In Focus - Attacus Atlas Moth

Status: Not Evaluated 

Geographic Region: South East Asia  

Meaning of name: Titan of Greek Mythology

Habitat:Tropical and Sub Tropical Forests  

Threats:Birds, Small Mammals and other Insects 

Left in Wild: Abundant    

 

Atlas Moth at the  American Museum of Natural History , Butterfly Conservatory

           

The Atlas Moth is the largest known moth on earth with a wing span exceeding 25cm. The female grows considerably larger than the male. The male moth spends its entire adult life seeking a female only to die of exhaustion as soon as he fertilises the female eggs.

A subspecies in India is commonly used for the production of silk and in Taiwan the cocoon has been used as a purse.

The adult moth does not have a fully formed mouth so does not eat for its entire one to two week adult life. They survive on fat storage that they gain whilst they are caterpillars.

Stu’s Zoo Pick for the Atlas Moth

To be fair I have only seen one Atlas Moth and that was at the  American Museum of Natural History in New York, Butterfly Conservatory. It sat motionless in the foliage and yet dominated the environment with its size and colour.







Feeders in the conservatory



Some of the information displays

The Butterfly Conservatory at The American Museum of Natural History New York is definitely worth a visit. It’s very educational and gives you the opportunity to see butterflies and moths from many regions of the planet. The conservatory itself is very well done mimicking a tropical rainforest, and yet another example of indoor exhibits using the latest technology to recreate environs. 

Entry to the conservatory is extra on top of your Museum entry ticket. The exhibit also delves into the evolution, conservation and ecology of these delicate creatures. 

 

One of the 500 butterflies and moths on show in the conservatory 

 

Bronx Zoo - New York City

 

Location – 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, New York City

 

Entry Price – Prices do vary dependent on desired experience and what day you are visiting. 

Total Experience Tickets (recommended)

March to May, Adults $29.95US Children (3 to 12) $19.95US Senior (65+) $24.95US

June to November, Adults $33.95US Children (3 to 12) $23.95US Senior (65+) $28.95US

Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Weekends & Holidays 10am to 5.30pm

Bronx Zoo web page 

 

 

Layout

This is a large zoo, claiming to be the largest urban zoo in the world. The zoo has four entrances with the Southern Boulevard, Asia and Bronx River entrances serviced by large car parks. The fourth being the main entrance off Fordham Road.  Your experience may differ depending on which entry you come in by.

 

 

The zoo is divided up into many sections. At the southern end is where you can see Lions, Giraffes, Zebras and African Wild Dogs whilst walking through the African Plains. This area is adjacent to the Congo Gorilla Forrest, home to Gorillas and other Primates.  You can take a monorail through Asia, ride a camel or take a stroll over the Himalayan Highlands. The Northern end is home to Bird aviaries, Tiger Mountain, Children Zoo, Bison range and Monkey House and the centre of the zoo is the location of the Butterfly Garden, Reptile Pavilion, Bears and Nocturnal House amongst many other attractions. The entire zoo is connected by a shuttle service.

 

Each section of the zoo has restrooms, cafes, retail stores and other facilities that have been themed to fit their location. All are very well signed and conveniently located.

  

One of the many peacocks roaming the zoo

 

Extra Activities

Grab the total experience tickets so that you can view the entire zoo or you will end up paying separate amounts, at more cost. Jungle world, Wild Asia Monorail, the shuttle, Butterfly Garden and the Congo Gorilla Forest are just some of the exhibits and activities that will cost extra if you don’t purchase the Total Experience tickets at the gate.

 

There are a good amount of shows and exhibits located over the entire zoo. A few are seasonal and some are only for a short time so please check the web page and plan your visit. With so much to see and do you probably won’t be able to do it all in one day, but you can definitely give it a go. There is a traditional carousel for the little ones and the price is included with your Total Experience Tickets.

 

There is a heavy emphasis on education and conservation messages at most enclosures with some great interactive displays.

 

 

Part of Tiger Mountain conservation display

 

Breeding Programs  

This zoo is one of five zoos and aquariums in New York City managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Visit their website via this link to see the awesome work that they are doing to protect animals in so many regions around the world. It’s nice to know your entry ticket is helping out with this work.

 

 

Stu’s Favourite Bit

I had lots to choose from but I have to mention the feeling I had whilst sitting back at a cafe at the African Somba Village, eating a hot dog and looking up at the Baboon Reserve.This is one of the largest primate enclosures in the US. It’s a replica of a hill side on the African Alps and it is spectacular. You have a vista sprawling out in front of you as you watch Baboons and Ibexes mingle whilst displaying their natural behaviors in their complex social groups. I could have easily spent a large portion of the day right there. Oh yeah - and the hot dogs were pretty good too. 

 

Go HERE to see a selection of animals found at this zoo at 

stu @ the zoo TV

 

Grab a hot dog with a great view

 

 

Gelada Baboons at Baboon Reserve

 

 

Stu’s review and tips

I’ll try and keep this review brief, but being such a large zoo it’s going to be a bit difficult . I’ll start by saying I was a tiny bit disappointed on the day of my visit. This was my first big northern hemisphere zoo, and it was cold, so I did not know what to expect. I knew the monorail; butterfly gardens and a few other exhibits wouldn’t be open but was surprised at how many animals did not venture out in cold conditions. It makes sense of course, but I was shocked to see up to six giraffes housed in a small indoor enclosure. As you can see by the photo below, you could be forgiven for thinking that I was at the natural history museum. I’m probably being a little harsh so this has prompted me to look into enclosures for hot and cold climate zoos. So I’m not going to pass judgment until I do more research and do a separate post on this subject.  

 

Not the Natural History Museum

The zoo is big and there is so much to see that it was a little overwhelming. I loved the size of some of the Savannah enclosures (even if they were empty) the indoor Madagascar and Jungle World enclosures are amazing and a must do. It appeared like entire Eco systems had been created with several species together in one enclosure.

 

Entrance to Madagascar enclosure

The way the zoo has incorporated conservation messages at some of the enclosures is very clever. No more so than at Tiger Mountain. The interactive display leaves you in no doubt in the tiger’s precarious position in the wild, and the part humans are playing in this. 

 

The Congo Gorilla Forest is another spectacular indoor outdoor enclosure but a small word of warning. We paid for a Total Experience ticket that incorporates all entry prices, so we just went straight in. However others paid for the pleasure of seeing gorillas at the enclosure entry. Once in we walked the entire enclosure (again, great conservation messages) only to find a sign at the very end announcing that due to the cold weather the gorillas will not be on display outside. Maybe I missed them inside but being a gorilla fanatic, it was disappointing.

 

The zoo shops do not stock memory cards for your camera. They do provide disposable cameras.

 

The zoo shuttle only picks up from two locations, there are multiple drop off points but you can only get on near the Asia entrance and at the centre of the zoo near the main zoo shop.

 

You easily forget that you are in one of the world’s largest cities. The paths and surroundings are heavily wooded and the themes of some of the enclosures are quite effective. Some of the signage does look a little tired though.

 

Beautifully presented enclosures

  

This visit to the Bronx Zoo was a learning experience for me. My biggest hint for this zoo is do your research if you are keen to have a particular experience. This is a world class zoo that has done an outstanding job in combining, education with a sense of discovery.

I do intend to go back during warmer months. So let’s just call this my Winter Review of the Bronx Zoo.

Must See Animals  

Penguins 
Sea Lions 
Gorilla 
Giraffe
Bison
Gelada Baboon
Elephant 
Tiger 
Lion 

© April 2013-Stuatthezoo.blogspot.com.au

Central Park Zoo - New York City

 

Location –  830 Fifth Avenue – Central Park, New York City

Entry Price – Total Experience tickets (recommended) - Adults - $18.00US Children (3-12) -$13.00US  Senior (65+) - $15.00US 

Opening Hours – Summer hours, Mar – Nov, Monday to Friday 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
Weekends & Holidays 10.00 am – 5.30 pm. Winter hours, Nov - March 10.00 am – 4.30 pm daily.

Central Park Zoo web page  

Tiger and Cubs Sculpture

Layout  

This is a very small compact zoo located on the edge of Central Park in Manhattan.  The zoo has three main sections, the front entrance plaza, main zoo and children’s zoo. A 4-D theatre is located on the entrance plaza between the main zoo and children zoo. Also located on the entry plaza is a gift shop (The Zootique) and art gallery. The zoo has one cafe located to the left at entry.

All exhibits are located on the outer edge of the zoo in a semi circle format and include Polar Circle, Temperate Territory, Snow Leopard enclosure and Rainforest Exhibit. The centre of the zoo is dominated by a large Sea Lion pool.

Extra Activities  

A short 4-D movies can be seen in the theatre if you purchase a Total Experience Ticket. There are two movies to choose from at any time and usually conservation themed.  Also included with the Total Experience Ticket is the Children’s Zoo. Penguin and Sea Lion feeding times are scheduled and worth attending.

Sea Lion Pool with skyline of Manhattan in background

Breeding Programmes
This zoo is one of five zoos and aquariums in New York City managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Visit their website via this link to see the awesome work that they are doing to protect animals in so many regions around the world. It’s nice to know your entry ticket is helping out with this work.

Stu’s Favourite Bit 

The Snow Leopards enclosure was narrowly my favorite bit. I say narrowly because watching the Sea Lions play and scale the rocks to pose for photos was pretty special.   

The Snow Leopards’ enclosure was very impressive, complete with rocky outcrops, waterfalls and dense foliage that when combined with the two lookouts made for great viewing opportunities. The leopards themselves were very energetic and on one occasion a stray squirrel got a little to close and the leopard pounced. Probably not a great image if the squirrel was captured- but hey!  

Go HERE to see a selection of animals found at this zoo at Stu @ the zoo TV 

Snow Leopard

Stu’s review and tips   

So what do you get for your $18.00?  Answer, a small zoo with only a hand full of animals on offer.  Oh yeah and a rare opportunity to see some amazing animals up close in spectacular enclosures.

Don’t be fooled by the size of this zoo! As you walk around, each exhibit draws you in and forces you to linger, to observe, and notice the unique characteristics of each animal and their authentic surroundings. Most of the animals are from cold weather temperate climates including snow leopards, snow monkeys, polar bears (Sadly Gus the polar bear passed away in August 2013, he was 27), red pandas and gentoo penguins but there is so much more.

There is a great indoor tropical rainforest exhibit where you walk up into the tree tops observing colourful birds including the victoria crowned pigeon, bats, snakes, lemurs and tamarins. It can be a little overwhelming to the senses and nice and toasty on a cold March day.
  

One of the Tropical Parrots in the Tropical Zone

The sea lion pool in the centre garden area is a huge draw card. Seriously you could easily sit and watch these guys play for hours. You can also see the sea lions pool from the entry plaza at no charge and I can imagine many a New Yorker just popping in for a laugh, over lunch.

Sea Lion Pool

The 4-D movies are ok. One is a take from the movie Ice Age and the other is a short informative BBC documentary on polar bears and penguins.  The Children Zoo is a great idea, especially for kids that live in the big city and rarely get the opportunity to see sheep, pigs, goats etc.

Inside The Tropical Zone

Heading towards the Children Zoo

 
There is no parking at the zoo, but who in their right mind would drive in New York City anyway with the great public transport to the area by either subway or Metro bus.

I’m not sure if it was that it snowed the day before we visited leaving pockets of snow throughout or if it was the architecture, but I left this zoo feeling a little nostalgic, almost pining for a simpler time. This is an authentic old style city zoo minus the small enclosures and I loved it. 

Must See Animals  
Snow Leopard 
Victorian Crowned Pigeon 
Sea Lions 
Penguin
Polar Bear  




© April 2013-Stuatthezoo.blogspot.com.au

New York City Sanctuaries

I have just returned from a great visit to New York City.  Before I do my reviews on the zoos that I visited I have to mention how impressed I was with the amount of parks and green space that has been set aside for New Yorkers to enjoy.  The New York Department of Parks and Recreation do an amazing job of ensuring green-scapes in the metropolis.  Of course this space is not only available for people’s enjoyment, but also the many animals that call New York home.

Riverside Park - Last couple of days of Winter

Canada Goose, East Hudson River

American Robin at Central Park

Sign style at all New York parks

Eastern Gray Squirrel at Central Park

Sparrow at Riverside Park

Eastern Gray Squirrel at Riverside Park

Mallard's (Mr and Mrs) at Central Park

Central Park after snow flurry

Related Post's

Central Park Zoo - Review

Bronx Zoo - Review