A new species can be discovered in the Chemnitz Tierart vivarium: the Colombian swimming mole (Typhlonectes natans). A total of five animals have come to Chemnitz from Wilhelma in Stuttgart. With this species, the zoo now has at least one representative each from the group of frogs, tailed amphibians and slithering amphibians.
The swimming amphibians belong to the group of slithering amphibians. All groups are classified as amphibians.
Creeping amphibians differ from the other amphibians in that they have no extremities. They are also called blind amphibians as they cannot see very well. However, they can smell all the better. They often burrow in the ground for food or to bury themselves. To breathe, they have to come to the surface of the water.
The Colombian swimming mill is found in rivers in Colombia and Venezuela. The animals can grow up to 50 centimetres long. They feed mainly on insects and earthworms.
This exciting animal species is not only beautiful to look at, it can also be used in the educational work of the zoo for illustrative comparisons. It is also kept relatively rarely in zoological institutions, in only nine other institutions in Germany apart from Chemnitz. In this respect, the species is a new "highlight" at Chemnitz Zoo.
Opening hours of the zoo and wildlife park in January and February:
Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., last admission 3 p.m.