The Russell Aquatic Ecology Center is all about the aquatic habitats of South Texas and the animals and plants that live there. Old favorites like rattlesnakes, boa constrictors and gila monsters join with baby radiated and star tortoises, crocodile monitors and eyelash vipers to make a truly diverse exhibit of herpetofauna. Additionally, there are many different species of lizards, turtles, and even some very rare crocodilians on display in the Herpetarium. In the Herpetarium, visitors will find some of nature’s most intricate patterns and unique shapes! One can check out a giant Reticulated python or try to tell the difference between a venomous coral snake and a harmless Mexican milksnake. The nursery contains any new Zoo baby that needs special care or hand-rearing. In the contact yard, visitors can experience close encounters with some of the Zoo’s inhabitants such as Nigerian dwarf goats, miniature horse, miniature zebu and domestic, minor breed chickens. This section features a contact yard, baby animal nursery, and various exhibits themed to small, baby and miniature species of animals. This Zoo exhibits some of its more familiar animals, like reticulated giraffes, Grant’s zebras, African lions, ostrich, Western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and white rhinos, along with some of the not-so-familiar animals such as Arabian oryx, greater kudu, cape hunting dogs, bontebok and bongo. Some of the more popular zoo animals are representatives from Africa. In the Gladys Porter Zoo’s Asia, one can find such animals as gaur, addax, Bactrian camels and pileated gibbons. It’s unsurpassed range of elevations, latitude and climatic influences produce the greatest variety of habitats on any continent. The continent of Asia is a land of extremes and unbelievable diversity. This region of the Zoo also features our Indo-Australian Aviary with a pair of rare rhino hornbills. In this area, Zoo visitors can view orangutans, tree kangaroos, kookaburras, Philippine and saltwater crocodiles, agile wallabies, and magpie geese, along with many other creatures native to Australia. This area of the Zoo represents the regions of Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. In the Gladys Porter Zoo’s Tropical America, visitors can view Macaw Canyon, Galapagos Tortoises, Caribbean flamingos, spider monkeys, Orinoco crocodiles, Cuban crocodiles, and dozens of other unique and rare animals from the tropics. This extremely lush area is home to an incredible variety of plants and animals nearly one-half of all known species on earth live in this region. Tropical America represents a region that includes all but the northernmost part of Mexico, all of Central America and the northern two-thirds of South America. Large numbers of wild birds find sanctuary on the Zoo grounds, drawn to the plants and waterways that provide them with food and shelter. Small World features a nursery and an animal contact yard where children can touch and interact with domesticated animals. There is also a Herpetarium, the Russell Aquatic Ecology Center, Tropical America Free-flight Aviary, Macaw Canyon, Bear Grottos and Komodo dragon exhibit. The park is divided into four zoogeographic areas: Africa, Asia, Tropical America and Indo-Australia. In a mere ¾ mile trek, a visitor to the Gladys Porter Zoo will encounter a diverse ensemble of 377 species of animals and 225 species of plants.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |