Visiting relatives in Silesian Zoological Park, Part 3

Finally, it is the third part and it is time to look for big animals. From the very beginning of the study, we tried to find the giants as quickly as possible. And now we already noticed that the time of stay would soon end, so we looked at the signs and tried to explore everything around as quickly as possible. So, walking, in front of us we began to notice a large open area with a low iron fence, like the one at the bison, so we knew that the coolest zone began. I'm not saying that all smaller animals are basic, but it's always interesting to see large exotic animals.

Near a large area, we saw a building and realized that since these animals are mostly warm-blooded, they would stay inside in the winter. So, approaching the building and looking inside through a large glass window, we were shocked. Inside were several rhinos eating hay. I honestly didn't imagine they would be so big. These animals are impressively massive, but despite this they can run very fast. They run an average of 50 km/h! Let's recall that the average person runs 20 km/h. But they are also considered quite dangerous, because they wield their horns well, and their mass adds a little fear. Here we saw one of the largest breeds called the White Rhino. But they are gray in color. Their mass is 2300 kg. Of course, the speed also depends on the breed too. 50 km also applies to this breed. The most interesting thing is that after looking at the information on the Internet, I realized that somehow, smaller breeds run slower than this breed.

Impressed by these animals, we headed to the next building that was right in our path. As we got closer to the glass, we saw giraffes. They are so beautiful! There were about six giraffes there, two small ones and four adults. Just like with the rhinos, I was amazed that they were much bigger than I thought. One giraffe was walking around the room and it was incredible to see a close comparison of how big it was against my background. In the middle of the room, there was one baby giraffe sitting and looking at everyone cutely. They had feeders high on the wall to match their height. It looked really comfortable! They also had a separate small room off to the side of the big one, but where for some reason they all gathered and fussed. They are very elegant animals. Their coloring is so wonderful and beautiful. I really love the pattern. And did you know that giraffes only sleep 3-4 hours, because they always have to be ready to fight off predators. And by the way, they do it well, because with one blow they can beat off all the lions. Giraffes also have a very long tongue. This thing is 40 cm long. This helps them get leaves from trees and the highest branches. All these photos of giraffes were taken by Hive account@bugavi. She sat by the window all the time and tried to take pictures, because it was incredibly difficult.

The giraffes were so fascinating, and after we took a lot of photos, we went on to see the third largest animal and the largest land animal in the world! So, entering the semi-circular room, we found ourselves in the territory of the majestic elephants! These are incredible animals, they are so big, and they are also very intelligent. During our stay there, these creatures walked around their territory, ate hay, threw it and also drank water. And it is fascinating how they do all these functions with their trunk. Elephant trunks are very sensitive and replace them with many functions. It is like hands and fingers for them. Elephants drink in such a way that they draw water into their trunk like a hose, and then pour it into their mouth. Also, elephants are very kind and understanding, but they can also be very quick-tempered, and in general they have a good memory. So if you harmed them twenty years ago, if you meet them again, they will take revenge on you. Also, little elephants are like little puppies. They constantly want to play, and are very playful and cheerful animals. But because they are very strong animals, if they grab your hand with their trunk while playing, expect bruises! Also, elephants can reach speeds of up to 15 km/h! But if one of them is chasing you, then you need to run in zigzags, and it will lose speed. Tusks also serve them as an effective means of protection, and in battles they often win with such weapons. So these are extremely strong animals. But despite all these cool facts, when we went inside, we felt a not very pleasant smell, which remained with us even after leaving, because it was completely absorbed into our clothes. We also read that elephants are not solitary animals, and they spend their whole lives together with their family. It was unexpected, but we were able to see with our own eyes such a beautiful moment as elephants hug each other with their trunks. There used to be hippos in the same room, but now for some reason they are not here.

Bugavi got us by surprise, and it turned out like a nice photo 😃

After we left the room with the elephants, Hive account@gtg asked the worker, and it turned out we could walk for another hour after working hours.

After the elephants, we headed to another section with predators. With the top predators, the predators of all predators. It turns out that they were moved to another section for some reason. On the way, we also saw several other animals, such as wild boars, but we were clearly heading there, because our time here was coming to an end soon. A few minutes later we arrived. And here, on this large grassy expanse, we were met by the kings of beasts. Lions are animals that the entire harbor is afraid of. Nevertheless, some animals do dare to show disrespect, but they immediately get revenge. But the only animals that lions are afraid of are their lionesses. A proper man always worships his woman. And although they are tough leaders, here in peace where he does not have to defend himself and hunt, they look like cute big cats. He rolled over on his back with his belly pointing to the sky, and he also behaved very playfully with his friend who was lying next to him. They also later lay together nicely. Here the lions and lionesses were separated from each other, so the female realm reigned separately while the men simply relaxed without worrying about anything.

While observing lions, we noticed that there was a crow on the lion territory. Wow, how brave of her.

Also, another species of feline that could rival the status of lions could be tigers, but thank God, this cannot happen in nature. Tigers and lions do not fight for leadership because they live in different areas. Lions mostly live in Africa, and tigers mostly live in India. The second predator that we were also supposed to see in this section was supposed to be the same tigers. These are my favorite animals, and I was very happy to finally see them in real life. But when we arrived, we were disappointed because they were not in the promised area. It was a little sad for me, but never mind, instead let me tell you why tigers are my favorite animals. First of all, I was born in the year of the tiger, and I associate myself with this animal by character, even though I am a vegetarian. Also, although they are cats, they are not afraid of water. Also, they are very strong, and sometimes you can even see their biceps in some photos. They are also one of the largest animals of the cat family! And of course their coloring, it is super extraordinary, and did you know that their skin is the same color as their fur? Well, in general, they are very charismatic and cool animals, and I admire them. And yet, despite their coolness, sometimes they look like simple cute playful cats.

We also encountered one lion couple that was put together, separated from everyone else.

On our walk from the lion cages, Hive account@olga.maslievich decided to seat on a beach, and i decided to take a few photos of her. She was very tired the whole walk 😄.

Already walking away from the lion cages, we came across a glass room in which a flock of... Flamingos were kept! These birds are very elegant and elastic animals! In their enclosure in the middle there was a small "lake" to maintain their usual habitat. Their necks are so elastic! They flew and jumped from place to place, splashing water around. Also, for some reason, we often saw two of them getting into a fight, and they really fought. There were a lot of them there, about 20. Their body shape is truly unique. The beak is simply masterpiece, but the main paradox is that in which direction do their legs bend? Completely opposite to ours! I don't understand how it works in them at all. Amazing. Did you know that flamingos are born dirty white, and then acquire their light pink color due to the food they eat? In the wild, flamingos eat a lot of spirulina algae, which contains a natural pigment called carotenoid. In zoos, flamingos are fed carrots, because they contain the same pigment they need to maintain their color. If a flamingo doesn't get enough of the vitamins it needs, it will simply turn pale.

While looking at the flamingos, we realized that time was almost up, and on the map that we looked at from time to time, we saw that we had not yet visited two animals - a red panda and penguins. Fortunately, they were opposite each other. Going in that direction, we came across pelicans. These are such huge and beautiful birds. They really impressed me. In size, they are very large, and also, they are so beautiful! They were pinkish in color, because this is probably that species, and they also had a very cute confused look. Their wings are so wide, and I'm afraid that this pelican is half my height or more. Their beak is also very unique. It can hold a very large weight, which includes the volume of fish and water that they pour into their mouths when hunting. But the most amazing phenomenon with these birds is their yawning. Then something inexplicably strange happens to their beaks. Google it! You'll be very surprised!

While looking at the pelicans, Hive account@gtg and I saw a peacock walking freely in the distance. It seems that it escaped from its cage and is walking here with its royal gait. Of course, the beauty of peacock feathers cannot be described. We crept closer and closer, until only a meter remained between us and the peacock. It is surprising that it did not immediately run away. In the end, we (or rather Hive account@gtg) were able to take these several incredible shots.

Later, Hive account@olga.maslievich and I decided to break away from the rest of our company in search of a toilet. Having walked all the way to the next cages with animals through half of the park, we did find a toilet. So finally coming to the toilet, passing by, behind the fence of one territory, we saw kangaroos. When we passed there earlier, they were lying down, but this time we finally saw one of them grazing. So we got a little distracted and went to look at the kangaroo. The kangaroo was standing and eating grass, from time to time moving its... tail. We all know that kangaroos are animals that constantly jump, and even very high, and in addition to their legs, their tails help them in this. They have very thick, long and strong ones, and they really look massive. So while eating grass, he was not standing on his legs, but on his tail! Also, an interesting fact about kangaroos is that male kangaroos are large and very muscular. They are really very pumped up, their biceps, their chest, and they themselves look like boxers. And they act like boxers too. They always want to fight, and I don't think it's a good idea to engage in a fight with them.

We also saw this ostrich the last minute.

By the time we finished looking at the kangaroos, Hive account@bugavi and Hive account@gtg were already calling us. It was already time to leave, and I still hadn't seen the red pandas, which these two had already looked at while they were walking towards us. So while Hive account@olga.maslievich and Hive account@bugavi were in the toilet, Hive account@gtg and I finally ran to the red pandas at the last second, and I saw these cute creatures. Although they didn't look much like the original pandas, but more like cats or raccoons, they look extremely unique. And their color is just wow 😍😍😍. They had an area set up for them with entertaining lasagnas and grass, so they weren't bored and instead climbed, walked and amazed everyone with their fluffiness. There was also a penguin section opposite them, but they weren't there at that moment. So after that we quickly ran to the exit, because if you leave late, you have to pay a fine.

After a few minutes of searching for another part of our team, and unsuccessful attempts to exit through a non-existent entrance, we reached the main entrance. Thank God the guard didn’t say anything to us, and we left peacefully. After walking a few meters we saw an elephant statue that blooms in the summer, but now it doesn’t look very presentable, but we decided to take a photo next to it anyway. And at this moment, we end our trip to the zoo. It was a very fun trip, and it was very joyful to meet you again Hive account@gtg.

Bye bye everyone! 🦁🦒🐘