41-609: Bramble Park Zoo is located in Watertown, South Dakota . Open since 1912, the zoo comprises 15 acres (6.1 ha) with approximately 500 animals representing 130 different species. It is the second-largest zoo in South Dakota . The zoo is open year-round and takes extra steps to keep animals safe during South Dakota winters. Bramble Park Zoo was an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) from 1993-2024. The zoo
82-414: A Kim Jong-il puppet's body after his death, enters a tiny spaceship, and flies away. In September 2006, amusement park Six Flags Great America announced that it would be granting unlimited line-jumping privileges (for all rides) to anyone who could eat a live Madagascar hissing cockroach, as part of a Halloween -themed promotion for their annual FrightFest . Furthermore, if a contestant managed to beat
123-472: A large naturalistic exhibit. It includes a pond and waterfall for the animals, and glass viewing areas for visitors. The Bird of Prey Plaza features a raptor show with rehabilitated birds of prey. The 8,000-square-foot (743 m) Discovery Center and front entrance includes educational exhibits, classrooms, offices, and a gift shop and concessions area. Plus the new Terry Redlin Environmental Center
164-511: A male householder with no wife present, and 40.0% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
205-431: A sci-fi satire film about future humans’ war against an alien species called "The Bugs", a teacher is shown encouraging her students to step on this species as part of a TV propaganda broadcast. In 1984, a guest named Adam Zweig appeared on Late Night with David Letterman , demonstrating his pet Madagascar cockroach “climbing the tightrope over the fires of hell and the pit of doom”. A Madagascar hissing cockroach
246-496: A short plateau . Watertown Regional Airport's elevation is 1,745 ft (532 m). Watertown was founded in 1879 as a rail terminus when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad reactivated part of a line it had constructed to Lake Kampeska . The city was named after Watertown , New York, the hometown of brothers John E. and Oscar P. Kemp, two of the city's founders. The town was originally planned to be called Kampeska. During
287-530: A slight bend to bring it closer to Watertown. Its construction was a major economic benefit to Watertown and the communities near it. In the last decades the climate is configured as hot-summer humid continental climate ( Köppen : Dfa ); it previously had a warm-summer ( Dfb ). Although it is a humid city, it is relatively dry for its climatic category, due to its position in the Great Plains , which still provides an even greater thermal amplitude, especially in
328-459: A stunt. While normally she would be eliminated, as the show was for charity, it was decided that if she ate 3 worms she would advance to the final stunt regardless. In addition, Rogan would eat a cockroach as part of the bet. The species also made an appearance in the movie Men in Black in 1997. This was later parodied in the comedy Team America: World Police (2004), where a cockroach emerges from
369-607: Is Watertown's only public middle school. Construction of the school was completed in 2015. The community's "Prairie Lakes Wellness Center" opened in 2017, adjacent to the middle school. When the middle school opened in 2015, the former middle school was renovated and became the Intermediate School (5th and 6th grades). Watertown has multiple elementary schools. The five public elementary schools are Lincoln Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, McKinnely Elementary, and Mellette Elementary. Immaculate Conception School
410-703: Is a private Catholic elementary school. St. Martin's Lutheran School is a private Lutheran elementary school of the WELS . Watertown Christian School is a private non-denominational Christian elementary school. The Watertown Regional Library is the town's main library. It is on 6th St. NE and open every day of the week. Harmony Hill High School was a Catholic girls' boarding school in Watertown from 1967 to 1974. Watertown also has one airport , Watertown Regional Airport , served by Denver Air Connection with flights to Denver and Chicago O'Hare, and local bus service provided by
451-506: Is a public technical school classified as a community college, offering degrees in areas such as agriculture, nursing, and welding. There is also a satellite campus of Mount Marty College , a private Catholic school based in Yankton , South Dakota. Lake Area Technical College received the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, following three previous Finalist-With-Distinction honors in 2011, 2013, and 2015. The Aspen Institute awarded
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#1733094228592492-571: Is active in local conservation programs. Plans for future expansion include a new bear exhibit. Watertown, South Dakota Watertown is a city in and the county seat of Codington County , South Dakota , United States. Watertown is home to the Redlin Art Center , which houses many of the works of Terry Redlin , one of the nation's most popular wildlife artists. Watertown is between Pelican Lake and Lake Kampeska , from which Redlin derived inspiration for his artwork. The population
533-450: Is also wise to coat the top few inches with petroleum jelly to keep them from getting out of the habitat that they are kept in. They can live on fresh vegetables along with any kind of pellet food that is high in protein, such as dry dog food. In the US, some states require permits before this species can be kept as a pet or in breeding colonies. The state of Florida requires such a permit. This
574-540: Is approximately $ 200,000. Watertown is along the Big Sioux River . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 25.04 square miles (64.85 km ), of which 17.45 square miles (45.20 km ) is land and 7.59 square miles (19.66 km ) is water. Watertown sits on the Big Sioux River and two major lakes, Pelican Lake and Lake Kampeska . Most of Watertown also sits on
615-408: Is commonly confused with G. oblongonota and G. picea . Unlike most cockroaches, they are wingless; The “hissing” sound (expelling air through their bodies) is their primary defense, to frighten potential predators, as they cannot fly and are easily captured. They are excellent climbers and can scale smooth glass. Males can be distinguished from females by their thicker, hairier antennae and
656-561: Is connected to the building of the Discovery Center. The Children's Playground next to the Discovery Center features animal themed climbing structures. The Children's Zoo is located near the Australian Adventure. It includes an area for goats, donkeys, and domestic rabbits, of which you can pet. It also has a small play area for children and a small viewing case which includes farm related animals. The zoo's most famous resident
697-522: The hissing cockroach or simply hisser , is one of the largest species of cockroach , reaching 5 to 7.5 centimetres (2 to 3 inches) at maturity. They are native to the island of Madagascar , which is off the African mainland, where they are commonly found in rotting logs . It is one of some 20 known species of large hissing roaches from Madagascar, many of which are kept as pets, and often confused with one another by pet dealers; in particular, G. portentosa
738-509: The 1880s, Watertown prospered as a transportation hub after the railroads had extended farther west. Along with several other cities, it had been a candidate for capital of the new state of South Dakota, losing to the more centrally located Pierre . The city's newspaper, the Watertown Public Opinion , began publishing in 1887. In the mid-20th century, Interstate 29 was constructed through eastern South Dakota. The route included
779-475: The Terry Redlin Environmental Center opened, which includes a variety of aquariums, which were donated by Terry Redlin's son. It also includes educational activities, smaller animal exhibits, and two new educational classrooms. The new center is connected to the Discovery Center building at the entrance of the zoo. Jaguar Junction houses both regular phase and melanistic ("black") jaguars in
820-594: The Watertown Area Transit Corporation. Jefferson Lines provides intercity bus service to Watertown. Former President Barack Obama has visited Watertown twice, in 2008 during his presidential campaign, and in 2015 to address the graduating class at Lake Area Technical College . According to the city's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Watertown's largest employers are: Madagascar hissing cockroach The Madagascar hissing cockroach ( Gromphadorhina portentosa ), also known as
861-436: The city and an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant, the zoo also renovated animal-holding areas and other infrastructure, constructed additional raptor rehabilitation areas, and revitalized the primate exhibits. Throughout the first decade of the 21st century, the zoo continued to update and expand its exhibits. It created a walk-through Australian Adventure exhibit and a short grass prairie garden. In May 2010,
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#1733094228592902-574: The city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 20,237 people, 8,385 households, and 5,290 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,328.9 inhabitants per square mile (513.1/km ). There were 9,193 housing units at an average density of 603.7 per square mile (233.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 96.25% White , 0.14% African American , 1.65% Native American , 0.33% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.71% from other races , and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of
943-420: The city was 94.8% White , 0.4% African American , 2.4% Native American , 0.5% Asian , 0.5% from other races , and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population. There were 9,278 households, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had
984-466: The common name suggests, the Madagascar hissing cockroach is characterized by its “hissing” sound, which some people claim sounds more like a rattlesnake's tail or a rainstick . This is their primary method of warding off potentially insectivorous predators. The sound is produced as the insect forcefully expels air out of their specialized respiratory spiracles (orifices), mainly those that are located on
1025-434: The disturbance hiss. Only males use the female-attracting hiss and fighting hiss; the latter is used between males to settle territory disputes over breeding rights. The hissing makes them a popular pet; initially, they will make the noises when picked up, though they quickly calm down and adjust to being handled and observed up-close. The mite species Gromphadorholaelaps schaeferi lives on this species of cockroach along
1066-531: The higher values. The per capita income for the city was $ 18,994. About 5.7% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over. As of the census of 2010, there were 21,482 people, 9,278 households, and 5,563 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,231.3 inhabitants per square mile (475.4/km ). There were 10,050 housing units at an average density of 575.9 per square mile (222.4/km ). The racial makeup of
1107-410: The hind legs. Some long-horned beetles , e.g., the giant Fijian long-horned beetle , hiss by squeezing air out from under their elytra , but this does not involve the spiracles. In hissing cockroaches, the sound takes three forms: the disturbance hiss, the female-attracting hiss, and the aggressive or fighting hiss. All cockroaches from the fourth instar (fourth molting cycle) and older are capable of
1148-409: The insect fourth body segment (abdomen), although spiracles are found, more or less, on all segments of their abdomen. The Madagascar hissing cockroach is the only member of their group of cockroaches that can make audible sounds. Compared to crickets, this exact mode of sound production is atypical, as most insects that make noises do so by rubbing together various body parts (" stridulation "), such as
1189-444: The parent nonprofit organization of the zoo. Madagascar cockroaches can be kept as exotic pets. They require a small living area with an area for them to hide because they dislike light sources. The cockroaches prefer warmth and they cannot function in cold weather. Due to their propensity to climb, the living area must be tested to see if they can climb it as they do in their natural environment. Fish tanks with screens work best but it
1230-488: The population. 47.1% were of German , 19.8% Norwegian and 5.9% Irish ancestry. 96.5% spoke English , 1.7% Spanish and 1.1% German as their first language. There were 8,385 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who
1271-622: The previous world record (eating 36 cockroaches in 1 minute), they would receive season passes, for four people, for the 2007 season. Despite any protein or additional nutrients, cockroaches contain a mild neurotoxin that numbs the mouth and makes it difficult to swallow. The promotion ended on October 29, 2006. Since 2011 the Bronx Zoo has held a roach-naming and gifting program themed for Valentine's Day allowing their Madagascar hissing cockroaches to be named by benefactors. Funds raised are donated to Wildlife Conservation Society ,
Bramble Park Zoo - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-627: The prize in March 2017 in Washington, D.C., after an intense data collection process that included a rigorous review of critical elements of student success, such as learning, completion, and employment after college. Watertown has one public high school, Watertown High School , and one private boarding school, Great Plains Lutheran High School , of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod . Watertown Middle School (7th and 8th grades)
1353-581: The surfaces of the cockroaches of pathogenic mold spores, which in turn increases the life expectancy of the cockroaches. The Madagascar hissing cockroach has been known to be featured in Hollywood movies, prominently in Bug (1975), as cockroaches who could set fires by rubbing their legs together, and in Damnation Alley (1977) as post-nuclear-war mutant armor-plated "killer" cockroaches. In Starship Troopers ,
1394-414: The undersides and bases of the legs and takes some of its host's food as well as consuming particulates along the host's body. As these mites do not harm the cockroaches they live upon, they are commensals , not parasites, unless they build up to abnormal levels and start starving their host. Recent studies have shown that these mites also may have beneficial qualities for the cockroaches, in that they clean
1435-451: The very pronounced bumps on the pronotum . Females carry the ootheca internally, and release the young nymphs only after her offspring have emerged within her (this is known as ovoviviparity ). As in some other wood-inhabiting roaches, the parents and offspring will commonly remain in close physical contact for extended periods of time. In captivity, they have been known to live up to 5 years. They feed primarily on vegetable material. As
1476-594: Was 22,655 at the 2020 census , making Watertown South Dakota's 5th-most populous city. It is also the principal city of the Watertown Micropolitan Statistical Area , which includes all of Codington County. It is home to the Bramble Park Zoo . Watertown's residential real estate is considered the most expensive in South Dakota for cities of its size; the median price for a home in Watertown
1517-528: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.98. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males . Watertown has two institutions providing post-secondary education. Lake Area Technical College
1558-459: Was created "to provide significant assistance in the growth, development and professionalism of the Zoo." The LAZS puts out a quarterly publication called animal chatter . In the 1990s, the zoo received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) (1993), hired its first full-time educator (1996), and built the Discovery Center and a new front entrance to the zoo (1997). With money from
1599-608: Was denied reaccreditation in September 2024. The zoo was opened in 1912, and is named after Frank Bramble, who donated pheasants and other birds to the town to put on display. By 1940, the zoo had outgrown its original facility, and was moved to its current location. The new exhibits for the zoo were constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In 1972, the Lake Area Zoological Society (LAZS)
1640-2544: Was the white Bengal tiger "Tika" who died in 2012. Other large cats include snow leopards and jaguars Large mammals include red kangaroos , gray wolves , swift foxes , black bears , Bactrian camels , reindeer , American bison , and coyotes Primates include black lemur , ring-tailed lemurs , black-and-white ruffed lemurs , golden lion tamarins , spider monkeys , white-headed capuchins , De Brazza's monkey , black-and-white colobus , and siamangs Medium and small mammals include African hedgehogs , domestic rabbits , guinea pigs , ferret , prairie dogs , Sicilian donkeys , African pygmy goats , chinchillas , and muntjacs Arthropods include Madagascar hissing cockroaches and Chilean rose tarantulas Fish include Northern Atlantic seahorses , African cichlids , saddleback clownfish , yellow tang , watchman goby , blue hippo tang , pistol shrimp , rainbow trout , damselfish , lionfish , arowana , and Jack Dempseys Amphibians include Fire-bellied toads , tiger salamanders , and leopard frogs Reptiles include Three-toed box turtles , African pancake tortoises , American alligators , central bearded dragons , New Guinea blue-tongued skinks , boa constrictor , Burmese pythons , Ball pythons , corn snakes , Western hognose snake , California kingsnake , radiated tortoises , red-footed tortoise , false map turtle , red-eared sliders , alligator snapping turtle , and leopard geckos Birds include African penguins , scarlet ibis , roseate spoonbills , white-fronted geese , snow geese , Canada geese , barnacle geese , trumpeter swans , black-bellied whistling ducks , white-faced whistling ducks , North American wood ducks , canvasbacks , ringed teal , North American ruddy ducks , Andean condors , red-tailed hawks , bald eagles , great horned owl , Swainson's hawk , Icelandic chickens , silver pheasants , peafowl , wild turkeys , Florida sandhill cranes , white cockatoo , yellow-naped amazon parrots , red-lored amazon parrots , blue-and-yellow macaws , sun parakeet , Jackson's hornbills , long-tailed finches , Bourke's parrot , red-crowned cranes , Taveta weavers , northern pintails , greater scaup , white-headed buffalo weavers , Temminck's tragopan , Von der Decken's hornbills , crested partridge , rock doves , Ross's turacos , and Himalayan monals The zoo participates in AZA Species Survival Plans (SSP), and
1681-523: Was used by artist Garnet Hertz as the driver of a mobile robotic artwork. They were frequently used in the reality television series Fear Factor , where in one episode of the 2002 series, featuring celebrities competing for charity, the host, Joe Rogan , ate one as part of a wager with contestant Alison Sweeney of Days of Our Lives after she had what Rogan has since described as "the greatest freak-out in Fear Factor history" after panicking during