Archive for July 2010

Jul
22

Oh Brother!

Posted by in Baylor,Featured,Play Time,Tucker

 

Being the big brother is not easy, but Tucker has been really good at it so far. All Baylor wants to do is play, play, play. But, Tucker on the other hand wants to eat first and play later. Tucker has shown a lot of patience with Baylor and often gently nudges him aside while he eats. Unfortunately for Tucker, Baylor is very persistent. Elephants can eat well over 100 pounds of food each day. Each of the elephants at the Houston Zoo eats almost two bales of hay a day, 1.5 pounds of grain made specifically for elephants and over 10 pounds of produce.

Written by Daryl Hoffman, Houston Zoo Lg. Mammal Curator

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Jul
19

Who Knew Baby Elephants Think Logs Are So Much Fun?

Posted by in Baylor,Featured,Play Time

 

Who knew a log could be so much fun? Baylor did. He watches Tucker push and roll the massive logs and tree limbs around the yard like they are twigs. He is a long way from pushing them like Tucker, but that does not mean they are not fun. The logs do make good belly scratchers or back and side scratchers. The logs make good obstacles when Baylor is being chased by Tucker as well. They help to slow him down. Tipping the scales at 540 pounds, Baylor is healthy and continues to grow. He has gained over 200 pounds since he was born on May 4.

Written by Daryl Hoffman, Houston Zoo Lg. Mammal Curator

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Jul
16

Why walk when you can… RUN!

Posted by in Baylor,Featured,Humor,Play Time

As Baylor continues to grow, so does his personality. He is still somewhat of a “Momma’s boy,” but he is slowly coming out of his shell. Like most baby elephants, Baylor is always on the go. He is not content being in one place for very long and what better way to get from one place to another than to run. He seems to run where ever he is going. Sometimes, he even runs in circles. He does not always seem to know where to go next.  People may think that elephants are slow, but actually elephants can run faster than the average person for short distances. Elephants have been recorded running at speeds up to 20 mph!  Baylor is not that fast yet, but if keeps this behavior up, there is no doubt that it will not take long for him to reach those speeds.

Written by Daryl Hoffman, Houston Zoo Lg. Mammal Curator

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