This last week we partied with the sea lions at the
Houston zoo.
Unfortunately, by the time the sea lions came out to entertain us, it was too dark to take photos!
It was a beautiful evening, not too hot, and the zoo was lovely in the late evening light.
The blue tablecloths made it seem more *sea* like!
Zoo keepers brought out some of the smaller animals to visit with us.
The top images are two different lesser hedgehogs -- tenrecs from Madagascar.
Cute little guys!
The spiny coat is used to deter predators and is vibrated for communication with other tenrecs. When threatened, the lesser tenrec will roll into a ball, hiss and grind its teeth.
Lesser hedgehog tenrecs are one of 30 species of tenrec found on the island of Madagascar. These small mammals are adapted to fill the role of mice, hedgehogs, shrews and opossums found in other parts of the world. This species is found living both on land and in trees and is nocturnal - spending its days sleeping and its night foraging for food.
Although tenrecs have lived on Madagascar for some 60 million years,it is possible that some will not survive more than a few decades more. Habitat loss is the greatest threat to this and other tenrec species.
The bottom images: bearded dragon lizard and owl.
The owl was very nervous. The grackles were *grackling* and she didn't like them one bit.
We enjoyed the evening.
The setting was gorgeous.
We learned more about animals in the care of the zoo.
The appetizers were delicious.
The wine and beer flowed.
The sea lions put on a fun show.
Each mosaic is different. Each has a story to tell.
Wishing you well and a JOY filled week!
