EnrichBits: A monthly look at animal enrichment Ok, enough about animal enrichment. It’s time to talk about keeper enrichment!! The idea is the same– animal keepers with choice and changes in their routines are happier creatures! Sherry gives all of us keepers opportunities to change up our routines now and again by giving us the chance to get off museum grounds (or at least out of the animal department area) and do something a little different.Jill, Katy, Erin, and CassidyRead more
Posts filed in: Videos
Creature Feature: Beaker the Opossum
Opossums are some of the most popular animals we have available for use in programs or at birthday parties. As with other animals you have read about such as Silkie Chicken and Ball Python #1, we also have opossums that live in our Education Holding Room (EHR) behind the scenes. We usually have 2 or 3 at one time, but right now we only have 1 living off-exhibit, whose name is Beaker (we also have an opossum living on exhibitRead more
Ferret exercise
The other day, Keeper Katy was attempting to sweep our hallway while the ferrets (Casper, Al, Tinkerbell and Fluff) were out running around and getting some exercise– very entertaining! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMrMVj8yQck[/youtube]Read more
EnrichBits: A new toy
EnrichBits: A monthly look at Animal Enrichment Our newest bear enrichment toy comes from the people at Boomer Ball. It’s made for polar bears, I think, but we thought we’d see how our Black Bears took to it. Remember as you watch this terribly suspenseful video, that it’s really enriching for the animal when they have to think about things and make choices! And the longer they stay interested, the better the enrichment! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMjrpe7Gahs[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXgYcqERdFM[/youtube]Read more
Lightning plays fetch
We don’t usually have much time to play with the animals because we are busy cleaning their exhibits and feeding them. However, when the opportunity arises, we always try to take full advantage! Check out this video of me and Lightning playing fetch. Watch how Lightning actually does a lot more with the ball than just “fetch” it; he swings it around in his mouth, runs it down the fence railing, plays tug-of-war with me, and even picks up hisRead more
Time to crawl out of my skin
This video was captured by Katy when she noticed our canebrake rattlesnake shedding (also known as moulting) early one morning. Snakes, along with some other reptiles and amphibians, moult periodically throughout their lives. For snakes, this means that the outer layer of skin is shed, typically in one whole piece. Shedding serves a few different purposes: 1) It allows growth for the snake, 2) The older and worn skin is replaced with new healthy skin, and 3) It helps theRead more