Happy Saturday! In celebration of the weekend, I thought I would share a few snapshots and a video of the adorable animals we found at the Memphis Zoo. (I already shared my footage of bald eagles screeching, pandas eating bamboo, and a lion baring its teeth.)Not sure what these are, but they sure are cute. I was tempted to take one home as a pet. I bet they’re extremely soft and cuddly.
When we came across kookaburras, I found myself singing the children’s song about the kookaburra in the old gum tree…
And then we saw partridges, and I almost broke out in song again. (“12 Days of Christmas,” anyone?)
These sleeping cats weren’t very exciting, but it was neat to come so close to them (with a window between us, of course).
This nocturnal antelope hails from Africa and is called a bongo. The sign said that bongos are known for being very shy and getting startled easily, but this one must have been out to prove the zookeepers wrong. It seemed quite interested in what we were doing.
Anonymous
The animal in the first picture is a red panda. Very confusing name, as they are not close relatives of the black and white larger pandas. It's more like a bear and a raccoon decided to create a new species! They're native to the Tibet region of China and are on the endangered species list.
Not sure how good of a pet they'd make (they mark their territory…) and you would have to feed them bamboo. But every Christmas, the World Wildlife Fund, which I donate to, sends a catalog offering stuffed animals in return for a contribution to help save those species. I'm sure I've seen Red Panda in the list of available stuffed animals. That's how to "adopt" a red panda and take it home to cuddle!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Yes, red panda sounds right. Very interesting info! How did you know all that?
Ellie
Anonymous
Very interesting! I have been staying in a place where there is some natural wild life. I wondered if I would ever encounter some of the larger wild animals. It is OK when they are behind glass! But I hope for the natural preservation of animals. You two have enjoyable days, thanks for sharing!
kirsten mills
The first one is called a red panda. They're closely related to their big cousins
Anonymous
Actually, the only big things the two species have in common are bamboo eating and the neighboring regions where they live in China. Physically, they are different. They would be an example of "convergent evolution." That means although they're not closely related physically, they have developed some of the same traits due to their environment. Eating bamboo, having a paw that can hold it, and being able to digest it are common in both the red panda and the giant panda. But a red panda's closest relative would be something more along the lines of a skunk or a weasel, although they're a species unto their own. Fascinating – and beautiful – animals!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thanks for the info. Kristen and Anonymous! π
Ellie
Anonymous
Love the picture of the cougars (pumas) doing what most cats do in the daytime! Doesn't matter if they're house cats or wild cats. Conservation of energy during the daytime is the way to go! Those paws are formidable. They help with sneaking up quietly on prey and then snatching it. There's a lot of power in those paws and the shoulder muscles behind them.
Anonymous
Penguins are adapted to very cold climates so they were probably thinking it was way too warm…
Alicia
What a cute red panda (also called a red bear-cat) in the first photo! π One of my favorites, and one that I was perennially trying to write reports on in my science classes, haha (Like another person said, it's not related to the giant panda. Red pandas are actually more closely related to raccoons, weasels, and skunks!)
In agreement with another earlier commenter, I love the photo of the sleeping cougars. Although that may be because my university's mascot was a cougar π
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi Alicia,
What type of degree/certification do you have? Is it science oriented, or were the sciences classes just gen-eds?
Ellie
Anonymous
I like this. On another topic, did you go to the Joy & Austin wedding?