A Zoo You Must See!
The Memphis Zoo is definitely worth the drive! No matter where we go on vacation, we always take a day to visit that city's zoo.
From Florida to Hawaii we have visited zoos across the U.S. By far,
my favorite zoo is in Memphis, TN.
The city of Memphis may be home of
the Blues, Beale Street, Elvis, Graceland, Sun Studios and the Mississippi River Bluffs, but I would add the Memphis Zoo to their list of places you must see when you visit. As a matter of fact, if you ask me, it should be at the top of the list!
If you find yourself traveling through Mississippi, Arkansas or Tennessee, I would highly recommend a side trip to Memphis for a day at the zoo.
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| Entrance of the Memphis Zoo at Christmas |
Entrance to the Memphis Zoo
Before you even buy your ticket and enter the zoo, you are greeted by Egyptian style architecture which is in and of itself a vision. There are large concrete animals in rows out front where we saw parents taking pictures
of their children proudly "riding" the animals.
This is your first indication of the adventure that awaits you inside the gates of the Memphis Zoo.
Tigers in Cat Country at the Memphis Zoo
Cat Country at the Memphis Zoo
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White Bengal Tiger Photo by Sylvestermouse
You Can Learn More about Bengal Tigers at Amazing Wild Animals |
This is one of the areas that make the Memphis Zoo spectacular. These gorgeous cats are not behind bars! They are in open fields created to mimic their natural habitat. Believe me, these "cats" can definitely make you feel like you are the prey in an African savanna with just a look.
Cat Country is the home of some of the most beautiful specimen of big cats. In addition to tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and jaguar, this is also the area for a red panda, a gorgeous lynx and a family of meerkats, which are my daughter's personal favorite.
If you want to go on an African Safari for a reasonable price, this is the place for you!
Animals of the Night at the Memphis Zoo
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| Cacomistle Photo by Sylvestermouse |
This is where I first fell in love with a vampire. Step aside "Twilight", the bat was here first!
There are so many wonderful creatures in this house. This exhibit is
full of nocturnal animals. I doubt we even saw them all. In addition to
the bats, they have an Aardvark, a Mole Rat, a few Porcupine, several
different species of Loris, a Sloth, a Wombat, a Cuscus and a lot of
other night time beauties. I have never seen a better nocturnal exhibit
anywhere.
The Komodo Dragon at the Memphis Zoo
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| Komodo Dragon Photo by Cynthia Sylvestermouse |
This
dude is huge! He made me feel like I was on exhibit for him instead of
the reverse.
While the Komodo Dragon is not normally dangerous to
humans, it was obvious to me that he eats mammals. Ironically, I was not
the least bit intimidated by any of the big cats or the bears, but this
guy scared the dickens out of me.
But don't worry, he has a gigantic fan club. I'm just not a member.
Tropical Bird House at the Memphis Zoo
This is another house where we could spend hours. So many beautiful birds
and so little time.
The colors on these birds are so bright & vivid.
Seeing them up close truly is better than seeing them through
binoculars. In spite of the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them
up close, I honestly had the desire to set them all free, but logically I
know that they are healthy and well cared for by their keepers at the
Memphis Zoo.
While there are lots of gorgeous birds behind glass
enclosures for one to view up close, the fabulous attraction in this
house is the vast open room with trees and water literally filled with
birds. The sounds and sights in this area are breathtaking.
This really is a birdwatchers fantasy come true!
(Do you see the little Yellow Headed Blackbird in the background left?)
Hippos at the Memphis Zoo
Hippos can be viewed daily at the Memphis Zoo. These awesome Hippos recently moved into
their new home, "Zambezi River Hippo Camp"
This section of the zoo also features other animals found near the Zambezi River such as the Nile Crocodile and Okapi.
Memphis Zoo guests are able to enjoy seeing hippos both on land and below water.
Did you know that Hippos are considered the deadliest animals in Africa? You can find out why by visiting Amazing Wild Animals!
Aquarium at the Memphis Zoo
This is another building one could explore for hours. The Aquarium is home
to 156 species of marine and freshwater organisms from around the world. The Memphis Zoo currently breeds and exhibits two species of cichlid that are extinct in the wild.
If fish, turtles, or aquatic wildlife are your passion, this is the place to be!
Herpetarium at the Memphis Zoo
If I ever lost my son at the zoo, the Herpetarium is where I could find
him. This building is literally packed with frogs, spiders, snakes,
lizards and small alligators.
While there are plenty of faces crowding around the snakes, I am glad
to say that we crowd around the frogs. The colors on frogs are so
bright and vivid. It is hard to choose, but I think our favorite would
be the Poison Dart Frog.
However, the Memphis Zoo is reknowned for being the first zoo to
successfully breed the endangerd Mississippi Gopher Frog. The Memphis Zoo has produced 93 Mississippi gopher tadpoles, a number
nearly matching the 100 frogs still living in the wild.
Penguin Rock, Round Barn & Once Upon a Farm
These are a few areas that little children especially enjoy. My daughter would never allow us to visit a zoo without locating the penquin. She adores the little "tuxedo" babies and believe me, there are plenty of penguin on Penguin Rock.
Close by is the Round Barn, an exhibit of smaller exotic hoofstock and birds. It is the home of the gazelles and warthog.
"Once Upon a Farm" is an exhibit where visitors can learn about the basics of
farm life. This area is built to resemble a farm in the 1900's. They
even have a working well that pumps up fresh water and everyone can
enjoy a ride an old-fashioned train around the exhibit.
China Exhibit at the Memphis Zoo
The Memphis Zoo has built a big, beautiful home for the Giant Panda Bears.
As you enter through the gates of the China exhibit, you follow a path
that leads to Ya Ya and Le Le, but long before you get to them, there
are huge ponds of fish, a variety of birds, ducks and several other
species native to China. There is even a little Otter.
No question the
Panda's are fantastic, but the other animals in this "house" are
fascinating as well.
Primate Canyon at the Memphis Zoo
Primate Canyon is another area that features naturalistic, outdoor exhibits.
This large open area is home for a variety of monkeys and apes. Monkeys,
Orangutans and Gorillas abound in this exhibit.
Primate Canyon is in the center of the zoo. As a result of its
location, you call hear the monkeys howling throughout the park. It
opened in 1995 and has been a top favorite of Zoo visitors ever since.
Butterfly Garden
This extraordinary Butterfly Garden is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. It is absolutely filled with gorgeous flowers graced by lovely butterflies. Some were so exquisite that they didn't even look real, but they were definitely alive.
Not only did we see hundreds of butterflies, but my son found a Luna Moth. Because a Luna Moth has such a short life, it is rare to sight one. Clearly, seeing the Luna Moth was the highlight of our visit to the Memphis Zoo.
African Veldt at the Memphis Zoo
The African Veldt is an area dedicated to Giraffes, Rhinos, Zebras, & Elephants.
We were there at just the right time to see the whole Giraffe family. Mother, father & baby giraffe all came out to eat while we were standing in front of their enclosure. While the baby may not be little next to one of us, she was absolutely dwarfed by her parents.
The African Veldt is where the ostrich and the antelope play. Okay, I admit it, this is usually the point where I start singing "home, home on the range." Seriously, you know those little antelope look like deer.
Oh, well, at least Memphians are accustomed to various styles of musical talent and my family learned decades ago to either laugh with me or to ignore me.
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| White-Naped Crane |
World of Waterfowl
This area is a more peaceful area than the rest of the zoo. It is aptly named because there are indeed a world of waterfowl!
There are two bridges to walk across and watch beautiful Swans,
Pink Flamingos or a variety of geese and ducks swimming or view a Crane just standing around.
The area around the waterfowl lake is lovely too. It would make a great background spot for photos. I have often imagined a wedding party enjoying this wonderful opportunity for outstanding and original pictures. Or, perhaps, an anniversary party.
Like all of the photos in this article, the picture of the White-Naped Crane is from my own personal photo album. I was thrilled to be able to snap this shot!
Northwest Passage at the Memphis Zoo
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| He is Almost Close Enough to Touch! |
Another one of my favorite exhibits at the Memphis Zoo is the Northwest Passage. In this exhibit there is an air conditioned, indoor viewing area where you can watch the Polar Bears swim. There are even a few stadium benches for you to sit and rest a while.
The Polar Bears are beautiful. Who would ever imagine such a large bear could be so graceful when it swims? These giant animals seem so playful and cuddly when you have a thick piece of Plexiglas between you and them. What a magnificent way to enjoy the company of bears.
Northwest Passage is also the home for the sea lion observation bubble and a 500-seat amphitheater for daily sea lion shows.
Outside the viewing area, are the Bald Eagles and the Ravens. Both of my children "talked" to the Ravens and they answered. They are beautiful, majestic birds with attitude.
This is also the area of the Black Bear. I loved this beautiful, big pawed, pacing baby! I would swear he was waving to me every time he lifted his big paw to turn around.
I've been back to the Memphis Zoo several times since this photo was taken. I always go by to visit this guy. I think he is probably my favorite animal in the zoo.
Teton Trek at the Memphis Zoo
Home of the real Memphis Grizzly!
In February, 2008, the Memphis Zoo began construction of the zoo's gorgeous Teton Trek exhibit. The four-acre Teton Trek exhibit is now home for animals native to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem such as
Grizzly Bears, Elk, Gray Wolves, Trumpeter Swans and Sandhill Crane.
I was among the guests at the Teton Trek in the Memphis Zoo the very first week it opened. Let me tell you, it is the most beautiful zoo exhibit I have ever seen, arguably the most beautiful in the world!
The entrance to the Teton Trek lodge is not only inviting, it is charming with a rustic appeal befitting it's occupants. A lovely 25 foot geyser greets visitors and even allows children, or adults, to cool off in it's spray and surrounding pool.
The Great Lodge, itself, is a two-story, 5000 sq. foot multi-purpose building suited for a gathering or dinner party and features a fabulous large fireplace. A spacious upper mezzanine provides a photo and artifact area that leads to a outside deck for animal viewing at a safe distance.
For the truly adventurous, you are free to walk around the actual grounds via the boardwalk. It is extremely safe, so fear not! Don't miss the opportunity to walk through the entire park.
Read More about the Teton Trek at the Memphis Zoo
- Teton Trek at the Memphis Zoo
I
absolutely love zoos! My all time favorite zoo is in Memphis, TN. They
have been improving and adding new addtiions to the Memphis Zoo for
years. Every time I go, it is like a new adventure. Their most recent
addition, called Teton Trek,...
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Please Do Not Copy, Reproduce or Use the Photos without the written permission of Sylvestermouse Cynthia.
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Grey Wolf Ripping up Sod
Two Wolves Playing
Beautiful Grey Wolf
The Game of Chase
Searching for Fun
Swimming Together
Adult Grizzly Bear
Adult Grey Wolves
Still Enjoying the Limelight
