Zoo of Maryland in Baltimore #3

Stop #3 @ the Zoo of Maryland in Baltimore. The Maryland Wilderness.

This is a very cost and state-centric exhibition area. The New Orleans Zoo has a similar Bayou-centric exhibition area. Entering you find a lot of open areas created to support common local species. The bog area has turtles, for example. There is the construction of a new aviary to feature the waterfowl of the state. In enclosures you discover a wonderful pair of River Otters. It's too bad that watching then is through scratched plexy-glass. Another enclosure hosts a Red Fox. There is also a really interesting "Cave" structure where you can see a variety of snakes, insects and bats. Nearby is a another structure designed to look like a hollowed out tree with more snakes. In the middle of this is a spiral staircase that children can climb up to reach the top of the faux tree on a ridge above and then slide down an amazing slide. Next to this is a set of turtle shells that invite children to pretend they are turtles, too. I think an exclosure with White-tailed deer is a no brainer addition, as well as, a space for wild turkeys--both common in the woods around the entire state.

 NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER

NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER

 RED FOX

 NORTHERN COPPERHEAD and TIMBER RATTLESNAKE