A sign explaining the penguins/eggs thing might be helpful, because I’ve heard other folks talking about how, well, sad the penguins seem to those of us who aren’t up on penguin behavior. Having seen them once before, I almost avoided going in there again.

It was surprising how small the polar girls were. (As in short, compared to the fellas who I remember being of towering proportions.) They are absolutely beautiful! Their area is really neat, and I’m so glad you guys were able to build it.

The sharks definitely do not look underfed or miserable, by any means. Their liveliness is what made us wonder how they feel about potentially tasty morsels wandering through their space, just out of reach. I’m sure they get used to it, but I felt like I ought to apologize to them for not being able to let ‘em have just a curious nibble, y’know?

The comment about the fruit bats was because a friend jokingly asked me to pick her up one or a fennec fox when I said I was heading out to the zoo. I couldn’t really get close enough to see in the bat cave because it was packed. Frankly, I got out of the Kids Kingdom as fast as possible — if you were there on Saturday too and saw the crowds enjoying the gorgeous weather we had, then I’m sure you understand why. (Yikes!)

Another friend wanted a photo of ring-tailed lemurs… and I am a sucker for a giant anteater. (I moved here from DC and am crazy in love with Maripi at the National Zoo.)

Is the metal wrapping around the base of the leopard’s tree just to keep him from shredding it?

It’s funny, when I downloaded the photos off my camera I thought, “Oh jeez I caught them all looking so bummed out.” The more I think about it though, the more I realize that it wasn’t the zoo itself that was disappointing. It was a combination of the day and the other visitors. I don’t think I want to go back unless it is a school day and off season.

Some zoos have evening/night events for adults once or twice a year — do you guys have anything like that? If not, could you give it a try? I know a lot of my friends would be into getting a chance to actually be able to get to see the exhibits without having kids shoving them out of the way. You could have some folks around to answer questions like “Is that thing keeping the leopard from climbing the tree?” and “Are the penguins as depressed as they’re making me?”

I went to one at the National Zoo and it was great. A lot of the animals were awake and it was nicer temperature wise than a bright summer day, so everyone — animals and visitors — were more active.

Actually, I would like to talk to someone about organizing something like this for a joint event with some of the science-y and non-profit groups I am involved with. I feel like the Pittsburgh Zoo would be a good recipient for our next charitable donation. (I will email you soon.)

Taco Loco is on E. Carson in South Side between 25th & 26th. If you are a fan of deliciousness then I highly recommend it. Definitely try the guac! What is good food-wise close to the zoo for the next time we’re there?

Thanks again, Connie!

Anyway, the polar bear girls, Anana and Aurora, turned two on November 24 and the boys, Koda and Nuka, turned four on November 24. It is just a coincidence that they have the same birthday. We are going to have a birthday party for them this year! They aren’t fully grown yet. The girls are about 700 pounds and will grow to be 1200 pounds! The sharks, even though they look hungry and menacing, really only eat once a week. We’d feed them more if they wanted to eat more, but they don’t! They do the same when they live in the ocean.

About the penguins, often they face the wall when they have eggs on their feet. The males and females take turns incubating the eggs. They get the same amount of light and dark as they do in the antarctic and they live in the same temperature. Since they are eating and mating and they play a lot, I hope that means they are happy.

We do have ring-tailed lemurs, they alternate time with the black and white lemurs because right now we are breeding one of the females so we have to keep her with the other black and white lemurs. We don’t want to put her with the red ruffed or the ring tailed, because we don’t want them to mate with her.

Did you go into the South American fruit bat cave at Kids Kingdom? That’s a pretty cool experience. I know what you mean though, the giant bats are really great to see as well.

The Amur leopard does climb the huge tree in the middle of his exhibit. He used to be up there all the time, but I haven’t seen him there lately. We are renovating that exhibit and widening it; I think the renovation is slated for this year.

I hope you come back again. It is always a different experience each time you come. Even working here, I see something new or fun every time I am on the path for a walk (I work in the office, so I don’t get out as much as I’d like to.)

Thanks again for your comments!