Dante - Texas Longhorn
Many of you know Dante, one of our three Texas Longhorns, but did you know he is the recipient of a revolutionary breakthrough in veterinary medicine for treating Longhorns.
You will definitely want to read all about the incredible treatment the doctors at Texas A&M designed to save one of Dante's horns.
Click on the link below to learn about Dante's experience!
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/press-releases/dante/
Happy Capy!
Gotta love a happy Capy!
Do you know who I am?
Do you recognize this resident of our Zoo?
No? It is Samr, our Visayann Warty Pig and he is having a great time rooting. Aside from fruits, the pig’s favorite food includes roots, tubers, and bulbs which they can locate even several feet underground due to their excellent sense of smell. Their rooting, in turn, aerates the soil which is beneficial in regenerating the forests.
This pig with a rock star mohawk is indigenous to six of the Visayan Islands in the central Philippines.
The Visayan warty pig is critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. It is believed to be extinct in four of the islands in its original native range, with only small surviving populations in Negros and Pa.
Only the male pigs have warts! Good news for the lady pigs!
Captive Visayan warty pigs can live up 18 years.
This species is sociable, mostly living in small groups.
Hop aboard our train, The Hillcountry Express, to say hello to Samr.
Armadillo Fun
Who is ready for some Armadillo fun?
Obviously, one of our six-banded Armadillos loves playing in the dirt.
We have two six-banded Armadillos at our Zoo, Brooklyn and Piper.
They came to us from another facility that found it necessary to rehome them.
We love having them as part of our animal family.
Did you know?
Armadillos have a powerful sense of smell.
Armadillo burrows are integral to the survival of many other species. The burrows are at a constant temperature year-round so many other species utilize them when it is very hot or cold.
The six-banded Armadillo does not roll into a ball (only three-banded can) when feeling threatened. Instead it tucks the vulnerable parts of its body under its shell and flattens out.
Six-banded Armadillos can also jump high and are quick to scare predators.
Brooklyn and Piper are located in the lower area of our Zoo in our Ellen Proctor habitat. They are nocturnal, but you might see them during the day.
Tune in tomorrow to find out the name of this adorable Armadillo!
Ferret Fun
Enrichment for our animals is vital for their well being!
Scotti and Dizzy, our Ferrets, two of our Education Animal Ambassadors love playing in this enrichment item.
Did you know, you can schedule an animal experience with an Animal Ambassador? Send an email to [email protected]!
Have a great evening everyone!!
Happy Capybara!
Capybaras love water! We have three at Austin Zoo. Diego, Enrique and Olivia.
Did you know?
* Standing close to 2 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 150 pounds, capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the largest rodents in the world.
* Capybaras have partially webbed feet, making them great swimmers.
* Capybaras have two long, front teeth, and like other rodents, these teeth never stop growing.
* Capybaras are a vegetarian mammal species.
* In order to get the most nutrition out of every meal, capybaras are autocoprophagous, meaning they eat their own feces. 😱
* Sometimes referred to as "nature's ottoman," capybaras have developed a reputation as being a nice place to take a load off.
Come and see us and our Capybara!
Happy Birthday Jazzy!
Jazzy was so excited about his birthday party, thank you to our Education Department for making his day so special.
Jazzy, 13 years old!
Jazzy is one of our Education Ambassadors. Click on the link below to learn all that our Education Department has to offer.
https://austinzoo.org/education-programs/
Have a great rest of your day everyone!
Wilbur our Bare-eyed Cockatoo has important news he wants to share!
Beat the Heat! Come see us early!
New Zoo hours! Beginning tomorrow, we will be opening every day at 9:00am.
Monday - Friday hours:
9:00am - 4:00pm, admission will close at 3:00pm.
Saturday hours: 9:00am - 6:00pm, admission closes at 5:00pm.
Sunday hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm, admission closes at 4:00pm.
New train hours!
Monday - Friday, the first train will depart at 10:30am, the last train of the day will leave the station at 3:00pm.
Saturday & Sunday :
10:30am - 4:00pm.
Nothing like a snack to get your morning started off right! Olivia, one of our Capybaras is certainly enjoying hers!
Our Capys are located adjacent to our Picnic Grove. Come see us and them today, we are open until 5:00pm.
Have a great day everyone!
You remember Jazzy our African Grey Parrot don't you?
Jazzy is one of our Austin Zoo Animal Ambassadors. Our Education Manager has been working with Jazzy to enhance his education.
Did you know you can schedule an animal experience with one of our Animal Ambassadors? Email [email protected] to find out all about meeting Jazzy or one of our other Animal Ambassadors.
Thinking of coming to the Zoo soon? We encourage you to arrive in the morning hours when our animals are most active.
Have a great day everyone!
If you ever wonder if we provide enrichment for our animals, check out our video with Jazzy, an African Grey.
Our Education Manager, Hope, works with Jazzy and other animal ambassadors to encourage interaction and also to stimulate their mental capabilities. Our animals' mental well-being is as important as their physical well-being.
Jazzy loves learning new sounds!
Did you know, you can schedule your very own private animal experience?
Email: [email protected] to learn all about it!
Korben really enjoys his lunch prepared by our Animal Care staff.
On the menu.....oranges, apples, berries, melons, pineapples, celery, corn, peppers, broccoli crowns, carrots, nutritional biscuits designed especially for bears and a variety of protein sources. Yum, yum!
Visit our Zoo next Wednesday and check out our Zookeeper Bear Talk at 11:30. Lots of fun and you will learn all about Korben, Tilly and Ruby and fun facts about North American Black Bears.
Stay warm and safe today everyone!
