Spring at the Zoo

The kids and I took a trip to the Jacksonville Zoo during Spring Break last week. We haven't been to the zoo in about two years, and I must admit that I am impressed with the improvements that continue to be made. It is really becoming a great place. Since our last visit, the zoo has added several new attractions and exhibits- including a magellenic penguin exhibit with an underwater viewing area just for kids. The zoo itself is arranged in "loops"- most named for the different continents. My favorite loop is "South America". The jaguar exhibit is fantastic (kind of has to be since the jaguar is the mascot of Jacksonville football team).






















I always enjoy seeing which animals the kids are the most interested in. It changes with each trip. On this particular day, the kids were most impressed by the penguins, reptiles (all), and gorillas. The silverback was probably the favorite animal of the day because when we walked up he had his butt straight up in the air and pointed at the viewing glass. The kids thougt this was hilarious, and insisted that we see "the gorilla with his booty in the air" from several different viewing platforms and angles. I'm actually glad that we did because that gave us more time on the "Great Apes" loop. It was great to be in this part of the zoo on this particular day because the siamangs were going crazy. I did not know that they could be so loud- and I learned that they have little puffy things (like a frog) on their chins that puff out when they shreik. It seemed like everyone visiting the zoo was crowded around this exhibit because their noise and antics were simply amazing. I felt like I was in a jungle in Africa with wild, crazy monkeys all around me.




Before leaving the zoo, we visited the kids water-play area. We didn't bring bathing suites, but the kids still wanted to get in and splash a little. I said that it would be okay, but told them not to get too wet because we didn't have extra clothes. My advice was totally ignored. Thank goodness it was sunny enough to dry out their clothes before we left the zoo.