Right? Howdy there, didn't know you were from Houston, too
Houston Zoo
- Thread starter Captain Callum
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- houston recreation zoo
Oh I realised I'm soooo far behind on these forum updates. Sorry about that everyone, I'll try to do my best to show all the updates as I have completed the pantanal completely by this stage and other work for the henry doorly zoo.
South America's Pantanal - Part 1/5
Let's explore the next area of the Houston zoo recreation, South America's Pantanal! Easily one of the best South American complexes in a North American zoo, the pantanal covers the world's largest and most diverse wetland, the pantanal. Mostly located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, the zoo takes inspiration from many of the features found throughout the Brazilian pantanal such as nature lodges, river mud bank walls, lush grasses and of course a diverse range of animals found throughout the rivers and grasslands of the pantanal. At the Houston zoo, the pantanal takes up the right side of the zoo, as a large loop from the texas wetlands in the centre of the zoo.
Overview of the zoo so far, getting pretty big now:
In total we can expect 7 animal habitats and 4 static exhibits showcasing the diversity of the pantanal:
Leaving the Texas Wetlands, we continue following the zoo's main path to a junction. On the right, we can enter the pantanal which we see a portion of the zoo's old layout with these thick wooden fences on the left. A nice large pantanal sign greets guests to the pantanal with road signs of several pantanal animals (capybrara, giant anteater, tapir in order).
There is also one of the zoo wayfinding signs on the corner as well. Jaguar and giant river otter are the key animals shown for the pantanal. Red panda and goliath beetle are shown for the nearby children's zoo and insect house to the left, which is yet to come (but likely not the next build).
Main entrance into the pantanal:
After passing the short entrance path to the pantanal and turning right, we reach the actual pantanal entrance. 2 large yellow houses on stilts are the key sight, modelled after the yellow rustic nature lodges found in the northern pantanal in Brazil. I've seen many recreations of this entrance, often using stained wood as a low piece count alternative but... it doesn't look like the real thing at all.
Instead, I used an assortment of plaster walls and custom made windows and doors to make it as authentic as possible, even though this was pretty tedious with all the plaster layers needed.
"River's Edge" Complex in the first area of the pantanal:
The river's edge complex is made of 2 habitats and the 3 exhibits showcasing the animals that live in and around the pantanal rivers. This include fish, snakes, amphibians, monkeys and otters. This is the indoor / covered area of the pantanal.
View of the river's edge covered interior:
Following the nature lodge architecture, the river's edge building is a semi-open covered animal viewing area. Lots of wood especially the stilts holding up the roof provide a unique experience to explore the river's edge habitats and exhibits. Roof fans spread around this area, help make this a shaded experience, taking a break from the heat.
River's Edge Forest Habitat:
The primate habitat for the pantanal features the iconic black howler monkey, golden lion tamarin and red-rumped agouti. Only the howler monkey is native to the pantanal as a representive of the forests beside the pantanal rivers, tamarins and the agouti are good stand-ins of course to represent the diversity of the pantanal forests. In the unmodded habitat and the lack of decent south american diversity, white-faced saki monkeys are used.
Inside the primate habitat covered by a mesh roof:
Tropical grassland foliage and an array of climbable logs are scattered across this habitat to give the primates an exciting mid-sized habitat to explore. A large faux tree and central roof pillar takes up the middle of the habitat while the smaller habitat logs and vines allow a large climbable space with many different paths to take.
Green Anaconda Aquatic Exhibit:
Just after the primates, an exhibit for the largest snake, the green anaconda, can be found. Lots of water, branches and aquatic foliage shows an example of the river life of the anaconda. Definitely not the largest of anaconda exhibits but a fun one to see these large snakes in regardless. Anacondas can be seen either below the water or above on the branches.
Anaconda tunnel experience:
Houston zoo loves their use of crawl-through tunnels for various animals. The most recent one is the green anaconda tunnel which gives a unique view into the exhibit and if the snake lies on the glass above, a very close view of these giant snakes.
Let's explore the next area of the Houston zoo recreation, South America's Pantanal! Easily one of the best South American complexes in a North American zoo, the pantanal covers the world's largest and most diverse wetland, the pantanal. Mostly located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, the zoo takes inspiration from many of the features found throughout the Brazilian pantanal such as nature lodges, river mud bank walls, lush grasses and of course a diverse range of animals found throughout the rivers and grasslands of the pantanal. At the Houston zoo, the pantanal takes up the right side of the zoo, as a large loop from the texas wetlands in the centre of the zoo.
Overview of the zoo so far, getting pretty big now:
In total we can expect 7 animal habitats and 4 static exhibits showcasing the diversity of the pantanal:
- Forest Primate Habitat
- Black Howler Monkey
- Red Rumped Agouti
- OR white-faced saki monkey unmodded
- Giant Otter Habitat
- Green Anaconda Exhibit
- Pantanal Fish Aquarium Exhibit
- Smoky Jungle Frog Exhibit
- Blue-throated Macaw Habitat (empty unmodded)
- Jaguar Habitat
- Mixed Grassland Habitat
- Greater Rhea
- Giant Anteater
- Capybara
- Coscoroba Swan (mute swan unmodded)
- Baird's Tapir
- Southern Screamer (Not present in unmodded)
- Red-legged Seriema Habitat (empty unmodded)
- Waterbirds Aviary
- Roseate Spoonbill
- White-faced whistling duck
- Jabiru Stork
- OR American Flamingo Unmodded
Leaving the Texas Wetlands, we continue following the zoo's main path to a junction. On the right, we can enter the pantanal which we see a portion of the zoo's old layout with these thick wooden fences on the left. A nice large pantanal sign greets guests to the pantanal with road signs of several pantanal animals (capybrara, giant anteater, tapir in order).
There is also one of the zoo wayfinding signs on the corner as well. Jaguar and giant river otter are the key animals shown for the pantanal. Red panda and goliath beetle are shown for the nearby children's zoo and insect house to the left, which is yet to come (but likely not the next build).
Main entrance into the pantanal:
After passing the short entrance path to the pantanal and turning right, we reach the actual pantanal entrance. 2 large yellow houses on stilts are the key sight, modelled after the yellow rustic nature lodges found in the northern pantanal in Brazil. I've seen many recreations of this entrance, often using stained wood as a low piece count alternative but... it doesn't look like the real thing at all.
Instead, I used an assortment of plaster walls and custom made windows and doors to make it as authentic as possible, even though this was pretty tedious with all the plaster layers needed.
"River's Edge" Complex in the first area of the pantanal:
The river's edge complex is made of 2 habitats and the 3 exhibits showcasing the animals that live in and around the pantanal rivers. This include fish, snakes, amphibians, monkeys and otters. This is the indoor / covered area of the pantanal.
View of the river's edge covered interior:
Following the nature lodge architecture, the river's edge building is a semi-open covered animal viewing area. Lots of wood especially the stilts holding up the roof provide a unique experience to explore the river's edge habitats and exhibits. Roof fans spread around this area, help make this a shaded experience, taking a break from the heat.
River's Edge Forest Habitat:
The primate habitat for the pantanal features the iconic black howler monkey, golden lion tamarin and red-rumped agouti. Only the howler monkey is native to the pantanal as a representive of the forests beside the pantanal rivers, tamarins and the agouti are good stand-ins of course to represent the diversity of the pantanal forests. In the unmodded habitat and the lack of decent south american diversity, white-faced saki monkeys are used.
Inside the primate habitat covered by a mesh roof:
Tropical grassland foliage and an array of climbable logs are scattered across this habitat to give the primates an exciting mid-sized habitat to explore. A large faux tree and central roof pillar takes up the middle of the habitat while the smaller habitat logs and vines allow a large climbable space with many different paths to take.
Green Anaconda Aquatic Exhibit:
Just after the primates, an exhibit for the largest snake, the green anaconda, can be found. Lots of water, branches and aquatic foliage shows an example of the river life of the anaconda. Definitely not the largest of anaconda exhibits but a fun one to see these large snakes in regardless. Anacondas can be seen either below the water or above on the branches.
Anaconda tunnel experience:
Houston zoo loves their use of crawl-through tunnels for various animals. The most recent one is the green anaconda tunnel which gives a unique view into the exhibit and if the snake lies on the glass above, a very close view of these giant snakes.
South America's Pantanal - Part 2/5
After the green anaconda exhibit, we turn to the right and are met with the best habitat in this part of the pantanal, the giant otter habitat. The giant otter habitat uses the rivers edge theming to bring the natural habitat of the giant otter to life. Natural mud bank walls, a waterfall, 2 pools, and an array of tropical foliage all come together to make one of the best giant otter habitats in a north american zoo.
View of the giant otter habitat with underwatering viewing:
A huge amount of rockwork was required for such a habitat and custom made mud walls (from the workshop by zoove). The yellow nature lodges also are incorporated into the habitat as a covered shelter for the otters on the right side of the habitat, which guests can get a better view from by climbing a rockwork feature.
Giant otter shelter:
Tropical river views inside the otter habitat:
Next to the otter underwater viewing, the pantanal rivers edge building also has an pretty cool aquarium feature. A glass panel from the main pool looks into a small pantanal themed aquarium. 6 species of fish and freshwater stingray showcase the diversity of the pantanal aquatic life, especially noting when the pantanal floods in the wet season. The aquarium is a little small though for the amount of species in the tank.
Pantanal aquarium:
The last feature in the rivers edge building is an exhibit area. On the right side, there is an emerald tree boa exhibit, and on the left, a smoky jungle frog exhibit. Both of these are custom made and use many small branches and tropical foliage to look as realistic as possible.
Emerald tree boa exhibit:
Exiting the rivers edge building, a passageway leads to the pantanal plaza and we cross under yet another yellow lodge building. The plaza is nothing special really, just a seating area under a shaded trellis structure.
Passage to the pantanal plaza:
Pantanal plaza seating:
To the right of the plaza, next to the lodge building, there is the final giant otter viewing area. We get a view of the second smaller pool which isn't a deep diving pool so not as popular here. I do love how the mud walls curve around this portion of the habitat, showing all the details in the walls.
Lower giant otter viewing area:
After the green anaconda exhibit, we turn to the right and are met with the best habitat in this part of the pantanal, the giant otter habitat. The giant otter habitat uses the rivers edge theming to bring the natural habitat of the giant otter to life. Natural mud bank walls, a waterfall, 2 pools, and an array of tropical foliage all come together to make one of the best giant otter habitats in a north american zoo.
View of the giant otter habitat with underwatering viewing:
A huge amount of rockwork was required for such a habitat and custom made mud walls (from the workshop by zoove). The yellow nature lodges also are incorporated into the habitat as a covered shelter for the otters on the right side of the habitat, which guests can get a better view from by climbing a rockwork feature.
Giant otter shelter:
Tropical river views inside the otter habitat:
Next to the otter underwater viewing, the pantanal rivers edge building also has an pretty cool aquarium feature. A glass panel from the main pool looks into a small pantanal themed aquarium. 6 species of fish and freshwater stingray showcase the diversity of the pantanal aquatic life, especially noting when the pantanal floods in the wet season. The aquarium is a little small though for the amount of species in the tank.
Pantanal aquarium:
The last feature in the rivers edge building is an exhibit area. On the right side, there is an emerald tree boa exhibit, and on the left, a smoky jungle frog exhibit. Both of these are custom made and use many small branches and tropical foliage to look as realistic as possible.
Emerald tree boa exhibit:
Exiting the rivers edge building, a passageway leads to the pantanal plaza and we cross under yet another yellow lodge building. The plaza is nothing special really, just a seating area under a shaded trellis structure.
Passage to the pantanal plaza:
Pantanal plaza seating:
To the right of the plaza, next to the lodge building, there is the final giant otter viewing area. We get a view of the second smaller pool which isn't a deep diving pool so not as popular here. I do love how the mud walls curve around this portion of the habitat, showing all the details in the walls.
Lower giant otter viewing area:
South America's Pantanal - Part 3/5
After leaving the river's edge building and giant otter habitat, we enter the central pantanal which is home to 2 habitats. The blue-throated macaw, and the jaguar. The area largely still follows the river theme here as the pantanal is a wetland but we also see the introduction of the grassland theme as habitats become drier in several areas.
Overview of the central pantanal, jaguar habitat in the middle and macaws are upper right:
As we approach the first habitat, we notice 2 things: the scenery finally opens up with the standard houston foliage mix of temperate and tropical trees, and that the horrors of mesh covered habitats await us.
Path to the macaw aviary:
Pretty much all of the bird only aviaries in the pantanal are modded due to the lack of decent birds. The mod for the macaws is fantatic with them having semi-freeflight making use of enrichment pieces and the varying terrain inside. The macaw aviary uses a mix of palm trees and enrichment log blueprints to build up a tropical palm forest region which the blue-throated macaws are native to.
Guest view of the macaw aviary:
Inside view of the macaw aviary with the half circle aviary shape clearly seen:
After the macaw aviary, we continue to the right and find another building. Thankfully this isn't a yellow lodge building but red! I love how vibrant the buildings of the pantanal are, not some generic zoo like building. We have arrived at the jaguar habitat, a tropical river themed habitat home to 2 jaguars.
Viewing shelter for the jaguars:
The jaguar habitat is a very busy habitat in terms of foliage. A waterfall fed river is surrounded by natural mud bank walls, a climbable wooden tree root frame, broken logs and a vast array of tropical plants.
View into the jaguar habitat:
Ponytail palms, kahakaha plants acting as grass, bramble bushes and so much more in this habitat:
Leaving the jaguar shelter, we come to the most unique feature in the pantanal, the jaguar overpass. This overhead walkway allows jaguars to enter their shelter building easily by crossing the guest path. This does allow the guests to get some great views of the jaguar on the walkway, which is covered in mesh for everyone's safety.
Jaguar overpass:
Around the corner, we get a final view into the jaguar habitat which is more of a river themed view as the waterfall and pool is far from view. Jaguars can appear out of the dense foliage here to have a quick dip in the river before disappearing again.
After leaving the river's edge building and giant otter habitat, we enter the central pantanal which is home to 2 habitats. The blue-throated macaw, and the jaguar. The area largely still follows the river theme here as the pantanal is a wetland but we also see the introduction of the grassland theme as habitats become drier in several areas.
Overview of the central pantanal, jaguar habitat in the middle and macaws are upper right:
As we approach the first habitat, we notice 2 things: the scenery finally opens up with the standard houston foliage mix of temperate and tropical trees, and that the horrors of mesh covered habitats await us.
Path to the macaw aviary:
Pretty much all of the bird only aviaries in the pantanal are modded due to the lack of decent birds. The mod for the macaws is fantatic with them having semi-freeflight making use of enrichment pieces and the varying terrain inside. The macaw aviary uses a mix of palm trees and enrichment log blueprints to build up a tropical palm forest region which the blue-throated macaws are native to.
Guest view of the macaw aviary:
Inside view of the macaw aviary with the half circle aviary shape clearly seen:
After the macaw aviary, we continue to the right and find another building. Thankfully this isn't a yellow lodge building but red! I love how vibrant the buildings of the pantanal are, not some generic zoo like building. We have arrived at the jaguar habitat, a tropical river themed habitat home to 2 jaguars.
Viewing shelter for the jaguars:
The jaguar habitat is a very busy habitat in terms of foliage. A waterfall fed river is surrounded by natural mud bank walls, a climbable wooden tree root frame, broken logs and a vast array of tropical plants.
View into the jaguar habitat:
Ponytail palms, kahakaha plants acting as grass, bramble bushes and so much more in this habitat:
Leaving the jaguar shelter, we come to the most unique feature in the pantanal, the jaguar overpass. This overhead walkway allows jaguars to enter their shelter building easily by crossing the guest path. This does allow the guests to get some great views of the jaguar on the walkway, which is covered in mesh for everyone's safety.
Jaguar overpass:
Around the corner, we get a final view into the jaguar habitat which is more of a river themed view as the waterfall and pool is far from view. Jaguars can appear out of the dense foliage here to have a quick dip in the river before disappearing again.