Here’s your Nashville Zoo Picture of the Week. Lola and Kari, our female Bactrian camels, mug for the camera inside our Critter Encounters petting zoo. At about a year old, they are roughly 5 feet tall but will grow to more than 7 feet at the humps…of which they each have two.

 

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka (www.sperka.biz).

Join Nashville Zoo for some hippity hoppity fun at the 14th annual Eggstravaganzoo. Nashville’s largest egg hunt tradition takes place Saturday, April 7 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

More than 40,000 plastic eggs will be distributed on the Zoo’s Festival Field for 10 scheduled hunts held throughout the day. Participants can redeem their eggs for exciting prize packs.

Festival Field Egg Hunt Schedule:

• Ages 2 & under: 10 a.m. OR 12:30 p.m.

• 3 years: 10:30 a.m. OR 1 p.m.

• 4 – 5 years: 11 a.m. OR 1:30 p.m.

• 6 – 7 years:  11:30 a.m. OR 2 p.m.

• 8 – 10 years Noon OR 2:30 p.m.

There will also be a Zoo-wide hunt for larger, golden eggs also redeemable for prizes. Visitors can watch as Zoo animals hunt for special “eggs” hidden just for them. Other activities include Easter-themed games, bounce houses and face painting.

New this year to Eggstravaganzoo is Bunny Café, offering breakfast and lunch with a view of the egg hunt field and up-close visits with the Easter Bunny. Reservations are required. Visit www.nashvillezoo.org for Café menu and to make a reservation.

Eggstravaganzoo is included with Zoo admission or membership. Additional event fees apply for Bunny Café and face painting. Eggstravaganzoo is presented by The Gaylord Entertainment Foundation and supported by HCA TriStar, Dixie Home Crafters, Happy Family, Lifeguard Ambulance Service, Krispy Kreme, Now Playing Nashville and Mix 92.9.

Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership. For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

Two snowy owls have landed at Nashville Zoo. The pair, one male and one female, came to the Nashville from the Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut and can be seen at on exhibit in the Zoo’s Critter Encounters area.

“Snowy owls are one of the most captivating animals; they have an almost mythological look to them,” said Joe deGraauw, avian curator at Nashville Zoo. “In the winter, we are usually making amends to keep birds out of the harsh temperatures, but these birds relish it. Their preference of much cooler weather means you can see them on exhibit when other animals may have limited access.”

Snowy owls (Bubo scandiacus) are native to the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. Males are almost completely white, and females are largely white with brown and black markings. Unlike other owl species, snowy owls is diurnal and are most active during the daytime. Guests can learn more about snowy owls by attending keeper talks offered throughout the week. Keeper Talk information can be found on the Zoo’s website at www.nashvillezoo.org.

Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is a nonprofit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Road and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership. For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or visit www.nashvillezoo.org.