Here at Pet Safari one of our most unique features is our adventure outpost. This exotic room is home to (3) Two-toed Sloths, (1) Domestic Skunk, and (1) Agouti Paca. The animals in the Adventure Outpost are not for sale and used for education only.
The sloths and the agouti paca are from the rainforest of Guyana. The part of the rainforest they come from has been cut down and no longer exists. If these animals were still in their native country they would have been killed.
Our feeding time for these exotic animals is between 4p.m. - 6p.m. During this time we answer questions and allow visitors to see the animals up close. We also have educational tours available. We guide guests through the entire store and give information on all the different kinds of animals we have. Please call to make an appointment if you are interested (727-733-6641).
You can see our television feature presentation on "The Zone" on channel CW44.
Scarface, Blondie, and Baby
Scarface, Blondie and Baby are our Two-toed Sloths. We think that Scarface and Blondie are males, and Baby is a female. Scarface was named because he has a scar on his bottom lip. Blondie, the biggest sloth, got his name because he is the lightest in color. Baby got her name because we think she is the youngest. Blondie and Baby are closely bonded. You will rarely see them apart.
Sloths sleep 18 out of 24 hours, so most of the day they are sleeping. The best time to get a glimpse of these animals awake is at their feeding time, between 4-6 p.m.
In the wild sloths get a green tint to their coat because they grow algae in their fur. Our sloths do not stay wet enough to get this color, nor do our sloths have the famous "sloth moth." Sloths get so much water from their food that they don't need to drink water. In fact our sloths hate when we spray water in their mouth or on them. Although nocturnal, you can sometimes find Blondie sunning himself under our UV light.
Our sloths are not aggressive towards us. They don't seem to enjoy being petted, but they will tolerate it without much fuss. Their hair is coarse and feels like a horse's mane & tail. At feeding time we sometimes let them out of the cage and down the rope, stretching from wall to wall.
Paquita
Paquita is our Agouti Paca. We are 90% sure that it is a girl. We were lucky to get Paquita at a very young age. Since the day we got her she has been incredibly social. She loves to lick people and be petted. Any time we go into her cage to clean in the morning, she meets us at the door and licks our hands and arms.
In Guyana, Agouti Pacas are hunted and raised as food. They are sopose to be a delicacy. Agouti Pacas are the 2nd largest rodent in South America and 3rd largest rodent in the world. Paquita has tripled her size since we got her. She is about the size of a small-medium dog.
In the wild Agouti Pacas live in burrows. This being the case, Paquita takes pride in her kennel and will drag in newspaper to make it more comfortable and hidden.
Pepe No Pew
Pepe is our Domestic Skunk. Pepe has been descented (a process in which they remove the scent gland) and neutered. Pepe has been part of the Pet Safari family since he was 8 weeks old. He eats a variety of foods. In the morning he eats skunk pellets with honey on it, and in the evening he eats a varied selection of fruits and vegetables. Pepe loves getting baths and being brushed. He also likes to play fetch when he is playful.