Overnight at the Cincinnati Zoo
Grace’s brownie troop voted to use some of the cookie money they earned last year to attend one of the overnight programs at the Cincinnati Zoo. Twenty two girls and mothers attended the Wolf Woods Overnight – one of three programs the zoo offers. What a great program! We had two Zoo employees with us the entire time and we learned more during that trip than all the other times I have been to the zoo – combined. We had the zoo to ourselves!! We went on a night hike – no flashlights and spent a lot of time in the Wolf exhibit, reptile house and cat house. The focus was on predator vs. prey and animal adaptations. Some of the many things we learned:
How to tell an Alligator from a Crocodile - the Alligator’s snout is shaped like a C – more rounded while a Crocodile is shaped like an A – more pointed.
Alligators and Crocodile's have a third transparent eyelid allowing them to see under water without hurting their eyes.
The special adaptation of a fishing cat – paws are somewhat webbed so they can catch fish out of a stream or lake – this cat likes the water.
We also spent some time in the education center getting hands on experience with several animals. We slept in the Wolf Woods Education Center on the floor in sleeping bags. In the morning we had a light breakfast and toured the zoo in the daylight. The zoo opens at 9:00. When visitors started to slowly arrive it was a little sad to know we had to share the zoo again. I highly recommend this program, the girls all loved it. Craig, Hannah, Rachael, my parents, Emily and Drew joined us once the zoo opened to the public and we had a great day together. The next week at school Grace had to write about two animals and one of their structures and purpose. She was well prepared!
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