Flap and Jack are both faster than they look!
If you’ve visited the Zoo, you’ve likely met a lot of our more than 800 animal residents. Some animals are easy to spot, but others are often not as easy to see because of their habitat set up, their personalities or their sleep cycles among other things. We wanted to start a “Meet the Animals” section of our blog to introduce you to some of the residents that you may (or may not have) met yet!
Do you prefer pancakes or waffles? We’re partial to pancakes ourselves. Namely, Flap and Jack the African pancake tortoises! These two Animal Ambassadors live behind-the-scenes at our Zoo, so you may not have been formally introduced.
Pancake tortoises are native to East Africa and are found in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. This species is easily identifiable by their flat, flexible shells. Because their thin shells don’t offer much protection, they’ve evolved to move quickly to race and climb away from predators. These tortoises are also critically endangered, making their presence at our Zoo even more impactful.
Flap and Jack are both 25 years old and were born at Birmingham Zoo. They’re great ambassadors for their species. Their unique shape provokes questions from curious guests, and their endearing demeanors win over everyone who meets them.
“I enjoy working with Flap and Jack because they are both very smart and can be extremely motivated.” said Animal Ambassador keeper Jenn. “It is always fun to find ways to challenge them.”
While they may look alike, they have differing personalities. Flap is laid back and is always up for a training session with his keepers. He does have some nerve damage that affects his legs, but it doesn’t slow him down one bit.
“I love using Flap to show guests that, even with his disabilities, he is still able to run, climb and train,” said Jenn. “It is a great message that really connects to those who also struggle with daily challenges.”
Jack also enjoys interacting with his keepers, but he has a sassy side. He is known for giving a side-eye when keepers reach for his favorite hiding spots.
When they aren’t out and about for educational programs, Flap and Jack participate in daily training sessions with their keepers. They are both target and carrier trained, allowing them to be comfortably transported to and from events voluntarily. They’re also learning to take part in new voluntary touch programs which will allow the tortoises to choose when they would like to be touched by guests. All of these training sessions help our tortoises better exercise their sense of choice and control, giving them the ability to opt out of being in the spotlight at any time. However, a hibiscus flower or two is often pretty convincing.
When it’s time to wind down, Flap and Jack find shelter in their humid hides or bask under their heat lamps.
While we’re happy to provide our pancake tortoises with a comfortable and enriching environment, we also recognize that their native counterparts are facing unprecedented dangers in their natural range. The illegal pet trade and habitat loss has caused their populations to drastically decline. Through conservation efforts such as breeding programs, community outreach and education, there’s hope that their populations can recover. If you’d like to help support these efforts:
- Before you select a pet, be sure to understand where the pet came from and never take an animal from its natural home. If you don’t know where the pet came from, find another source to ensure we work together to stop the illegal pet trade of the animals we all love.
- Share your knowledge with others about their conservation status.
- Support organizations, like Turtle Survival Alliance, who are making a difference for these reptiles every day!
Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.