How to Enjoy the Zoo ( 17 steps )

Steps

1. 1
   Choose a time of year when you can enjoy being outdoors without worrying about cold temperatures, repressive heat and humidity, insects, or other discomforts. Quite simply, a zoo experience involves spending some time walking and viewing outdoors.
   
   
2. 2
   If your schedule permits, choose a day during the week to plan your visit - avoid weekends or holidays when zoos are typically most crowded.
3. 3
   Plan your visit to begin early in the day if the weather permits. Finding a parking space will be simpler, and there shouldn't be long lines at the admissions booths. For a large zoo, realize it takes a lot of time to visit every exhibit, so coming early will allow more time to see what the zoo has to offer.
4. 4
   Pick up a zoo brochure or guidebook to help you find your way around the zoo. Often, these will have information about different animals, locations of rest rooms and water fountains, and other information to help you enjoy your visit.
5. 5
   

    Follow the signs
   Follow the signs that direct you to different animal exhibits and other zoo features. Most zoos are designed with exhibit areas set up along pathways or sidewalks, and the signs at path intersections will guide you to the animals that you are most interested in.
6. 6
   

    Elephants enjoying a meal
   Find the largest animals that inhabit the zoo you are visiting. You may be surprised just how large some animals are when you get close to them. Elephants, hippos, and rhinos are some large species you may see.
7. 7
   

    Green Mamba up close and personal
   Look for the most dangerous animals the zoo has on exhibit. Many zoos have venomous snakes, carnivorous cats, and large reptiles like alligators you can enjoy observing safely.
8. 8
   

    See how some animals blend with their surroundings
   See for yourself how some animals use camouflage to blend with their surroundings. Predators use this to ambush prey, and prey also are adapted, to hide from the predators.
9. 9
   

    Here are some birds who will have a hard time hiding
   See how some animals are much easier to spot! Nature gives some of it's creatures bright fur (or feathers) to attract attention, often to help them find a mate.
10. 10
    

     White tiger, enjoying the sunshine and warm weather
    Take your visit as an opportunity to see rare, exotic, and even threatened species. Some species futures may actually depend on the efforts of zoos to maintain breeding and animal health programs, as well as the research that may enhance the animal's survival.
11. 11
    

     Alligators resting on the bank of the zoo's pondSee local animals you may not get to catch a glimpse of in the wild very often.
    Alligators resting on the bank of the zoo's pond]]See local animals you may not get to catch a glimpse of in the wild very often. Zoos are home to many native and exotic species, from local rodents and birds who come and go as they please, to wild mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
12. 12
    

     A jaguar in a simulated South American ruin
    Enjoy the way the zoo designer uses architecture from a specie's native land to add an authentic atmosphere to viewing it. Some larger, well-funded zoos build realistic display enclosures for some of the animals there.
13. 13
    

     Kids may find specially designed exhibits to play on while parents rest.
    Visit areas of the zoo where kids can play. This zoo has a special jungle trail where kids can climb and explore, burning off energy and having fun.
14. 14
    

     Realistic bronze busts of a family of great apes
    Take time to appreciate artwork that has been incorporated in the zoo's design. Many zoos have art themes around exhibits to enhance the visitor's experience and to add dimension to the understanding of the subject you are looking at.
15. 15
    

     Read information provided at each display
    Take time to read information posted at each exhibit to learn more about the animal you are looking at.
16. 16
    

     Ancient oak, now part of the zoo's landscape
    Enjoy the zoo's flora, as well as its fauna. Many zoos are combined with gardens, and in fact, are often callzoological gardens, to help illuminate the public that they are a combined display of animals and plants.
17. 17
    Don't walk around too much at once. Stop and sit on the benches occasionally .If you don't, you will get tired, and you won't have fun.