The June 2003 questions at a glance:
• Why is the peregrine falcon endangered?
• How can I get more info on the camp in Busch Gardens?
• What is the most endangered species?
• What is your favorite kind of cat?
• Do you know anything about the Ringtail Cat/Miners Cat?
• How many pets do you have?
• How can polar bears swim in the Arctic water and not get sick or cold?
• How old can a moose live to be?
• Do you know anything about red ruffed lemurs?
• How heavy is a walrus?

Daniel asks:
Dear Jack,
Why is the peregrine falcon endangered?
From, Daniel

Jack says:
Dear Daniel,
Unfortunately, one of the main causes for the decline in peregrine falcons has been the use of pesticides. Pesticides are a huge problem for the birds, especially the breeding pairs. Luckily many areas are reintroducing the falcons, and in some states they can be seen year-round.
-- Jungle Jack

Thomas, age 21-30, asks:
Dear Jack,
Please tell me how I can get more info. on the adventure camp in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Thomas

Jack says:
Dear Thomas,
You can call Busch Gardens on: 877-248-2267 or you can send an e-mail to education@buschgardens.org. You can even check out the website which is: www.seaworld.org/camp/bgt/index.htm. The adventure camps are great and I hope you find the information you need.
-- Jungle Jack

Devin, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
What is the most endangered species?
Thanks, Devin

Jack says:
Dear Devin,
It is difficult to name the most endangered species, because so many animals continue to be killed at such a fast rate. Habitat destruction is one of the main reasons why so many species become endangered. It is sad to think that some animals are actually becoming extinct before we can even find them. For current lists of threatened and endangered species you should log on to the IUCN website and check out the red list of species. The website is: www.redlist.org.
-- Jungle Jack

Payton, under 10 years old, asks:
Dear Jack,
I have a friend who is crazy 4 cats! She wants me to ask you what is your favorite kind of cat - Taby or Siamese?
Payton

Jack says:
Dear Payton,
I like cats too. As a matter of fact, I like ALL cats and couldn't really pick just one favorite. I have always raised Siamese cats as pets because they seem to get along well with my two dogs.
-- Jungle Jack

Melissa asks:
Dear Jack,
My 7 year old is doing a report on the Ringtail Cat/Miners Cat and we are having a difficult time finding info. We have seen this cat in the Catalina Mts. in Tucson, AZ. but there seems to be little information about the cat and would love some help. THANK YOU!!!
Melissa

Jack says:
Dear Melissa,
The ringtail cat is also called the miner's cat, because early prospectors in the west used to keep them as pets. It is one of the smallest members of the raccoon family and it only reaches about 12-15 inches when full grown. Despite being fairly common, ringtail cats are rarely seen during the day because they are strictly nocturnal. They eat lizards, small mammals, insects, nuts and fruit. They live in dry areas in the western USA and also in Mexico.
-- Jungle Jack

A. J., age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
How many pets do you have?
A. J.

Jack says:
Dear A. J.,
Right now I have two dogs. One is a Golden Labrador called Tasha and the other is a young Golden Retriever called Brass. I also have other animals which my daughter Julie brings home on the weekends. She works at the Columbus Zoo and sometimes she has to bring home small animals if their mothers do not raise them properly. There always seem to be a few animals running around the house.
-- Jungle Jack

Michael, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack,
How can polar bears swim in the Arctic water and not get really sick or cold?
Michael

Jack says:
Dear Michael,
Polar bears have an insulating layer of fat and their entire bodies, except for their noses and foot pads, are covered in dense fur. The polar bear's fur is extremely thick and also water-repellent. This helps to keep them warm when they are swimming.
-- Jungle Jack

Stacey, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack,
How old can a moose live to be?
Stacey

Jack says:
Dear Stacey,
Thanks for your question. Moose can usually live up to about 20 years.
-- Jungle Jack

Tina, age 21-30, asks:
Dear Jack,
Do you know anything about red ruffed lemurs?
Thanks, Tina

Jack says:
Dear Tina,
Red ruffed lemurs live in Madagascar on the Masoala peninsula and are endangered. They are nocturnal animals and usually live in pairs. They eat fruit and tend to gorge themselves on their favorite fruit which is ripe figs. The red ruffed lemur is the largest of the five families of lemur, but little is know about their behavior in the wild.
-- Jungle Jack

Cassie, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
How heavy is a walrus?
Thanks, Cassie

Jack says:
Dear Cassie,
A walrus can weigh up to 2,600 pounds and be 10 feet long! It's amazing that they stay so big when all they eat are mussels, clams, cockles, invertebrates and occasionally fish.
-- Jungle Jack