Posted by Houston Zoo’s mission statement should give you enough reason to consider this place for your next family outing.
It says: “The Houston Zoo provides a fun, unique, and inspirational experience fostering appreciation, knowledge, and care for the natural world.”
Here are some of the fantastic attractions at the Houston Zoo.
The Kipp Aquarium
Here you will be able to explore the Pacific coral reefs, the Rift Valley, the Amazon and the lakes of Africa. This aquarium is home to more than 200 species of saltwater and freshwater fishes, together with marine invertebrates.
When you enter the place, you will witness a flooded Amazon forest with gigantic catfishes and giant stingrays. Watch out because a school of dangerous piranhas might be coasting nearby.
You must take advantage of the sharks, moon jellyfish, giant pacific octopus, bright green moray eel, and many more.
The African Forest
You will start by entering an African forest and then go down a path that leads to a village trading outpost.
Drums are pounding over the distance, but you will find yourself in an indoor chimpanzee study site equipped with a big glass wall for observation.
It is interesting because as you study the chimpanzees, they, in turn, are seemingly studying you as well. This place also features a lot of giraffes, ostriches and zebras.
The McGovern Children’s Zoo
In this section, you and your kids can witness a river otter playing underwater, get up close and personal and feed the goats in the petting area, get inside a natural bat cave, and be entertained by the butterflies at the Butterfly Pavilion.
About 40 exhibits in this part of the zoo will be more than enough to burn the excess energy of your kids.
It would be best if you built up some reserves to catch up with them.
There’s also a Bug House, showcasing different insects and their part in our ecosystem.
The Bird Habitat
The Bird Habitat of the Houston Zoo contains one of the largest collections of birds in any zoo in the United States.
This place is home to more than 250 species of birds housed in the zoo’s three main bird exhibits. They are the Tropical Bird House, the Fischer Bird Garden and the Birds of the World.
You will be greeted by the largest vulture in the world – the king vulture when you enter the Bird Garden. The other two aviaries have equally exciting and remarkable birds. For more details, visit www.houstonzoo.org/.