Housely
If you love animals, the zoo is a great place to visit. This is also true if you have children. Kids love to see animals in person that they have only seen on television or in books. If you want to spend the day at the zoo, you should consider visiting the Houston Zoo. Before you make the trip, there are a few things that you should know. There is more to this zoo than you may realize.
The Zoo’s Location
The Houston Zoo spans across 55 acres and is located within Hermann Park in Houston, Texas. The zoo’s mission statement is to provide a fun, inspirational, and unique experience for all who visit. They also promise to teach you everything that you need to know about how to care for the natural world. Before 2002, the zoo was operated by the City of Houston. Since 2002, the zoo is run by a non-profit corporation called Houston Zoo Inc.
The Animals, Staff, and Guests
Currently, there are over 6,000 animals at the zoo. Each animal is given housing, meals, medical care, and even an education. There is staff working 24 hours a day at the zoo making sure that the animals are safe, happy, and healthy. Also, there is 24-hour staff there to make sure that the park is safe and will be running smoothly for the over 2 million guests that visit each year. The staff works very hard to keep both the animals and the humans happy.
The Houston Zoo’s Hours and Admission
The Houston Zoo is open every day from 9am to 7pm. The latest you are allowed to enter would be at 6pm. If you are a zoo member, you get in free. The same is true for children under a year old. Children between 2 and 11 years old, the cost is $13. For children and adults between 12 years old and 64 years old, it would cost $17 to get in. Finally, adults 65 years old and over would pay $10.50. There are also a variety of discounts and offers available. The zoo keeps part of the admission that is paid by each guest and a portion of it goes to protecting animals that life in the wild.
Visit the Zoo From Home
If you want to visit the zoo but you cannot get out to do so, you can check out everything that is going on in real time. The zoo has live webcams, so you can see the giraffes, rhinos, elephants, and chimpanzees on your computer or Smartphone. It is also a great way to know what you can expect before you get to the zoo. If your favorite animal is being antisocial that day, you can find out on the webcam before you get there. It is also a great way to check the weather at the zoo.
The Animals are Artists
If you are an art lover and you are an animal lover, you will love the art for sale at the zoo. You can choose your favorite animal and they will create a work of art for you on a canvas, using non-toxic paint. The animal artists have busy schedules and these paintings are in high demand, therefore, you should reserve yours 4 to 6 weeks before you need it. It is the best way to ensure that your favorite animal will do his best work without being rushed.
The African Painted Dogs Get Girlfriends
For years, the two African male dogs, Blaze and Mikita were alone. In late April 2016, three female African painted dogs were introduced to the boys. Their names are Amara, Ghost, and Akilah. They came from a zoo in the United Kingdom, and the boys seem to love having a few girls around. They became very well acquainted with the boys and the staff who work in the African painted dog enclosure have been enjoying watching the boys and girls get accustomed to each other and become a family.
The Birth of the Tiny Bush Vipers
On March 26, 2016, three tiny green bush vipers were born at the Houston Zoo. Their mother laid 6 eggs, but only three survived. Since their birth, they have been thriving. They are expected to grow to be 18 to 24 inches long.
The Houston Zoo Educates
The Houston Zoo is all about education. They have a mobile zoo, where they will bring the animals to classrooms and birthday parties. Since the van is only so large, they usually bring small critters and reptiles. If you want to full zoo experience for your class, you can organize a field trip. The zoo administrators think that is important that children learn about wildlife, their habits, and why they are so important. If you cannot get your class or your group to the zoo, they offer distance learning. You and your group can interact in real time with a zoo educator, so your group can learn about the animals no matter how far away you are.
You Can Host an Event at the Zoo
The zoo has a beautiful reception room to hold your wedding reception, class reunion, corporate ball or picnic, and any other occasion. The room can hold between 10 and 2,500+ guests. The Houston Zoo makes an amazing backdrop for any event. They will even specially decorate the ballroom for a beautiful and exciting holiday party.
The Zoo Has an Aquarium
You don’t have to take two separate trips if you want to visit the zoo and the aquarium. This zoo is home to the Kipp Aquarium, which is home to over 200 species and over 2,000 fresh and salt water fish. You will also find marine invertebrates in the aquarium. Some of the most popular exhibits are the bright green moray eel, the sharks, the giant Pacific octopus, the moon jellyfish, and the flooded Amazon forest filled with gigantic catfish, huge stingrays, and even a large school of piranhas. The zoo is a great place to see both land and marine life.
If you love animal, fish, and enjoy having a good time, you should consider taking a trip to the Houston Zoo.
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