Icy River

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Because of the extremely cold weather, the Scioto River was covered in a layer of ice and snow. The viewing deck shown below provides an excellent view out over the river. The last time I had been here, there were ducks swimming in the water. The sparkling river and chirping birds were nowhere to be seen on this bleak winter day.

Icy Scioto River

All signs of life were gone, except for a few footprints in the fallen snow. Nevertheless, the stillness and placidity of the scene seemed to add to the contrast of dark railings and brilliant snow.

Viewing Deck

Swan and Wolves

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This white swan was one of the few birds that could survive the winter at the zoo. It was sitting near a small pond. Although the pond was mostly covered in ice, it had a small hole at the center where the swan could get a drink.

White Swan

These wolves seemed quite at home in the snow. Their natural habitat in Canada and Alaska can get much colder than our mild winters.

Wolves

Reindeer

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Another cold-loving animal, and a famous one as well, is the reindeer. They seemed to be enjoying the cold weather just as much as the polar bear. While fourteen distinct subspecies of reindeer have been recognized, I doubt if I could tell them apart. However, their thick fur and large antlers set them apart from other deer species.

Reindeer

Bears

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Every year, the Columbus Zoo creates a luminous display of Christmas lights throughout the zoo. While these are best viewed at night, I planned my recent tour to include enough daylight hours to visit the animals as well. Some of the animals are moved elsewhere during the winter, but many of them remain at the zoo.

The brown bear below didn't seem to mind the cold weather at all. While I watched, it playfully rolled over on its back in the snow.

Brown Bear

Polar bears, such as the one below, are native to climates even colder than the day I visited the zoo. Their layers of thick fur insulate them from frigid air and ice-cold water. This bear almost looks as if it were grinning.

Polar Bear

Columbus Zoo

Columbus Zoo
 

Columbus Zoo
 

I've really enjoyed our trip to the zoo. I hope you have too. Here's a little scrapbook full of zoo memories.

Mountain Goat

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Mountain Goat

This is a pretty impressive goat. You probably won't find it on a farm because it is a mountain goat. There were two or three baby goats with it. Goats have two toes on each foot that they use to hold onto rocks they climb on. They also have very soft feet.

Tigers

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Tigers

Did you know that every tiger in the world has its own unique stripe pattern? The stripes help hide the tiger as it hunts in long grasses. There are six kinds of tigers found in Asia, India, and Russia. They have become endangered from the sale of tiger parts as a cure for all kinds of illnesses. Many countries have now passed laws against these sales. Maybe the zoo is the safest place for a tiger.

Elephant

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Elephant

The Blind Men and the Elephant (a Hindu fable)

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
`God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!'

The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, `Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!'

The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
`I see,' quoth he, `the Elephant
Is very like a snake.'

The Fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee.
`What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain,' quoth he;
`'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!'

The Fifth who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: `E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most:
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!'

The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
`I see,' quoth he, `the Elephant
Is very like a rope!'

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!

Bat

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Bat

Bats are very interesting mammals. The largest have wing spans up  to six feet while the smallest are only six inches. They make high-pitched sounds which bounce off objects and return as echoes, allowing them to identify what is in front of them. Some species migrate for the winter, traveling up to 2,400 miles each year. I thought these bats were very interesting.

Side-necked Turtle

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Side-necked Turtle

Do you know why this is called a side-necked turtle? Instead of folding its neck like an "s" back into its shell, this turtle tucks its head and neck under the edge of its shell along the side. It has gained popularity in recent years. It can be tamed more easily than its larger reptile relatives. It is found in the Southern Hemisphere and is an important food source for people along the Amazon River.

Crocodile

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Crocodile

This crocodile reminds me of our komodo dragon friend. Alligators and crocodiles are reported to be responsible for more human fatalities per year than any other predator on earth. The American crocodile is found in the swamps of the southeastern U.S. Do you know how you can tell it's not an alligator? Because its teeth show even when its mouth is shut.

Komodo Dragon

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Komodo Dragon

Here we have the biggest living lizard in the world. Maybe that is why it is called the "king of the lizards." It can run as fast as a human on its stubby legs. It smells its food using its long tongue, then attacks with its claws and short sharp teeth. Weighing more than 300 pounds, it will eat almost anything, including deer, pigs, and even buffalo. Unlike most lizards, it is a carnivore. It is found among the islands of Indonesia.

Spiny-tailed Iguana

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Spiny-tailed Iguana

Can you guess why this is called a spiny-tailed iguana? It is a genus of lizard common to Mexico and Central America. Lizards are popular pets. This one is an excellent climber. It has also set the world record for speed at 21.7 mph, making it the world's fastest lizard. The spiny-tailed iguana is hunted and eaten in Central American countries and also by some hunters in Florida.

Scrub Python

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Scrub Python

Here is one of the large snakes we saw in the reptile house. Pythons can weigh up to 250 pounds and measure 33 feet long. They only move about one mile per hour on land but are excellent swimmers. They lay eggs and the mother snake warms them by "shivering." This would be interesting to see—it looks like the snake has hiccups.

Turtle

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Turtle

These turtles were quite a comparison to the 500-pound tortoise. There were small 50-gallon aquariums with water and rocks the turtles could climb out of the water on. This little guy seemed to be taking a rest while the other ones swam around or floated in the water asleep.

Cheetah

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Cheetah

This animal looks like an overgrown kitty-cat. I'm not sure I'd want to get close enough to play with it. However, there are quite a few cheetah jokes out there and I thought I would share some.

Q: Which side of a cheetah has the most spots?
A: The outside!

Q: Why don't you want to play cards in the African Savannah?
A: There are too many cheetahs!

A lion and a cheetah were playing chess. When the cheetah won, the lion complained, "Hey, you're a a cheetah!" The cheetah said, "Nah, you're lion."

Lorikeet

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Lorikeet

Lorikeets are a kind of parrot found in all different colors. They have a unique brush-like tongue with which they eat pollen and nectar instead of nuts and seeds like other parrots. They also use their strong beaks and feet to perform lots of acrobatics. We enjoyed watching the lorikeets climb on branches and in and out of their wooden birdhouses.

Kangaroo

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Kangaroo

Most people think kangaroos live only in Australia, but several species can be found in Papua New Guinea. The name kangaroo comes from a native Australian word "gangurru." Young kangaroos are called joeys. "Roo" is a local name used for any kangaroo. The kangaroo is the only large animal that moves by hopping. Did you know a kangaroo cannot back up? Of course, besides hopping, kangaroos are famous for their pouches. Baby kangaroos are born when they are very tiny and it takes months for them to get big enough to leave their cozy little pocket home.

Victorian Crowned Pigeon

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Victorian Crowned Pigeon

This beautiful bird is native to the lowland tropical forests of New Guinea. They are very docile and easy to train and can live up to 25 years. They eat mainly fruits, seeds, grains, and small invertebrates off the ground and are now an endangered species because of the wide popularity of their meat and feathers.

Kookaburra

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Kookaburra

This popular bird is a member of the kingfisher family. It is native to Australia. The bird is valued for eating snakes and lizards. The kookaburra truly does have a loud, raucous laugh which is heard at dusk and at dawn. I don't know if it really eats gumdrops.