I MET AN ELEPHANT!!!!!

Today was especially exciting because the interns were allowed to go on a behind the scenes tour in the elephant house.  We all met Mai-tai a 38 year old female asian elephant.  We also had our pics taken with her...but I didnt take the picture so.....ill get it soon.  

Mai-tai!!!

After that experience we went to work for the day.

I began in Manatee Springs with Star the ball python....were basically besties.

1 thing I love about working with snakes is seeing how many full grown men are terrified of them. :)

I then took out a pygmy hedgehog with another intern where we put out a playpen in the grass and let the little guy roam around on the ground.  Its much nicer than having to hold them because they at best feel like pine needles...at worst a pin cushion with the needles sticking outward.  So definitely not a pleasant feeling and then they ball up and hop a little which only makes it more prickly.  

Things to know about hedgehogs:

1.  They are not baby porcupines

2.  They are not cuddly or soft

3.  They have hair not quills like porcupines

4.  They have razor sharp little teeth

5.  They eat insects

6.  No you can not hold them.

After lunch I had the usual Lorikeet/Goat bonding time.  So basically I poured nectar, gave out seed sticks, and took birds off of people.  Then I made sure goats weren't escaping.

I then was able to do another animal encounter at entry with my buddy star again.  He and his twin are probably my favorite guys to take out....super calm.

Black-capped Lorikeet

again

walking 

staring me down for food

Star the Ball Python