Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
I live in Illinois, and despite me not remembering many zoo visits of my little kidhood (
), I do not recall seeing the pangolins.Most elusive zoo animals
- Thread starter PAKMan
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), I do not recall seeing the pangolins.
Aardwolf
Well-Known Member
The only two times I've ever seen a pangolin were when someone physically picked one up and plopped it in front of me - once in San Diego back when they were doing their public pangolin demonstrations, once going BTS at a zoo that had some off-exhibit. I imagine that they'd be pretty tough to see as an exhibit animal in most cases.I live in Illinois, and despite me not remembering many zoo visits of my little kidhood (
Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
True, after all they are very shy.
I only went to Brookfield once when they had the pangolin on-exhibit and had no trouble seeing it. It was sleeping, sure, but it was there.
Most of the time you visit a zoo the pangolins are sleeping (which is 3/3 times for me). The only time i've seen a pangolin active is after dusk.
I think I've only managed to see a hellbender maybe once in my life, I believe I have a picture of a particularly large individual just barely visible under its rock.
Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
I have seen a hellbender at least once (maybe more when I was much younger), I recall it being up and about in its tank.
Once you know what you're looking for, they're really easy to spot. It's just getting used to how they differ from the rocks
I used to have a lot of trouble finding them.
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
In a similar way, the Mossy Frogs are very difficult to see for the untrained eye.Once you know what you're looking for, they're really easy to spot. It's just getting used to how they differ from the rocks
When I talked first about most elusive animals, only mammals came in my mind.
But it's possible to add a lot of reptile, amphibian and insect species.
Yes they are! Which reminds me, lemur frogs. The one in DC, in particular. Doesn't matter how much time I spend looking!
The Aquarium of the Pacific Guam Kingfisher evaded me for years until I realized the exact spot it always sits in is positioned right behind a branch in the very back of the exhibit. I've now seen it twice and both times it has been in that exact spot.
Sphenisciologist
Well-Known Member
I’ve lived in St. Louis my whole life. I think I’ve only seen the anteaters at the zoo once.
Pangolins are so distinctive that I think you would have recalled seeing one, Bengal TigerI live in Illinois, and despite me not remembering many zoo visits of my little kidhood (
For me, it was mostly Fishing Cat, Owl Monkey, and Green Heron, I've seen them, but never active from what I remember, Wolf, Aardvark, Pangolin, and Beaver have been active for me on the other hand
Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
Yeah, good point, but you can never tell with my memory, it can be worse than my father’s!!!
Black Footed Ferrets and Ringtails, due to their near strict nocturnality, are almost always sleeping during visiting hours. The times I have seen them awake were during after-hours tours.
I would also say the time of year can dictate whether or not an animal is a no show. This is especially true for cold weather species who don't do well in the summer. Plus summer vegetation will often obstruct the view.
Martens are also quite elusive too.
I would also say the time of year can dictate whether or not an animal is a no show. This is especially true for cold weather species who don't do well in the summer. Plus summer vegetation will often obstruct the view.
Martens are also quite elusive too.
Maned wolves! I would always try to see them back when they were at the Houston Zoo but I never saw them for more than a few seconds. So shy.