The December 2003 questions at a glance:
• Why do giraffes have long necks?
• How long could an alligator have lived in the Detroit River?
• What is the difference between a black rhino and a white?
• Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
• Where is “The Wilds”?
• Where do ocelots live?
• Do giraffes really have black tongues that are 18 inches long?
• How many Bald Eagles are left?
• Where do tigers live?
• What do millipedes eat?

Payton, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
Why do giraffes have long necks?
From, Payton

Jack says:
Dear Payton,
Many animals have evolved in certain ways which allows them to best take advantage of their environment. For example, with giraffes, they are the tallest creatures on earth and their long necks allow them to browse on leaves at the very tops of trees. This gives giraffes an advantage and allows them to eat from a browsing level which other animals can't reach. With their own salad bar many feet above the ground, their long necks decrease any competition for food.
-- Jungle Jack

Lisa, age 31-40, asks:
Dear Jack,
Recently an alligator was pulled out of the Detroit River. How long could this alligator have lived in the river?
Thanks, Lisa

Jack says:
Dear Lisa,
That's a great question. It actually depends on lots of different environmental factors such as the quality of the water, food supply, water temperature, etc. Usually alligators are pretty resilient, but with winter coming up, this one may have had some trouble!
-- Jungle Jack

Nicole, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
What is the difference between a black rhino and a white?
Nicole

Jack says:
Dear Nicole,
Both the black and the white rhinos live in Africa, but the black rhino is smaller than the white and has a different shaped mouth. Since the black rhino browses on leaves and twigs on tree branches, they have a very pointed upper lip which can grasp onto leaves. The white rhino primarily browses on the ground, eating grass more like a cow. Due to this method of feeding the white rhino has a flat squared upper lip which is better for grazing. White rhinos also tend to be less shy and not as temperamental as black rhinos.
-- Jungle Jack

Jenelle, under 10 years old, asks:
Dear Jack,
Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
Jenelle

Jack says:
Dear Jenelle,
Yes, unfortunately I have been bitten by a few animals during my 35 years of working with wildlife. It is NEVER the animal’s fault, and it is important to remember that no wild animal can ever fully be trained. A wild animal is like a loaded gun and can go off at any time. It is important to respect all wild animals and give them lots of space. One should never handle a wild animal unless they have been properly trained. If you want more information about my history of working with animals, check out the FAQ section of my website.
-- Jungle Jack

Marlene, over 60 years old, asks:
Dear Jack,
You televised a show on The Wilds and I am interested in visiting there. Can you tell me where in Ohio it is located? Thank you.
Marlene

Jack says:
Dear Marlene,
The Wilds is an incredible place to visit and it really does remind me of seeing animals in their natural habitats. The address for the Wilds is: 1400 International Road, Cumberland, Ohio. It is located about 70 miles east of Columbus and it's open from May to October. For more information check out the website on www.thewilds.org or give them a call at 1-740-638-2285. Maybe I'll see you there!
-- Jungle Jack

Jeremy, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
Where do ocelots live?
Jeremy

Jack says:
Dear Jeremy,
I used to work with ocelots when I first started working at zoos nearly 35 years ago. They are fascinating creatures and used to be found throughout the southern parts of the United States. Now they are mostly found in Central and South America in tropical and subtropical habitats. They are also sometimes found in parts of Mexico.
-- Jungle Jack

Mckenzie, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
I really want to know if giraffes have black tongues that are 18 in. long, because I went to the zoo and it didn't say anything about it.
Thanks, Mckenzie

Jack says:
Dear Mckenzie,
Yes, believe it or not, giraffes have tongues which can reach a length of 18 inches! Their tongues are actually a deep blue-black color and some people say this color helps protect their tongues from getting sunburn. Hope you had fun at the zoo!
-- Jungle Jack

Stanley, age 16-20, asks:
Dear Jack,
How many Bald Eagles are left?
Thanks, Stanley

Jack says:
Dear Stanley,
The last full count I can find was taken in 2000 when there were a reported 6,471 pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. Considering there were only 791 pairs in 1974, bald eagle conservation has come a long way. If you want to learn more there is a great website at: http://midwest.fws.gov/eagle/population/
-- Jungle Jack

Edmond, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
Where do tigers live?
Thanks, Edmond

Jack says:
Dear Edmond,
There are only about 5,000-7,000 tigers left in the wild. The Siberian tiger is found in Southeastern Russia, the South China tiger lives in southern China, the Indochinese tiger is in Southeast Asia, the Bengal lives primarily in India, and the Sumatran tiger lives on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
-- Jungle Jack

Rachel, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
I would like to know what the millipede eats and some of the things to be aware of if you have one. I would also like to know what it means when they curl up in a ball.
Rachel

Jack says:
Dear Rachel,
Millipedes eat apples, bananas, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. It is also important to make sure your millipede gets a calcium supplement. This can be given in powder form which is usually available from larger pet stores. Millipedes roll up in a ball to defend themselves from predators. They do this in order to protect their soft underbelly. Did you know that millipedes can secrete a defensive liquid that can be dangerous if it gets into your eyes or your mouth? Make sure you always wash your hands with soap after handling a millipede.
-- Jungle Jack