The female short-tailed nuthatch born in the Prague Zoo is the first cub of this unique scaly mammal in the world in Europe. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
The five-month-old cub of Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) – female Šiška – is increasingly active, has almost switched to “solid” food, and weighs close to 1,600 grams. The Prague Zoo thus came close to historic success.
Nutmegs are found in eight species in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
“We are not able to say to what extent Šiška is still dependent on mother’s milk, however, she consumes increasingly large doses of special porridge made from drone larvae, which her parents also feed on,” explains Prague Zoo director Miroslav Bobek. “Theoretically, we could declare her to have been successfully bred – and as the first nutcracker cub in Europe – but we’d rather wait a few more weeks.”
Prague Zoo is one of two European zoos where you can see short-tailed nutcrackers. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Pangolins are the only mammals covered with scales. They occur in eight species in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. As a result of hunting and illegal trade, they are currently endangered, and the Prague Zoo is also involved in their protection.