Homeboy Hyak hits up Texas.

[Hyak_II]

So I'll be heading down to Texas in 2 weeks time and figured I would make a thread about it, cause why not?

I'll be down for 9 days, and will be in three different cities. My planned facilities are as follows:

Fort Worth Zoo
Dallas Zoo
Dallas World Aquarium
Houston Zoo
Seaworld San Antonio
and possibly the San Antonio Zoo.

Are there any must see species or other must see facilities I should be aware of? Or other generally interesting things to see.

 

[jayjds2]

It really depends on your taste. Are you really into birds? If so, the Dallas World Aquarium is your place and you would definitely want to visit San Antonio Zoo as well. Houston would obviously be great as well. Reptiles? Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio Zoo all have great collections (the latter is limited in size but has some rare specimens). I feel that SAZ gets a bad rep but I've never found it deserving of one so terrible. Like all zoos, it has its good and bad points.

Things to look for:
While I wait on your response about what you're most interested in, I'll just leave some general rarities most people would be interested in:
Houston-
Kagu
Maleo (if on exhibit)
Shoebill

DWA-
Shoebill
Both species of cocks-of-the rock
so many birds

Dallas-
Several larger birds
A lot of reptiles

Fort Worth-
Also reptiles
Less birds
Lowland anoa
Striped hyena

 

[Hyak_II]

Saying I love birds would be a major understatement, lol. I'm also fairly interested in reptiles! Mammals are cool and I do appreciate them, but definitely more into the birds and herps!

I have a flex day were I don't specifically have anything planned, so I'm strongly debating between the Houston Museum or another day at DWA, lol.

 

[Arizona Docent]

If you like birds, San Antonio Zoo is a must see. Along with Houston they have one of the largest bird collections in the country. At dinnertime, the San Antonio Riverwalk is the place to be. It may be the most pleasing downtown walking experience in the entire United States.

 

[snowleopard]

If you are interested, on the Snowleopard's 2015 Road Trip thread I provided mini-reviews of approximately 45 zoos and aquariums in the state of Texas. You could always browse through my postings to see if any establishment strikes your fancy...but it does seem as if you have a good selection of zoos set to go already. I've seen 45 zoos in the state and I believe that Texas has approximately 50 zoos in total. Good luck on your journey!

 

[jayjds2]

Well, I was about halfway through typing a very complete list of species, but it seems my draft has been deleted. Ugh! That's why this has taken so long, sorry.

Fort Worth: not much: palm nut vulture, Storm's stork, lowland anoa, Madagascan crested ibis

Dallas Zoo:
Maguari stork, reptiles (different exhibit every time, usually some good rarities), lappet-faced vulture, white-backed vulture, black stork (presentations at the stage in Wilds of Africa), spectacled langurs

DWA: just watch this thread: Dallas World Aquarium - Dallas World Aquarium Species List if you've never seen it before, consider it rare.

Houston: maleo (if on exhibit), kagu, red-knobbed imperial pigeon, blue-winged kookaburra (Birds of the World), golden-headed quetzal, brown tree snake

San Antonio: several uncommon birds, none that are truly rare, the reptiles are always nice and see if the topi and hartebeest are on exhibit.

Sorry for the rather diminished reply! If you want more detail about something, feel free to ask.