Brookfield Zoo: Ideal Time to Go + 8 Amazing Animals to See

Located within the Chicago suburb of Brookfield, the Brookfield Zoo, also called the Chicago Zoological Park, is among the finest zoos and zoological societies within the nation. Encompassing greater than 200 acres, the Brookfield Zoo is home to greater than 500 species and over 3,400 animals in whole. It options animals from across the globe, together with many mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and extra! This multi-award-winning zoo is a superb expertise for the entire household and gives enjoyable occasions for each season. Learn extra concerning the Brookfield Zoo, together with the best time to go to and the superb animals you’ll encounter. 

Why is the Brookfield Zoo Famous?

The Brookfield Zoo is a powerful conservation and preservation attraction in Illinois. It opened its doorways in 1934 and receives greater than two million guests annually. Operated by the Chicago Zoological Society, this zoo is understood for its use of open-air and unbarred enclosures all through the ability. This enclosure model gives a greater pure surroundings for the animals underneath its care.

Best Time to Go to the Brookfield Zoo

The finest time to go to the Brookfield Zoo is early within the day on weekdays. For one of the best expertise with fewer crowds, arrive shortly after they open at 10 a.m. between Monday and Thursday. The zoo often provides free days, which is nice for these on a price range, however it’s usually overcrowded. Special occasions for Halloween and the vacation season can be fairly busy. Spring and summer time are additionally busier, so goal for fall or winter. You could have a greater probability of seeing extra animals when the climate is cooler. 

Amazing Animals to See on the Brookfield Zoo

Blue-throated Macaw

Native to the grasslands, forests, and marshes of Northern Bolivia, the blue-throated macaw is a critically endangered species within the wild. These birds have distinctive turquoise and vivid yellow plumage they usually eat fruit from palm bushes. You will discover these macaws flying round, walking on the bottom, or climbing bushes of their enclosure.

African Lion

What’s one of many animals most individuals sit up for seeing on the zoo? Lions! These majestic creatures weigh as much as 400 kilos and have huge tooth and big paws. African lions stay within the grassy plains and savannahs from the Southern Sahara to South Africa. In the wild, lions hunt wildebeest, antelope, and different massive mammals. In the zoo, they’re fed a weight-reduction plan of chunk horse meat, mammal carcasses, and shank bones.

Frilled Lizard

One of Australia’s most iconic species, the frilled lizard includes a frill that opens throughout mating and courtship shows or to discourage potential predators. These lizards conceal in bushes, utilizing the vegetation to camouflage their our bodies as they hunt for bugs, spiders, and smaller lizards. They stay in forests throughout Australia, the place they’re well-known for his or her scare ways – standing on two legs and charging at predators earlier than dashing up a tree.

Humboldt Penguin

Located on the rocky shores and coastal islands of Peru and Chile, Humboldt penguins have distinctive diversifications that permit them to thrive of their surroundings. They are common with a thick layer of fats to maintain them heat and torpedo-shaped our bodies that permit them to maneuver swiftly underwater, as much as 17 miles per hour.

Polar Bear

As the most important, most ferocious bears on Earth, polar bears can exceed 1,700 kilos and attain heights of 11 ft when standing on their hind legs. They stay within the Arctic areas of Canada, Alaska, Russia, Greenland, and Norway. This species is vulnerable within the wild because of local weather change. Their wild weight-reduction plan contains seals, seabirds, and fish, whereas their zoo weight-reduction plan consists of herring, trout, and different fish.

Andean Cock-of-the-Rock

These unusually-named birds stay on the rocky cliffs and rainforest ravines of the Andes Mountains in Western South America. It is the nationwide chook of Peru and is legendary for its fascinating crest, vast eyes, and vivid plumage. 

Green Tree Python

Growing as much as seven ft lengthy, the inexperienced tree python is a outstanding creature native to the rainforests and monsoon forests of New Guinea and the encircling islands. You can simply acknowledge it by its emerald inexperienced scales and uninteresting yellow spots. 

Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloth

Native to the tropical rainforests of South America, Hoffman’s two-toed sloth is a slow-moving and cuddly-looking mammal. In the wild, these sloths devour leaves, twigs, and fruit, and within the zoo, they’re fed a weight-reduction plan of lettuce, spinach, candy potatoes, and canned primate meals.