Love at the Zoo

Grizzly Bears, snowy owls, orangutans, leopards, exotic snakes, koalas... How do you find a more interesting place to take a date?

Most zoos have special classes, events and activities that attract a wide range of visitors. Some have special displays, behind-thescenes tours, delightful holiday events and after-hours parties. The seminars and lectures can be both fascinating and educational, and perhaps they'll help you learn more about the animal in you.

COST and PREPARATION

The price of admission at zoos ranges from free to $10.00. Almost every zoo has a website or an information phoneline that tells about prices, hours of operation and special events.

HOW TO FIND ZOOS, AQUARIUMS & WILDLIFE PARKS

Slither over to www.aza.org or (301)562-0777. This is the site of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. It represents virtually every professionally operated zoo, aquarium, oceanarium, and wildlife park in North America. You can find information about every zoo in the country from this site, including hours of operation, classes they offer and any special exhibits or programs. This site also provides access to information about wild animals, from tracking the elephants of Cameroon to following the Red Wolves of Alligator River.

For links to zoos worldwide, try www.zoos.org.

For a list of links to the websites of Zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks, try these extremely complete indexes:

www.mindspring.com/~zoonet/www_virtual_lib/zoos.html
http://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Biology/Zoology/Zoos/

MATERNITY WARD

Having a new baby is usually an exciting event. This is especially true at the zoo. Zoos with newborn animals often have special visiting hours for you to see the baby. This can be a great addition to an already fun date, given how it resonates deep within our reproductive equipment and accelerates our need for physical closeness. See if you don't touch each other more after watching the cute baby elephant or baby tiger. Check your zoo's website to see if any new births are in the offing.

ZOO ATTIRE

Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. If you go in the summer, be sure to wear a hat, shades and bring plenty of sunscreen and drink extra water. For winter visits, may we suggest that you be sensitive as to your choice in outerwear. LUNCH AT THE ZOO Some zoos have restaurants where you and your date can have lunch. (What do you think they do with the animals that die?) Call ahead of time to see if you need to make reservations.

DON'T BE AN ANIMAL

Some people make the mistake of trying to see it all during a single visit to the zoo. Pay more attention to your date's comfort than to your need to see each and every animal, otherwise your date will start to associate you with a nasty headache, aching feet and maybe even tiger breath.

WILDLIFE & NATURE ALTERNATIVE

For everything from Monkey Jungle in Miami with over 4000 monkeys on a nature reserve to the Anan Creek Bear Observatory in Wrangell, Alaska, go to www.tripadvisor.com, click on the map of the U.S., then click on "attractions." Scroll down and click on "Wildlife & Nature." Wow!