On Saturday Mike and I went to the zoo. Despite the crowds we have a REALLY great time, and got to see a LOT of wild-life, and even some animals up close and personal! The last time we had (tried) to visit the zoo was shortly after the blizzard (snow storm), but were unable to see very many of the animals because their outside habitats were literally filled with snow.
One of the first exhibits we saw first was the cheetahs. One was taking a nap, but JUST as we were leaving to go onto the next exhibit, 2 zoo keepers walked into the enclosure carrying tall staffs. They checked on the cheetah, who immediately perked up and took notice of the keepers, and picked up some trash that had made its' way into the grass on the edge of the exhibit. We later learned that cheetahs will not go after "prey" unless they see that the creature is NOT tall, which is what allows zoo keepers to enter their territory without fearing for their lives (as long as they remain on alert and standing tall).
We made our way then onto the maned wolves (I didn't even know these animals existed...), which look like VERY large foxes. Super adorable, but very smelly. They mark their territory with scent, which smells a lot like the scent that skunks excrete when scared or threatened.
Next to the maned wolves was the zebra exhibit. A line was forming along a portion of the exhibit, so we stopped to find out what the wait was for. It turned out that some of the zebra keepers were working with one zebra to train them to react to noise and visual commands (the zebra was rewarded with a "biscuit" when he did what the keeper wanted him to do). This makes it easier for the zoo keepers and vets to be around the zebras and to take care of them. We learned that more accidents in zoos happen around zebras than any other animal. This mostly has to do with the fact that zebras weigh over 900 lbs, and even something as simple as them stepping onto your foot would easily break it...
The elephants were out and about in their yard. The National Zoo is currently in the midst of a HUGE renovation of the Elephant House (when I lived in DC previously, you could come to the zoo on Sunday mornings and watch the elephant get a bath in their house!).
Some of my favorite animals to see at the zoo are the "big cats"... the lions and the tigers! Sadly, the tiger was napping, but the 2 female lions were laying down and keeping tabs on all the lookers, as was the male lion. He did one of those HUGE yawns at one point, but I did not get a picture of it. Such regal and majestic animals!
We ended our tour with my alma mater's mascot: the anteater. I know everyone makes fun of me for being an "anteater" for 4 years, but I must say, I am PROUD to have them as my mascot. They are FIERCE fighters, and if threatened, will lash out with their claws!
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