Your Rules While Visiting a Zoo

Maguari said:
And for a first-time-visit/seldom-visited zoo, you can't beat 'left-left-left' or 'right-right-right' round the edges, then fill in the middle (unless the middle is where the thing you most want to see is, in which case go to that first, then go round the edge ;) ). I also agree with zooboy28 - I don't like leaving paths out! You'd only find out later that's where the Kodkods were..!
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Or the path takes you to an empty pool that used to house Beluga and Commersons Dolphin,not 5 days before you visit!
 
zoogiraffe said:
Or the path takes you to an empty pool that used to house Beluga and Commersons Dolphin,not 5 days before you visit!
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Yes, or that! :D
 
I thought you had 2 rules the first that you said and the second being that one of the other people must be able to count the said Bongos!!:p:D
 
jbnbsn99 said:
Rule 1: Visit alone.

That is all.
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That's generally my "rule" as well. Yes, it sometimes can get lonely because I don't have someone to share what we just saw with, but I sometimes go through a zoo like a bulldozer. I go in, see and photograph the animals I want and get out. Even if it's a zoo new to me I often scope out the collection list ahead of time to see what they have that I want to see and generally stick with those. I have no interest in seeing every square inch (exaggerating) of a zoo or every single animal there and my zoo buddy and I don't like all the same animals, but there's many we do agree on but when I do go with her I just go to the nearest bench for a rest while she gets her fill.

By going alone, though, I can spend as much or as little time with any given animal I want.
 
Arrive at opening time, leave at closing time, don't miss any apes, fit in pretty much everything else, if you can hold a tarantula - do, remove cockroaches before leaving.
 
Mine are a little different

  1. Check that the weather forecast is not too bad
  2. Research latest news on ZooChat (so you don't miss anything)
  3. Check the dark clothes, suitable footwear, packed lunch plus the camera gear & appropriate spares
  4. Listen to the right music on the way to get into a good mood (often, but not always, early 70s Miles Davis for me)
  5. Wander into zoo, looking for a nice easy subject - then take a few photos to get the eye in
  6. Unless there is a priority target (from research) head for the reptiles - they may be more active early in the day
  7. Be patient with animals, zoo staff and other visitors (even small noisy sticky children)
  8. Just before you leave, check the reptiles again - the one you really want to shoot may have moved during the day
  9. Remember your Ws - walk and watch, wait and watch, walk and watch etc
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I'd like to but with my age and inability to legally drive it makes things difficult.

~Thylo:cool:
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That's the same problem that I had until now because my mom recently agreed to buy me a zoo membership and said she would be willing to drop me off while she goes shopping.

As for my rules:
1. let me walk at my own pace.
2. if theres a certain animal that I want to see, I'm going to go to its exhibit first, no matter how far from the entrance it is.
3. if I'm at a new zoo, I will see as much of it as I can.
 
1) Minimal time at the gift shop.
2) Read the signs.
3) Don't whine about being tired.
4) After seeing the whole zoo go back to see exhibits where the animals were asleep and/or off exhibit.
5) Allow for plenty of time at the elephant and hoofstock exhibits.
 
While working for one I quickly realised that showing housemates and visiting friends/family around on your days off is probably rather similar to anyone visiting their workplace on their day off. Consequently I decided I wouldn't do it anymore.
 
For me (First and second inexcusable)

1-No flash and no banging on the glass.
2-Don't screaming at indoors exhibits.
3-Respect others visitors, and they respect me as well.
4-I want to see all the zoo, not just the main exhibits.
5-Black clothes if it's possible.
6-Perhaps go alone.
 
1. Go on a day when the weather is not to bad. A cloudy/light rainy day will make your visit boring and most of the animals will not be out.

2. Always bring a water bottle and sunscreen if it's a hot sunny day.

3. Get there early when the animals will be awake and it won't be crowded right away.

4. If it's your local zoo you don't need a map but, if it's a new zoo use a map.

5. No banning on glass especially if the animals are asleep.

6. Respect other visitors.

7. Always go back to an exhibit if the animal is a no show.

8. If an animal is in the back of the habitat just be patient and wait for the animal to come closer or go back to that exhibit later.

9. If it's a big zoo wear good walking shoes.

10. HAVE FUN!
 
Grizzly Hound said:
1. Go on a day when the weather is not to bad. A cloudy/light rainy day will make your visit boring and most of the animals will not be out.
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I've always had the exact opposite experience on cloudy/lightly rainy. Most people won't be visiting and all the animals are generally very active, especially in breaks between showers. Some of my best zoo visits have been in light rain.

~Thylo
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I've always had the exact opposite experience on cloudy/lightly rainy. Most people won't be visiting and all the animals are generally very active, especially in breaks between showers. Some of my best zoo visits have been in light rain.

~Thylo
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Or mild tornados :p
 
I definitely prefer a cloudy/rainy day. Less visitors, usually cooler temperature, and much better for photos of outdoor animals.

I don't think I have any rules, per se, but both of my parents have learned to stay out of my way when approaching an exhibit so I can get a photo, and that they need to listen to things I say because I will quiz them there and at future zoos :D I generally prefer to go on my own but they can be helpful sometimes.
 
Moebelle said:
Does anybody else have their own 'rules' or 'requirements' when your visiting a zoo with somebody else?

Here are mine:
'Please'...."
-Keep up because I walk quite fast at zoos.
-Don't call an ape a monkey.
-No stopping for breaks unless we have all day.
-No using a map unless we really need it.
-Don't use a schedule for the things we need to see, just follow the path or we won't actually get to see everything.
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I always speed around at zoos.
 
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