Prep started yesterday: find the head lamp make sure camera is working review all logbook tasks and talk to the Keepers about any questions make sure tasty food is on my desk set alarm for 5 AM I arrived on grounds around 5:15. As usual, I gathered up logbooks. Also as usual, Katy has set up treatments for me (thanks Katy). I flounder a bit getting started, but no real issues. I remembered that Blue Jay SCREAMS at the sightRead more
Posts filed in: Exhibits
QuickPic: Traffic Jam
During our bi-annual bear pool power washing, I headed down to the bear yard to drop off some equipment. It looks like we’re having a party at the bear house! I was disappointed there wasn’t any watermelon.Read more
Alligator Noises!
Did you know that juvenile American alligators have a specific sound they make to call their moms? Female alligators are very protective of their babies and will guard or relocate them for at least several months and possibly as long as 2 years! Here’s Troy, our education gator, chirping: [youtube]http://youtu.be/7q9D2tdIVKw[/youtube]Read more
The Life of a Keeper
Since becoming an Animal Keeper it always amazes me the things I am no longer grossed out by–the list is continually growing! One day I sat down to lunch and realized I was eating next to two lemur fecal samples. Instead of moving them, I took a picture!Read more
Not the best of weekends
We knew the muskrat was old, and had some issue with his mouth that was going to be looked at today, but on Friday his mouth was looking bigger and so by Saturday morning we decided to sedate him and check things out. The growth on his face grew very quickly and was not removable. We were (are) suspicious of cancer, and as we were deciding whether or not we should wake him up from the procedure he started toRead more
Big Word of the Month: Refraction
Check out this photo Keeper Elaina took of our mud turtle and water snake! Notice something odd about the turtle’s head? There’s nothing wrong with our little mud turtle, he didn’t get decapitated just prior to this photo being taken! His head looks detached from his body for another –less macabre– reason: refraction. Refraction is why, when you look through or into water, objects aren’t exactly where you expect them to be. Light travels at different speeds through solids, liquidsRead more