Zoo Trip in the Wagon

We had not been to the zoo since the beginning of the Summer and now the vacation is almost over.  I had to get the kids there before our schedule shrunk!

Back in June, Simone had asked me if it hurts lizards when they have to let go of their tails.  I told her we should ask a biologist the next time we went to the zoo.  I also asked her to write about it.  Here was her page and drawing:

"Dear biologist, I have some questions to ask you.
1. Does it hurt when a lizard lets a predator chop off its tail?
Huh"

So our first stop was to the "Discovery Zone" where they house their amphibians, arthropods, and reptiles. 

 

We had a fun time discussing the reason some frogs are brightly colored.  Simone already knew it was to warn predators that it was poisonous.  This information stuck in Max's memory because a few days later, upon hearing that a tiny frog was hiding in one of our jalapeno peppers outside, he asked, "Is it blue?"

They were not sure if the chameleon was real and Max dared to touch it.
Simone kept her distance

The kids were interested in the exhibits, but were very cautious.

We unfortunately did not come across a volunteer informant.  The zoo was overrun with day campers and their teenage counselors who seemed more interested in their smartphones.  But not to worry, the bird show was starting nearby!

We high-tailed it - or rather I hightailed the kids and the wagon to the nearby stadium whose show was starting in 10 minutes.  We made it in time for the kids to enjoy their lollipops.  Simone preferred to stay in the wagon until the music started.  Loud noises scare her and she had to scurry under the wings of her mama (pun intended).  

What I loved about this show was that it was different from the one we saw previously!  We got to learn new information about the habits of owls, vultures, and eagles, the last of which I didn't know preferred fish over small birds and mammals!

It was a sweltering hot day and I was thankful that the kids had the wagon to shade them.  They also didn't have to exert so much energy.  I however exerted a lot of energy pulling them and was glad when they asked to go home after only one train and one roller coaster ride.  Thank goodness we have a year pass and go whenever we want for as little time as we want.

Hopefully next time we'll encounter a biologist!