The April 2003 questions at a glance:
• What is the biggest animal in the whole world?
• What can you tell me about Gila Monsters?
• What is your favorite animal in the Amazon?
• What type of donkey was the one you had on the Maury Show?
• Do you like ocelots?
• Where is the 'Sloth Bed and Breakfast'?
• What do you do in your spare time?
• Do you have any info on baby tigers?
• How can snakes can swallow big ostrich eggs?
• What is your favorite type of horse?

Erica, under 10 years old, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack,
What is the biggest animal in the whole world?
Thanks a lot!
Erica

Jack says:
Dear Erica,
The biggest living animal in the world is the blue whale. It's hard to believe, but the heart of the blue whale is about the same size as a small car! The largest blue whale ever seen was about 110 feet long, and the mouth alone was longer than 20 feet. Calves weigh about 5,300 pounds, which is about half the size of an African elephant. Blue whales can be found in all oceans, but sadly they occur in small numbers.
-- Jungle Jack

Thomas, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack,
What can you tell me about Gila Monsters? I would appreciate any information you can give me. Thank you very much.
Thomas

Jack says:
Dear Thomas,
The Gila Monster is the only poisonous lizard found in North America. They can be found in Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico and as far south as Mexico. They like to live in arid areas with cacti, shrubs and grass. The scales can be pink, yellow and black, but the broad head and neck are usually solid black, as are the legs and feet. They eat lots of different things including: small mammals, other lizards, birds, and eggs. Like snakes, the gila monster uses its tongue to smell, especially when searching for prey. Although they are highly venomous, they rarely use their venom to attack prey and seem to save it for defense purposes. The gila monster is currently a threatened species and they are legally protected in their natural habitat. It is sad that many people kill the gila monster because it is poisonous. They are beautiful creatures and interesting to watch, but never go near one unless you know what you are doing!
-- Jungle Jack

Jon, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack -
What is your favorite animal in the Amazon?
Jon

Jack says:
Dear Jon,
I have filmed in the Amazon a few times and I'm always amazed by the diversity of the creatures that live there. All of the animals in the Amazon are fascinating, but I think one of my favorites is the harpy eagle. They are one of the most powerful eagles in the world and can fly up to 50 miles per hour. They have short wings and a long beautiful tail which helps them maneuver among the tree-tops. They also have the most powerful claws of any bird of prey.
-- Jungle Jack

Stephen asks:
Dear Mr. Hanna,
A couple of weeks ago you and some of your animal friends were on the Maury Show. I loved the donkey whose hair made a cross on his back. Please give me more info. about this donkey and a picture. Thank you.
Stephen Hoffer

Jack says:
Dear Stephen,
This donkey is called a Sicilian Donkey. I'm sorry I don't have a photo of one, but there are many websites you can find by doing a search. The Sicilian donkey is a miniature breed of the domestic donkey and it usually only weighs about 250 - 450 pounds. They are about 28-38 inches tall and they are noted for having a dark cross-shaped marking along the base of the neck. There is a popular legend that says the cross-shaped marking is on the donkey because it is the animal Jesus used to ride. Sicilian donkeys are more stubborn and more vocal than horses and they are known for being very surefooted animals. They are used for pulling wagons, riding and packing. Hope this answers your question.
-- Jungle Jack

Samantha, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack,
Do you like ocelots? I do.
Samantha

Jack says:
Dear Samantha,
Ocelots are great cats and I have raised a couple of them during my time working at zoos. They have such a beautiful coat and are wonderful to watch, especially when they are climbing. It is sad that many areas in the southern United States no longer have ocelots due to hunting and habitat destruction. Today the cats are mainly found in Central and South America.
-- Jungle Jack

Jamie, age 16-20, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack,
I would like to find out where the bed and breakfast is where they rescue the sloths as I would love to see one in person.
Thanks, Jamie

Jack says:
Dear Jamie,
The 'Sloth Bed and Breakfast' is in Costa Rica and it is called Aviarios Del Caribe. It is owned by an American couple and their e-mail address is: aviarioso@costarica.net. If you would ever like to contact anyone from one of our filming locations log on to www.junglestore.com and search under any topic you want. The website will give you information about the show and contact details for where the show was filmed. Hope you get a chance to see a sloth someday soon.
-- Jungle Jack

Bobby, under 10 years old, asks:
Jungle Jack,
What do you do in your spare time?
Bobby

Jack says:
Dear Bobby,
I like to keep busy working at the Columbus Zoo or filming for my show, but when I do have some spare time I enjoy working out or hiking with my dogs. I also have four grandchildren who come to visit me at the Columbus Zoo on weekends. I enjoy spending time with them and with my three daughters.
-- Jungle Jack

Paige, age 10-15, asks:
Hi Jack,
I love baby tigers. They are so cute and cuddly and I want some info. on them. Do you have any?
Thanks, Paige

Jack says:
Dear Paige,
Although baby tigers may look cute and cuddly when they are young, they grow up quickly to be huge cats. A mother tiger usually only has two to three young at a time and she nurses them for about six months. The cubs stay with their mother for about two years and then leave to go off on their own. Unlike lions, tigers are solitary creatures and usually hunt alone. The tiger is the largest of all the big cats and the biggest Siberian tiger ever recorded weighed 790 pounds! They aren't so cute and cuddly when they get that big! I have a lot of respect for tigers and I would love to see one in the wild someday.
-- Jungle Jack

Aaron, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack,
I would like to know how snakes can swallow big ostrich eggs.
Aaron

Jack says:
Dear Aaron,
Good question! I am always amazed when I watch a snake swallow an egg or a large animal. Snakes are able to do this because of their elastic skin and their loosely connected bones. To start the process the snake has to temporarily dislocate the bones of its lower jaw in order to allow the mouth to open very wide. Once the snake does this the prey can then enter down the snake's throat. Something as big as an ostrich egg would fill the snake's mouth, so in order to breathe, the snake has to thrust its windpipe forward on the bottom of its mouth and past the egg. Once the snake is finished it makes a few yawning movements with its mouth to put the jaw back in place.
-- Jungle Jack

Payton, under 10 years old, asks:
Dear Jack
What is your favorite type of horse?
Payton

Jack says:
Dear Payton,
I like all horses but I think my favorite has to be the Clydesdale. They are such massive animals and extremely strong. I always enjoy seeing them at Busch Gardens and speaking to their trainers. The employees at Busch Gardens keep the horses looking beautiful and their stables are always immaculate. I hope you get a chance to see them someday soon.
-- Jungle Jack