Here is a little information about the residents of the South American realm at The Montgomery Zoo.

Patagonian Cavy: native to SA, closest living relative is the guinea pig, only gives birth to one baby at the time, like to live in moist areas.

Donkey: member of equine family, native to parts of Europe and middle east, gives birth to only one offspring a year, can live 20-25 years.

Squirrel monkey: native to SA, eat mainly fruits and insects, active by day, live in groups of up to 40 animals, give birth to a single young once a year.

Emerald Tree Boa: gives live birth with up to 15 in a litter, habitat destruction is a bit threat, eats birds and small mammals, active mostly at night

Flamingo: highly social species, rarely seen alone, has a loud, gooselike honking call, found in shallow lagoons, saltpans, and tidal mudflats

Anteater: found in South America, eat ants, termites, and occasional beetle larvae and fruit, solitary, active during the day, habitat is grassland, swamp and lowland tropical forest.

Maned Wolf: found in central and south America, prefer open, grassy habitats, male and female share a territory and mate once a year. They eat a variety of small mammals, birds, insects, and also plant material, fruits and berries.

Scarlet Ibis: locally common in S central America and Nand E South America. Birds pair off for breeding building their nests close to water. Finds food by touch instead of sight by using long bill and probing in the mud. Feeds during day but roosts at night

Spider Monkey (Black-Handed): Has a prehensile tail used for swinging from trees. Live in large social groups and their status in vulnerable. Found in S. Mexico and Central America.

Spoonbill: Got name from broad, spoon-shaped tip of its bill. They swing their bill from side to side in the water to create a current and bring fish to the top.

Ocelot: Lives in grassland to swamps, to most types of forest. Has a large variety of prey, females can breed from 2 years of age, and males from about 21/2 years.