Sand in Zoo

Adax

Adax

Active Member
Various desert species live naturally on sand.
However, I have never seen an enclosure made of sand in a park. Usually, camels, dromedaries or other animals are simply on grass, whereas we usually try to reproduce the habitat of species in parks.

Do you know of any zoos that have done this?

If not, do you know why? My hypothesis is that it's too costly and prevents the animals from feeding themselves on the ground (lack of grass), all for one when it may not change anything for the animals.
What do you think?

Adax
 
Adax said:
Various desert species live naturally on sand.
However, I have never seen an enclosure made of sand in a park. Usually, camels, dromedaries or other animals are simply on grass, whereas we usually try to reproduce the habitat of species in parks.

Do you know of any zoos that have done this?

If not, do you know why? My hypothesis is that it's too costly and prevents the animals from feeding themselves on the ground (lack of grass), all for one when it may not change anything for the animals.
What do you think?

Adax
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Modern-day elephant barns often have sand floors, helps prevent foot problems and is easier on arthritic animals.
 
The African paddock at Leipzig zoo has sand areas. On my recent visit, the oryx were all lying on the sand. I imagine sand gives off some radiated heat on sunny days and it must be softer to lie on than grass or gravel.
 
The zoo I work at uses sand in our penguin exhibit. It is raked each morning and typically their guano hardens into the sand so is fairly easy to pick out. It is also easily bleached via a sprayer so it works out pretty well.
 
I think the presumption is wrong. Very few deserts are solely sand deserts. And very few species, especially common zoo species, live in solely sand deserts.
 
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