UNCOVER SOME OF THE MOST
AWE-INSPIRING ADAPTATIONS
FROM ANIMALS THROUGHOUT THE ZOO!
WHAT’S A CREATURE QUEST?
Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful
quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be
sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled,
educational Houston Zoo experience.
SURVIVAL GEAR
Every animal has special characteristics (or adaptations)
that enable them to thrive in a specific habitat. From horns
and antlers to quills, spots and fins, animals are equipped
for survival.
PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS
Adaptations come in two forms. One form is physical
adaptations. These are the characteristics with which animals
are born. Some examples of physical adaptations include
camouflage (the color of an animal’s fur or skin), sharp teeth
(for eating meat), excellent eyesight for seeing their prey, and
many more!
T
E
UR
D TOPIC:
FE
A
BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS
CREATURE
QUESTS
ANIMAL
ADAPTATIONS
Behavioral adaptations is the second form. Behavioral
adaptations are anything that an animal does to survive, like
an otter using a rock to crack open a crab or a chimpanzee
using a stick to fish termites out of a termite mound! These
adaptations can be instinctive, learned throughout an animal’s
life, or taught to them by their parents or other individuals.
PREDATOR VS. PREY
Both predator and prey animals have unique characteristics
to help them survive. Predators are animals that hunt other
animals (like tigers). Prey animals are animals that are hunted
by other animals (like rabbits). Whether it’s an excellent sense
of smell, speed, camouflage or large talons, all animals have
the adaptations they need to make it in the wild!
AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
TEKS ALIGNMENT: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grade:10A
CASSOWARY
1
Cassowaries are found in the tropical forests of New Guinea
and Australia. The cassowary is threatened due to habitat
loss. They are flightless birds and can run up to 30 mph
through the dense forest. Although they cannot fly, they still
have feathers for a variety of reasons.
WHERE TO GO:
As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about animal adaptations.
Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit,
search for a similar animal.
• Can you think of a reason why a bird that can’t fly has feathers?
• How does their coloration help them survive?
• Cassowaries have very sharp claws on their feet. What would they use these for?
BAT CAVE
YELLOW
PAVILION
PETTING ZOO
RED PAVILION
JOHN P. McGOVERN
CHILDRENʼS ZOO
MEDICAL
CENTER GATE
ENTRANCE
Giraffes are the tallest land animals on earth. They are very
sociable animals, and do not protect their territory like other
large African animals. Just like humans, giraffes have seven
neck vertebrae; each is about one foot long. Their long legs
and neck help them to do many things like finding food.
TORTOISE
KARAMU
OUTPOST
4-D
EXPERIENCE
AFRICAN LION TIGER
AFRICAN
WILD DOG
REFLECTION
POOL
MONKEYS
SIFAKA
(LEMUR)
WORTHAM WORLD
OF PRIMATES
MANDRILL
COUGAR
SOUTH AMERICAN
EXHIBIT
ANTEATER
& MANED
WOLF
MANED
WOLF
TAPIR
GIFT
SHOP
CARRUTH
NATURAL
ENCOUNTERS
GATE
6
YELLOW
BACKED
DUIKER
BONGO & OKAPI
ANTELOPE
BROWN EDUCATION
CENTER
GATE
5
McNAIR
ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT
VULTURE
N
GRIZZLY
BEAR
THE
AFRICAN FOREST
MAIN
ENTRANCE
KOMODO
DRAGON
SPECTACLED
BEAR
ANKOLE CATTLE
RED SAROFIM
PANDA COURT
WERLER
STAGE
REPTILES
AND
AMPHIBIANS
5
SMALL JAGUAR
CATS
& FOSSA
CHEETAH
ENTRANCE
CHIMP
CHIMPANZEE
MACAW
MEERKAT
4
MASIHARA
PAVILION
TRADING POST
REFRESHMENTS
DUCK
LAKE
BABIRUSA
THE AFRICAN
FOREST
WHITE RHINO
& KUDU
KIPP
AQUARIUM
SEA
LION
TROPICAL
BIRD
HOUSE
CYPRESS CIRCLE
CAFE
3
& OSTRICH
CONSERVATION
KIOSK
FLAMINGO
NATURALLY
WILD
SWAP SHOP
ORANGUTAN
CA MB RID GE
OKAPI
STR EET
• Notice the color of the lion’s fur. How would this help them to hunt their prey?
• Male lions have manes and stay with their pride (a group of lions) to protect them.
How does the mane help a male lion protect the others?
EXIT
1
BIRDS
OF THE
WORLD
SHOEBILL
STORK
GIRAFFE
GIRAFFE
AFRICAN LION
4
GREAT
HORNBILL
GUEST
RELATIONS
MACAW
CAFE
FISCHER
BIRD
GARDEN
CASSOWARY
BLUE
PAVILION
WILDLIFE
CAROUSEL
GIFT
SHOP
TWIGA TERRACE
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
• Why do you think giraffes live in large groups (or herds)?
• Watch the giraffes as they eat; do you notice how long their tongue is? Why do
you think this is?
Lions live in the savannahs of Africa. They are large predators
that hunt other animals like zebras, antelope and wildebeests.
Unlike most animal species, the female lions are the ones who
hunt the prey more often and bring it back to the pride. They
catch more than ¾ of the pride’s prey.
2
DEER
BUTTERFLY
STAGE
GIRAFFE
RED
NYALA CROWNED
ANTELOPE CRANE
GIANT ELAND,
WARTHOG & ZEBRA
BALDOTTEREAGLE
Bald eagles live all over Canada and the United States near
rivers, lakes and the seashore. These large birds love to eat
fish and waterfowl. Bald eagles can fly 20–40 mph during
normal flight and dive at speeds of over 100 mph.
• What two characteristics do you notice on the bald eagle that would help them catch
and eat their prey?
• Bald eagles can hunt prey from very far away. This means they need to have an
excellent sense of what?
3
COASTAL
POOL
FARM
BALD EAGLE
2
PRAIRIE
DOG
HER
MAN
N PA
RK D
R IV E
ORANGUTAN
5
Orangutans have long arms for moving and spending time
in the trees. Orangutans usually live by themselves, and the
males have large cheekpads and throat sac that allows for
long calls to be heard in the forest. They have a variety of
teeth in their mouth, both flat and sharp.
• What food do you think orangutans search for in their habitat?
• What do you think male orangutans are trying to tell other orangutans with their
loud calls?
BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO
At home, or with your class, visit a park or preserve. Observe some of
our native wildlife and see if you can note any special adaptations these
animals might have for living in Texas.
PARKING
COME UNRAVEL THE INTRICACIES
OF THE FOOD WEB!
WHAT’S A CREATURE QUEST?
Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful
quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be
sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled,
educational Houston Zoo experience.
ENERGY FLOW
A food web describes how energy flows from one organism
to another. In every ecosystem, organisms depend on each
other for survival.
FOOD CHAIN BASICS
A food chain or web includes 3 types of organisms: producers,
consumers, and decomposers. Producers are organisms that
make their own food, like a tree or a fern. A consumer is an
organism who has to consume something to get their food,
like a cow or a lion. A decomposer is an organism that breaks
down organic matter to get nourishment, like a cockroach.
T
E
UR
D TOPIC:
FE
A
CONSUMERS
CREATURE
QUESTS
AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
Within these groups of organisms we have specific
consumers; these include herbivores, carnivores and
omnivores. Herbivores eat strictly plants, like a giraffe.
Carnivores eat strictly meat, like a tiger. Omnivores eat both
plants and meat, like a bear. Some animals have extremely
specific diets. For example, there are birds that only eat nectar
and mammals that only eat ants.
PREDATOR VS. PREY
FOOD
WEBS
Consumers can be either predators or prey. A predatory
animal is one that hunts and eats another animal. Predators
usually have very sharp teeth for chewing and pulling meat
off of the bone. Some predators have a mix of both flat and
sharp teeth if they also eat plants. A prey animal is hunted by
another animal. Prey animals tend to have flat teeth because
they usually eat plants. Both predators and prey are important
in food webs. If one organism is removed from the food web,
every other organism in that ecosystem is affected.
TEKS ALIGNMENT: 1st–2nd grade: 9C, 3rd grade: 9B, 4th
grade: 9A & B, 5th grade: 9B, 1st–4th grade: 10A
ZEBRA
1
Zebras are herbivores that inhabit savannahs and woodlands
all over Africa. They spend the majority of their time grazing
on grass in their habitat. They live in large groups (herds)
which give them protection against predators like lions
or hyenas.
WHERE TO GO:
As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about food webs. Make sure
to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search for a
similar animal.
• How do you think their coloration helps them to avoid their predators?
• Zebras are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. What shape teeth do
you think they have for eating grass and plants?
BAT CAVE
YELLOW
PAVILION
2
Grizzly bears are large bears that live in dense forests and
arctic tundras. Grizzly bears have large canines as well as
flat molars for eating a variety of foods. They also have large
claws (as long as your fingers!) for catching their prey.
COUGAR
3
JOHN P. McGOVERN
CHILDRENʼS ZOO
• What senses do you think cougars use at night to hunt their prey?
• What would happen to the population of rodents or deer in the cougars’ habitat if
the cougars were hunted to extinction?
5
Red pandas are small omnivores that live in the temperate
forests at the base of the Himalayan mountains. They love
eating bamboo leaves, but will also eat fruit, acorns, insects
and eggs. Red pandas have a false “thumb” which is an
extension of the wrist bone.
• How would this false “thumb” help them eat fruit and leaves?
• Can you think of a food chain (of 3-4 organisms) which involves the red panda?
SIFAKA
(LEMUR)
MANDRILL
KOMODO
DRAGON
THE
AFRICAN FOREST
SOUTH AMERICAN
EXHIBIT
ANTEATER
& MANED
WOLF
MANED
WOLF
TAPIR
GATE
6
GATE
5
VULTURE
2
YELLOW
BACKED
DUIKER
BONGO & OKAPI
ANTELOPE
BROWN EDUCATION
CENTER
McNAIR
ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT
N
ANKOLE CATTLE
ENTRANCE
CHIMP
CHIMPANZEE
CARRUTH
NATURAL
ENCOUNTERS
WERLER
STAGE
REPTILES
AND
AMPHIBIANS
GRIZZLY
BEAR
MASIHARA
PAVILION
TRADING POST
REFRESHMENTS
WORTHAM WORLD
OF PRIMATES
COUGAR
SPECTACLED
BEAR
GIFT
OKAPI
STR EET
RED PANDA
MONKEYS &
ORANGUTANS
SMALL JAGUAR
CATS
& FOSSA
AFRICAN
WILD DOG
REFLECTION
POOL
4
TIGER
CHEETAH
5
MAIN
ENTRANCE
MEERKAT
3
LION
CA MB RID GE
• How does the color of the Komodo dragon help them hunt their prey?
• Komodo dragons are one of the top predators where they live. Based on your
knowledge of their diet, does this make them a carnivore, omnivore or herbivore?
DUCK
LAKE
CYPRESS CIRCLE
CAFE
GIRAFFE
GIRAFFE
& OSTRICH
4-D
EXPERIENCE
KOMODO DRAGON
4
TORTOISE
KARAMU
OUTPOST
THE AFRICAN
FOREST
WHITE RHINO
& KUDU
KIPP
AQUARIUM
RED SAROFIM SHOP
SEA
COURT
LION PANDA
TROPICAL
BIRD
HOUSE
EXIT
GIFT
SHOP
TWIGA TERRACE
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
CONSERVATION
KIOSK
FLAMINGO
NATURALLY
WILD
SWAP SHOP
GUEST
RELATIONS
MACAW
CAFE
MACAW
BIRDS
OF THE
WORLD
SHOEBILL
STORK
BABIRUSA
Cougars are large cats that live in rocky areas and hunt
animals like rodents and deer. Cougars are skilled at hunting
at night and use their long tails and strong back hind legs for
balance and jumping. Cougars are known by many names
including panther, catamount, puma and mountain lion!
Komodo dragons are the heaviest lizards in the world! They
are only found on a few islands in Indonesia in monsoon
forests. Adults hunt and eat deer, hogs and even water
buffalo! Juvenile Komodos live in trees and eat small lizards
and work their way up to larger prey items.
CASSOWARY
BLUE
PAVILION
WILDLIFE
CAROUSEL
FISCHER
BIRD
GARDEN
GREAT
HORNBILL
ZEBRA
DEER
RED PAVILION
MEDICAL
CENTER GATE
ENTRANCE
RED
NYALA CROWNED
ANTELOPE CRANE
BALD EAGLE
OTTER
PETTING ZOO
BUTTERFLY
STAGE
• Based on what you know a grizzly bear eats, is it a carnivore, omnivore
or herbivore?
• Do you think grizzly bears are predators or prey? Why?
GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG &
COASTAL
POOL
FARM
GRIZZLY BEAR
1
PRAIRIE
DOG
HER
MAN
N PA
RK D
R IV E
BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO
Choose a habitat of which you are particularly fond. Research the animals
that live in that habitat. Try to create a food chain starting with the sun
or a producer and make your chain at least 4 links long. Cut long strips
of paper to make chain links. Draw each organism (or write the name of
the organism) on each strip of paper. Link them together and tape them to
create a food chain!
PARKING
THE SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE
WHAT’S A CREATURE QUEST?
Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful
quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be
sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled,
educational Houston Zoo experience.
HOW WE LIVE
Social structure refers to the amount of time animals spend
with other animals of the same species. Not all animals have
the same social preferences; some prefer to live alone, while
others tend to flock together.
LEARNING TO ADAPT
An animal’s social structure is a behavioral adaptation to help
them survive in the wild. The way animals choose to live helps
them survive and fill important niches within their ecosystem.
There is no right or wrong way to live, just whatever works
best for each animal.
T
E
UR
D TOPIC:
FE
A
A FAMILY AFFAIR
CREATURE
QUESTS
AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
SOCIAL
STRUCTURES
Some animals live in family groups. Within family groups
everyone pitches in and helps with the daily duties such as
finding food, baby-sitting the young, and protecting against
predators. There is usually one dominant breeding pair and
the rest of the family members are subordinates who perform
the daily duties.
ALL BY MYSELF
Other animals prefer to live alone and only look out for
themselves. These animals are usually only found with other
individuals during breeding seasons, or with their offspring.
Once the offspring has reached maturity, the parent will
separate from the baby, and they usually never see each other
again. They spend the majority of their time alone and do not
tolerate other individuals in their territory at all.
TEKS ALIGNMENT: 2nd grade: 4C, 9C, 10A, 5th grade: 9A,
10A, 7th grade: 11B
GREAT HORNBILL
1
Great hornbills prefer to live in monogamous pairs. The
female lays her eggs in a tree cavity. When she’s ready to sit
on the eggs, both adults work together to enclose the cavity.
Only a small slit is left for the male to pass food through to
the female.
WHERE TO GO:
As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about social structures in the
wild. Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you
visit, search for a similar animal.
2
BAT
• Why do you think they do this?
• Why do you feel this is a good behavioral adaptation for the pair of great hornbills?
YELLOW
PAVILION
BAT
2
Bats are the most abundant of all mammals in the world! You
can find hundreds of bats roosting together in cooperative
colonies during the day. This means that they help take care
of each other’s young, bring food back to the sick and huddle
close together to stay warm.
• Think about the bats you find here in Texas; can you list a few places that might
make a good place for a bat colony to roost?
• Why would those places make a good roosting spot?
CHIMPANZEE
3
RED PAVILION
JOHN P. McGOVERN
CHILDRENʼS ZOO
BUTTERFLY
STAGE
WHITE RHINO
& KUDU
• Can you think of any other animals that may live in a fusion–fission society?
• What do you think are the benefits of living in this type of society?
5
Elephants live in herds made up of mostly females and their
young. All the herd members help to watch over the young
and protect them. The males or “bulls” tend to travel alone or
in groups of two. There is one head female called the ruler
matriarch.
• What do you think her role is as the head of the group?
• Why do you think it’s beneficial to have one leader?
GIFT
SHOP
CARRUTH
NATURAL
ENCOUNTERS
GATE
6
MONKEYS &
ORANGUTANS
SIFAKA
(LEMUR)
TIGER
MANDRILL
BROWN EDUCATION
CENTER
GATE
5
KOMODO
DRAGON
5
ASIAN ELEPHANT
COUGAR
AFRICAN
WILD DOG
MASIHARA
PAVILION
TRADING POST
REFRESHMENTS
3
SMALL JAGUAR
CATS
& FOSSA
CHEETAH
THE AFRICAN
FOREST
ANKOLE CATTLE
GRIZZLY
BEAR
THE
AFRICAN FOREST
CHIMPANZEE
SOUTH AMERICAN
EXHIBIT
ANTEATER
& MANED
WOLF
NN P
ARK
D R IV
E
VULTURE
SPECTACLED
BEAR
ENTRANCE
CHIMP
MA
HER
ASIAN ELEPHANT
REFLECTION
POOL
RED SAROFIM
PANDA COURT
MAIN
ENTRANCE
MEERKAT
CYPRESS CIRCLE
CAFE
LION
STR EET
• What do you think the okapi’s adaptations are?
• What other reasons may have contributed to us discovering them so late?
MACAW
WERLER
STAGE
REPTILES
AND
AMPHIBIANS
WORTHAM WORLD
OF PRIMATES
CA MB RID GE
4
KARAMU
OUTPOST
DUCK
LAKE
GIRAFFE
GIRAFFE
& OSTRICH
4-D
EXPERIENCE
OKAPI
Okapis are solitary, spending their time alone in the dense
forest. They live together only if it is a female raising her
young. Okapis are found in the palm forests of Africa and
are equipped with great adaptations for hiding, which helps
them live alone. This is one of the reasons we did not discover
them until 1901!
TORTOISE
TROPICAL
BIRD
HOUSE
EXIT
GIFT
SHOP
TWIGA TERRACE
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
KIPP
AQUARIUM
SEA
LION
BABIRUSA
Chimpanzees are very social animals and prefer living in
what is called “troops” or family groups. The troops live in
a larger group called the community. This type of structure
is called fusion–fission society. Within the community there is
a dominant male that runs the community, protecting it from
members of neighboring communities.
CONSERVATION
KIOSK
FLAMINGO
NATURALLY
WILD
SWAP SHOP
BLUE
PAVILION
WILDLIFE
CAROUSEL
BIRDS
OF THE
WORLD
SHOEBILL
STORK
DEER
GUEST
RELATIONS
MACAW
CAFE
FISCHER
BIRD
GARDEN
CASSOWARY
BALD EAGLE
OTTER
PETTING ZOO
MEDICAL
CENTER GATE
ENTRANCE
GREAT
HORNBILL
GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG
& ZEBRA
COASTAL
POOL
FARM
1
RED
NYALA CROWNED
ANTELOPE CRANE
PRAIRIE
DOG
MANED
WOLF
TAPIR
YELLOW
BACKED
DUIKER
BONGO & OKAPI
ANTELOPE
4
OKAPI
N
BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO
Here at the Zoo, we have a variety of different types of social structures,
but you can see different social structures right in your own backyard!
Take about 10-20 minutes to find different social structures around your
home. Don’t forget to look up in the trees and down below on the ground.
Social structures are found in all types of animal groups including insects!
How many different social structures do you see? Are the animals’ social
structures at home similar to those found at the Zoo?
PARKING
LET THE WORLD COME TO LIFE!
WHAT’S A CREATURE QUEST?
Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful
quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be
sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled,
educational Houston Zoo experience.
FINDING A HOME
Animals are found on every continent in the world, living
in extremely cold to extremely hot environments. They have
amazing ways of adapting to the habitats in which they live!
Whether by living in the trees or burrowing down underground,
animals find a way to survive in all places!
STAYING PUT
Animals have specific areas of the world in which they live.
An animal found in Africa could not survive in the Arctic and
vice versa. Animals are adapted to their parts of the world, so
it is important that the animals remain in their natural habitats
so the ecosystems can remain strong and healthy.
FE
A
TAKING OVER
CREATURE
QUESTS
AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
T
E
UR
D TOPIC:
TRAVEL
AROUND THE
Invasive species are animals that have moved into different
habitats or parts of the world and cause havoc. Invasive
species challenge native species for resources such as food,
water, and shelter, sometimes pushing native species to the
brink of extinction!
FILLING A NICHE
Diverse habitats found around the world lead to diverse
animals. All animals fulfill different niches in their environments.
Fulfilling these niches is very important to having a strong,
healthy environment, keeping the world’s habitats intact for
years to come!
GLOBE
TEKS ALIGNMENT: 2nd grade: 9B, 3rd grade: 9A, 4th grade:
10A, 5th grade: 9A & C, 7th grade: 10A
SEA LION
1
California sea lions are the fastest of all sea lions and seals,
reaching speeds up to 25 mph. They live in colonies off
the coast of California all the way up to Washington state.
Onlookers not only see the sea lions swimming in the water,
but also resting along the shore line.
WHERE TO GO:
As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about animals found all around
the world. Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day
you visit, search for a similar animal.
• What adaptations do you think they have to survive both on land and in the sea?
• What challenges do you think sea lions face living on the coast
(i.e. people encroachment, pollution)?
BAT CAVE
YELLOW
PAVILION
2
Komodo dragons are the largest lizard in the world, reaching
lengths up to 10 ft. long! They are found on the small islands
of Lesser Sunda in Indonesia. These islands are made up
of hot grasslands and tropical forests. The Komodo dragon
plays a very important role on the islands by being a top
predator and eating carrion (dead animals).
• Why do you think the Komodo dragon’s role is so important in preserving
its’ habitat?
ANDEAN BEAR
3
JOHN P. McGOVERN
CHILDRENʼS ZOO
BUTTERFLY
STAGE
WHITE RHINO
& KUDU
• Andean bears do not hibernate; why do you think this is?
• Does their lack of hibernation have to do with where they are found in the world?
4-D
EXPERIENCE
• In places where they have been introduced they are not causing any problems;
would you consider them an invasive species?
SEA
LION
REFLECTION
POOL
GIFT
SHOP
CARRUTH
NATURAL
ENCOUNTERS
GATE
6
SIFAKA
(LEMUR)
MANDRILL
WERLER
STAGE
REPTILES
AND
AMPHIBIANS
KOMODO
DRAGON
BROWN EDUCATION
CENTER
GATE
5
McNAIR
ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT
AFRICAN
WILD DOG
ANDEAN
BEAR
ANKOLE CATTLE
CHIMPANZEE
SOUTH AMERICAN
EXHIBIT
ANTEATER
& MANED
WOLF
MANED
WOLF
SMALL JAGUAR
CATS
& FOSSA
VULTURE
N
GRIZZLY
BEAR
TAPIR
YELLOW
BACKED
DUIKER
BONGO & OKAPI
ANTELOPE
OKAPI
STR EET
5
The laughing kookaburra is a native bird to the eucalyptus
forest of the land down under, Australia! Laughing
kookaburras are found in eastern Australia and have also
been introduced into areas of the southwest, and off-shore
islands such as Tasmania. These animals have also adapted
very well to living in suburban habitats.
3
CHEETAH
THE
AFRICAN FOREST
HER
KOOKABURRA
MONKEYS &
ORANGUTANS
TIGER
ENTRANCE
CA MB RID GE
• What do you think are the major factors contributing to the dogs’ extinction?
RED SAROFIM
PANDA COURT
MAIN
ENTRANCE
COUGAR
MASIHARA
PAVILION
CHIMP
1
2
WORTHAM WORLD
OF PRIMATES
4
KIPP
AQUARIUM
MEERKAT
CYPRESS CIRCLE
CAFE
LION
TRADING POST
REFRESHMENTS
AFRICAN WILD DOG
4
KARAMU
OUTPOST
DUCK
LAKE
GIRAFFE
GIRAFFE
& OSTRICH
THE AFRICAN
FOREST
5
TROPICAL
BIRD
HOUSE
EXIT
GIFT
SHOP
TWIGA TERRACE
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
CONSERVATION
KIOSK
MACAW
KOOKABURRA
BABIRUSA
Andean bears (also known as spectacled bears) are the
only bears found in South America; they live in the Andes
Mountains. They are the most agile of all bear species when
it comes to climbing. They make platforms high in the trees
during the day. They’ll use these platforms to rest on and spy
on corn/livestock fields.
African wild dogs are the second most endangered animal
in Africa. They inhabit savannahs and open woodlands.
Fifty years ago they were found in 39 African countries and
now are only found in 14 countries. African wild dogs need
between 80–800 square miles to hunt and roam.
TORTOISE
GUEST
RELATIONS
MACAW
CAFE
FLAMINGO
NATURALLY
WILD
SWAP SHOP
BLUE
PAVILION
WILDLIFE
CAROUSEL
BIRDS
OF THE
WORLD
SHOEBILL
STORK
DEER
RED PAVILION
MEDICAL
CENTER GATE
ENTRANCE
CASSOWARY
BALD EAGLE
OTTER
PETTING ZOO
FISCHER
BIRD
GARDEN
GREAT
HORNBILL
GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG
& ZEBRA
COASTAL
POOL
FARM
KOMODO DRAGON
RED
NYALA CROWNED
ANTELOPE CRANE
PRAIRIE
DOG
MAN
N PA
RK D
R IV E
BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO
Animals live in all different habitats around the world, from the mountains
of South America to the scrublands of Indonesia. We can find animals
almost everywhere! Think about the state of Texas; is there more than one
habitat found here? Can you look at a map and travel around the state
and name all the different habitats found here? Can you name at least one
animal found in Texas that may be considered invasive?
PARKING
TAKE A TOUR OF TEXAS!
WHAT’S A CREATURE QUEST?
Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful
quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be
sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled,
educational Houston Zoo experience.
BIG PLACE, BIG DIVERSITY
Texas is the second largest state in the United States, after
Alaska. It is home to many different habitats and a wide
variety of animals. Like most states, the environments of Texas
look a lot like those in neighboring states. But with diverse
neighbors, it should be no surprise that Texas has so many
different ecosystems!
NEEDS AND WANTS
Habitats provide food, water, shelter, and space for the
animals that live there. Every habitat provides these things
in different amounts. This means that every habitat presents
different challenges to the animals who live within them,
depending on which resources are readily available and
which are scarce.
T
E
UR
D TOPIC:
FE
A
CHANGE OF SCENERY
CREATURE
QUESTS
TEXAS
HABITATS
With such a large area, Texas includes a huge variety of
habitats. If you drove across the state from east to west, you’d
start in a swampy pine forest, drive through hills, see some
prairie, cross several rivers and eventually end up in a desert
with mountains looming above you. At every stop you’d see
different animals with different ways of surviving.
TEXAS PRIDE
With so many different habitats and animals, it’s no wonder
that Texas has chosen many animals as symbols to represent
the state. We have a state reptile, state amphibian, state bird,
state fish, and three different state mammals! Texas is also
home to some endemic animals, which are species that can
be found nowhere else but the Lone Star State.
AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
TEKS ALIGNMENT: 1st–5th grade: 10A, 7th grade: 10A
AMPHIBIANS
(HILL COUNTRY)
1
The central part of Texas is often called the Hill Country. It is
home to several species that are only found there and nowhere
else in the world. Two of these are endangered amphibians,
the Barton Springs Salamander and the Houston Toad.
WHERE TO GO:
As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about Texas habitats. Make
sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search
for a similar animal.
• Why do you think amphibians require a moist habitat?
• Do you think an animal that is picky about its habitat is more or less at risk of
becoming endangered? Why?
BAT CAVE
YELLOW
PAVILION
FARM
OCELOT
(SOUTH TEXAS)
2
BROWN PELICAN
JOHN P. McGOVERN
CHILDRENʼS ZOO
BUTTERFLY
STAGE
MEDICAL
CENTER GATE
ENTRANCE
AFRICAN
WILD DOG
MANDRILL
CHIMPANZEE
SOUTH AMERICAN
EXHIBIT
ANTEATER
& MANED
WOLF
MANED
WOLF
TAPIR
MEERKAT
BROWN EDUCATION
CENTER
GATE
5
McNAIR
ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT
JAGUAR
VULTURE
N
GRIZZLY
BEAR
THE
AFRICAN FOREST
GATE
6
SIFAKA
(LEMUR)
SPECTACLED
BEAR
ANKOLE CATTLE
CARRUTH
NATURAL
ENCOUNTERS
COUGAR
OCELOT
CHEETAH
GIFT
SHOP
WERLER
STAGE
AMPHIBIANS
MONKEYS &
ORANGUTANS
RED SAROFIM
PANDA COURT
MAIN
ENTRANCE
YELLOW
BACKED
DUIKER
BONGO & OKAPI
ANTELOPE
OKAPI
STR EET
• Why do you think the prairie dog is so important to the prairie ecosystem?
• Can you think of other prairie animals that might need prairie dogs around in order
to survive?
2 TIGER
ENTRANCE
CA MB RID GE
5
The prairie is a grassland habitat. With few trees, the
biggest challenge here is a lack of shelter. The prairie dog
is considered a keystone species in this habitat, which means
that the habitat depends on the animal.
1
WORTHAM WORLD
OF PRIMATES
MASIHARA
PAVILION
CHIMP
HER
(PRAIRIE)
SEA
LION
REFLECTION
POOL
TROPICAL
BIRD
HOUSE
BROWN
PELICAN
CYPRESS CIRCLE
CAFE
LION
4-D
EXPERIENCE
(FOREST)
PRAIRIE DOG
TORTOISE
MACAW
FLAMINGO
3
GIRAFFE
GIRAFFE
& OSTRICH
TRADING POST
REFRESHMENTS
GREAT HORNED OWL
• What do you think are the benefits to being nocturnal in a forest habitat?
• What are the good and bad things about living in a place with many other species?
NATURALLY
WILD
SWAP SHOP
KARAMU
OUTPOST
THE AFRICAN
FOREST
WHITE RHINO
& KUDU
KIPP
AQUARIUM
BIRDS
OF THE
WORLD
SHOEBILL
STORK
EXIT
GIFT
SHOP
TWIGA TERRACE
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
• What characteristics of the brown pelican make it well-suited for a life on the water?
• Why do you think human activities inland can affect the pelican and its environment?
4
4
BLUE
PAVILION
WILDLIFE
CAROUSEL
CONSERVATION
KIOSK
CASSOWARY
BABIRUSA
There are many aquatic habitats in Texas, including the Gulf
of Mexico. The brown pelican is a common sight along the
Texas coast, diving into the water to catch fish. While it is
common now, the brown pelican was endangered for many
years due to a pesticide called DDT.
The forests in Texas are made up primarily of pine trees. This
is a crowded habitat which is home to many different animal
species. The great horned owl lives and nests in the upper
layers, but hunts animals that live on the ground.
BALD EAGLE
OTTER
GUEST
RELATIONS
MACAW
CAFE
FISCHER
BIRD
GARDEN
GREAT
HORNBILL
GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG
& ZEBRA
COASTAL
POOL
GREAT
RED PAVILION
HORNED OWL
(AQUATIC HABITATS)
3
RED
NYALA CROWNED
ANTELOPE CRANE
PRAIRIE
DOG
PETTING ZOO
South Texas is a subtropical environment. It is home to many
animals that are typically found in Mexico and Central
America, including a small, spotted cat called the ocelot. The
ocelot is endangered throughout its range, especially in Texas.
•Why do you think animals that are unusual elsewhere in the U.S. are found in
South Texas?
•What do you think are the main reasons for this cat’s endangered status?
5
MAN
N PA
RK D
R IV E
BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO
In the classroom or at home, research animals that are unique to Texas.
Describe their habitats and the special adaptations they have to live in
those habitats. Research the animals that are state symbols of Texas,
along with their habitats and adaptations. Compare and contrast the animals that are unique to the state and the animals that represent the state.
PARKING
CLASSY CREATURES
WHAT’S A CREATURE QUEST?
Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful
quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be
sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled,
educational Houston Zoo experience.
BACKBONES
Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone. While they
all have this in common, they can be sorted into six major
groups called classes by looking for the characteristics that
are different. These classes include mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians, and two classes of fish.
WATER DWELLERS
The biggest group of vertebrates are fish. These animals are
cold-blooded, live in the water and usually get their oxygen
through gills rather than lungs. They move by swimming,
using their fins and tails, and they lay eggs to reproduce. This
group is so large it is divided into two classes based on their
skeletons, the bony fish and the cartilaginous fish.
T
E
UR
D TOPIC:
FE
A
COLD-BLOODED
CREATURE
QUESTS
AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
VERTEBRATE
ZOOLOGY
Two classes of vertebrates that are usually grouped together
are reptiles and amphibians. Both groups are cold-blooded,
meaning their body temperature depends on the temperature
of their environment, and both reproduce by laying eggs.
The biggest difference between the two groups is their skin.
Amphibians have moist, permeable skin, while reptiles are
covered in dry scales.
FEATHERS AND FUR
There are only two classes of vertebrates that are warmblooded: birds and mammals. These animals produce their
own heat, so their body temperature remains relatively
constant no matter the weather. Birds are covered in feathers
and lay hard-shelled eggs. Mammals have hair or fur, although
not always all over their bodies. Mammals are unique among
animals because they give birth to live young and produce
milk for their offspring.
TEKS ALIGNMENT: K–5th grade: 10A, 6th grade: 12C,
Biology: 8A, 8B, 8C
FLOODED FOREST
(KIPP AQUARIUM)
This exhibit is home to several species of freshwater fish from
South America. These fish are all adapted to using different
parts of the water column. While most of them are bony
fishes, the rays that are typically found near the bottom are
cartilaginous and are related to sharks.
• What differences can you observe between the varied species in the exhibit?
• What traits of fish are helpful for life in the water?
• What traits keep them from living on land?
1
WHERE TO GO:
As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about vertebrates. Make sure
to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search for a
similar animal.
BAT CAVE
YELLOW
PAVILION
(REPTILE HOUSE)
2
•What characteristics of amphibians limit them to moist environments?
•This is the smallest group of vertebrates. Why do you think that is?
SPUR-THIGHED
TORTOISE
3
JOHN P. McGOVERN
CHILDRENʼS ZOO
BUTTERFLY
STAGE
MEDICAL
CENTER GATE
ENTRANCE
GIRAFFE &
GIRAFFE
4-D
EXPERIENCE
AFRICAN LION
5
Lions are unique among the cats in their social structure.
Unlike most cats, which are solitary and prefer to live alone,
lions live in a group called a pride. A pride of lions is usually
made up of several related females, a dominant male, and
their cubs.
• A lion doesn’t need fur to keep warm. In what ways does a lion’s fur help it survive?
• What are the benefits and challenges of having live birth instead of laying eggs?
ANKOLE CATTLE
CHIMPANZEE
SOUTH AMERICAN
EXHIBIT
ANTEATER
& MANED
WOLF
HER
MAN
N PA
RK D
R IV E
MANED
WOLF
MANDRILL
CARRUTH
NATURAL
ENCOUNTERS
GATE
6
MEERKAT
WERLER
STAGE
BROWN EDUCATION
CENTER
GATE
5
McNAIR
ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT
VULTURE
N
GRIZZLY
BEAR
TAPIR
GIFT
SHOP
COUGAR
SPECTACLED
BEAR
THE
AFRICAN FOREST
STR EET
• What purposes do you think the ostrich’s feathers serve?
• What are some of the similarities and differences between an ostrich and birds
that can fly?
AFRICAN
WILD DOG
RED SAROFIM
PANDA COURT
MAIN
ENTRANCE
SIFAKA
(LEMUR)
WORTHAM WORLD
OF PRIMATES
SMALL JAGUAR
CATS
& FOSSA
CHEETAH
ENTRANCE
CHIMP
CA MB RID GE
4
AFRICAN LION TIGER
MASIHARA
PAVILION
TRADING POST
REFRESHMENTS
OSTRICH
The ostrich is the largest bird species alive today. Like most
ratites, including emus and cassowaries, ostriches have lost
the ability to fly in exchange for large size. While they can’t
fly, they have strong legs for running and a powerful kick they
use to protect themselves.
5
THE AFRICAN
FOREST
WHITE RHINO
& KUDU
• What are the benefits and challenges of having a shell?
• How many different shapes and sizes of scales can you observe on the tortoise?
MONKEYS &
ORANGUTANS
BABIRUSA
OSTRICH
REFLECTION
POOL
AMPHIBIANS
EXIT
4
MACAW
2
CYPRESS CIRCLE
CAFE
GUEST
RELATIONS
FLOODED
FOREST
SEA
LION
TROPICAL
BIRD
HOUSE
1
CONSERVATION
KIOSK
FLAMINGO
SPUR-THIGHED
TORTOISE DUCK
LAKE
KARAMU
OUTPOST
GIFT
SHOP
TWIGA TERRACE
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
These large tortoises are native to the arid regions of Africa.
They are one of the largest species of tortoises on Earth. The
shell of a tortoise is covered in large scales, and its ribs and
spine make up the support for the shell.
3
NATURALLY
WILD
SWAP SHOP
BLUE
PAVILION
WILDLIFE
CAROUSEL
BIRDS
OF THE
WORLD
SHOEBILL
STORK
DEER
RED PAVILION
There are many species of amphibians on exhibit in the Reptile
House. Amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders, newts,
and caecilians. Amphibians spend at least part of their life cycle living in the water and breathing through gills. Their eggs
must remain moist at all times and are usually laid in water.
CASSOWARY
BALD EAGLE
OTTER
PETTING ZOO
MACAW
CAFE
FISCHER
BIRD
GARDEN
GREAT
HORNBILL
GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG
& ZEBRA
COASTAL
POOL
FARM
AMPHIBIANS
RED
NYALA CROWNED
ANTELOPE CRANE
PRAIRIE
DOG
YELLOW
BACKED
DUIKER
BONGO & OKAPI
ANTELOPE
OKAPI
BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO
In the classroom, research the number of species in each class of
vertebrates, and list them by size. Make a list of everyone’s favorite animal
or group of animals. Classify each animal into the correct vertebrate class
(for example, tigers belong with “mammals”). Rank the classes by the
number of people who chose a favorite animal from that class. Compare
the size list and the popularity list. How are the rankings different? Are
there any groups that aren’t represented at all?
PARKING
WHAT ONCE WAS HERE MAY
BE GONE TOMORROW
WHAT’S A CREATURE QUEST?
Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful
quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be
sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled,
educational Houston Zoo experience.
STATUS UPDATE
Animals are disappearing from our planet at an alarming rate.
When the population size of an animal decreases, scientists
work to study them in order to save them from going extinct.
Animal researchers use a system to name species depending
on how many of them are left in the wild. Animals that have
a healthy population are titled stable or least concern. From
there animals can become near threatened, vulnerable, and
then endangered. If we lose an entire population, the animal
then becomes extinct.
T
E
UR
D TOPIC:
FE
A
H.I.P.P.O.
CREATURE
QUESTS
AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
ENDANGERED
SPECIES
Animals become endangered for many reasons. At the
Houston Zoo we use an acronym called “H.I.P.P.O.” to
describe some of the most common ways animals become
endangered. H stands for habitat loss or destruction. I stands
for invasive species (when a non-native animal affects the
population of a native animal). The first P stands for pollution.
Humans create a lot of pollution which can damage animals
or the habitat in which they live. The second P stands for
pet trade. Unfortunately, many people buy exotic pets (like
parrots) which are sometimes taken from the wild. Finally, the
O stands for over-harvesting. This is when people hunt an
animal to use some of its parts (like a rhino and its horn). If we
kill too many of one species, their population won’t be able to
replenish to a stable number.
CONSERVATIONISTS
Although there are many endangered species throughout the world, there is also a large group of people called
conservationists. Conservationists work everyday to protect
these animals from going extinct. Imagine if everyone in the
world did something small to help an endangered species...
we may be able to save them all!
TEKS ALIGNMENT: K–2nd grade: 3A & C, 5th grade: 9C,
Biology: 1B, Environmental Systems: 9E
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
1
•
•
American alligators are native to the southwestern United
States. Unfortunately, these animals were once on the
endangered species list because of over-hunting and invasive
species. After intense conservation efforts, these giant reptiles
have recovered and are now a protected species.
WHERE TO GO:
As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about endangered species.
Make sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit,
search for a similar animal.
Why do you think people over-hunted alligators?
Alligator numbers decreased greatly in Florida when an invasive species (Burmese
pythons) started eating young alligators. Why is it a bad idea to release an exotic
pet outdoors?
BAT CAVE
YELLOW
PAVILION
2
RHINOCEROS
3
PETTING ZOO
RED PAVILION
JOHN P. McGOVERN
CHILDRENʼS ZOO
BUTTERFLY
STAGE
MEDICAL
CENTER GATE
ENTRANCE
5
Cheetahs are an endangered species. Their food supply
has decreased greatly, causing them to eat farmers’ livestock (goats, cows, etc.). Farmers retaliated by hunting the
cheetahs. In Africa, there is a large conservation project
to help save cheetahs. A large breed of dog (Anatolian
Shepherd) was brought into Africa to protect the livestock.
• Do you think the dogs keep the cheetahs from eating the livestock?
• If so, how does this project help protect the cheetahs?
CYPRESS CIRCLE
CAFE
SIFAKA
(LEMUR)
& KUDU
4-D
EXPERIENCE
CHEETAH
AFRICAN
WILD DOG
SMALL JAGUAR
CATS
& FOSSA
MEERKAT
WERLER
STAGE
BROWN EDUCATION
CENTER
GATE
5
2
ASIAN ELEPHANT
VULTURE
SPECTACLED
BEAR
ANKOLE CATTLE
THE
AFRICAN FOREST
CHIMPANZEE
SOUTH AMERICAN
EXHIBIT
ANTEATER
& MANED
WOLF
MANED
WOLF
N
GRIZZLY
BEAR
ENTRANCE
CHIMP
GATE
6
COUGAR
MASIHARA
PAVILION
TRADING POST
REFRESHMENTS
MANDRILL
GIFT
SHOP
CARRUTH
NATURAL
ENCOUNTERS
AMERICAN
ALLIGATOR
MONKEYS &
ORANGUTANS
TIGER
LION
RED SAROFIM
PANDA COURT
MAIN
ENTRANCE
TAPIR
YELLOW
BACKED
DUIKER
BONGO & OKAPI
ANTELOPE
OKAPI
STR EET
CHEETAH
1
WORTHAM WORLD
OF PRIMATES
5
CA MB RID GE
• If bald eagles eat mainly fish, how could a pesticide found on crops hurt their
food supply?
• Bald eagles were once seen as nuisances. Now, how do we view bald eagles in
the United States?
DUCK
LAKE
GIRAFFE &
GIRAFFE
OSTRICH
THE AFRICAN
FOREST
RHINOCEROS
BALD EAGLE
4
TORTOISE
KARAMU
OUTPOST
3
• Why is it so hard to protect an animal like a rhino from becoming extinct?
• Can you think of a law that could be passed to help us better protect rhinos around
the world?
Bald eagles were once hunted in the United States and were
harmed by a pesticide used on crops called DDT. They were
listed as an endangered species and have since recovered
because of conservation efforts that helped to ban the
pesticide in 1972.
SEA
LION
REFLECTION
POOL
TROPICAL
BIRD
HOUSE
EXIT
GIFT
SHOP
TWIGA TERRACE
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
MACAW
FLAMINGO
NATURALLY
WILD
SWAP SHOP
BABIRUSA
White rhinos are listed as near threatened. They were nearly
hunted to extinction for their large horns. After diligent
conservation efforts to protect the species, white rhinos
have come back from the brink of extinction. Unfortunately,
the other four remaining species of rhino are all listed as
endangered or critically endangered.
KIPP
AQUARIUM
BIRDS
OF THE
WORLD
SHOEBILL
STORK
BLUE
PAVILION
WILDLIFE
CAROUSEL
CONSERVATION
KIOSK
CASSOWARY
DEER
GUEST
RELATIONS
MACAW
CAFE
FISCHER
BIRD
GARDEN
GREAT
HORNBILL
GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG
& ZEBRA
4
BALDOTTEREAGLE
Asian elephants live in very dense forests in India and
Southeast Asia. They use their long trunks similar to using
another limb to help them eat grasses, bamboo, roots and
fruit found in their habitat. Asian elephants are endangered
because of habitat loss and over-harvesting.
• What happens to an elephant’s food supply when the trees get cut down?
• Humans illegally hunt elephants for their tusks for ivory. Can you think of a way
to stop people from doing this?
COASTAL
POOL
FARM
ASIAN ELEPHANT
RED
NYALA CROWNED
ANTELOPE CRANE
PRAIRIE
DOG
HER
MAN
N PA
RK D
R IV E
BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO
At home or with your class, research an endangered species of your
choice. Find out the reasons why the animal is endangered. Then, research
a conservation organization that is trying to help that species. Check their
website or call them to see what you can do to help their efforts!
PARKING
DISCOVER THE “WHEN” FOR
THESE AMAZING ANIMALS!
WHAT’S A CREATURE QUEST?
Creature Quests were created to lead you on a meaningful
quest through the Houston Zoo. As you visit these exhibits, be
sure to consider the questions listed. Get ready for a fun-filled,
educational Houston Zoo experience.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Animals have unique schedules to keep. Some are active
during the day, while some are more successful in the middle
of the night. Still others dabble between the two or may switch
it up depending on the season. Why do they do this? This type
of scheduling allows more animals to utilize the same habitat.
By using the habitat at different times, there is less competition
for food, water, shelter and space.
SUNNY DAYS
Diurnal animals are those that are most active during the
day. Diurnal animals include squirrels, many types of hawks,
zebras and chimpanzees. These animals have specialized
adaptations, such as camouflage, that allow them to thrive in
the daytime.
T
E
UR
D TOPIC:
FE
A
STARRY NIGHTS
CREATURE
QUESTS
AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
NIGHT,
DAY AND
IN BETWEEN
Nocturnal animals are animals that come out at night. These
include owls, many big cats like lions and tigers, as well as
armadillos and skunks. These animals also have specialized
adaptations, different than those of diurnal animals, that
help them survive during the darkest hours of the night. Their
adaptations include keen eyesight and hearing, among others.
DREARY DUSKS AND DAWNS
Crepuscular animals are the in-betweeners. These animals are
most active at dawn and at dusk. By keeping this schedule
these animals are able to successfully forage for food and
protect themselves by spending the hottest and darkest parts of
the day tucked away. This group of animals include cougars,
deer, rabbits and foxes.
TEKS ALIGNMENT: K–2nd grade: 9A, 1st–5th grade: 10A,
2nd & 5th grade: 9A, 7th grade: 10A & 12A, 8th grade: 11B,
Biology: 12B
RED
PANDA
In 1821, the red panda was the first panda to be discovered.
1
This discovery came 48 years before the giant panda was
found! Most active during the dawn and dusk hours, red
pandas are considered crepuscular. Their red coloration
helps these animals blend into the lichen-covered trees of
China, Burma, Nepal and Tibet.
WHERE TO GO:
As you trek through the Zoo, visit these five animals to discover more about activity patterns. Make
sure to start with #1 and follow the map. If an animal is not on exhibit on the day you visit, search
for a similar animal.
• How would blending in help these animals survive?
• Judging by their heavy coats, what is the climate like in their wild habitats?
• Why do you think their Zoo exhibit is completely indoors?
BAT CAVE
YELLOW
PAVILION
2
These leaping lemurs are found on the island of Madagascar
off the eastern coast of Africa. These animals are diurnal,
spending 30-40% of their daylight hours foraging for leaves,
fruit buds and tree bark. Sifakas are quite the “busy bodies”,
eating over 100 different types of plants.
• Why is it beneficial for sifakas to be diurnal?
•They live in dense rainforests; if they lived in a more sparsely planted habitat, would
that change their schedule? Why?
MALAYAN TIGER
3
JOHN P. McGOVERN
CHILDRENʼS ZOO
BUTTERFLY
STAGE
5
The tallest animals in the world are also fairly sociable, often
found in herds. They are equipped for stripping leaves off the
tallest of trees. Their “equipment” includes an 18 inch tongue!
And, similar to humans, giraffes have 7 neck vertebrae, each
being about a foot tall!
• As you observe these gentle giants, note their activity level. Are they asleep?
Are they roaming around their exhibit?
• Would you call them nocturnal, diurnal or crepuscular?
TORTOISE
KARAMU
OUTPOST
MACAW
DUCK
LAKE
1
REFLECTION
POOL
5
CARRUTH
NATURAL
ENCOUNTERS
4-D
EXPERIENCE
AFRICAN
WILD DOG
ANKOLE CATTLE
CHIMPANZEE
MANEDTAPIR
WOLF
YELLOW
BACKED
DUIKER
BONGO & OKAPI
ANTELOPE
BROWN EDUCATION
CENTER
GATE
5
SIFAKA
(LEMUR)
MANDRILL
McNAIR
ASIAN ELEPHANT HABITAT
VULTURE
N
GRIZZLY
BEAR
4
THE
AFRICAN FOREST
ENTRANCE
CHIMP
REPTILES
AND
AMPHIBIANS
SPECTACLED
BEAR
MASIHARA
PAVILION
TRADING POST
REFRESHMENTS
2
WORTHAM WORLD
OF PRIMATES
SMALL JAGUAR
CATS
& FOSSA
CHEETAH
THE AFRICAN
FOREST
WHITE RHINO
& KUDU
MONKEYS &
ORANGUTANS
MALAYAN
TIGERCOUGAR
LION
GATE
6
MEERKAT
BABIRUSA
3
& OSTRICH
MAIN
ENTRANCE
GIFT
RED SAROFIM SHOP
SEA
COURT
LION PANDA
TROPICAL
BIRD
HOUSE
CYPRESS CIRCLE
CAFE
GIRAFFE
GIRAFFE
OKAPI
SOUTH AMERICAN
EXHIBIT
ANTEATER
& MANED
WOLF
HER
GIRAFFE
KIPP
AQUARIUM
STR EET
• See if you can spot them in their exhibit. Are they resting? Or fairly active?
• What type of animal would you classify them as: diurnal, nocturnal or crepuscular?
EXIT
CA MB RID GE
4
This type of wolf does not live in a pack like you may think.
They also don’t howl, but rather bark or yap like a fox. They
are solitary individuals only seeking each other out during
breeding season. These animals can be rather tricky as they
are active in the late afternoon and night.
BLUE
PAVILION
WILDLIFE
CAROUSEL
GIFT
SHOP
TWIGA TERRACE
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
MANED WOLF
CONSERVATION
KIOSK
FLAMINGO
NATURALLY
WILD
SWAP SHOP
GUEST
RELATIONS
MACAW
CAFE
WERLER
STAGE
MEDICAL
CENTER GATE
ENTRANCE
• Why is being quiet important to Malayan tigers?
• What do you think a tiger’s stripes are used for?
BIRDS
OF THE
WORLD
SHOEBILL
STORK
DEER
RED PAVILION
These animals mainly hunt under the cover of night. These
nocturnal animals hunt boar, deer, fish and rabbits. They are
mainly solitary animals, only joining another Malayan tiger
during breeding season. Their large eyes and padded feet
help them travel undetected through the night.
CASSOWARY
BALD EAGLE
OTTER
PETTING ZOO
FISCHER
BIRD
GARDEN
GREAT
HORNBILL
GIANT ELAND, WARTHOG
& ZEBRA
COASTAL
POOL
FARM
SIFAKA
RED
NYALA CROWNED
ANTELOPE CRANE
PRAIRIE
DOG
MAN
N PA
RK D
R IV E
BEYOND THE HOUSTON ZOO
Take 10 minutes in the morning and look out in your backyard or school
yard. Notice the animals you see there and make a list. Do the same
at dusk and in the evening. Compare your list with classmates and then
determine which animals are nocturnal, diurnal and crepuscular. Try
this activity again during another season and see if your list changes.
Remember to include insects too.
PARKING