Fun and Learning at the Zoo

The kids and I had an errand to run near the Minnesota Zoo yesterday, so I decided to make the most of the gas and pop in at the Zoo while we were there. They remodeled the Zoo recently and added a play area with sprinklers for the kids to play in. Tyler was excited to get to play this time... last time we weren't dressed appropriately.

As a part of the remodel, they also added a new exhibit called Russia's Grizzly Coast. This is the second time we have visited the zoo since it opened and the crowds are horrible! Its really hard to get close enough to see the animals. I am hoping things will change as the newness wears off.

We did find this interesting bubbling mud pot without a crowd though...

It was illustrating how, since the area is alive with volcanoes, sometimes cracks and heat just below the surface mix with volcanic ash from recent eruptions and cause these boiling mud pots. Interesting!

This photo is from a couple of weeks ago when I was able to crowd and stretch my way into the crowd to get a photo of one of the stars of the exhibit, the bears... I didn't even try this time.

We were excited to see that the Butterfly Garden is open now (its a seasonal exhibit). Tyler loves to go in here and see all of the beautiful butterflies and moths. They give you a card with photos of all of the species in there and the names so that you can identify them as you walk around.

Julia


Queen


Zebra Butterfly

Spicebush Swallowtail

Ailanthus Silkmoth

They had signs throughout the exhibit telling interesting facts about butterflies. Here are a few we thought were neat:

• Butterflies taste with their feet!
• Butterflies can't hear but they can feel sound vibrations.
• Adult butterflies typically only live two to four weeks.

Tyler was fascinated by how they feed the butterflies...

We also visited the Tropics Trail and the Minnesota Trail while we were there. Tyler was really happy when he saw the baby American Toads... he has a fondness for them since we did our Toad Study. He also thought the baby Painted Turtle was cute!

We had a great time at the Zoo... fun and learning. What more could you ask for!?