Author | Lightnews

Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · 19h

Ask us why they’re called “blue-tongued skinks.” 😜💙

#TongueOutTuesday

📸: Keeper Addy

Melbourne the blue-tongued skink crawls through the grass and pokes out his bright blue tongue at Keeper Addy in these pictures.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · 8d

We can hardly think of a more appropriate photo to post on Bluesky… 😏

📸: Animal Care Supervisor Ariel

A dark silhouette of a tall, ossicone-bearing animal taken from a low angle. A bright blue and cloudy sky fills the background and beautifully frames the not-so-mysterious mammal.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · 14d

We’re always pleased to take home any award, but to be recognized for excellence by our local community is particularly meaningful. We love you, Santa Barbara, and we are grateful to have your continued support!

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · 14d

Your Santa Barbara Zoo won in the categories of Best Family Fun Spot AND Best Kids’ Summer Camp, and was honored as a runner-up in the categories of Best Place to Work AND Best After School Program.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · 14d

The Zoo is ecstatic to announce that we’ve won FOUR awards in this year’s Santa Barbara Independent Best of Santa Barbara® Readers’ Poll! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Educator Whitney smiles as she shows off Mottle the prehensile-tailed skink to a pair of Zoo Campers. Above them hover four badges signifying the Zoo’s honors in this year’s Santa Barbara Independent Best of Santa Barbara® Readers’ Poll.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · 29d

Things we love to see at the Zoo #9987: Birds seeing us! 👁️👄👁️

First picture 📸: Keeper Addy

Gumdrop the white-cheeked turaco stares at Keeper Addy’s camera while leaning forward with their paintbrush-like crest in the first picture.

In the next, Fig the toco toucan matches Gumdrop’s pose, albeit with a much bigger beak.

Finally, we see Amelia the bald eagle look our way through the leaves of her habitat’s trees in the last photo.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Oct 2

We had the privilege of hosting Dr. Goodall at the Zoo in 2001 as she promoted her Roots & Shoots program. Meeting with staff and local school children, her trip to the Zoo left an impression on our community, and her life will forever be a source of inspiration for the Santa Barbara Zoo family.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Oct 2

Today, the Zoo mourns the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, Dame of the British Empire, UN Messenger of Peace, and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute. A trailblazing primatologist and legendary wildlife advocate, Jane Goodall’s impact on worldwide conservation efforts cannot be understated.

Dr. Jane Goodall (right) answers questions from local news reporters near the Zoo’s giraffe yard as Baringo giraffe saunter in the background.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Sep 23

🖖👅

#TongueOutTuesday

Poppy the California mountain kingsnake explores with her forked tongue as her guide in these pictures. In the first, the black, orange, and white snake makes a lasso of herself as she slides along a branch.

In the second, we take a close-up look at her tiny black head, adorable big eyes, and pointy forked tongue.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Sep 13

Paws appreciation post! 🐾🦁 #Caturday

African lions' paws house sharp claws they use to hunt and grip prey. These claws are retractable, a handy adaptation that enables them to walk on their toes as they stealthily stalk their would-be meals.

Ralph the African lion lets his forepaws droop over the edge of a rock face while lowering his maned head in preparation for a catnap in the first picture.

📸: Keeper Ariel

Felicia the African lioness rests near her habitat’s observation window and extends her front right forepaw as if to show off a fresh pedicure in the second picture.

📸: Keeper Ariel

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Sep 9

Found only on the Fiji islands, they are also talented swimmers who are not shy to make a splash to escape predators.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Sep 9

Fiji banded iguanas (like the one pictured here in its Tropical Wonders habitat) are arboreal and prefer to spend their time in the trees. There, these endangered lizards forage for fruit, leaves, and flowers.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Sep 9

September 8 is Iguana Awareness Day! 🦎👀

Iguanas are magnificent reptiles that come in many shapes, sizes, and colors! There are currently 35 different recognized species of iguanas that exhibit different behaviors and adaptations depending on the habitat in which they reside.

A Fiji banded iguana smirks at our camera as it discovers a bright yellow flower in its Tropical Wonders home.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Aug 28

Sharing silly salamander smiles to brighten your day! 🤗

Pictures of California tiger salamanders in their Rattlesnake Canyon habitat at the Zoo. In the first, a salamander stares at our camera with its big, glassy eyes and dirt covering its head.

Next, another tiger salamander peeks out of its pool and shoots a smile our way.

Finally, we see yet another salamander crawl through the debris of its habitat to curiously get a closer look at us in the last photo.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Aug 22

When temperatures are warm, these blood vessels expand to release body heat. When it gets chilly, the blood vessels contract to hold onto warmth.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Aug 22

Their spots help them thermoregulate too. Giraffe don’t sweat – instead, they have concentrated arrangements of blood vessels underneath their spots to stay cool.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Aug 22

Giraffe or tree trunk? 🌴🦒🤔

Giraffe are covered in dark, multipurpose spots. These spots act as a form of camouflage, obscuring the giraffe’s outline and helping to conceal the gentle giants from savannah predators.

Theo the Masai giraffe reaches straight up for leaves in a tree, his head and neck perfectly aligning and concealing the tree’s bole behind him.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Aug 13

We’re seeing red… Red pandas that is! 😍🐾🌿

Check out our new video featuring Raj and Ruby, the red pandas of Santa Barbara, and learn all about these unique arboreal mammals from Keeper Joe.

Watch the latest YouTube video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHqP...

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Jul 31

To help them stick to smooth branches and vertical surfaces, they have specialized toe pads. Taking a closer look, their toe pads have folds with millions of microscopic “hairs” called setae to create a sticking effect.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Jul 31

The Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko has mastered the art of hangin’ out! 🤙🦎😎

These Madagascan lizards live their lives in the trees, using their namesake camouflage to avoid predation and pounce on the insects and invertebrates that make up their diet.

Pictures of a Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko in its Tropical Wonders habitat. We see a wide shot of it clinging to the observation window glass with its head pointed towards the floor in the first picture.

Next, we get closer with a head-on view of the gecko flattening itself against the glass as it holds its inverted pose.

Finally, an extreme close-up reveals the folds of the gecko’s front left foot pad.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Jul 27

From providing enriched experiences for a wide array of wildlife to diligently observing subtle changes in animal behavior, your daily duties ensure the Zoo’s natural treasures remain happy, healthy, and safe.

Truly, there is no Zoo without you! Again, THANK YOU, ZOOKEEPERS!

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Jul 27

Thank you, keepers, for your hard work and dedication to providing world-class care to the animals that call our Zoo home. Your early mornings and long days don’t go unnoticed.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Jul 27

It’s the last day of National Zookeeper Week, and we’d like to invite you to join us in expressing our sincerest gratitude to our keepers!

📸: Director of Animal Care Kristen Wieners

A group photo of the Santa Barbara Zoo animal care team sharing a meal together on the Veranda deck outside of the Australian Walkabout.

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Jul 25

Tropical Wonders celebrates the variety and interconnectedness of all living organisms on our planet. The health of people, animals, and the environment is intertwined, and optimizing the health of one does 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 for the health of all!

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Santa Barbara Zoo @santabarbarazoo.bsky.social · Jul 25

In the Thomas & Nancy Crawford Tropical Aviary, the entry space is opened up, seating was added, and the habitats got an overall refresh.

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