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| We have places for your child to play in sand and/or water so remember to bring a change of clothes or a swim diaper. |
Fish: In the Tropical Waters tunnel exhibit we have a variety of sizes of tropical fish including red pacu, motoro stingray and silver dollars. In the outer tunnel, we also have Texas native fish. In addition, several ponds contain koi, a specially bred carp, and turtles called red-eared sliders. The pond room aquariums contain a variety of sizes and types of fish (long ones, skinny ones, fat ones, too).
Domestic animals: In the Backyard exhibit you will find an Angora goat, a rooster and four hens. Ask a playleader to present a chicken for a close-up viewing and touch experience.
Aldabra tortoise: Native to the Aldabra Island in the Indian Ocean, you can find the tortoise across from the Riverbank area. Several concrete tortoise and tortoise shells have been built so that children may experience the size and feel of the real thing. A display of tortoise eggs (fashioned from concrete) is also on display.
White Nosed Coati: Find these cousins to the raccoon next to the Campground area. Their native range is South and West Texas, Southeastern Arizona, Southwestern New Mexico, Mexico, Central America and Northernmost Colombia. They use their claws and
nose to search for insects. Like the raccoon, they are comfortable climbing in trees.
Squirrel Monkey: These lively little South American monkeys are located next to the Coati exhibit. This particular social group consists of one male and seven females. Let children climb like monkeys and hang like a sloth on the provided climber.
Linne's Two-toed Sloth: This unusual animal from the South American rainforest whose fur sometimes turns green with algae, shares its enclosure with the squirrel monkeys. Bring this animal to life for your children. Read Slowly, Slowly, Slowly said the Sloth, a book by Eric Carle.
Black-tailed Prairie Dogs: Once, nearly driven to extinction here in the U.S., the prairie dog has become a favorite for zoo visitors. You can watch them from inside the Discovery House in the underground room or outside through portholes in the enclosure wall.
Greater Flamingos: Children love these long-necked, long-legged noisy pink birds. Give children time to stand in front of the mirror and act like a flamingo. Let the kids know that it is what the flamingos eat that makes them pink, then offer the kids a pink snack.
Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot Areas of Discovery
Underwater Adventure: Get face-to-fin with giant fish and watch silver dollars school back and forth.
My Backyard: Plant seeds in the garden, water and transplant seedlings, make birdfeeders, plant toy carrots and smell the flowers.
Campground: Explore tents, play in the stream, explore a hollow log and look for bugs.
Pier and Pond: Play in a boat, sway on the dock while feeding fish, explore pond life and create fish prints.
Riverbank: Play in the water, dig in the sand, and climb on giant tortoise shells.
Coati/Sloth Hang and Dig: Climb and hang like a monkey or dig like a coati. Crawl into the coati log and get nose to nose with this amazing animal.
Go Wild: Pound the drums, play in the tee-pee, run up and down hills, or just rest in the shade in this large grassy area.
Discovery House: This indoor facility features three exhibit rooms with full views of the out door areas:
Explore Your Pond Room: Pretend to fish in the indoor pond or enter a child-size aquarium.
Explore Your Zoo: Dress-up and act out various Zoo jobs - director, keeper, or vet.
Explore Underground: Crawl through the magnifying glass and discover what lives underground. View the underground activities of prairie dogs, earthworms and other critters.
In addition: To enhance your educational field trips and school curriculum while you are visiting the Nature Spot, check the schedule posted near the entrance for daily animal presentations and craft projects. During each and every visit, children will be immersed in nature experiences that engage the senses, encourage discovery and bring them close to nature.
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