Zoo | Definition & Meaning
Zoos can be a great place to see animals first-hand and learn about their food, habits, habitat, and all sorts of other interesting facts about animals. Another name for a zoo is zoological garden.
Today, zoos are becoming a better place for animals. In the past, some zoos were somewhat cruel to animals. Place animals in environments that are unsuitable for them and often disregard the best interests of the animals. However, many zoos today do a great job of animal research and take very good care of their animals.
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Some good things that many Zoos do today include:
Acts as a sanctuary for endangered animals. They provide a safe environment for animals threatened by environmental changes. Often, zoos have difficulty feeding and maintaining endangered populations of animals. Sometimes animals are almost extinct in the wild and the only place they exist is in zoos.
Wildlife education. Zoos provide us with a great opportunity to learn about creatures from far away lands.
Study wildlife and how we can help animals survive dramatic changes. Zoos also do research on veterinary medicine.
Modern zoos today house animals in enclosures that resemble the animals’ natural habitat. This could include buildings designed for nocturnal animals, where they light up at night so the animals can sleep and dark during the day so zoo visitors can see the animals move. .
In addition, the climate is controlled in some zoos for animals such as penguins and polar bears. Many zoos also have large open spaces where animals can graze together. Some zoos have an area where you can take part in a drive-by mini-game or ride around on a truck or bus hoping to see the animals up close.
Perhaps the most famous zoo is the San Diego Zoo in Southern California. Many modern zoo activities were pioneered at the San Diego Zoo. The largest zoo by number of animals is the Bronx Zoo with over 6000 species of animals. The largest zoo by land area is the North Carolina Zoo at 535 acres.
Seeing an elephant, giraffe, lion, polar bear, penguin, seal, or other amazing creatures at a zoo can be an amazing experience. Be sure to visit your local zoo and get a chance to see amazing animals and learn about nature.