Nashville Zoo Visit

Tis the season to be busy and busy it has been!  I’m finally getting around to posting about my trip to the Nashville Zoo which was way back on November 8th.  My oldest sister, who is retired now, volunteers there and had some free passes so invited me to come along for a day at the zoo.  It was a really nice day to take a zoo stroll (it was a particularly warm November day and was about 71 degrees).

The Nashville zoo is located six miles south of downtown Nashville.  It is an AZA- accredited facility.  The zoo has developed only about 90 of its 188 acres of land and is involved with international conservation and research efforts to save threatened species.

Enjoy the photos!  These are just a few!

Hyacinth Macaw

Hyacinth Macaws

Stanley Cranes

White-cheeked Gibbons

White-cheeked Gibbons

Siamang

Southern White Rhinoceros

Southern White Rhinoceros. This guy was massive.

Red River Hog

We had a late fall in Middle TN and for a while, I thought the leaves were going to fall off the trees before they turned colors.  But they finally did turn and I have to say, it was very much worth the wait.  These maple trees at the zoo were stunningly gorgeous!!  They took my breath away.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. Adults usually reach lengths of 4-5 feet and weigh 4-5 pounds!

Same rattlesnake from another zoo visit in April 2018.  Check out that rattle!

Short-tailed, Leaf-nosed Bat. I wish my photography skills were better as I couldn’t figure out how to get a good pic of these bats… my most favorite animals at the entire zoo. I could watch them for hours. So interesting!

Caiman Lizard. The Nashville Zoo is one of the most successful breeding institutions for the caiman lizard. Caiman lizards are threatened in the wild due to illegal trade for their skins, therefore there is a strong need for their conservation and protection.

Piranha.  I think these fish are so pretty.  They sparkle!

Galapagos Tortoise (I believe)

I loved the coat coloration pattern of these goats!

Alpacas

Flamingos

Flamingos

Clouded Leopard.

Clouded Leopard

Red Pandas

My sister and I ate lunch at the zoo at outdoor tables. We had the pleasure of dining with this beautiful onlooker. I was told the peacocks had all just came through a molt.

I don’t remember what the name of this tree was but it was a beautiful golden color. It was a member of the yew family.

I believe this is a Rhinoceros Iguana.

Mexican Beaded Lizard

Kangaroo with Joey in pouch

The Joey was restless and clearly wanted out to explore.  It did come out but mom was nervous and I could tell she really wanted her baby back in the safety of her pouch.  She turned it around and was encouraging it to get back in.  It did climb back in so wasn’t out long.

This is Matilda, an older female Kangaroo. Matilda only had one front leg. I don’t know the story on how she lost her leg

Meerkat

Meerkats checking out the intruders

I was a little disappointed that despite it being a beautiful and warm day, that the giraffe exhibit was closed.  No explanation except signage saying the exhibit was closed, but we later found out they had received a new giraffe to the zoo so the giraffes were in quarantine.

I’m including some giraffe photos from another visit in April of 2018.

It was a nice day and I enjoyed the visit to the zoo.  Do you enjoy visiting the zoo?  If so, what is your favorite animal to see?

Gail ♥