick forests and steep mountains at higher elevations in Japan
Diet: Leaves and fruit
Zoo Diet: Yams, apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, sunflower seeds, monkey biscuits

Japanese Macaques are often called snow monkeys due to the cold habitat in which they live. They also love water and are great swimmers. Zookeepers provide many of the zoo animals including the macaques with daily "enrichment" by doing things such as hiding treats in the exhibit, providing balls, shredded paper, and other "toys" to provide the animals with mental stimulation and exercise. Mill Mountain Zoo's Snow Monkeys are given lunch daily at 2:30 and zookeepers are available to answer questions about these fascinating creatures.

More Photos

Corsac Fox

Habitat: Steppes and semi arid regions south eastern Russia
Diet: Omnivorous, preferring small animals such as rodents and reptiles
Zoo Diet: Dog food, specially prepared canine diet, rodents

Little is known about the wild habits of the Corsac Fox. Corsac Foxes appear to be more social than many fox species but much can be learned about these fascinating animals in zoos. There are very few Corsac Foxes in the care of humans. Currently, only two zoos in the United States exhibit this species, Mill Mountain Zoo and San Diego Zoo.

More Photos

Red Panda

Habitat: Bamboo forest of Nepal, Burma and South Central China
Diet: Bamboo sprouts, grasses, roots, acorns, occasional small animals
Zoo Diet: Bamboo, gorilla biscuits, apples, and bananas

Red Pandas, also known as Lesser Pandas are not as well known as the larger, black and white, Giant Panda although they share similar habitat and habits. At only 10-15 pounds Red Pandas are agile climbers and spend much of the time in treetops. Red Pandas are part of the Species Survival Plan and are bred in captivity to help ensure the future of the species. Mill Mountain Zoo has had several successful births of panda cubs. Zookeepers hold daily training sessions with our Red Pandas in order to make it less stressful for the animals to be weighed and given medication or placed in travel crates.

More Photos

Snow Leopard

Habitat: Rocky cliffs and high forests of the Himalayas
Diet: Wild sheep, goat and deer
Zoo Diet: Specially prepared carnivore meat (Feline Diet), rodents, femur bones

Snow Leopards grow normally to less than 100 pounds. Very elusive, Snow Leopards are internationally recognized as an endangered species. Although illegal, many of these beautiful cats are poached for their fur. Man and Snow Leopard often compete for the same prey for food causing these cats to occasionally turn to domestic livestock for food. Mill Mountain Zoo works with the International Snow Leopard Trust to help educate people about these cats as well as collecting donations to help Snow Leopards in the wild.

Cougar

Habitat: Rocky and wooded areas throughout portions of North America
Diet: Deer, rabbits, rodents, occasionally birds
Zoo Diet: Specially formulated carnivore meat

The Cougar (Felis concolor) is also known as "Mountain Lion", "Panther", "Catamount" and "Whistler".
These cats are typically found in mountainous and forested areas west of the Mississippi River. Although historically native to Virginia, these animals are now considered "extirpated" from the region. Numerous sightings of cougars have been reported in Virginia, giving hope that this large predator may slowly be returning.
An endangered subspecies, the Florida panther is smaller in size and is found in small pockets of South Florida and the Everglades.

At more than 100 lbs., the Cougar is the second-largest cat in the Americas next to the Jaguar of Central and South America.

The Mill Mountain Zoo's cougar is named "Nina".

Dwarf Zebu

Habitat: Tropical grasslands. Domestic herds range mainly in Sri Lanka, East Africa, Thailand, India and Nepal, but are also found in other countries
Diet: Grasses and grains
Zoo Diet: Timothy hay and pelleted grain

Dwarf Zebu are a domesticated cattle species. There are millions of cattle in the world with domesticated cattle being the most abundant large mammal in the world with the exception of man. Zebu cattle are considered sacred in India. Hindu religion teaches that the soul of a human being returns in each cow.

The word "zebu" is derived from the Tibetan word "ceba" which means, "hump". The hump is made of fat and an enlarged muscle. Though it is not the same as a camel's hump, a cow can live off the fat stored in its hump for short periods of time when food is unavailable. The hump is not necessary for zebu survival however; the hump is thought to be important in attracting a mate.

Dwarf Zebu usually weigh between two and three hundred pounds and can live more than twenty years. Zebu cattle have been domesticated as draft animals. Their agility and manageability makes them very useful for pulling plows and carts. Zebus can be used for meat and milk production but they do not equal other domestic cattle in their production of these foods.

Sichuan Takin

Habitat: Himalayan Mountains and western China
Diet: shrubs, leaves and other vegetation
Zoo Diet: herbivore chow, hay, apples, carrots, and yams

Takin resemble several animal species. They are built like an ox, have horns like a buffalo, hair like a goat, a rump like a bear and a nose like a moose!
They are equipped with strong legs and broad, round hooves. Their coat is dense and shaggy, with a stripe along the back. Coat color varies from whitish-yellow, reddish-gray, darker brown or gold. The tail is short and bushy. All takins have an arched nose and hairy snout. Impressive horns are carried on both males and females.

Greek mythology tells of the quest of Jason and the Argonauts, who sailed the high seas in search of the magical Golden Fleece. Jason may very well been seeking the long, shaggy coat of the Takin, which can be golden in color.

Males may weigh up to 900 pounds. Life span in the wild is unknown; in captivity takin have lived for more than 16 years. Little is known about the takin in the wild. In the summer they browse in the uppermost limits of the treeline, reaching elevations ranging from 4,000-12,000 feet. During the winter they browse in forested valleys at lower elevations. Using their weight, takins often push over saplings to reach tender vegetation that would otherwise be out of their reach. Takins often travel long distances to naturally occurring mineral deposits "salt licks" to replenish minerals needed in their diet.

Takins use a variety of different sounds to "talk" amongst themselves. If danger approaches, a takin will emit a loud warning cough, alerting other takins in the herd. Males often produce a low bellow as a warning or challenge to other males. Although takins have no skin glands, their entire body secretes an oily strong smelling substance that serves as a moisture barrier on the animal’s coat, protecting it from moisture caused by fog and rain that frequents its grazing grounds.
China considers the takin a national treasure and affords the animal full protection under the law.

	Here are a few of the animals you will see at the Mill Mountain Zoo.
	Japanese Macaques Habitat: Thick forests and steep mountains at higher elevations in Japan Diet: Leaves and fruit Zoo Diet: Yams, apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, sunflower seeds, monkey biscuits Japanese Macaques are often called snow monkeys due to the cold habitat in which they live. They also love water and are great swimmers. Zookeepers provide many of the zoo animals including the macaques with daily "enrichment" by doing things such as hiding treats in the exhibit, providing balls, shredded paper, and other "toys" to provide the animals with mental stimulation and exercise. Mill Mountain Zoo's Snow Monkeys are given lunch daily at 2:30 and zookeepers are available to answer questions about these fascinating creatures. More Photos
	Corsac Fox Habitat: Steppes and semi arid regions south eastern Russia Diet: Omnivorous, preferring small animals such as rodents and reptiles Zoo Diet: Dog food, specially prepared canine diet, rodents Little is known about the wild habits of the Corsac Fox. Corsac Foxes appear to be more social than many fox species but much can be learned about these fascinating animals in zoos. There are very few Corsac Foxes in the care of humans. Currently, only two zoos in the United States exhibit this species, Mill Mountain Zoo and San Diego Zoo. More Photos
	Red Panda Habitat: Bamboo forest of Nepal, Burma and South Central China Diet: Bamboo sprouts, grasses, roots, acorns, occasional small animals Zoo Diet: Bamboo, gorilla biscuits, apples, and bananas Red Pandas, also known as Lesser Pandas are not as well known as the larger, black and white, Giant Panda although they share similar habitat and habits. At only 10-15 pounds Red Pandas are agile climbers and spend much of the time in treetops. Red Pandas are part of the Species Survival Plan and are bred in captivity to help ensure the future of the species. Mill Mountain Zoo has had several successful births of panda cubs. Zookeepers hold daily training sessions with our Red Pandas in order to make it less stressful for the animals to be weighed and given medication or placed in travel crates. More Photos
	Snow Leopard Habitat: Rocky cliffs and high forests of the Himalayas Diet: Wild sheep, goat and deer Zoo Diet: Specially prepared carnivore meat (Feline Diet), rodents, femur bones Snow Leopards grow normally to less than 100 pounds. Very elusive, Snow Leopards are internationally recognized as an endangered species. Although illegal, many of these beautiful cats are poached for their fur. Man and Snow Leopard often compete for the same prey for food causing these cats to occasionally turn to domestic livestock for food. Mill Mountain Zoo works with the International Snow Leopard Trust to help educate people about these cats as well as collecting donations to help Snow Leopards in the wild.
	Cougar Habitat: Rocky and wooded areas throughout portions of North America Diet: Deer, rabbits, rodents, occasionally birds Zoo Diet: Specially formulated carnivore meat The Cougar (Felis concolor) is also known as "Mountain Lion", "Panther", "Catamount" and "Whistler". These cats are typically found in mountainous and forested areas west of the Mississippi River. Although historically native to Virginia, these animals are now considered "extirpated" from the region. Numerous sightings of cougars have been reported in Virginia, giving hope that this large predator may slowly be returning. An endangered subspecies, the Florida panther is smaller in size and is found in small pockets of South Florida and the Everglades. At more than 100 lbs., the Cougar is the second-largest cat in the Americas next to the Jaguar of Central and South America. The Mill Mountain Zoo's cougar is named "Nina".
	Dwarf Zebu Habitat: Tropical grasslands. Domestic herds range mainly in Sri Lanka, East Africa, Thailand, India and Nepal, but are also found in other countries Diet: Grasses and grains Zoo Diet: Timothy hay and pelleted grain Dwarf Zebu are a domesticated cattle species. There are millions of cattle in the world with domesticated cattle being the most abundant large mammal in the world with the exception of man. Zebu cattle are considered sacred in India. Hindu religion teaches that the soul of a human being returns in each cow. The word "zebu" is derived from the Tibetan word "ceba" which means, "hump". The hump is made of fat and an enlarged muscle. Though it is not the same as a camel's hump, a cow can live off the fat stored in its hump for short periods of time when food is unavailable. The hump is not necessary for zebu survival however; the hump is thought to be important in attracting a mate. Dwarf Zebu usually weigh between two and three hundred pounds and can live more than twenty years. Zebu cattle have been domesticated as draft animals. Their agility and manageability makes them very useful for pulling plows and carts. Zebus can be used for meat and milk production but they do not equal other domestic cattle in their production of these foods.
	Sichuan Takin Habitat: Himalayan Mountains and western China Diet: shrubs, leaves and other vegetation Zoo Diet: herbivore chow, hay, apples, carrots, and yams Takin resemble several animal species. They are built like an ox, have horns like a buffalo, hair like a goat, a rump like a bear and a nose like a moose! They are equipped with strong legs and broad, round hooves. Their coat is dense and shaggy, with a stripe along the back. Coat color varies from whitish-yellow, reddish-gray, darker brown or gold. The tail is short and bushy. All takins have an arched nose and hairy snout. Impressive horns are carried on both males and females. Greek mythology tells of the quest of Jason and the Argonauts, who sailed the high seas in search of the magical Golden Fleece. Jason may very well been seeking the long, shaggy coat of the Takin, which can be golden in color. Males may weigh up to 900 pounds. Life span in the wild is unknown; in captivity takin have lived for more than 16 years. Little is known about the takin in the wild. In the summer they browse in the uppermost limits of the treeline, reaching elevations ranging from 4,000-12,000 feet. During the winter they browse in forested valleys at lower elevations. Using their weight, takins often push over saplings to reach tender vegetation that would otherwise be out of their reach. Takins often travel long distances to naturally occurring mineral deposits "salt licks" to replenish minerals needed in their diet. Takins use a variety of different sounds to "talk" amongst themselves. If danger approaches, a takin will emit a loud warning cough, alerting other takins in the herd. Males often produce a low bellow as a warning or challenge to other males. Although takins have no skin glands, their entire body secretes an oily strong smelling substance that serves as a moisture barrier on the animal’s coat, protecting it from moisture caused by fog and rain that frequents its grazing grounds. China considers the takin a national treasure and affords the animal full protection under the law.