This bundle of joy is just the cutest, and Matea is the best mom!🤍 The baby howler monkey has started climbing all over mom and even reaching out to other items in the habitat! The gender is not confirmed yet, but stay tuned for updates in the future. We hope you'll come see this little one soon!
Pssssst - it's #WorldSnakeDay! 🐍
Snakes play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems as both predators and prey! As nature's pest control, they keep pest populations in check, helping to reduce the spread of diseases. If you encounter a snake in the wild, the best thing to do is observe from a distance and leave it alone. Respecting their space is important for your safety and their well-being! On your next visit, be sure to stop by the Reptile building to learn more about these slithering friends that call the Zoo their home!
A mud bath is always a great idea to our bachelor herd! 🛀 This not only helps keep them cool during the warmer days but also provides a protective layer for their skin! ☀️
Happy #WorldGiraffeDay! 🦒 We have five incredible reticulated giraffes that make up our herd: Zuri, Willow, Jalil, Ruby, and our newest addition, Mopane!
Giraffe populations in the wild have decreased by 30% in the past 35 years, and we are a proud partner of AZA's Giraffe Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program that focuses on protecting giraffe populations and their habitats in the wild. Join us today at KGE from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to learn more about these gentle giants and how you can support giraffe conservation!
#StandTallForGiraffe
#WorldGiraffeWeek
Munch time with Jamie Bill! 🥗
Jamie Bill is a nine year old groundhog and one of our awesome Ambassador animals! As herbivores and beneficial seed dispersers, they play an important role in our ecosystem. Groundhogs and bats are the only true hibernators in North America, and true hibernation involves specific requirements like reduced metabolism, slower heart rate, and lowered body temperature!
Some otter-ly adorable content for your feed! 🦦
North American River Otters are adapted for semi-aquatic living and are excellent swimmers! They can close their nostrils and ears while submerged in the water and hold their breath for several minutes!
Chong, Cheech, and Booker showing us their best #TongueOutTuesday! 🐢
Cheech and Chong are Aldabra tortoises, which are known as one of the largest tortoise species! Booker is a radiated tortoise, and this name comes from the visual description of their beautiful shells!
Happy #WorldParrotDay!🦜 Some of the most colorful members of the parrot family are lorikeets, and your Zoo is home to several species like the Rainbow, Coconut, Marigold, and Scarlet-breasted! Lorikeets have a special brush-like appendage on the end of their tongue to help them collect nectar and pollen, and you can see this awesome feature up close during the lorikeet feedings!
ButterFLY over to your Birmingham Zoo and explore the butterfly habitat, where over 200 fluttering friends have been released! Encounter a variety of species and enjoy the beauty of nature with us! 🦋
Baby Mopane update! 🦒
Mopane and Ruby are continuing to do really well together! Mopane is still mainly nursing from Ruby, but has started showing some interest in solid foods including browse, lettuce, and grain! She is being introduced to the other females in the herd, so you may have the chance to see her on habitat with Zuri and/or Willow. She has grown a lot in her first month, and her animal care team estimates that she is about 7 feet tall already! She continues to have outside access each day from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and we hope you'll come see her soon!
Meet Milkshake, the six year old Pueblan milk snake! 🐍
These guys are found in the Puebla region of Mexico and play a vital role in controlling pest populations! They are non venomous, and their bright color pattern mimics venomous coral snakes, displaying Batesian mimicry to protect themselves from predators. You can learn more about Milkshake or our other awesome Ambassador friends during the daily Ambassador Animal demonstrations at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.!
Join us to watch Jalil reveal his daughter's name! We are thankful for our supportive community's participation and are so excited for this little one to finally have her name! She continues to have outdoor access each day with mom from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and we hope you'll come visit her soon! 💛
Swim over to your Birmingham Zoo this week with Old Gregg, the #snappingturtle!🐢
Alligator snapping turtles spend most of their time lying at the bottom of the waterbody. Their dark-colored skin and moss-covered shells provide excellent camouflage, allowing them to blend into their surroundings! This camouflage helps them to lie in wait and ambush their prey.
In honor of #NationalVolunteerWeek, several of our volunteers chose one word to describe what volunteering at your Birmingham Zoo means to them! Their dedication and passion shine through in all they do, and we are grateful for the impact they make every single day.
Applications are OPEN for our Adult Volunteer Program! Visit our website for more information about how you can join us in advancing our mission of inspiring passion to conserve the natural world. 🌎
The adorable baby giraffe is starting to explore the outside habitat with mom by her side!🥰 Ruby and her calf are doing well, and you may be able to see the pair soon! Starting tomorrow they will have outside access from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., allowing them to choose what is most comfortable during this time!
Stay tuned later this week for more information on how you can help choose the perfect name for our newest addition!
It's National Volunteer Week! Your Birmingham Zoo volunteers play a pivotal role in advancing our mission of inspiring passion to conserve the natural world as well as enriching the guest experience. We are grateful for our dedicated volunteers each and every day, and we encourage you to join us in celebrating their incredible contributions throughout this week! Tune in this week to learn more about our volunteer opportunities and how you can get involved!
Amber's before and after! Have you ever seen a sheep shearing? Join us TOMORROW for a family fun adventure during Farm Day!🐑
On April 20th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. come celebrate Alabama’s farming heritage and learn about how we care for our farm animals and conserve our local, native wildlife! Guests can create rural-themed arts and crafts, experience a sheep shearing by our Animal Care Professionals, meet local agricultural groups in the Junior League of Birmingham Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo with interactive educational booths, and much more. Animal Care Professionals will perform husbandry and training demonstrations, and all Farm Day activities are free with paid admission to the Zoo!
Have you been by and fed the lorikeets?! Lorikeets are known for their vibrant colors, and their tongues have a special brush-like appendage on the end to help them collect nectar and pollen. 🌼
Egg-citing news! 🥰💛Last week, three masked lapwing chicks hatched on March 26! Kris, one of our Animal Care Professionals, shares more about the adorable new friends!
"Lapwing chicks are precocial, meaning they hatch with both open eyes and a full feathering of down while also running around and feeding themselves within hours of hatching! They are eager and fearless explorers, so it is up to mom and dad to keep an eye on them and scare away predators. When there is danger, they hunker down so their black and brown coloration camouflages them against the dirt. The chicks are currently eating a diet of mealworms, chopped pinky mice, ground meat, and soaked dog food."
On your next visit be sure to stop in the Aviary to see these friends running around!
Rye has an exciting announcement to make...
FARM DAY is happening April 20th at your Birmingham Zoo! Join us on Saturday, April 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to celebrate Alabama’s farming heritage and learn about how we care for our farm animals and conserve our local, native wildlife. Guests can create rural-themed arts and crafts, experience a sheep shearing by our Animal Care Professionals, meet local agricultural groups in the Junior League of Birmingham Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo with interactive educational booths, and much more. Animal Care Professionals will perform husbandry and training demonstrations which will provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about the cultural and ecological significance of the Zoo’s heritage breed collection in the Children Zoo Barn. All Farm Day activities are free with paid admission to the Zoo! Come for a full day of family fun and caring for wildlife!
🎥Amanda H., Animal Care Professional, Alabama Wilds
