Zoo fun!!

at the zoo.. yesterday.. :}

I was wandering around in between my "training" sessions... I met the animals (not REALLY.. but i got to know their names and different things they like to do and whatnot.. )
Pic from Birmingham Zoo
Oliver is the 28 male who has been here in the zoo since 1987. He loves to put pizza boxes on his head and hide. He is gentle and loves affection. He always notices new people and changes in his environment. He had 1 female to breed with earlier, but it didn't work out. Now his little lady is Lipz who is 25 and from Milwaukee. All i know is that she hates broccoli and that Oliver didn't take well to her on her arrival. But they are still hoping!!
Pic from Rafiki's Homepage

The Mandrill Babboon.. awww... I felt for him... he was sitting alone on a rock.. hiding his head and the other 2 were in hiding, inside. He COULD have gone inside, but he chose not to...
Pic from San Diego Zoo
I learned also that they show their colorful butt to you as a sign of submission and/or apology.

Pic from here.
The White-Handed Gibbons sang to me. The female is Christopher, (21 years old) and the female is Fraser (26). They sing loud, long complex duets. Usually it is the male and the female that sing together. They do it in order to deffend their territory or to announce their location. They are the smallest of the apes and in their singing, the females usually lead and the males back up the females lead.


Pic from Breezy Hill Llama Farm.
The Birmingham Zoo has llamas too!!! There are 2. One is Cheif and the other is Major. One of them (i forgot which one) is kind of there for free room and board because his owner still shows him. I learned that their tail wagging is not a happy wag. When they wag their tail, get out of their way. They only really spit when they are irritated or being messed with.

Pic from Snokist Farm
The goats that are at the petting zoo are so soft. The kids love them, as do I. They also sneeze on you... and if you get right down on their eye level, they will headbutt you.. sooooooo YOU ARE WARNED!!