This will be a big help. Every institution up until now has had a species list made within the last few years so those numbers should remain relatively accurate, but I had to do some serious guesstimating with SeaWorld and I'm not surprised I was off on most aspects besides mammals. Things will be much more accurate from now on.
I’m assuming this isn’t counting the Southern and Northern Sea Otters as separate species making it 16.
Do any taxonomists split Sea Otter into multiple species?
This is a great inclusion! I feel like The Living Desert goes somewhat under the radar on this site - perhaps because of its proximity to so many other great collections - but it really is a tremendous zoo. The grounds are stunning, the species list is surprisingly solid and the exhibits are generally good, with the Bighorn Sheep exhibit being amongst the best exhibits I've ever seen.California - The Living Desert
Founded: 1970
Size: 80 Acres (32 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): c. 159
Mammals 55
Birds 54
Reptiles & Amphibians 41
Fish 1
Not to be confused with a facility in New Mexico sharing the same name, as one could accurately presume this is a zoo entirely dedicated to desert wildlife. As to be expected there are several parallels to the previously discussed Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; they both specialize in desert species and are set in stunning locations. The key difference is that this facility has branched out from just having animals that occur locally and now features species found across the deserts of North America, Africa and Australia, although there is still an extensive lineup of Sonoran wildlife present. Being located on the base of a mountain, many of the exhibits make use of the natural terrain and the best example of this is an enormous mountain for bighorn sheep. It’s just a fenced off part of the landscape, but it is an absolutely top-notch habitat and among the best of its kind. In other exhibits the zoo uses the terrain to create scenic vistas such as the mountainous backdrop of the giraffe enclosure. The carnivore collection is very good with cheetahs, jaguars and leopards in exhibits that could all be argued to be some of the best of their kind in the country and there are some uncommon species to be found including striped hyena, Mexican grey wolf and channel island fox. The recent developments have continued to be innovative and include an Australian area that doubles as a marsupial walkthrough and budgie aviary, as well as new complex that mixes black rhinos with several antelope and bird species. There are also stunning botanical gardens with areas dedicated to Madagascan and East African flora as the highlights, rounding out the park on top of the brilliantly designed set of animal habitats and some truly picturesque views.
African Savannah, @snowleopard
Cheetah Exhibit, @Coelacanth18
Sonoran Aviary, @Coelacanth18
Jaguar Exhibit, @Coelacanth18
Bighorn Sheep Mountain, @Arizona Docent
Zoochat Gallery:
The Living Desert - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
Wonderfully Wild | The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Zoo Map:
https://www.livingdesert.org/site/assets/files/3703/visitormap_nov21_rhinosavanna.pdf
.
If today was the last California zoo, my guess is we'll find out tomorrow if Mystic makes the list. I'd assume it makes the list as well though, would be shocked if it doesn't.
Not that I have heard, and I have no intention as scientifically identifying them as such. SeaWorld gives the two species their own distinctions in the parks and should be reflected as different entities for that reason. For example Tigers, if you have two different subspecies of Tiger in one zoo and the zoo recognizes them separately so you still lump them together as one species. Many readers value the Tiger subspecies and that is valuable information so in this case they should stand as separate entities. Talking about SeaWorld having both Southern and Northern Sea Otter though they are the same species is valuable to readers because some take that as useful information.
I was starting to get worried it wouldn’t be included but I’m very glad it made the list. One of my favorite zoos to visit because of how well it uses it’s amazing climate and botanical collection to create more immersive exhibits for animals and people. It also Carrie’s some of the best examples of rock work in zoos.California - The Living Desert
Founded: 1970
Size: 80 Acres (32 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): c. 159
Mammals 55
Birds 54
Reptiles & Amphibians 41
Fish 1
Not to be confused with a facility in New Mexico sharing the same name, as one could accurately presume this is a zoo entirely dedicated to desert wildlife. As to be expected there are several parallels to the previously discussed Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; they both specialize in desert species and are set in stunning locations. The key difference is that this facility has branched out from just having animals that occur locally and now features species found across the deserts of North America, Africa and Australia, although there is still an extensive lineup of Sonoran wildlife present. Being located on the base of a mountain, many of the exhibits make use of the natural terrain and the best example of this is an enormous mountain for bighorn sheep. It’s just a fenced off part of the landscape, but it is an absolutely top-notch habitat and among the best of its kind. In other exhibits the zoo uses the terrain to create scenic vistas such as the mountainous backdrop of the giraffe enclosure. The carnivore collection is very good with cheetahs, jaguars and leopards in exhibits that could all be argued to be some of the best of their kind in the country and there are some uncommon species to be found including striped hyena, Mexican grey wolf and channel island fox. The recent developments have continued to be innovative and include an Australian area that doubles as a marsupial walkthrough and budgie aviary, as well as new complex that mixes black rhinos with several antelope and bird species. There are also stunning botanical gardens with areas dedicated to Madagascan and East African flora as the highlights, rounding out the park on top of the brilliantly designed set of animal habitats and some truly picturesque views.
African Savannah, @snowleopard
Cheetah Exhibit, @Coelacanth18
Sonoran Aviary, @Coelacanth18
Jaguar Exhibit, @Coelacanth18
Bighorn Sheep Mountain, @Arizona Docent
Zoochat Gallery:
The Living Desert - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
Wonderfully Wild | The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Zoo Map:
https://www.livingdesert.org/site/assets/files/3703/visitormap_nov21_rhinosavanna.pdf
I didn’t know that. I now have high hopes for Milwaukee, given their new director is the former director at Fresno!
Deputy Director, with several past stops including Pittsburgh, Roger Williams and Evansville (where he was the director).
This is the first zoo covered in this thread I've personally visited, and it most certainly belongs, definitely an incredible zoo. However, I am very surprised that the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT did not make the thread, as in my opinion it's one of the best Aquariums in the country. The large outdoor beluga exhibit alone would be reason to qualify for this thread, in my opinion. If Mystic didn't get in, I am expecting 0 representation from New England, my home region, which is a shame.District of Columbia - Smithsonian's National Zoo
Founded: 1889
Size: 163 Acres (66 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 371
Mammals 69
Birds 93
Reptiles & Amphibians 75
Fish 40
Invertebrates 94
Although a zoo with a title as bold as this one may make it easy for an outsider to believe this is the greatest zoological park America has to offer, that's not exactly the case. In fact it rather surprisingly lacks many popular megafauna like giraffes, rhinos, and hippos that all left over a decade ago in favor of a larger elephant complex. For most institutions the omission of so many popular species would be a turn off to the average visitor, but the presence of a certain black and white bear definitely helps to make up for it. While it’s understandable they aren’t many zoo nerds' cups of tea, for what’s it worth the giant panda exhibit is excellent. The pandas are part of a much larger Asian complex that also features sloth bear, clouded leopard, fishing cat and Japanese giant salamander among others, all in an excellent series of displays. The historic animal houses all constructed around a century ago certainly help bring character to the facility with buildings for small mammals, reptiles and birds, the latter of which has been undergoing an lengthy revamp which will finally be completed later this year. Larger species are also displayed by taxonomic classification with a pair of old-school big cat yards and a great ape house which are fine without being anything special. Many years ago an innovative idea elevated what's otherwise a mediocre orangutan exhibit to new heights, literally. The O-line is an extensive series of towers and high-wires that enable the apes to move across the zoo as they please including right over the heads of visitors. It's a concept that has been replicated several times since although none have been quite as successful. Being owned and operated by the federal government, funding hasn't always been readily available which has stifled significant growth in recent years, but being America's national zoo there are already great things to see.
Giant Panda Exhibits, @Moebelle
Asian Elephant Exhibit, @Giant Eland
Amazonia, @Moebelle
Cheetah Exhibit, @snowleopard
Small Mammal House, @Baldur
Zoochat Gallery:
Smithsonian National Zoo - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Zoo Map:
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/sites/de...ans_national_zoo_map_accessible_9.28.2021.pdf
It's worth noting that the Japanese Giant Salamander haven't been exhibited in Asia Trail for a long time nowDistrict of Columbia - Smithsonian's National Zoo
Founded: 1889
Size: 163 Acres (66 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 371
Mammals 69
Birds 93
Reptiles & Amphibians 75
Fish 40
Invertebrates 94
Although a zoo with a title as bold as this one may make it easy for an outsider to believe this is the greatest zoological park America has to offer, that's not exactly the case. In fact it rather surprisingly lacks many popular megafauna like giraffes, rhinos, and hippos that all left over a decade ago in favor of a larger elephant complex. For most institutions the omission of so many popular species would be a turn off to the average visitor, but the presence of a certain black and white bear definitely helps to make up for it. While it’s understandable they aren’t many zoo nerds' cups of tea, for what’s it worth the giant panda exhibit is excellent. The pandas are part of a much larger Asian complex that also features sloth bear, clouded leopard, fishing cat and Japanese giant salamander among others, all in an excellent series of displays. The historic animal houses all constructed around a century ago certainly help bring character to the facility with buildings for small mammals, reptiles and birds, the latter of which has been undergoing an lengthy revamp which will finally be completed later this year. Larger species are also displayed by taxonomic classification with a pair of old-school big cat yards and a great ape house which are fine without being anything special. Many years ago an innovative idea elevated what's otherwise a mediocre orangutan exhibit to new heights, literally. The O-line is an extensive series of towers and high-wires that enable the apes to move across the zoo as they please including right over the heads of visitors. It's a concept that has been replicated several times since although none have been quite as successful. Being owned and operated by the federal government, funding hasn't always been readily available which has stifled significant growth in recent years, but being America's national zoo there are already great things to see.
Giant Panda Exhibits, @Moebelle
Asian Elephant Exhibit, @Giant Eland
Amazonia, @Moebelle
Cheetah Exhibit, @snowleopard
Small Mammal House, @Baldur
Zoochat Gallery:
Smithsonian National Zoo - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Zoo Map:
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/sites/de...ans_national_zoo_map_accessible_9.28.2021.pdf
. Otherwise, Fantastic job on this thread so far @pachyderm pro! I'm excited to see if some of my other favorite collections make the list!