That's a big ole octopus!

The National Zoo located in DC is the new home to a giant Pacific Octopus, the largest species of it's kind. They can grow to be 600 pounds - Imagine seeing that swimming towards you in the water, pretty scary! Octopuses/octopi/octopodes (whichever plural form you prefer) are some of the smartest creatures in the world. Take a peak at some pics below...enjoy!

**Currently the size of the new octopus at the National Zoo is the size of a grapefruit.

How much did that cost?!

I know you all have seen the billboards around town publicizing the upcoming movie, "We bought a Zoo". Of course, it caught my eye...how great would that be to have your own zoo?! Based on a true story, the movie was shot in Thousand Oaks, CA. I've attached a link below so you all can watch the trailer to see if it's something you might want to go see. (seems like one of those "home-y" warm movies...kind of like Homeward Bound...remember that? good ole Shadow and Chance)

Comes out: December 23rd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUdX47LtXpw

Pig out on Pumpkins!

I'm not into all that scary Halloween stuff, but I figured I would post some cute pics of zoo animals celebrating this Fall season. Enjoy!

Have you heard?? It's a jungle out there in Ohio!

Recently Yahoo news posted an interesting article about some escaped animals in Ohio. The story suggests that the owner of an animal preserve set the wild animals free and then eventually committed suicide. Attached is the article and I urge you to check it out!

http://gma.yahoo.com/last-escaped-animals-being-hunted-down-zanesville-ohio-074109844.html

After reading the article, I realized they were killing these animals for the community protection but, my first thought was "why are they killing the animals?!" Why can't they tranquilize them and later relocate them? It later stated that the animals were "mad and aggressive" so ammunition had to be used to control the situation. (Wouldn't you be mad and aggressive if you got shot?..comes along with it...the medication doesn't affect the animal instantaneously)

It's unfortunate that such beautiful creatures had to be killed, but the safety of the community was priority. The man that owned this animal/nature preserve had these animals in unbearable conditions. My question is, if the community knew about these conditions, why did this event have to occur before they decided to do something about it? We need to be proactive with situations such as this.

Lastly, my favorite quote from the article, "'These are wild animals, wild animals that you would see on TV in Africa,' Lutz said at a news conference Tuesday evening." <----really? wild animals you see on TV in Africa...ignorance...so I had to chuckle. 

I bet you didn't know...

Most animals seen at the zoo aren't the most exotic in the world. I was curious to find some interesting facts about exotic and even domestic animals...so here we go!

Some of the most popular animals in the world are the "ugliest" ones...check these out!

Proboscis monkey


Bald Uakari


Naked Mole Rat


Blob fish


Philippine Tarsier


Aye Aye


Doesn't get any uglier than that! Which one is your favorite??

My favorite? Pandas!

So if you don't know, my FAVORITE animal is a panda. They are ADORABLE! These endangered animals can only be found at four zoos in the United States - San Diego Zoo, Atlanta Zoo, Memphis Zoo and National Zoo. I can't wait to visit these zoos! All pandas here in the US are on loan from China for specific research programs. Pandas are threatened of extinction due to habitat loss, poaching and poor breeding abilities. A dream come true would be to visit Chengdu Panda Research Facility, the Bifengxia Panda Reserve, the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center,and of course the Beijing Zoo in China. 

First Stop...Houston Zoo

Greetings everyone! I have been on a mini hiatus, only because I'm trying to get my ducks lined up in a row...and stay there! The first stop on my zoo journey has to be the Houston Zoo. I have been there numerous of times, but this time it will be different; there is ALWAYS something new to learn and brand new openings. (Plus it is a good starting point) I like to think that everyone has been to there "home zoo", if not, what are you waiting for?!? The zoo is an oasis in amidst chaos. P.s. Hopefully I get to see this cutie below, her name is Aurora and she is the newest addition to the Orangutan family at the zoo