Bronx Zoo RSS

A Swan from Down Under

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Early European explorers to Australia were amazed at the sight of the black swan, with its brilliant red bill. (Typical European species are solid white or white with black markings and yellow bills.) See this striking bird and its mate on the pond near the Zoo’s barn.

Hello, Spring

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Spring brings prairie dogs out of their dens. These mammals are impressive engineers—their complex burrow systems, known as towns, can cover 250 acres or more and a town’s underground nest chambers and tunnels can run as long as 112 feet and as deep as 16 feet. Around the entrances, prairie dogs build volcano-shaped mounds of dirt to prevent water from running down into the burrow.

Big Birds

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:49:35 GMT

Emus can’t fly, but they sure can run. Like ostriches and cassowaries, they are part of the ratite family, the most primitive of the modern birds. They hail from Down Under and reside here at the zoo on Discovery Trail with other Australian natives.

Honk, Honk

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Meet the “Baroque Boys,” who, as zoo director Denise McClean says, “are a little bit beastie and a lot of noise.” The gaggle of five Sebastopol geese are named after classical composers Chopin, Scarlatti, Handel, Purcell, and Haydn. In addition to their boisterous manners, Sebastopols are known for their curly feathers.

Woolly Wonder

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Cotswold sheep will get their annual haircuts at the zoo’s upcoming Fleece Festival on Saturday and Sunday, May 18–19. Other activities include crafts, games, and live music by the Otter Brothers in a barnyard hoedown not to be missed.

Good Company

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Hamadryas baboons are highly social, and communicate through both vocalizations and body language. For example, staring and head-bobbing express a threat but touching noses is a friendly greeting. Lip smacking and “eye flash”—the widening of the eyes—are other common expressions.

Big-eyed Beauty

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

The Vietnamese mossy frog boasts intricate camouflage that includes earth tones and bumpy textures. The effect—a look resembling a clump of moss or lichen—helps it blend into its habitat along rivers and streams. How else does the tree-dwelling frog ward off predators? If threatened, it rolls into a ball and plays dead.

Brooklyn's Biggest Bunny?

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Herbie the Flemish giant rabbit is something of a celebrity around here. At 20 pounds, he’s impressively sized, and he also makes a great ambassador. Assistant Supervisor Katelyn Massarone isn’t the only one who can get up-close with the friendly giant. He also greets guests during some of our education programs.

Here Comes the Sun

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:00:00 GMT

According to the calendar, spring has arrived, but we’re still waiting for flowers to bloom. Instead of complaining about the frosty temperatures, we’re out and about visiting the zoo’s most colorful creatures, including this green iguana (who lives in Animals in Our Lives). Think this Latin American reptile can summon the sun?

With Painted Brow

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Hwamei is a well-known songbird in its native China. It is sometimes called melodious laughingthrush for the male’s lengthy whistled song. In Chinese, Hwamei translates to “paint brow,” which refers to the white feathers around its eye.