The long-tailed weasel is one of the rarest predators living here in the Chihuahuan Desert. As a result of their nocturnal lifestyle very few people have ever seen one, but they are out there hunting for rodents and other small prey including shrews, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, woodrats, cotton rats, harvest mice, and small cottontails….
Month: November 2022
Animal enrichment: a top priority at the Zoo
Kindergarten students from Mesita ECDC at Vilas Elementary recently met Zoo Keeper Prentice who helped them create enrichment toys for some of the Zoo’s parrots. Providing animals with enrichment is a top priority at the El Paso Zoo. Enrichment is a term that zoos use to describe any exhibit feature or daily activity provided by zoo…
African wild dogs impacted by climate change
Earlier this year the journal Scientific American reported that African wild dogs are losing pups to a climate adaption ‘trap’ as the breeding season has shifted by 22 days, resulting in fewer pups surviving their first year. After analyzing 30 years of demographic data and field observations in Botswana the 22-day shift in their birthing season…
Zoo Conservation Update
Bolson tortoise at the El Paso Zoo On November 16 the Zoo’s Conservation Committee approved new projects to be funded in the coming days from the Round Up Conservation Fund. This fund is supported by Zoo guests who round up their purchases at the Zoo to help fund conservation efforts locally, regionally and around the…
A big problem: carbon dioxide can only be seen with special cameras
High and increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may be the single greatest threat to the future of life on earth. Unfortunately many people are not involved in helping to lower the impact of climate change for a very simple reason. They can not see (CO2) in the atmosphere because it is an…
Coyotes are El Paso’s most common apex predator
The coyote is the largest and most common apex predator in El Paso. Well known across North America from Canada to Central America, if you haven’t seen one yet don’t be surprised when you do. Their numbers in our city appear to be increasing as they move into neighborhoods looking for what we all want…
Zoo Spotlight: northern tree shrew
Northern Tree Shrew Tupaia belangeri Least Concern Size: head and body are 5.5 to 9 inches with a tail is about the same length as their body. Habitat: rainforests in the following countries: Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; China; India; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Thailand; Viet Nam At the Zoo: Asia Forest Nocturnal Exhibit Northern…
We live in the northern Chihuahuan Desert
The Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion covers nearly 250,000 square miles with over 90% of its area within the nation of Mexico. It is the largest desert in North America. Most people who live in this part of the world know that they live in a desert, but very few understand how the region’s incredible biodiversity helps…
El Paso schools need Chihuahuan Desert curriculum
Note: Few teachers in El Paso have the opportunity that Doris Evans, our new guest blogger, had when she taught school years ago in Big Bend National Park. In addressing the need to help more students value and understand the Chihuahuan Desert, the Zoo currently offers a Zoo Adventure Program entitled Animals of the Chihuahuan…
Conservation Education 