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North American Black Bear

Did you know North American black bears are found from Canada to Mexico and in at least 41 states in the U.S.?

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Inspiring Passion To Conserve The Natural World. Birmingham, Alabama #BhamZoo

Still juggling your plans to attend Glow Wild? Her

Still juggling your plans to attend Glow Wild? Here are the dates for December and January. Visit www.BirminghamZoo.com/events for tickets, entertainment info, and more details.

Santa will be there for several nights. Acrobatics Embassy will be there each evening of Glow Wild with shows at 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. Glow Wild is sponsored by Alabama Power and UAB Callahan Eye.

#BhamZoo #GlowWild #zoo #aza #Birmingham #Alabama #AlabamaPower #UAB #UABCallahanEye

After watching all those football games and discus

After watching all those football games and discussing the playoffs over the weekend, is anyone else having difficulty heading into Monday?

These Pallas Cats are part of one of the most extensive collections in North America and live at your Birmingham Zoo. See them Wednesday to Sunday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. #BhamZoo

📷Scott K, Zoological Manager

The Mountain Brook Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec

The Mountain Brook Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3:00 p.m. Roads close at 2:00 p.m. in that area near the zoo. Come enjoy the zoo and stay for the parade or watch the parade and stay for Glow Wild, which will be open from 5 to 9 p.m.

Glow Wild is OPEN tonight and Sunday night. Full l

Glow Wild is OPEN tonight and Sunday night. Full list of dates and details at www.birminghamzoo.com/events.

Bety and Sasy have gone to bed. The Birmingham Zoo

Bety and Sasy have gone to bed. The Birmingham Zoo’s black bears have officially started torpor and will be in their building until spring.

Wait… don’t bears hibernate? Actually, contrary to everything we learned as kids, they don’t. Animals who hibernate have a significant decrease in body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate and metabolism and wake up slowly over time. They cannot just simply startle awake. All those rates have to increase gradually. Have you ever heard the saying, “Don’t poke a sleeping bear?” We definitely wouldn’t recommend even during the winter months. Bears do not truly hibernate. Instead, they go into torpor. It is similar to hibernation but not quite as extreme. In hibernation, an animal’s body temp may drop to ambient temperatures. An animal in torpor will only drop 5-10 degrees. The same difference is seen with the heart, breathing, and metabolic rates. There is a decrease, but it is minimal in comparison to hibernation. Since these levels are not as low, a bear can wake suddenly to protect itself and its cubs if need be. On a nice day, you may see a bear in the wild out of its den foraging for something to eat.

When will the bears be out? Your guess is as good as ours. Typically, the bears will stay in their dens until February, but we have seen them come out as early as January 1 and as late as mid-March. It is entirely up to them. The zoo’s animal care professionals follow their lead. We continue to check on them and offer food if needed, multiple times throughout the day and clean as required. While they are in torpor, come visit the other animals in Alabama Wilds and throughout your Birmingham Zoo.

Amanda P., Zoological Manager, Alabama Wilds

🦒🦒 Animal Adventure Holiday Gift 🦒🦒 Be

🦒🦒 Animal Adventure Holiday Gift 🦒🦒
Behind the Scenes Encounter - Reticulated Giraffes

Give your animal lovers the chance to see how they measure up with the tallest animal in the world! Available every Saturday at 1:00 P.M. till the end of February. Get to know our four charismatic giraffes as you learn about their adaptations, individual needs, and how we care for them! Tours meet in the main entry plaza and proceed to the giraffe barn in the Trials of Africa. The whole experience will last about an hour. Purchase at https://www.birminghamzoo.com/visitor-info/behind-the-scenes/

📷 - Dalton, Marketing

#BhamZoo #BirminghamAL #MagicCity #ThisisBham #BhamLife #aza #AssociationsofZoosandAquariums #giraffes #holidays #adventure #Alabama

Light up your holidays and Glow Wild at the Birmin

Light up your holidays and Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo. Experience one of Birmingham’s top holiday activities and stroll by 150+ new animal lanterns. Ride the train, climb the adventure tower, and enjoy acrobatic shows nightly.

Sponsored by Alabama Power and UAB Callahan Eye, Glow Wild runs now through January 15 on select days. Get your tickets and updated details today at www.birminghamzoo.com/events.

Looking for a unique holiday gift for an animal lo

Looking for a unique holiday gift for an animal lover and traveler? Explore the fantastic nature of South America and the unique beauty of Ecuador. Then, board a luxurious 8-day, 7-night cruise to the Galapagos Islands with Birmingham Zoo’s President & CEO, Chris Pfefferkorn, as your guide. The trip is scheduled for July 11 - 23, 2024. An informational session will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the zoo. RSVP for the info session by Monday, Dec. 4 at noon. For more details, visit www.BirminghamZoo.com/Events

#WildWednesday #BhamZoo #BirminghamAL #MagicCity #ThisisBham #BhamLife #aza #AssociationsofZoosandAquariums

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