Fozblog

Tuesday Trivia Answer - A Tale of a Lemur Tail

Black and white ruffed lemurs naturally dwell in trees; and they use their long tails to help them move about from limb to limb and tree to tree. Lemurs' long tails are generally around two feet long. So if you answered C. 23''-26'' to this Tuesday's Trivia, you were correct.

Dickerson Park Zoo has recently renovated the lemur islands in Dickerson Lake circled by the Titus Express train ride.Two of the three islands were combined to form one long island that provides more space for the lemurs to roam. In addition, top soil was added to the islands to replace soil that eroded. New sod was then added to the islands as well.

In addition to the renovation of the islands, recent visitors to the zoo may have noticed the fences that are currently around the islands. Zoo guests may be surprised to know that these fences are not to keep the lemurs on the island (as lemurs cannot swim). Rather, the fences help keep the geese off of the islands until the sod takes root. To get a glimpse of the construction first hand, watch the following video:

Congratulations to Shawn Scott from Lenox whose name was drawn from those submitting the correct answer this week!

Play along again next week for your chance to win a pair of one-day admission passes!

A tale of a lemur tail

A friendly face has returned to the lemur island at Dickerson Park Zoo -- "Charlie," a black and white ruffed lemur. Lemurs like Charlie use their long tails to help them move about the trees they naturally dwell in.

How long are black and white ruffed lemurs’ tails?
a) 12’’-16’’
b) 18’’-22’’
c) 23’’-26’’
d) 36’’-40’’

E-mail your answer by Wednesday at noon to trivia@dickersonparkzoo.org for a chance to win two admission passes to Dickerson Park Zoo. Remember to include your mailing address for your chance to win.

Check out FOZblog on Wednesday for the correct answer and for more information about lemurs.

Keeper Notes - Summer Nap Time!

As spring progresses into summer and the temperatures climb, one of our female Asian elephants, Patience, may be seen napping in the exhibit yard. Patience will have her breakfast early in the morning and then move out to the exhibit yard with the other two female elephants (cows).

Patience will typically choose to lay down on the south side of the exhibit on the downhill slope to take her naps. She may choose to lay in the sunshine or, depending on the temperature and time of day, choose to lay in the shade. Sometimes one of the other two cows will stand over her while she naps, but not always.

If you watch closely you will be able to see her sides move up and down as she breathes slowly. Occasionally she may gently flap her ears to ward off the insects that may be buzzing around her.

So if you see an elephant lying in the yard, she is fine. It is most likely Patience taking her mid-morning or afternoon nap. Her naps usually last no longer than an hour, and then you may see her up and moving around again.

~Melissa Dickson, Zookeeper

Tuesday Trivia Answer - Ocean Fun

False. The Missouri River flows into the Mississippi River near St. Louis, Mo., and the Mississippi River eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean.

How much do you know at the Missouri’s waterways and their ecosystems?

Did you know…

• The Missouri River is the longest river in Missouri. It flows from just north of Three Forks, Mont., (where Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers converge) 2,565 miles to the Mississippi River, just north of St. Louis.
• There are 45 different watersheds in Missouri.
• Missouri has more than one million acres of surface water.
• Missouri has more than 200 species of fish including popular game fish such as Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, Crappie, Goggle-Eye, Muskie, Paddlefish, Sturgeon, Trout and Walleye.
• In 1980, the Missouri Department of Conservation estimated that only 35 to 70 otters survived in the few remnant swamps and wetlands in Missouri’s Bootheel region. Since the Department of Conservation began stocking the animals, their population has peaked at more than 15,000.

Learning how to preserve and protect Missouri’s waterways is important for the health of our communities and the health of our world. Since all rivers eventually flow into the ocean, what we do in our rivers and streams here ultimately affects our oceans. Llearn more about Missouri’s waterways from the Missouri Department of Conservation's website.

And, learn more about our oceans in celebration of World Oceans Day.

Congratulations to Kristi Shepherd from Nixa whose name was drawn for those submitting the correct answer this week!

Play along again next week for your chance to win a pair of one-day admission passes!

Tuesday Trivia - Ocean Fun

The ocean is connected to major lakes, rivers and waterways because all major watersheds on Earth drain into the ocean. There are many rivers here in Missouri, such as the Missouri River. These rivers support diverse wildlife, including animals such as River Otters, which you can see here at Dickerson Park Zoo.

So this week's Tuesday Triva question focuses on water:
True or False -- The Missouri River flows directly into the ocean.

E-mail your answer by Wednesday at noon to trivia@dickersonparkzoo.org for a chance to win two admission passes to Dickerson Park Zoo. Remember to include your mailing address for your chance to win.

Check out FOZblog on Wednesday for the correct answer and for more information about rivers in Missouri and their connection to the ocean.

Tuesday Trivia Answer - Bald Eagle

Bald eagles are known for their excellent eye sight. Eagle vision is five to six times sharper than a human with perfect vision. They are capable of seeing their prey from almost a mile away -- even while flying at an altitude of 1000 feet -- including fish that fishermen confirm are hard to see from the water's surface, let alone from the air.

Humans can only see forward, but bald eagles have two foveae or centers of focus that allow them to see both forward and to the side at the same time. Bald eagles also have prominent brows over their eyes that act like sun visors for keener vision.

The eyelids of a bald eagle are special, too. Their eyelids close when they sleep, but they also have an inner eyelid called a nictitating membrane for when they blink. The nictitating membrane wipes dirt and dust from the eye as it blinks. This membrane is also translucent so the bald eagle can even see while its blinking.

Congratulations to Dan Waite from Lebanon whose name was drawn for those submitting the correct answer this week!

Play along again next week for your chance to win a pair of one-day admission passes!