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Artist Profiles: Educational Outreach Animals
 | CORN, KING and GOPHERCorn, King, and Gopher snakes in their natural habitats would regularly be moving through different textures of earth and water. These paintings capture the fluid movement of their bodies as well as the beautiful markings that are as unique as thumbprints among individuals in the species." |  | GRIZZLY ADAMSA favorite reptilian in the Education collection, Grizzly Adams, the Bearded Dragon is a native to the island continent of Australia. Keepers noticed that the temptation of his favorite treat, the meal worm, provided the perfect reason to go on a painting walk about.” |  | CALLOWAYCalloway the Three Banded Armadillo sleeps for a good deal of each day, but has naturally active periods when he scurrys around foraging for insects. With such a charismatic disposition during his waking hours, inspiration came easily to Calloway, exhibiting his natural behaviors with paint and canvas. By design, three banded armadillos are an evolutionary work of art; they are the only species of armadillo that is able to completely roll up into a ball in order to protect itself." |  | DIGGERDigger the Hedgehog was born in 2007 and lives in the Education department with Acacia and Sonic. Digger when given the opportunity to paint; really came to life providing a rare opportunity to see the more energetic side of her disposition." |  | HOMERHomer is an African Crested Porcupine. The quills on this mixed media piece are different from other species of porcupine in that they are not barbed. These quills fall out of the follicles like hair. Homer is most often seen in Your Wild Yard at the Zoo, where he walks with education volunteers." |  | BARBEEBarbee is a Prehensile Tail Porcupine, a species native to South America and a favorite of students and volunteers alike. Born at the ABQ BioPark Zoo, Barbee resides in the Education Department and participates in many of the Zoo’s Outreach programs throughout the year. Barbee is a very inquisitive porcupine and loves to try new things. Her unique marshmallow nose and padded footprint paintings capture her wonderfully curious nature. " |  | MOOSE, NILLA and OREOMoose, Nilla and Oreo are domestic rats that are a wonderful and loved addition to the education animal collection. Domestic rats differ in many ways from their wild relatives. In behaviors, domestic rats are much more social creatures. Moose, Nilla and Oreo are less afraid of interactions with people than their wild counterparts, one of the reasons they make such fine painters." |  | BANDITBandit is a domestic ferret who came to the BioPark in 2005. As part of the education collection Bandit was a favorite of teaching animals – the message he shares is one of the integral part ferrets play in their wild environments as ecosystem managers and keystone species. Bandit no longer goes out on education outreach programs but loves attention and interaction with people. He is one of the most enthusiastic artists of the bunch." |  | CHILIChili is a domestic Chinchilla, she is 22 years old which is considerably older than the average lifespan of chinchillas in the wild. At 22, Chili is also the oldest animal in the education collection. Chinchillas are native to the high alpine environments of the Andes Mountains. Their thick fur serves as an adaptation to the cold climes in which they are found. in fact, each hair follicle can sprout 60 hairs. Though she’s now retired from a full career as a teacher, the message Chili has shared for many years is one of why Chinchillas (as cuddly and snuggly as they look) do not actually make great pets because they are so sensitive to temperature. A painting by a chinchilla may serve as a great alternative!" |  | GINNYGinny the Virginia Opossum is a wonderful education animal. She is social and she loves moving around. Look closely at Ginny’s artwork to see her rear opposable digits – can you tell which prints are her back feet? These opposable digits, as with her semi-prehensile tail, help Ginny to grip, climb and forage for food." |  | WALLYWally the Red Lory Lorikeet was born in 2008. Wally’s dynamic disposition is well represented in his colorful paintings." |  | MAYAMaya is a Green Wing Macaw, who came to the BioPark Education department in 2003. Maya is a very social bird. Though she does not talk, she has the advanced ability to mimic- which she thoroughly enjoys doing with keepers and the public. It is no surprise that Maya took to such a fun, expressive art – dancing and hopPing along the canvas and receiving lots of attention from her art teachers." |  | SALSASalsa is a Green Wing Macaw who came to the BioPark in the winter of 2011. Salsa is in the process of being socialized as one of the education animals, so painting was some what like art therapy for him. Salsa took to painting quite naturally, just one of his many talons!" |  | AUSSIEAussie is an 11 year old Galah Cockatoo – a species native to Australia. Aussie loved painting, as well as the bath he received after creating his masterpiece." |
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© 2012 New Mexico BioPark Society • 903 10th Street SW • Albuquerque, NM 87102 • 505.764.6280 Home
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