Summer Camp, Wacky Wednesday

By Lisa Hetherington,
The summer weeks are flying by but Zoo Camp is still going strong. Wednesday we celebrated a "wacky Wednesday" and all wore crazy socks. Four of our campers went above and beyond and took crazy to a whole new creative level. There are still a space available a few of our classes so check us out and try and join us for one of our other Wacky Wednesday or Fabulous Friday celebration.

Dinosaur Train, KVIE Kids Game

By Marisa Hicks, Marketing Coordinator

The Zoo is excited to partner with the KVIE Kids so that you can join your favorite Dinosaur Conductor for an adventure on the Dinosaur Train! With the newest game from kviekids.org, children can explore, play, and learn while embarking on an auditory cyber-adventure through the Sacramento Zoo!

For a limited time, you can also find it in the Kids World on saczoo.com!

How Do You Look in Yellow?

By Ann Geiger, Education Director

Who are those people in yellow? They are Sacramento Zoo volunteer educators and are an important part of the Zoo experience!

The Sacramento Zoo is taking applications for the 2011 Docent Training class until January 9, 2011. Zoo Docents are volunteer educators who have a love for wildlife and enjoy people. Docents conduct tours and station talks at the Zoo and with additional training, docents can also participate in live animal presentations, both on and off-site.

An orientation meeting will be held on January 8, 2011 and the training class will begin on January 15th. The mini-course in Zoology runs every Saturday through mid-March. Visit the Docent webpage for more information or email the Education Department or call (916) 808-5889 for an application.

Education Bulletin

By Brooke Coe, Education Specialist

Due to our ever-changing world, animals adapt their behavior, physiology, or structure to accommodate their habitats. Every animal has acquired adaptations over time to help them survive, and some are much more noticeable than others!

For instance, picture a hedgehog, a tortoise, and a poison dart frog. Each of these animals has developed a barrier on their body that dissuades a predator from taking a bite. They are three very different adaptations, yet serve the exact same purpose: protection.

The hair on a hedgehog’s back is composed of a very thick matrix of keratin (the same component in human hair or fingernails) and modified into a very pointed spike. When a hedgehog encounters a predator, it rolls itself into a ball, leaving only the spiked hair exposed. They protect their most vulnerable spots – their head and soft belly, from hungry animals.

The tortoise is best known for its protective heavy shell that surrounds the softer body parts. The shell, permanently attached to the spine and ribs of the tortoise, is the only defense against predators in the wild. It is made out of the same type of dermal bone found in human skulls. The bone grows around the tortoise body in early development and is covered by keratin scales.

Poison dart frogs maintain levels of defensive toxins in their skin, and the most potent of frogs have enough toxin to kill 10 humans! They all have brightly colored skin to advertise their toxicity. Typically, predatory animals get the hint and leave the dart frogs alone.

Each of these animals has different protective qualities to survive in the wild, exhibiting some pretty unique adaptations. To learn more about the exciting animal kingdom, visit the Zoo with your school group in the fall and can take advantage of special programs like Zoo Previews or Survive and Thrive: An Animal Adaptations Show. Sign up online or 916-808-8814.