#toronto zoo

[hometoursandotherstuff]

#toronto zoo #other stuff

[trithedragon]

I got some funny paper at the Toronto zoo so I’m using it to doodle animals

#seagull #badger #moose #art #artwork #artists on tumblr #poopoopaper #canada #toronto zoo #toronto #ink #traditional art

[bignosebaby]

We could all learn a lot from him

#nassir the gorilla #gorillas #apes #great apes #toronto zoo #primate behavior #lol #primates

[is-the-primate-vid-cute]

Tell me more about non human primate mourning

Like humans, every primate mourns differently. Some don't react much, some freak out, some are just lethargic and not themselves for a while. I recently had an interesting conversation with an employee at the Toronto zoo who briefed me on how they handle primate residents passing, and it was very interesting!

This is Hoot. He is a white handed gibbon in his older years who, in recent months, lost his partner. Though this isn't the first partner he's lost, their close bond is reflected in his behavior. He has barely lived up to his namesake since she died-- rarely singing or hooting. Gibbon songs are a big part of their courtship and partner duets are a daily bonding ritual. Since losing his partner, Hoot has not made as many public appearences, preferring to watch and observe from afar or be on his own. Hopefully he gets his hooting and hollering back soon.

Another primate who has lost a partner somewhat recently is Charles, the reigning silverback of the gorilla family.

In 2020 his long time mate Josephine began suffering from declining health and after veterinarians ruled out treatable ailments and her health failed to improve, Josephine was euthanized. Having mothered 4 children with Charles, a few of whom were with her in her final weeks, she was an integral part of the troupe. The Toronto Zoo staff allowed the troupe to visit Josephine's body on two occassions, in a way very similarly to human mourning rituals of saying goodbye.

These are light examples. Primates can mourn hard, to the point where not all facilities will allow goodbyes with the body. Some will act as if the deceased is still alive: poking, prodding, shaking, hitting the body to get a reaction is not uncommon. Some will move the body by carrying it or dragging it around and it can be very difficult to separate a living primate from the body it carries. While not common in captivity, post mortem cannibalism can occur. Mod E once witnessed a capuchin trying to feed his deceased brother his favourite food. It can be hard to watch. I've seen wild chimpanzees scream and pound on the body of a slain troupe member.

Every primate is different and it's wise not to project human emotions onto non-human's actions, but there are striking similarities and loss can be a very intense process.

#inquiring minds want to know #mod j #toronto zoo #animal death #primate behavior

[vox-anglosphere]

A welcome item of good news for these turbulent times. Enjoy!

#Toronto Zoo #White rhinos #endangered species #newborn #animal welfare #conservation #rhino calf #baby rhino #good news #December 2023 #Happy New Year

[beardedmrbean]

The Toronto Zoo

#meerkat #meerkats #toronto zoo #dashcon

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Spiny Leaf Insect - Extatosoma tiaratum

It's been many years since I've laid my eyes on one of these magnificent creatures, and even longer since my days at UofT where I held one in my hand. As such, it was gratifying to see so many individuals on display at the Toronto Zoo and to soak in all their details and movements (mostly wobbles and slow, methodical steps) while observing them. With many female individuals, and a few different instars among them, I should have taken a video, but there was lots of exciting screaming in the background from the otters and reptiles. As much as I love animals, this blog is all about the insects, and so today we have pictures of these Giant Prickly Stick Insects. Today, they are known by many names such as Australian Walking Sticks, Spiny Leaf Insects, Macleay’s Spectres (named for British entomologist William Macleay and referencing their order Phasmatodea, whose name is derived form apparitions or more commonly, ghosts) or E. tiaratum. What ever you call them, just don't call them "Leaf Insects". Those are a different branch of Phasmid, of the family Phylliidae. Amazing as the former are, these large armored insects also have a certain special quality to them. Maybe it's just how large and unusual they are compared to our fauna, but I certainly think that they're eye-catching when they can actually be found and observed. In the wild, finding them is far more difficult since their mottled, spiked, dried-in-appearance leafy armor is meant to hide them from their predators.

These peaceful, plant-eating giants need every advantage they can secure since they aren't aggressive and are burdened with slow movement due to their armor. In most cases, if anything gets close, the "scorpion" posture combined with a mild chemical defense and their sharp spines may be just enough. But what if you're a thinner, more agile male? If you've been observant, there is one such darker individual in the background of Picture 1! They're quite different in appearance from females, being much smaller and slimmer, and they are also quite rare! Moreover, a mild reliance on using parthenogenesis to reproduce and lay eggs, they can become even rarer! The thin male has functioning wings and can use them when in danger by either flying away or flashing them to a predator, startling them. Naturally, wings also allow for a wider dispersal and an expansion to the search for fertile females. In an environment within captivity, the presence of a male may be likely to discourage parthenogenesis and in fertilized eggs that will hatch earlier after females drop them to the soil floor. There were no eggs to be found, so if you plan to visit and search for them, look for brown and white, seed-like objects fitted with a capsule-like projection (capitulum). They are likely to be removed and stored, as the eggs of E. tiaratum are reported to need cooler conditions to successfully hatch. Their terrarium may simulate a warm, tropical environment too well in that case. In the wild, Ants fulfill this condition, bringing the "seeds" underground into their food stockpile.

These insects are exhibited in the Toronto Zoo, so I’ve marked them with the Mantis icon. Pictures were taken August 27, 2023 at the Toronto Zoo with a Google Pixel 4. Please go and visit the animals (insects very much included).

#jonny’s insect catalogue #ontario insect #stick insect #spiny leaf insect #macleay's spectre #phasmatodea #phasmid #insect #toronto #toronto zoo #august2023 #2023 #nature #entomology #invertebrates

[arthyritis]

So we went to the zoo today 🐫

Some of my favourite animals that we seen :]

#greys face #toronto zoo

[wereallawalking-paradox]

#tiger #toronto zoo #toronto #ontario #photography #nature #animal photography #animals #cats #big cats

[goodiecornbread]

Inspiration Saturday!

Thanks for the tag, @rmd-writes!

Look at me, being cool with a collage.

I'm tagging @chelle-68 @treluna4 @vamprayne @smblmn @smallumbrella369

#inspiration saturday #juniverse #toronto zoo #Patrick Brewer #Juniper Brewer #rachel

[almostironvoid]

#toronto #toronto zoo

[ofbeautsandbeasts]

A red panda peacefully munching on bamboo at the Toronto Zoo

#red panda #animals #cute animals #nature #toronto zoo #OBAB Photography

[bignosebaby]

Today is Puppe the orangutans birthday!

In honor of Puppe, the oldest orangutan in North America hitting 56, here is the closest I have been to her:

Happy birthday Puppe 🎉🦧

#apes #great apes #orangutans #toronto zoo #happy birthday #primates #puppe #zoo #birthday girl

[is-the-primate-vid-cute]

Can you spot every enrichment item in this picture?

Puppe, North America's oldest orangutan enjoys some alone time in the main enclosure. However, she has lots of ways to stay busy! How many forms of enrichment do you count? 🤔🦧

#mod j #orangutans #toronto zoo #image described in alt text #enrichment

[granolabird]

I'm going to the Toronto Zoo next weekend and I have a big decision to make.

#Poll #Tumblr poll #Plushies #Plushy #Toronto zoo #I need help!! #This is a very important question #I will be posting a photo if the creature I get after my visit so get ready #Giving Tumblr all the power until i actually go there and see something totally different from this list and immidiately get attached #Last time I was there I got an eagle but I was like #10?? #I haven't been to the zoo for a long time

[beardedmrbean]

Well, at least some of us like the snow 🐻‍❄️❄️

the toronto zoo

#bears #polar bear #polar bears #ice dogs #the toronto zoo #toronto zoo