During the middle ages in Europe the first animal displays consisted of animals in small cages that traveled in caravans and were known as menageries.  As zoos progressed, animals remained in small cages, where they were easily controlled. This method of housing animals is still used in many zoos today.

     However in the last 20-30 years a new way of showing animals has developed. They are now surrounded by a habitat that closely mimics their natural surroundings. Creating these environments is very challenging, but results in conserving wildlife and allows the public to observe animals behaving naturally. This requires lots of planning, development, research and building.  Every feature of the habitat has to be matched including, rainfall, humidity, soil conditions, and temperature. The difficulty of creating a habitat like a tropical rain forest or polar or desert environment is a huge undertaking. For example, when designing a polar habitat the designers must account for each animal’s individual needs. These can be vast. When trying to incorporate a new home for seals, walrus, bears, and penguins all parts of their natural setting need to be considered. These surroundings encourage breeding, socialization, and exercise.

           A habitat is an animal’s natural home.  Examples of a habitat include a lake, a stream, or even a drop of water.  Temperature and rainfall are important in grouping habitats.  Some zoos, like the Bronx Zoo, bring in a team of contractors and use the zoo’s staff of professional designers.  They have to study the native environments of the animals they are planning to house.  They will copy his natural habitat.  They will put some trees, plants and artificial rocks and trees with natural ones.  To contain the animals, they use barely noticeable glass and wire instead of bars and cages.  For some animals they need to make mangrove swamps, tropical forests and desert-like scrublands.  They create a naturalistic exhibit that requires planning, creativity, and teamwork.  Now the exhibit will be safe and a secure place for the animals.  Some of these animals are giraffes, wolves, elk and monkeys.  A large exhibit must be created so that these animals can live with members of their families or groups as they would in nature.

Nature’s Habitats

ª      Caves – cougar, mountain lion, coyotes, wolves and bears

ª      Underground – woodchuck, fox, skunk, prairie dog, ants, beavers and chipmunks

ª      Nests – birds, squirrels, crows, hawks, owls and bees

ª      Underwater – beavers, snakes, crocodiles, fish and polar bears

Zoos Habitats

ª      Flamingos – They live in flocks of thousands in the water.

ª      Monkey – They live in trees.

ª      Gorillas – They live in a jungle habitat.

ª      Hippopotamus – They live in the water.

ª      Koalas – They live in a eucalyptus tree.

ª      Pandas – They live in forests.  

Turtles - A turtle's home is its shell!