The July 2003 questions at a glance:
• What makes a Flamingo pink?
• Do you have information about red kangaroos?
• What is your favorite reptile?
• What is the biggest land animal?
• Where do rhinos live in Africa?
• What do whales live on when it comes time for a meal?
• Where you buy the khaki outfits you wear on the show?
• How much does a giraffe weigh?
• What do you know about koalas?
• How many and what kind of pets did you have as a child?

Hilary, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
What makes a Flamingo pink?
Thanks, Hilary

Jack says:
Dear Hilary,
Believe it or not.....flamingos get their pink color from all the algae they eat. Flamingos walk through shallow water with their heads upside-down and sweep their bills from side to side. Their tongue acts like a piston and forces out the water and mud. Huge quantities of food are consumed this way and 100,000 flamingos can eat up to 18 tons per day!
-- Jungle Jack

Diana, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
I have to do a school project on Red Kangaroos, could you please tell me some information about them?
Diana

Jack says:
Dear Diana,
The red kangaroo is the largest of the marsupials and can weigh up to 190 pounds! They mainly eat the succulent parts of various green herbs which they find in their habitat in central Australia. Red kangaroos are often red, but they can vary in color and can be gray as well. They look different from other kangaroos because they have white underparts. Males can grow to about twice the size as females. Good luck on your project!
-- Jungle Jack

John, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
What is your favorite reptile (mine is a bearded dragon I have 2)?
Thanks, John

Jack says:
Dear John,
I don't have one favorite reptile, as I am always meeting new species while I am travelling for my show. I think snakes are amazing creatures and I always enjoy watching them. I agree with you that bearded dragons are neat too!
-- Jungle Jack

Stephen, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jack,
What is the biggest land animal?
Thanks, Stephen

Jack says:
Dear Stephen,
The largest living land animal is the African elephant which can be 13 feet tall and weigh an amazing 15,500 pounds! Thanks for your question.
-- Jungle Jack

Shane, age 10-15, asks:
Dear Jungle Jack,
Where do rhino's live in Africa?
Shane

Jack says:
Dear Shane,
There are five species of rhinos, but only the black and the white rhinos live in Africa. The black rhino has been found between the Cape to Somalia, and the white rhino lives in northeastern and southern Africa. Sadly, rhinos are still being poached for their horns and their numbers are declining in certain areas.
-- Jungle Jack

Alisha, age 16-20, asks:
Dear Jack,
I just have a simple question. What do whales live on when it comes time for a meal?
Alisha

Jack says:
Dear Alisha,
It is hard to believe, but most whales feed on extremely small crustaceans. There are lots of different kinds of whales, and each species has a different diet depending on where it lives. In Antarctica we saw small crustaceans called krill which look similar to little shrimp. Whales in Antarctica will eat millions of krill everyday in order to sustain their massive bodies. Some whales also eat fish.
-- Jungle Jack

Jennifer, age 41-60, asks:
Dear Jack,
My husband likes the shirts & such that you wear (he likes military-style, comfortable clothes) & wants to know where you buy the khaki outfits that you wear on the show. Have you considered your own line of clothes?
Jennifer

Jack says:
Dear Jennifer,
The clothes I wear are from a shop called Thomas Cook, based in Australia. The best way to find them is by doing a search on the Internet. I haven't been to the shop in several years and currently all my pants have holes in them and my shirts are slowly showing their age! I need to order some more soon! Good luck and I hope you find what you need. As to your other question, we may try to do a clothing line in the future.
-- Jungle Jack

Ashley, under 10 years old, asks:
Dear Jack,
How much does a giraffe weigh?
Thanks, Ashley

Jack says:
Dear Ashley,
A full grown male giraffe can weigh 3,000 pounds and stand 16 feet tall. It is the tallest land mammal.
-- Jungle Jack

Reagan, age 41-60, asks:
Dear Jack,
What do you know about koalas???
From, Reagan

Jack says:
Dear Reagan,
Koalas live throughout eastern Australia and although they have no natural predators, one of their biggest threats is habitat destruction. They rest about 20 hours a day, usually in low forks of trees. They spend most of their time in trees and survive by eating leaves, especially eucalyptus. The large ones can weigh up to 24 pounds.
-- Jungle Jack

P. Hogan, age 16-20, asks:
Dear Jack,
How many pets did you have when you were a child and what were they?
Thanks.

Jack says:
Dear P. Hogan,
I had lots of pets as a child and my favorite was my pet goat. I also raised dogs (Collies), ducks, rabbits and horses. My family grew up on a farm, so we had cows too. I could never have enough animals growing up!
-- Jungle Jack