a day at the zoo

It was a cold and dreary day at the zoo. Not many people wanted to be out in the chilly, rainy weather strolling through the outdoor exhibits. I was starting to regret choosing to spend the day here myself. There had only been a few people in the reptile house to talk with about the animals. It was enjoyable, telling people little known facts about them though. Such as, that frog is so poisonous that if your dog mouths it, he has only 45 minutes to reach a vet. (Sonoran desert toad). Or that frog is only poisonous in the wild, where he consumes a certain kind of ant. (Poison dart frog)
Still, the visitors were sorely lacking in number. Where we can easily have 150-200 or more visitors in an afternoon, this dreary day found only about 10. All of them bundled up in sweaters and coats, huddling under umbrellas. With plenty of time to roam, I found myself over in the barnyard, petting our new mini donkeys, William and Steve. Their hair all wet and muddy from the rain. That brought out some serious jealousy in the mini horse, who apparently found it too wet to be petted, but didn’t mind some conversation brought his way.
The Servals didn’t seem to mind the weather, and were up stalking squirrels through the fencing. One of the tortoises was busy trying to down a clump of grass he’d pulled through the fence that was bigger than his head. His buddy decided to stay under his heat lamp in the tortoise house. I think he had the right idea there. The emu kept chest bumping the fence separating him from the Servals. Does he not realize what would happen if he got in there? The Servals would invite him for supper.
Finally it was time to call it quits. What a disappointing day at the zoo; quiet, and dreary and gray. Even the meerkats were staying below ground. I headed for the office to sign out, and head home. Just before I walked out the door, my boss called me into her office. Hmm…does she need help with an upcoming event?
I walk in to find her holding the cutest baby animal I have ever seen. Sitting on her lap, wrapped up in a towel, and drinking from a bottle, was a baby beaver. DNR had found three orphan babies, and brought them to the zoo. Their eyes were open; they already had beaver teeth, and little beaver tails. They were so very soft, and fit into my hands so easily. They tried to suckle my fingers around their big teeth designed to one day fall big trees and haul them to the river to make a dam. Their fur was incredibly dense and soft, they felt like stuffed toys.
I’ve never been up close to an adult beaver, much less a baby. Instantly my mood lifted, and I knew my trip to the zoo had been worth it after all. This is something I will never forget, and when these babies grow up to their adult weight of 25-55 lbs, I’ll remember how they used to fit into my hands, and drool milk all over me.
Beavers construct dams to create large marshes that are rich in aquatic plants, birds and fish. They also build dens that are reached by several underwater entrances. They live in large family groups, and the young from the previous brood stay to help raise the new arrivals. They mate for life, and have as many as 8 kits in the spring.. They are born with their eyes open, and fully furred. Kits can swim within several hours. The adults eat aquatic plants, thistles, twigs, bark, leaves, and roots. They can live 15-21 years.
Holding and bottle feeding a baby beaver…who ever thought I’d do that in my lifetime!