Did You Know?
...that barn owls have a heart shaped face.
...that the reticulated python is the longest animal at the Zoo.
...that the fisher's favorite food is the porcupine (ouch!).
...that elephants have four knees but cannot jump.
...that male sea horses give birth to the young.
...that a crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
...that a hummingbird egg weighs less than a penny.
...that the placement of a donkey’s eyes are such that it can see all four feet at the same time.
...that the sloth moves so slowly that green algae can grow undisturbed on its fur.
...that seahorses produce snapping or clicking noises by tossing their heads. These clicks and a “greeting dance” are thought to help attract a mate!
...that cheetahs are the only cats that cannot retract their claws.
...that flamingos must turn their heads upside down to eat.
...that lions, jaguars, tigers and leopards are the only cats that can roar.
...that an ostrich egg is aobut the size of a medium cantaloupe.
...that jaguars and tigers are the only big cats that like to swim.
...that New York City has the largest population of peregrine falcons in the world.
...that tigers are the largest member of the cat family.
...that the cheetah is the fastest mammal in the world. It can sprint at speeds up to 62mph.
...that the albatross is able to sleep and fly at the same time.
...that American goldeneye ducks are capable of making dives of more than 20 feet deep.
...that a fennec fox has the largest ears of any canid. These huge ears help them hear potential prey that is digging in the sand, listen for approaching danger, and they also cool off the fox as the Sahara Desert temperatures rise!
...that humming birds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
…that the Peregrine Falcon can dive at 200 mph when hunting its prey.
…when Sea Stars eat, their stomach comes out of their mouth, wraps around the food and pulls it back in.
...that the American crow is found in every state in America, except Hawaii.
…that snakes do not have eyelids! They have a scale covering their eye for protection, and it is shed at the same time they shed their skin.
...that an owl’s eyes are so large in their head that they cannot move them around like we can. Thus, why they have to move their heads!
...that White-lipped deer have hooves that “click.” This helps them find each other in snowstorms.
...that a female cuckoo will destroy eggs in other birds' nests and replace them with her own.
...that Siamang apes make the loudest sound that an animal can make! They use this howl to help keep the distance between Siamang families.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to work in a zoo someday. What types of jobs are there at a zoo?
What exactly do zookeepers do? And what is it like to be a zookeeper?
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I need to do a report on animals, where can I get information?
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How many quills does a porcupine have?
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Why do goats always stand on top of things?
How do a bird's feathers attach to their bodies?
Why do the animals in the deer family shed their antlers every year?
How long does it take for an Andean condor to lose a feather?
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What is the standard height that an Andean condor can fly?
Why do the Amur tigers at the Zoo fast for one day during the week?