ZooMontana Written Tour

• The “tour” is separated into the main areas of the zoo. We know there is a lot to read!!! Why not assign small groups to be in charge of different areas of the tour. Spend time prior to your visit researching the animals your students will see and allow them to present their information at the zoo.
• Depending on the age group or interest of your group you may want to condense some of the information.
• Pick a centralized theme to talk about at each exhibit:
  • Predator/Prey
  • Animal Coverings
  • Habitat
  • Animal type (mammal, bird, reptile, etc)
  • Adaptations
• Compare/ contrast with things you’ve already seen:
  • Does this animal have a longer or shorter lifespan than the one we just saw?
  • Is this animal bigger or smaller?
  • How is this animal’s habitat different?
• Take time to observe. Many of the animals at the zoo will stop what they are doing when your group approaches. Take a few minutes to quietly observe the animals as they return to their normal activities.
• If someone in your group stumps you with a question please don’t hesitate to ask the answer to one of our informed staff members or volunteers.

Our zoo is situated on approximately 72 acres with Canyon Creek meandering through the center of it. We have a lovely riparian setting to work with! The zoo layout takes our visitors from North America to Eurasia through high plains, woodland and mountain ecosystems. With the exception of some of our older education animals, the zoo will feature only northern latitude Temperate Zone species…animals that would find our hot summers and cold winters to their liking. The zoo receives no state or federal money. We run on a very tight budget with most of our operating costs coming from fundraising, donations and grants. Many of our future habitats have been designed and construction costs have been figured in. We do not begin to build any of our habitats until enough money has come in to complete the project. We have a small staff supplemented by a LARGE volunteer association. Many of the people you will see working at the zoo are volunteers.

Many of the animals you will see at ZooMontana are rare, threatened or endangered mostly due to habitat loss, or other human interference. What makes up a habitat, you ask? Habitats must provide food, water, shelter and space. Every species of plant and animal requires a specific amount of all these things and when one or more of these needs is not met, living organisms cannot survive. Inside the main building a large percentage of Montana’s native reptiles and amphibians are housed as well as various other animals.

Continue on to the Living Wall!