Later, after the snake complained, the frog drew a line down the center of the enclosure to more clearly demark their shared territory.
American Crocodile
Looking forward to climate change.
Radiated Tortoise
According to Jayson Egeler (1999, paraphrasing Behler and Iaderosa (1991)) The radiated tortoise seems “to prefer new growth rather than mature growth because of the high protein, low fiber content.”
I think it’s because the newer growth tastes better.
Wreathed Hornbill
By the time you grow the bill, it’s too late the treat the pinkeye.
Indian Rhinos
Some hippos are on discount for a reason.
Desert Massasauga
Snake who really just wants to borrow a cup of sugar but is worried about speciesist neighbors.
Pigeon
One pigeon that won’t be making a movie, ’cause the other pigeon knows the score.
Cairo Spiny Mouse
The spines interlock, so you can stack the mice a lot higher.
Leaf Turtle
This turtle doesn’t look down on all people.
Just most people.
Starred Agama Lizard_1
No matter how many times I misread the sign, this is not, and will never be, a magma lizard.
Peacock
Peacock ineffectively hiding his white privilege.
Turkey Vulture
This vulture thinks your clothes don’t match, but was raised in the Midwest and won’t say anything unless asked.
Von Der Deckens Hornbill
Hornbill wondering if things have to be friged at least once before being put in a refrigerator.
Nicobar Pigeon
Sometimes photos taking in low light start to look like paintings.
Japanese Macaque
Japanese macaques are native to Japan (obviously) and, as of 1972, to Texas where 150 of them were relocated to the South Texas Primate Observatory. While none of the accounts I’ve found have bothered explained why anyone thought this was a good idea, they all confirm that several monkeys died after the move. It seemsthe climate of South Texas is somewhat different from what they were used to. However, they adapted and the troop thrived and grew to over 600. Then, being monkeys, they started to pick locks, climb fences, and otherwise escape into wider Texas.
Texas, being Texas, decided that monkey hunting season should be a thing because while the monkeys were a protected species, they weren’t native to Texas and could be shot. This decision was later reversed under the clarification that it’s not okay to shoot someone else’s animals even if they were trespassing … even though it seems to be okay in non-monkey circumstances.
Basically, the only way this makes sense is if the monkeys are now considered Texas natives, so the protection list applies.
Slender Tail Cloud Rat
It’s hard to get good photos of cloud rats because they’re nocturnal and like to hide. I was lucky to stop by at feeding time.
Satyr Tragopan
Mr. Tumnus looked very different in the books.
Harbor Seal
If the emperor had made a Death Seal, Luke would have had to make a choice.
Duck
For a number of very good reasons, you are not supposed to touch the animals at the zoo.
That said, when you accidentally back into this duck when you’re taking photos of something else, you learn that it complains to you through a high pitched warbling whistle noise that sounds almost exactly like “Dude, really?” but, you know, in Duck.
Crane
Birds don’t have backward knees. Birds have really high ankles.
I like how well this photo illustrates that common misunderstanding.