Ask a zookeeper (2 Viewers)

[valence]

Also, I notice you didn't include manatees on any of your teams.

i think team 1 had lambs as its last draft pick, left that offthe theory, I believe, was to turn the lambs loose to distract the predators on the other team, whil they eat lamb, they get mauled

Team #1's only hope is to stop the other teams before they get to shore. After that, a couple of boar and leopards stand no chance, even if everyone else has a nice lamb burger for lunch first. This might need to get moved to a new thread, as I think we shouldn't distract from the zookeeper theme, which has been excellent.

I'd agree this should be it's own thread. perhaps you could add an 8th team and do a playoff style poll for each matchup based on my seedings.

 

[B-Deep]

thx valance!

I was team 5

 

[whoknew]

Sorry if this has already been asked but do you have regret/concern over keeping animals in a confined space like in a zoo?

 

[valence]

thx valance!I was team 5

why would you pick albatross?

 

[valence]

Sorry if this has already been asked but do you have regret/concern over keeping animals in a confined space like in a zoo?

I have answered this several times. sorry, you'll have to read the thread.

 

[B-Deep]

thx valance!I was team 5

why would you pick albatross?

ariel reconsome dork in front of me snagged the double bird shot, i could not win the air battle, but thought the albatorss could fly higher and longer than most and get good reconi wanted beavers, to control running water, but someone snagged itthe locust were sort of a scorched earth idea, and screworms are just disgusting

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

thx valance!I was team 5

why would you pick albatross?

ariel recon

NICE

 

[jplvr]

thx valance!I was team 5

why would you pick albatross?

ariel reconsome dork in front of me snagged the double bird shot, i could not win the air battle, but thought the albatorss could fly higher and longer than most and get good reconi wanted beavers, to control running water, but someone snagged itthe locust were sort of a scorched earth idea, and screworms are just disgusting

Frigate bird taken already?

 

[Chaos Commish]

I concur this is a great thread. Thanks, valence. I laughed pretty hard at the first war teams question, but I do hope that silly vein of the thread has a worn out about now.

Some questions.

I have a piece of property about 7 miles as the crow... er vulture flies from the San Diego Wild Animal Park. A couple times a year a huge African vulture from the park perches on the telephone pole overlooking the backyard and just stares down all day. I've beaned it with an avocado and it won't leave. I've called the park and they tell me it will fly home when it gets hungry. WTH is going on around here!?

Why do zebras chase rhinos all day at that park?

Also you singled out Peregrines as a BoP you'd like to work with. I know they are amazingly fast, but otherwise they seem pretty generic to me. What is it about them that makes you list such a common BoP as the one you'd like to work with? When I look at pictures of BoPs, some of them are just incredible in comparison, imo. When you answer I'll share an interesting phenomena regarding Peregrines I've been observing every Spring/Summer for the last six years. If I both remember and get a chance, I'll take some footage this year when it starts happening again.

 

[valence]

thx valance!I was team 5

why would you pick albatross?

ariel reconsome dork in front of me snagged the double bird shot, i could not win the air battle, but thought the albatorss could fly higher and longer than most and get good reconi wanted beavers, to control running water, but someone snagged itthe locust were sort of a scorched earth idea, and screworms are just disgusting

next time go with the bar-headed goose, the highest flier in the world. It's been seen flying OVER mount everest. I think everest's peak is just over 29,000ft So these birds are probably hitting 30,000 feet at least.

 

[biggyd]

Valence, I have noticed that you won 3 league titles last year.

How many leagues did you participate in last year?

How many of these leagues involved zoo keepers?

Also, do you bet on any activities at the zoo with other zoo keepers, regarding patrons or animals?

 

[valence]

I concur this is a great thread. Thanks, valence. I laughed pretty hard at the first war teams question, but I do hope that silly vein of the thread has a worn out about now. Some questions. I have a piece of property about 7 miles as the crow... er vulture flies from the San Diego Wild Animal Park. A couple times a year a huge African vulture from the park perches on the telephone pole overlooking the backyard and just stares down all day. I've beaned it with an avocado and it won't leave. I've called the park and they tell me it will fly home when it gets hungry. WTH is going on around here!? Why do zebras chase rhinos all day at that park?Also you singled out Peregrines as a BoP you'd like to work with. I know they are amazingly fast, but otherwise they seem pretty generic to me. What is it about them that makes you list such a common BoP as the one you'd like to work with? When I look at pictures of BoPs, some of them are just incredible in comparison, imo. When you answer I'll share an interesting phenomena regarding Peregrines I've been observing every Spring/Summer for the last six years. If I both remember and get a chance, I'll take some footage this year when it starts happening again.

There are several different species of "african vulture". Can you be more specific? Are you sure it's not just a turkey vulture?Do things regularly die on your property? If so then that's the likeliest reason. Why are you beaning it with an avocado? it isn't going to mess with you or anything that isn't already dead.Zebras can be characters. I'm sure that when the rhinos have had enough they let the zebra know.I think you misread... or I mispoke. I'm pretty sure I said that peregrines were one of my favorites to work with as I have worked with them more than any other BoP besides Harris' hawks. They are just a lot of fun to work with because of their speed and agility. Lure training with them is about the most fun thing I have done as a zookeeper. I also love that they are specially designed to catch and eat other birds in flight. Some cool adaptations: notched beak that fits in between the vertebrae and used for snapping the necks of other birds, oversized feet for grabbing a bird in midair, and special bones in their nares for breaking up the airstream as they dive and hit their prey at over 200mph.I said that I would like to work with Bateleur Eagles some day.I'd love to see some of your footage.

 

[valence]

Valence, I have noticed that you won 3 league titles last year. How many leagues did you participate in last year?How many of these leagues involved zoo keepers?Also, do you bet on any activities at the zoo with other zoo keepers, regarding patrons or animals?

I think somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-12. Only one of those is with other zookeepers. The leagues in my sig are just the ones with FBGs.I haven't bet on visitors or animals but that seems fun. Can you suggest anything specific to bet on regarding those two things?thanks for helping make this an entertaining thread.

 

[biggyd]

Are you scheduled to work tomorrow? If so, I will try to come up with a few bets for you to take money from a fellow zoo keeper or FBG.

 

[B-Deep]

thx valance!I was team 5

why would you pick albatross?

ariel reconsome dork in front of me snagged the double bird shot, i could not win the air battle, but thought the albatorss could fly higher and longer than most and get good reconi wanted beavers, to control running water, but someone snagged itthe locust were sort of a scorched earth idea, and screworms are just disgusting

next time go with the bar-headed goose, the highest flier in the world. It's been seen flying OVER mount everest. I think everest's peak is just over 29,000ft So these birds are probably hitting 30,000 feet at least.

you would own that draft

 

[Harry Manback]

thx valance!I was team 5

why would you pick albatross?

ariel reconsome dork in front of me snagged the double bird shot, i could not win the air battle, but thought the albatorss could fly higher and longer than most and get good reconi wanted beavers, to control running water, but someone snagged itthe locust were sort of a scorched earth idea, and screworms are just disgusting

:next time go with the bar-headed goose, the highest flier in the world. It's been seen flying OVER mount everest. I think everest's peak is just over 29,000ft So these birds are probably hitting 30,000 feet at least.

you would own that draft

goodposting: Get this man over to :sj: to run an animal WW game.

 

[B-Deep]

I forgot, my son also want to know how many stitches you needed when the racoon bit you

 

[valence]

Are you scheduled to work tomorrow? If so, I will try to come up with a few bets for you to take money from a fellow zoo keeper or FBG.

I'm not, but I am working gorillas on Friday. I'm the only male keeper scheduled to work that unit for the day so if you could come up with some sort of betting scenario that would get the women to strip instead of losing money that would be greatTIA

 

[valence]

goodposting: Get this man over to :sj: to run an animal WW game.

I'm pretty awful at WW, but I would give it another shot. Is :sj: like :e: but for WW games?

 

[UOFI_316]

Not a question but a cool/fun thing we saw at the zoo last time we went.

In the gorilla exhibit the youngsters were actually goofing around. One climbed up behind an older one, smacked it on the head and then ran away. Older guy looked around, saw a different younger one and took off after him.

Then there was another young guy who would grab a rope and climb up the tree, swing out and around and as he went by an older gorilla just sitting there, he would reach out his hand and try to hit the old guy in the head. He did this 4-5 times before the old guy swung back.

Both things were behaviors you could see little kids doing at school, and were fun to watch instead of just watching them sit, eat and sleep.

 

[biggyd]

Are you scheduled to work tomorrow? If so, I will try to come up with a few bets for you to take money from a fellow zoo keeper or FBG.

I'm not, but I am working gorillas on Friday. I'm the only male keeper scheduled to work that unit for the day so if you could come up with some sort of betting scenario that would get the women to strip instead of losing money that would be greatTIA

I forget his his name but are you working with the primate that has groupies (wink, wink)? A neutral question would be the number of patrons larger than Rex Ryan.

 

[Mario Kart]

Have you witnessed any animals communicating with their "brothers/sisters" while taking care of them? If so, how do those animals communicate with each other?

 

[Verbal Kint]

Valence, I have noticed that you won 3 league titles last year. How many leagues did you participate in last year?How many of these leagues involved zoo keepers?Also, do you bet on any activities at the zoo with other zoo keepers, regarding patrons or animals?

And does it get confusing when you refer to it as "the keeper league"?

 

[Verbal Kint]

So, I read that scientists have discovered the single gene that gives humans speech and not monkeys. I guess my question is, why hasn't anyone slapped that bad boy in there so I can rap with my chimps?

 

[Harry Manback]

goodposting: Get this man over to :sj: to run an animal WW game.

I'm pretty awful at WW, but I would give it another shot. Is :sj: like :e: but for WW games?

More or less, yeah.

 

[gianmarco]

Which animal is most likely to break free or escape (either due to strength or intelligence)?Which animal is most likely to go absolutely crazy and become a danger (to himself or others)?Are they any specific diseases or illnesses that you worry about as a zoo that can cause a big problem for the animals?Are they any specific diseases or illnesses that you worry about as a zookeeper that you can get from the animals (extra vaccinations, precautions, etc.)?Have you ever seen an animal go crazy (i.e. elephant breaking free from a circus type deal or tiger mauling an employee, etc.)?Of the dangerous animals (lions, tigers, bears, hippos, etc.), which would you choose to have to be placed in their area with for a short time if you had to? Which would you be most afraid of?Which animals does a change in weather from their natural environment cause the most problems?

Hope to see some answers to these......

 

[LHUCKS]

A couple of people have mentioned Komodo dragons and a platypus...I've seen both at the zoo in Sydney.

The Platypus exhibit was very cool, it was in a large tank and was swimming around the entire time...I just stared at it for about 20 minutes because it was so weird/unique looking. They also had a platypus pelt that you could pet...which was interesting.

The Komodo dragon is by far the most menacing animal I've ever seen in person...they just look like pure evil. I'd rather go in a tiger or bear exhibit than a Komodo exhibit...any day.

 

[B-Deep]

goodposting: Get this man over to :sj: to run an animal WW game.

I'm pretty awful at WW, but I would give it another shot. Is :sj: like :e: but for WW games?

i wouold never vote you D1i would always protect you if the angeland if i were a BG i would let you bus me

 

[B-Deep]

A couple of people have mentioned Komodo dragons and a platypus...I've seen both at the zoo in Sydney.The Platypus exhibit was very cool, it was in a large tank and was swimming around the entire time...I just stared at it for about 20 minutes because it was so weird/unique looking. They also had a platypus pelt that you could pet...which was interesting.The Komodo dragon is by far the most menacing animal I've ever seen in person...they just look like pure evil. I'd rather go in a tiger or bear exhibit than a Komodo exhibit...any day.

you know the female platypus does make milke, but lacks any teats

 

[Leroy Hoard]

you know the female platypus does make milke, but lacks any teats

how does it give out the milk, does it shoot out of her nose?

 

[B-Deep]

you know the female platypus does make milke, but lacks any teats

how does it give out the milk, does it shoot out of her nose?

it runs down grooves in her abdomen, and the babies lap it outalso, although females have 2 ovaries, only the left one actually works

 

[Black Box]

i wouold never vote you D1i would always protect you if the angeland if i were a BG i would let you bus me

What an offer!

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

thx valance!

I was team 5

why would you pick albatross?

ariel reconsome dork in front of me snagged the double bird shot, i could not win the air battle, but thought the albatorss could fly higher and longer than most and get good recon

i wanted beavers, to control running water, but someone snagged it

the locust were sort of a scorched earth idea, and screworms are just disgusting

next time go with the bar-headed goose, the highest flier in the world. It's been seen flying OVER mount everest. I think everest's peak is just over 29,000ft So these birds are probably hitting 30,000 feet at least.

or a Rüppell's Vulture

 

[valence]

Not a question but a cool/fun thing we saw at the zoo last time we went.In the gorilla exhibit the youngsters were actually goofing around. One climbed up behind an older one, smacked it on the head and then ran away. Older guy looked around, saw a different younger one and took off after him. Then there was another young guy who would grab a rope and climb up the tree, swing out and around and as he went by an older gorilla just sitting there, he would reach out his hand and try to hit the old guy in the head. He did this 4-5 times before the old guy swung back.Both things were behaviors you could see little kids doing at school, and were fun to watch instead of just watching them sit, eat and sleep.

yep. Gorillas can be the best thing to watch at the zoo.

 

[valence]

Are you scheduled to work tomorrow? If so, I will try to come up with a few bets for you to take money from a fellow zoo keeper or FBG.

I'm not, but I am working gorillas on Friday. I'm the only male keeper scheduled to work that unit for the day so if you could come up with some sort of betting scenario that would get the women to strip instead of losing money that would be greatTIA

I forget his his name but are you working with the primate that has groupies (wink, wink)? A neutral question would be the number of patrons larger than Rex Ryan.

I don't really work orangs. Most girls do not know who Rex Ryan is.Come on GB, you can do better than this.

 

[valence]

Valence, I have noticed that you won 3 league titles last year. How many leagues did you participate in last year?How many of these leagues involved zoo keepers?Also, do you bet on any activities at the zoo with other zoo keepers, regarding patrons or animals?

And does it get confusing when you refer to it as "the keeper league"?

That's why I only play in dynasty leagues.

 

[valence]

Have you witnessed any animals communicating with their "brothers/sisters" while taking care of them? If so, how do those animals communicate with each other?

As youngsters, most animals will play and learn with their siblings, but most animals lose the sibling bond as they get older. Some semblance of a sibling bond can be seen in great apes when they get older but it isn't as strong as when they were kids..

 

[valence]

A couple of people have mentioned Komodo dragons and a platypus...I've seen both at the zoo in Sydney.The Platypus exhibit was very cool, it was in a large tank and was swimming around the entire time...I just stared at it for about 20 minutes because it was so weird/unique looking. They also had a platypus pelt that you could pet...which was interesting.The Komodo dragon is by far the most menacing animal I've ever seen in person...they just look like pure evil. I'd rather go in a tiger or bear exhibit than a Komodo exhibit...any day.

Komodos are scary looking but unless they really want to eat you or attack you for some reason they are pretty easy to avoid. Zoo komodos usually just lay around all day especially if it's too hot\cold out. I think you could probably survive long enough to be rescued in a komodo exhibit. Probably not true with a tiger or polar bear exhibit unless the keepers are really on the ball.

 

[LHUCKS]

A couple of people have mentioned Komodo dragons and a platypus...I've seen both at the zoo in Sydney.The Platypus exhibit was very cool, it was in a large tank and was swimming around the entire time...I just stared at it for about 20 minutes because it was so weird/unique looking. They also had a platypus pelt that you could pet...which was interesting.The Komodo dragon is by far the most menacing animal I've ever seen in person...they just look like pure evil. I'd rather go in a tiger or bear exhibit than a Komodo exhibit...any day.

Komodos are scary looking but unless they really want to eat you or attack you for some reason they are pretty easy to avoid. Zoo komodos usually just lay around all day especially if it's too hot\cold out. I think you could probably survive long enough to be rescued in a komodo exhibit. Probably not true with a tiger or polar bear exhibit unless the keepers are really on the ball.

interesting, the polar bears are pretty aggressive huh? Tigers often look pissed off and scheming so that doesn't surprise me.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

A couple of people have mentioned Komodo dragons and a platypus...I've seen both at the zoo in Sydney.The Platypus exhibit was very cool, it was in a large tank and was swimming around the entire time...I just stared at it for about 20 minutes because it was so weird/unique looking. They also had a platypus pelt that you could pet...which was interesting.The Komodo dragon is by far the most menacing animal I've ever seen in person...they just look like pure evil. I'd rather go in a tiger or bear exhibit than a Komodo exhibit...any day.

Komodos are scary looking but unless they really want to eat you or attack you for some reason they are pretty easy to avoid. Zoo komodos usually just lay around all day especially if it's too hot\cold out. I think you could probably survive long enough to be rescued in a komodo exhibit. Probably not true with a tiger or polar bear exhibit unless the keepers are really on the ball.

interesting, the polar bears are pretty aggressive huh? Tigers often look pissed off and scheming so that doesn't surprise me.

The monkeys stand for honesty,Giraffes are insincere,And the elephants are kindly butThey're dumb.Orangutans are skepticalOf changes in their cages,And the zookeeper is very fond of rum.Zebras are reactionaries,Antelopes are missionaries,Pigeons plot in secrecy,And hamsters turn on frequently.What a gas! You gotta come and seeAt the zoo.

 

[Bobcat10]

I know you mentioned earlier about elephants and how most zoos don't have enough room or adequate facilities for them. The Cleveland Metropark Zoo has had their old elephant area closed for a couple years now as they have been revamping it (the most money they've sunk into anything since they built their Rainforest per the link). Does information like this filter to you or do you have to find out about it on your own? Does this truly sound "state of the art" and "a model for other zoos nationwide"? My son is very excited about it reopening next year!

http://www.clemetzoo.com/elephants/

 

[jmp]

Not a question but a cool/fun thing we saw at the zoo last time we went.In the gorilla exhibit the youngsters were actually goofing around. One climbed up behind an older one, smacked it on the head and then ran away. Older guy looked around, saw a different younger one and took off after him. Then there was another young guy who would grab a rope and climb up the tree, swing out and around and as he went by an older gorilla just sitting there, he would reach out his hand and try to hit the old guy in the head. He did this 4-5 times before the old guy swung back.Both things were behaviors you could see little kids doing at school, and were fun to watch instead of just watching them sit, eat and sleep.

yep. Gorillas can be the best thing to watch at the zoo.

Last time we went to the zoo we were able to watch the large male puke and eat it 3 times consecutively. Huge crowd.

 

[valence]

goodposting: Get this man over to :sj: to run an animal WW game.

I'm pretty awful at WW, but I would give it another shot. Is :sj: like :e: but for WW games?

i wouold never vote you D1i would always protect you if the angeland if i were a BG i would let you bus me

thanks pal. let me know when the next game starts.

 

[valence]

Not a question but a cool/fun thing we saw at the zoo last time we went.In the gorilla exhibit the youngsters were actually goofing around. One climbed up behind an older one, smacked it on the head and then ran away. Older guy looked around, saw a different younger one and took off after him. Then there was another young guy who would grab a rope and climb up the tree, swing out and around and as he went by an older gorilla just sitting there, he would reach out his hand and try to hit the old guy in the head. He did this 4-5 times before the old guy swung back.Both things were behaviors you could see little kids doing at school, and were fun to watch instead of just watching them sit, eat and sleep.

yep. Gorillas can be the best thing to watch at the zoo.

Last time we went to the zoo we were able to watch the large male puke and eat it 3 times consecutively. Huge crowd.

yea... captive gorillas that are bored sometimes develop R and R (regurgitation and reingestion) habits. one of our juvenile females will do it all day sometimes.

 

[valence]

I know you mentioned earlier about elephants and how most zoos don't have enough room or adequate facilities for them. The Cleveland Metropark Zoo has had their old elephant area closed for a couple years now as they have been revamping it (the most money they've sunk into anything since they built their Rainforest per the link). Does information like this filter to you or do you have to find out about it on your own? Does this truly sound "state of the art" and "a model for other zoos nationwide"? My son is very excited about it reopening next year!

http://www.clemetzoo.com/elephants/

I can't really tell from the link. I'd like to see how big the outdoor area is before I pass judgment. The new "Elephant Odyssey" at San Diego Zoo looks pretty great though.

 

[Bobcat10]

I know you mentioned earlier about elephants and how most zoos don't have enough room or adequate facilities for them. The Cleveland Metropark Zoo has had their old elephant area closed for a couple years now as they have been revamping it (the most money they've sunk into anything since they built their Rainforest per the link). Does information like this filter to you or do you have to find out about it on your own? Does this truly sound "state of the art" and "a model for other zoos nationwide"? My son is very excited about it reopening next year!

http://www.clemetzoo.com/elephants/

I can't really tell from the link. I'd like to see how big the outdoor area is before I pass judgment. The new "Elephant Odyssey" at San Diego Zoo looks pretty great though.

http://www.thenationalelephantcenter.org/en/art/36/

 

[gianmarco]

Which animal is most likely to break free or escape (either due to strength or intelligence)?Which animal is most likely to go absolutely crazy and become a danger (to himself or others)?Are they any specific diseases or illnesses that you worry about as a zoo that can cause a big problem for the animals?Are they any specific diseases or illnesses that you worry about as a zookeeper that you can get from the animals (extra vaccinations, precautions, etc.)?Have you ever seen an animal go crazy (i.e. elephant breaking free from a circus type deal or tiger mauling an employee, etc.)?Of the dangerous animals (lions, tigers, bears, hippos, etc.), which would you choose to have to be placed in their area with for a short time if you had to? Which would you be most afraid of?Which animals does a change in weather from their natural environment cause the most problems?

Hope to see some answers to these......

Shameless bump.

 

[B-Deep]

I know you mentioned earlier about elephants and how most zoos don't have enough room or adequate facilities for them. The Cleveland Metropark Zoo has had their old elephant area closed for a couple years now as they have been revamping it (the most money they've sunk into anything since they built their Rainforest per the link). Does information like this filter to you or do you have to find out about it on your own? Does this truly sound "state of the art" and "a model for other zoos nationwide"? My son is very excited about it reopening next year!

http://www.clemetzoo.com/elephants/

I can't really tell from the link. I'd like to see how big the outdoor area is before I pass judgment. The new "Elephant Odyssey" at San Diego Zoo looks pretty great though.

toledo zoo is building a new elephant area also. HAd a male baby elephant arrive a couple years back, and the old area was not sufficient. I fear it had less to do with room and more with security, males are a lot bigger and strongerno idea how big the new one is gonna be

 

[valence]

Which animal is most likely to break free or escape (either due to strength or intelligence)?

Which animal is most likely to go absolutely crazy and become a danger (to himself or others)?

Animals that get extremely bored or stressed out can self mutilate. Psittacines (parrots, macaws, etc) are notorious for this.

Are they any specific diseases or illnesses that you worry about as a zoo that can cause a big problem for the animals?

Tons. Too many to list really. The most common first sign of trouble is a change in diet consumption. Animals mask illness so that they do not appear weak. Some do it so well (especially birds) that by the time you see any real symptoms it is too late. For that reason most zoo medicine is preventative in nature.

Are they any specific diseases or illnesses that you worry about as a zookeeper that you can get from the animals (extra vaccinations, precautions, etc.)?



Again there are quite a few. some of the most common - Salmonella, Leptospirosis, Psitacosis, Hookworms, Lyme Disease, Rabies, Toxoplasmosis (Pregnant women usually aren't allowed to work with cats because of this one). There are vaccinations for some of these, but quite unlike zoo medicine, people medicine is often reactive rather than preventative.

Have you ever seen an animal go crazy (i.e. elephant breaking free from a circus type deal or tiger mauling an employee, etc.)?

never seen it personally, but I've heard second hand accounts.

Of the dangerous animals (lions, tigers, bears, hippos, etc.), which would you choose to have to be placed in their area with for a short time if you had to? Which would you be most afraid of?



Yikes. Can I choose venomous snakes? If so I'll go with that one. At our zoo, I'd probably be most afraid of being in with the orangs. Towan is crazy and scary.

Which animals does a change in weather from their natural environment cause the most problems?

Well we are pretty good now at mimicking the natural environments of any animal. I'd say that animals that are used to hot\dry climates can have a tough time adjusting to cold\wet climates and vice versa, but like I said, it isn't too difficult to simulate a natural environment for most animals.

Hope to see some answers to these......

good questions, thanks

 

[Incogneto]

Honest question that myself and a few friends have spent HOURS talking (read: arguing) about, I would love your input on:

Who would win in a fight, a Hippo or a Polar Bear?

we have even talked it down to location being a factor, so to take that out of the equation, we added a neutral playing field: A COLD swamp.

I am on pins a needles waiting for your input on this!