Most kids love learning fun, interesting, and even gross facts about animals. My family and I love going to the zoo. Sometimes we pass through quickly just to see our favorites and forget to take the chance to learn something new. Try to find these animals next time you’re at the ABQ BioPark Zoo and be sure to share these unique details with your kids.
Penguins
People love the penguin exhibit. The ABQ BioPark Zoo houses three kinds of penguins: Gentoo, King, and Macaroni penguins. Most penguins dive between 30 to 60 feet, but King penguins can dive up to 300 feet!
African Bullfrog
The African Bullfrog is one of only three frogs that has teeth. It also eats its own skin after it sheds. You can find him in the amphibian exhibit, “Life on a Limb.”
Green Basilisk
The Green Basilisk Lizard can run on water with its back legs to catch prey. It is also a great swimmer and can stay under water for up to 30 minutes!
Hippos
Hippos don’t actually float or swim. They walk in shallow parts of water. They are most closely related to the whale or porpoise.
Klipspringer
The klipspringer is a family favorite found in the “Africa” area of the zoo. These adorable animals are known for their jumping and balance. They can jump as high as 26 feet and land easily on an object as small as an Oreo cookie!
Giraffes
Did you know that the horns on giraffes’ heads are actually called ossicones (sounds like “ossy-cones”)? Giraffes also have the biggest hearts of all land mammals. Their hearts can weigh up to 11 kilograms or about 24 pounds!
Orangutans
Orangutans are the closest living relatives to humans. They share about 97% of the same DNA. They can also live to be up to 40 years old in the wild.
Jaguar
While many cats don’t prefer the water, the jaguar is an amazing swimmer and loves to hunt in the water.
King Cobra
The king cobra is the longest venomous snake. Its bite is toxic enough to kill an elephant. They have some sweet qualities though. They are the only type of snake that makes a nest for their eggs.
Polar Bear
A polar bear’s skin is actually black and their fur is translucent. The fur reflects light, so it appears white.
I hope you and your family enjoy these interesting tidbits. Share some of your own interesting facts in the comments!
Click here to learn more about the animals at the ABQ BioPark Zoo.