35 Mistakes That Drive ZooKeepers NUTS

Don't feel bad--even Google has made these mistakes! Zookeepers across the globe have united to bring you a list of some of the most outlandish mistakes that guests make on a DAILY basis. Why does this matter? Modern zoos & aquariums are focusing more & more on species & global conservation education. 99.9% of the time, guests will incorrectly guess a species, even though there is an educational sign RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM. These mistakes make it obvious that the guest isn't paying attention to the information that is being provided. Our planet is in the process of becoming uninhabitable due to pollution, deforestation, & mass extinctions. Your local zoo or aquarium is a great place to start learning how each of us plays a part in saving the planet that we share with some pretty amazing animals.

1.

Its always important to understand in what way an animal might be a threat to your safety.

2.

Since humans are most genetically related to other apes, calling an ape a "monkey" is pretty much the equivalent of calling YOURSELF a monkey. How do you tell the difference? Apes don't have tails!

3.

Since bees are responsible for the majority of pollination for the food we eat, its important to let them go on about their business rather than swatting at them.

4.

The American bison is an iconic species & one of the first endangered species to be saved from the brink of extinction with the help of zoos.

5.

Horns & antlers are very different from each other--confusing the two will result in a dramatic eye-roll & a calming deep breath from nearby zoologists.

6.

Do pronghorns have horns or do they have antlers?? Um...both? Their unique headgear shares properties of both! They are completely unique from other deer-like species.

7.

Turtles live in water & have paddle-like feet for swimming. Tortoises live on land & have elephant-like feet for walking around. Then there's box turtles that live on land--because there's always one species in every category that has to be a rebel.

8.

Frog = soft skin & suction cup toes. Toad = rough skin & tapered toes.

9.

Thanks to a certain beverage company the world thinks that these animals share the same habitat. Globally speaking--they couldn't be farther from the truth.

10.

Ya know--plus the differences between when they'll see you again.

11.

When you get this one wrong, it also kind of makes zoologists wonder if you know the difference between a river & the sea.

12.

Both are super cute, super smart, & super misunderstood.

13.

I'm pretty sure they both spit, though...

14.

When guests try to be scientific but it backfires :/

15.

These are at least kind of similar...until they're not...

16.

Both can kick harder than a Chuck Norris roundhouse.

17.

If zookeepers had a dollar for every time somebody called a rhea a "baby ostrich"...well, they'd probably buy a rhea farm :)

18.

I know...I didn't know, either!!

19.

There are many types of hornbills--& none of them are toucans.

20.

Look at the beaks, people!

21.

And yet neither of these looks like any of the kids in the circle...

22.

Koalas are actually marsupials--like kangaroos & opossums.

23.

This one just comes down to how many f***s you give--wallabies are much smaller & fluffier than kangaroos.

24.

Squirrels hide food in the ground; chipmunks hide food in their cheeks.

25.

This is the difference between "OMG, how cute!!" & "OMG, I need a hospital!!"

26.

You thought I was done with the birds--you were wrong.

27.

Both are adorably fluffy & smart :)

28.

With the ridiculous amounts of varying canid species out there, this one is somewhat understandable. However, they play very different roles within their ecosystems.

29.

Floppy ears is a dead giveaway for the difference...MOST of the time...

30.

A certain weatherproofing company could use this lesson: Seals are all sealed up--no cute ear flappies.

31.

Apparently both take fantastic selfies :)

32.

There's quite a size & speed difference here. The ocelot is also often confused for a cheetah, though it looks more like a serval.

33.

STILL not done with the birds!! Muwahahahaha!! Both of these have similar eating habits, though :)

34.

For modern zoos, cages are a thing of the past. What's the difference??--Usually hundreds of thousands of dollars, at the least. Zoo officials collaborate with animal keepers to create larger, more naturalistic living spaces for the species ambassadors in their care. Zookeepers internally wince at the word "cage" because it implies a low-quality living situation for the animals for which they have dedicated their lives to providing the best welfare possible.

35.

I saved the best for last. Pollution is a GLOBAL issue -- one that starts with people putting in the effort to make sure that their trash goes into an appropriate receptacle & not on the ground, beside the road, or in a bird or giraffe's belly. Zoo animals & wild animals have actually perished because of careless humans littering & enabling the animals to eat their refuse.