Frank Brandstaetter

• Zoo Dortmund, Germany

A short monographic review of the available literature on the extinct pig-footed bandicoot (Choeropus ecaudatus)

Since the antiques there are rumours about a spine at the end of the lion's tail. Beyond speculations and mystical approaches there is a reality in the fact. The article reviews historical and recent research on the phenomenon. Conclusion is: there is a spine; but nobody knows waht it's for.

The article chronicles the adaption of a female tapir from being very nervous to becoming a good breeding animal. Tapir Conservation 13/1: 30-31.

The article gives a short overview about some domestic animals in the collection of Dortmund Zoo with a short reference on the history of West African Lagune cattle with some remarks on local breeds of pigeon and rabbit.

Earwigs are amongst the most misunderstood animals in the world. A widespread belief accuses them of entering human ears and causing severe damages to ear and brain. Although there is no evidence for any asscociation between earwigs and (human) ears, the common names of these insectsin nearly every European language refer to that fact. The myth is...

The Andean bear's taxonomy is discussed with some nomenclatorial corrections and discussions of some common names for the species. The most widely used common name has been changed from spectacled bear to Andean bear in favour of the animal's importance in conservation issues for the Andean region.

The article reviews the threats Andean bears are facing recently and their implication for conservation. It also Highlights the Andean bear's role as an umbrella species for conservation of biodiversity in the Andean Region.

The article refers to quotations in the bible where doves and pigeons are men tioned and analyses the meaning of These birds in the biblical context.

People are often confusing rabbits with hares and lagomorphs with rodents. The article gives some explanations.

As there is a lot of confusion about the correct spelling of the German word Känguruh (kangaroo) this article tries to solve the Problem.

Whereas the Hissing Sand Snake from Northern Africa is well known for ist hissing, it is here for the first time reported for a South African species.

Lycaon pictus has been named by a variety of common names, such as “African Wild Dog”, “African Hunting Dog” and their adequates in other languages. The article summarizes the history of naming in that species concluding with a new recommendation by the SSP as well as the EEP for that species to rename it as Painted Dog. As the translation of that...

The minimum requirements for the keeping of crocodiles in private and public institutions are set up by a collective of authors. Important aspects such as the design of enclosures, secure handling and keeping, thermoregulation, protection of animals, feeding, behavioural enrichment and diseases and their prophylaxis are important topics. The author...

Based on the theoretical facts of the previously released text version of the minimum requirements for the keeping of crocodiles, the authors now publish in addition a list with specific data for practical use. This list allows a quick overview of the most important details that should be considered while keeping crocodiles. The authors have compil...

The Giant Anteater unites some unique body features: strong legs, a bushy tail almost as long as the animal itself, a slender prolonged head with small eyes and ears and an extraordinarily long tongue. All these features are adaptations to the habitat and the preferred food source, ants. Feeding a specialist as the Giant Anteater in captivity was a...

As a result of planning a new enclosure for the orangutans the idea was born to develop a combined system for keeping the apes with Malayan tapirs, which originally stem from the same geographical region. This resulted in the new rainforest house "Rumah hutan" - a building which perfectly synthesizes the keeping conditions for both species. The hou...

The small animal park in Merzig (Germany) is introduced. As a consequence to severe attacks by animal right activists in the mid 90's the park has been reshaped and developed into a nice little zoo with a preference for the South American fauna.