The Official Houston Zoo Blog

     When you think of a zoo, most people remember lions and tigers and bears (Oh my!). But the most abundant creatures on earth are rarely thought of – Invertebrates! It’s thought that 99 percent of all known species are actually part of this creepy crawly group. Several of these spineless creatures live right here in the Children’s Zoo. 

Desert Blonde Tarantula

     One of the most feared types of spider is the dreaded tarantula. But these friendly eight-legged arachnids are probably more scared of you than you are of them! Although venomous, our native tarantulas have only enough venom to kill their favorite food – crickets! For a human, their bites are comparable to that of a bee. In the wild, you can find tarantulas living in small burrows in the ground.  Lucky for you, viewing these fascinating spiders at a close and safe distance isn’t hard. Stop by the Swap Shop or Desert/Prairie in the Children’s Zoo to see our rose-haired tarantulas.

     Another less-known arachnid in the Children’s Zoo is the vinegaroon. Named after their defense mechanism, vinegaroons will emit a fine vinegar-like mist when threatened. Although they appear dangerous, they are non-venomous and, unless you’re allergic to acetic acid, their misting defense is also harmless! Their exhibit is nestled in the rockwork of our Desert/Prairie section. Note that when searching for the vinegaroon, these arachnids are nocturnal meaning that they sleep during the day and are active at night.

Walking Sticks - Look closely!

     For the feint of heart, our walking sticks are a little less outwardly scary! These insects are certainly some of the greatest masters of disguise. Their entire bodies are made to blend in with the surrounding environment, an adaptation that helps save them from being a quick snack for larger animals! Not only do their bodies look like sticks, but their movements blend in as well, swaying as they walk to camouflage themselves as twigs caught in the wind. These incredible insects are behind the scenes at the Children’s Zoo, but you can see them during education programs and interactive keeper chats.

     As you can see, there are many amazing invertebrates here in the Children’s Zoo, but you can also look for these critters in your own back yard! Our collection doesn’t stop at just these three, as we also have many others including desert millipedes, tailless whip-scorpions, and more! Do you have the backbone it takes to get up close and personal with these spineless wonders? Find out today in the Children’s Zoo!