Lions live in prides of 2-40 members; the average group has 13 members. The species breeds year-round. Males compete fiercely for the ability to breed with prides of females. Young males often band together to gain control of a pride, with stronger males forcing weaker ones out in battles that can end in the death of the loser.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
May 2016

African lion by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/33372110552_4ae2db367b_h.jpg



Red River Hogs of central Africa use their strong teeth to dig for roots; males also use their tusks to mark territory by scraping tree trunks. Hogs live in social groups averaging 4 to 15 members, typically with one dominant male. Both the mother and dominant male care for piglets born in litters of 1 to 6.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
May 2016

Red River Hog
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4695/39937831814_78cead93c7_h.jpg



Meerkats are common throughout southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Small carnivores, meerkats venture from their burrows to find insects, eggs and very small animals to prey on. Foraging is a social behavior, and one member of the group often serves as a "sentinel," standing watch for predators. If hawks, eagles, jackals or other potential predators are spotted, the sentinel will give a bark, alerting the foraging meerkats to return to their burrow.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
May 2016

Meerkat
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4786/26776298878_0480496d74_h.jpg



The Hadada Ibis uses its large, curved bill to locate prey. The bird hunts by feel in murky streams and mud, grabbing any insects and small lizards it touches. The species gets its name from its distinctive call, a loud Ha-da-da. The Hadada Ibis can be found widely throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
May 2016

Hadada Ibis
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4740/25776947367_e99a3f5783_b.jpg



A full-grown Chinese alligator is only about half as big as its cousin, the American alligator. Despite its fearsome reputation, it is shy and too small to be much of a threat to humans, yet human activities are pushing it along the path of decline.

Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati, OH
July 2014

Chinese alligator
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4797/38757112590_ff72978b45_h.jpg



The Inca tern has a dark gray body and a red beak and legs. Moustache-like tufts of white feathers on each side of the beak signal maturity in males and females. The bird feeds primarily on small fish, such as anchovies. The Inca tern nests on rocky cliffs in Northern Peru to southern Chile, laying its eggs in natural holes and burrows.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
May 2016

Inca Tern
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/33529448195_d770b39341_h.jpg



Goats are closely related to their barnyard peers-sheep. There are more than three hundred breeds of goat. The LaMancha goat is the only breed of dairy goat developed in the United States. Although folk lore running down through history includes stories of short eared goats, there are not, nor ever have been, a breed known as the Spanish LaMancha.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
May 2016

LaMancha Goat
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4742/39937833224_bc96719d4a_h.jpg



Ponies are descendants of wild horses, with thicker manes, tails and coats than their cousins along with shorter legs and stockier frames.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
May 2016

Pony
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/33529403435_648436b12e_h.jpg



Wild chickens are omnivores, gobbling insects, seeds, lizards and young mice. Domesticated birds are usually fed simple, balanced diets of feed. Contrary to their reputation, roosters are generous when it comes to food-the cocky males may call to their chickens when he finds food, prompting them to eat first.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
May 2016

Yard Bird
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/33488154046_faf80ebfd3_b.jpg

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This is beautiful work ... don't know what else to say ... Nicely Done.
One small question though ... the Inca Tern ... only one leg?