Someone must have taken away their credit cards, because these rhinos aren't charging.

Every so often we like to remind our readers that we aren’t the only families out there — we may not even be the cutest.

That’s right, I just said that rhinos are cuter than people. Deal with it.

This mother and baby white rhino duo were spotted sharing some quality time at the Whipsnade Zoo in Whipsnade, England. That’s what mothers and babies do, and not just in Whipsnade.

With summer approaching you may find you and yours on the road or opting for a staycation — either way, don’t forget to support the zoos in the area. It’s true that zoos get a bad rap in some circles, and there are those that deserve it, but a lot of them are doing great things to help restore animal populations, and that’s a good thing. Also, cute.

This post is part of our Friday Family series.

Photo by Martin Pettitt via Flickr

Behind the scenes at the San Diego Zoo

Many consider it to be the best zoo in the world. It’s certainly one of the biggest.

So, when you visit the San Diego Zoo, you’re seeing something quite special.

But why not make it just a little more special by going behind-the-scenes with the zoo’s memorable Backstage Pass program?

That’s what my family did on a recent visit to San Diego.

Like our Universal Studios VIP Tour a few days earlier, this one was also pricey, to the tune of $99 per person (which does not include zoo admission).

For a trip of a lifetime, however, it was worth the extra expense. But not by much.

First off, you don’t really go “behind the scenes,” and they don’t advertise it as such. Instead, you get the VIP treatment in a special staging area, where you receive a private viewing of some of the zoo’s animals.

The encounter began at lunchtime, so it’s a good thing the zoo served us up a delicious box lunch. Sitting at our comfortable tables, it wasn’t long before the animals appeared.

My kids wanted to take this cheetah home

We were getting our money’s worth right away as various wild creatures were paraded right past our outstretched legs. A zookeeper took a good amount of time to discuss and show off each animal.

My kids were enthralled by the up-close and personal views of a cheetah, Asian Bearcat, wolf, hedgehog, and various birds of prey.

Up next, we left our seats to get even closer to the biggest animal I’ve ever touched, a rhinoceros.

Read More »

Why did it have to be snakes?

A few weeks ago, there came a day that a mother fears – the day when her five-year-old son declares that he wants a snake for his birthday.  Especially if on that same day his father declares that yes, this is a possibility.

Oh, really.

So far, the five-year-old is just “totally into” snakes and lizards.  At a friend’s birthday party recently, there was a Lizard Lady, who brought several cages of reptiles and showed them to the children, telling the crowd a little bit about each animal.  There were lizards, turtles, small snakes, and a 75-pound Burmese Python.  AT A CHILD’S BIRTHDAY PARTY.  The Lizard Lady had the gall to invite parents to wrap the 75-pound snake around our shoulders for a photo opportunity.

I wouldn’t have considered the notion.  But when I saw the look of rapture on my son’s face when she said that, I naturally stepped forward and volunteered to be the first. What else is a mom to do?

Our next reptilian adventure will take place in a far safer environment, which will not include any bodily contact between the snakes and myself. Read More »

Cougar Mtn. Zoo Reindeer Festival

The Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah, WA (15 miles East of Seattle) is worth visiting year round.  The zoo is located, literally, on Cougar Mountain with a beautiful view of the Cascade Mountains and Lake Sammamish.  The primary focus of the Cougar Mountain Zoo is education and endangered species.  It’s an outing and it’s a cause.

But we’re talking reindeer. Read More »