One of my favorite things about visiting new zoos, both in reality and in the ZooChat galleries, is discovering little unique elements of zoo exhibits or landscapes that may have no conservation, educational, or practical value, but are just plain cool or fun. These elements help make a zoo unique and I imagine may bring smiles and happiness to the visitors who notice them. Where are your favorite fun, cool, quirky zoo elements that you have experienced in your zoo travels? Some examples of what I'm talking about: The Cajun werewolf at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans (picture by snowleopard: http://www.zoochat.com/314/louisiana-swamp-swamp-monster-183025/) The little animals on the roofs of the small mammal house and other buildings in the Smithsonian National Zoo (picture by Blopsz: http://www.zoochat.com/612/roof-characters-218358/) The "supercroc" fossil near the American alligator exhibit at the Oakland Zoo (picture by snowleopard: http://www.zoochat.com/857/childrens-zoo-sarcosuchus-imperator-fossil-239691/)
I'm a sucker for the whimsical and an aficiando of bad animal paintings (one of my favourite's used to be a Ring-tailed Lemur on a mural at Isle of White Zoo that looked more like a carnivore than a primate). I also love those painted mural/pannels that you stick your head in for (stupid but fun) photo-opportunites.
Underwater tunnel slide through otter exhibit at Cameron Park Zoo (Waco, TX). And yes I realize it is just for kids and no I did not try it myself! The bouncy suspension bridge near tiger exhibit at San Diego Safari Park. I cannot resist running and bouncing on it to make it really get going - especially if I am there with a friend who is (an unsuspecting) first time visitor.
