While we all #StaySafeMN and practice social distancing, check this space for challenging, fun learning opportunities. Then, tune in Mondays and Thursdays at 1:30pm on our Facebook page for special LIVE zookeeper talks and gardener talks. Check back later in the day where we will post the video here.

If you’ve watched a Como Live episode we’d appreciate your feedback! Please fill out a five question survey by clicking HERE.

Thursday, October 29: Creepy Crawly Bug Week! Today’s Creature is the Millipede!

Join us on Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook to meet another member of our creepy crawly collection in preparation for Halloween this weekend! Get an up-close view of the world’s largest millipede and get your questions ready!

You can make your own millipede at home. Follow these easy instructions HERE.

Monday, October 26: Creepy Crawly Bug Week! Today’s Creature is the New Guinea Spiny Stick Insect

In honor of the spooky Halloween season, we are highlighting members of our creepy crawly bug collection this week on Como Live! Join us this afternoon at 1:30pm on Facebook for a LIVE zookeeper chat featuring a New Guinea Spiny Stick Insect. Get your questions ready!

Looking for a fun and easy Halloween decoration? Follow the make-a-spider craft HERE.

Thursday, October 22: Meet Our New Seals!

Meet our new harbor seals and see a behind the scenes training session on today’s #ComoLive at 1:30 Facebook!

Read more about the new seals and the progress of their habitat on the Como Friends blog post HERE

Seal or Sea lion? Can you tell the difference? Take the quiz HERE and find out!

Monday, October 19: Fall Flower Show

The Fall Flower show in the Sunken Garden is blooming! We are back for a tour of these vibrant plants and flowers on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Looking to do some gardening but sad about the weather getting colder? You can try your hand at growing some microgreens indoors by following this activity HERE.

Thursday, October 15: Breeding Programs and Species Survival Plans

Dakari the lesser kudu, Nimbus and Skywalker the Dall’s sheep, and Sota and Penelope the giraffe are all grown up and have found new homes at other zoos. Como Zoo participates in breeding programs and Species Survival Plans to maintain a healthy genetic population of animals in zoos across the country and internationally. Say “Goodbye” on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook before they leave us within the next couple of weeks!

How much do you know about our hoofstock animals? Do this crossword puzzle HERE to test your knowledge! Can’t figure out the answers? Click HERE for the key.

Monday, October 12: Snow Leopards!

Get a virtual look at our snow leopards on today’s episode of Como Live. Learn more about this elusive cat and join us for a LIVE zookeeper chat. Get your questions ready to learn more!

Prepare for the afternoon video by taking a short quiz all about snow leopards HERE.

Thursday, October 8: Fall Flower Show!

The Sunken Garden in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory hosts five flower shows every year. Fall is here, so the flower show is currently changing over from summer to fall. Come get a LIVE behind the scenes look at what goes on during a show change and learn more about the process on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook!

Preparing your garden and yard for fall? The UMN Extension has some great resources. Learn about keeping a pollinator friendly garden for winter by watching this video HERE

You can also learn more about reducing plant diseases in your yard for the following spring by reading this article HERE.

Fall is also a great time to plant new bulbs for next spring. It’s easy to do, just watch this video tutorial HERE to learn how! 

Monday, October 5: Huelsmann Meditative Garden

The newest addition to The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is the renovated Huelsmann Meditative Garden, part of The Ordway Gardens: A Japanese Collection. Learn more about this style of garden from our Japanese garden consultant on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Try this twist on a scavenger hunt HERE that gets you to pause and spend some time outside and sketch what you see. This activity is great for both kids and adults!

Thursday, October 1: Anaconda

Did you know? The Tropical Encounters exhibit at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory showcases one of the largest snakes in the world, the green anaconda. Learn more about this slithering giant on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Click HERE for a paper chain snake craft that you can make at home with your kids! Can you make a snake as long as a green anaconda?

Monday, September 28: Composting an Tropical Encounters

Tropical Encounters is Como Park Zoo and Conservatory’s immersive exhibit, home to both tropical plants and animals native to Central and South America. What is it like to care for these tropical plants that are part of Minnesota’s slice of rainforest? Find out on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Looking for an activity to do with your kids as the temperatures are getting colder outside? Composting is a great way to reduce waste and also gives you a healthy, nutrient rich soil to grow plants! Click HERE for the simple instructions on how to do this mini indoor composting activity!

Thursday, September 24: World Gorilla Day!

We are celebrating World Gorilla Day on today’s episode of Como Live. Spend some time with our western lowland gorillas at Como and learn more about their species, the threats the face in the wild and what humans can do to help.

How well do you know the gorillas at Como Zoo? See if you can find all of their names in this word search HERE. Can’t find them all? Click HERE for the answers.

Monday, September 21: Penguins!

Take an afternoon break with an African penguin! Join us for a LIVE zookeeper chat and get up close look on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Do your kids love penguins? Follow these instructions HERE for this fun and easy penguin handprint craft.

Thursday, September 17: How well do you know your native flora?

Get a peek behind the scenes in our greenhouses and learn about some of the unusual types of plants that you can find in the upper Midwest—including cacti and carnivorous plants–on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Are you curious what’s in the soil of your own backyard? Learn more LandPKS, a free app HERE. LandPKS was developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. You can download this App to your iPhone or Android device to help identify and learn more about the soil in your area.

Monday, September 14: Japanese Garden

There’s always something new to see in the Japanese Garden at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Learn interesting tidbits about some of the features of our tranquil stroll garden on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

You can learn more about the lantern features in the Japanese garden by checking out this lantern guide HERE. Next time you visit, bring this guide along and see if you can find all the lanterns!

Thursday, September 10: Soto’s Birthday!

Como Zoo’s youngest giraffe, Sota, is turning ONE year old today! Celebrate this milestone and join us for a birthday bash at 1:30pm on Facebook during today’s episode of Como Live. Be sure to share your birthday wishes with Sota!

How well do you know the giraffes at Como Zoo? Take this quiz and see if you can identify them HERE.

Tuesday, September 8: Sulcata Tortoise, Fred.

Watch Fred, our sulcata tortoise, enjoy a tasty snack on today’s episode of Como Live! Did you know? Sulcata tortoises are the third largest species of tortoise in the world! Find out more at 1:30pm on Facebook.

You can make your own tortoise at home using crinkled colored paper and THIS tortoise template. Follow the instructions HERE.

Thursday, September 3: Como’s Cougars: Ruby and Jasper!

Did you know? Como Zoo is home to Ruby and Jasper, two orphaned cougars that were rescued from the wild. Learn more about them and their stories by tuning into Facebook Live at 1:30pm for a Como Live zookeeper chat.

Cougar, puma, or mountain lion? This cat has many names! Learn more by unscrambling them in THIS activity. You can find the answers HERE.

Monday, August 31: What’s My Job

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a horticulturalist at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory? Learn more from one of our horticulture staff about their personal experiences on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook!

Click HERE to get outside with a fun scavenger hunt activity to enjoy your own backyard or nearby green space.

Friday, August 28: Sssnakes!

For today’s Como Live, meet an ambassador snake and get an up close view with a zookeeper. Tune in at 1:30pm on Facebook Live to find out the surprise species!

Como is home to many different species of ambassador animals that support our additional programming and event opportunities. Can you ID the animals in THIS quiz? You may recognize some familiar faces from past Como Live episodes!

Thursday, August 27: 100th Episode of #ComoLive!

Today is our 100^th episode of Como Live! We are celebrating today by sharing a compilation of short clips from our most viewed videos from the zoo and the conservatory! Tune in at 1:30pm on Facebook to see some of the best of Como Live. You can also watch our full library of videos on our website or Facebook page.

Thank you for tuning in to Como Live over the past several months and supporting Como Park Zoo and Conservatory virtually. We hope these videos give you a new insight to the going-ons at the zoo and the conservatory.

How much do you know about Como Park Zoo and Conservatory? Take this short quiz HERE to learn more!

Wednesday, August 26: Ferns

What’s in a name? What makes a fern, a fern? Learn more about some of the unique and interesting fern species in our conservatory’s fern room on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Test your fern knowledge beforehand by taking this short quiz HERE.  

Tuesday, August 25: Kudu!

Lesser kudu are a species of antelope known for their unique horns. Learn more about these hoofed animals and their unique adaptations on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Test yourself beforehand by doing this kudu crossword puzzle HERE. Can’t figure out the answers? Click HERE for the key.

Monday, August 24: Palm Dome

Join us for a talk on some of our tallest trees in the 64-foot tall Palm Dome on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook. Find out what makes certain species of palms unique and learn about their conservation status.

Make a palm tree of your own using recycled materials found around your house! Follow the instructions HERE.

Friday, August 21: Bromeliads

Have you ever wanted to know the process of repotting a bromeliad, and maybe get some tips for your plants at home? Join us on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook to see a repotting demonstration done behind-the-scenes by one of our horticulture staff.

Bromeliads are tropical plants and help maintain a healthy ecosystem. Make your own bromeliad craft by following the instructions from the Rainforest Alliance HERE. You can also check out a completed example of this craft by clicking HERE

Thursday, August 20: We “Heart” Orangutans!

We “Heart” Orangutans, so are continuing the celebration of yesterday’s International Orangutan Day!

Haven’t had a chance to visit Como Park Zoo and Conservatory since we’ve reopened? Or, are you simply curious about what your favorite orangutans are up to? Join us for a silent, LIVE look into the orangutan exhibit today during Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Feeling crafty? You can make your own paper durian fruit, one of the favorites of wild orangutans, following the instructions HERE. Show us by taking a selfie with your creation with the hashtag #iheartorangutans!

You can also check out another Facebook photo frame and show your love for orangutans HERE:

Wednesday, August 19: We Celebrate International Orangutan Day

Today is International Orangutan Day! Join us for Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook to learn from one of Como’s primate zookeepers about these critically endangered primates, including the threats that they face in the wild, and what zoos and other institutions across the world are doing to help wild orangutan conservation efforts.

Continue learning about orangutan conservation at home! Try these activities below:

Take this trivia quiz to test your knowledge, HERE. 

Add an orangutan frame to your Facebook profile picture to show that you HEART orangutans HERE.

Make a fun orangutan mask using materials found at home by following the instructions HERE. Show us your mask by posting on Facebook with the hashtag #iheartorangutans!

Tuesday, August 18: Chloe’s Birthday!

We are hosting a special birthday on today’s episode of Como Live. Chloe, our resident sloth, celebrates her sweet sixteen today! Tune in to Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook for a LIVE sloth birthday party! Be sure to share your birthday wishes with Chloe!

Did you know? Sloths and algae have a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from each other! Learn more about symbiotic relationships between other animal species by taking this quiz HERE.

Monday, August 17: Bonsai

Bonsai is a Japanese art form where trees and plants in containers mimic the shape of their full-sized counterparts. Learn more about bonsai from one of our horticulture staff on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

There are many different trees that can be bonsai. Can you identify these common trees? Take this quiz HERE:

Friday, August 14: The Caecilian in our Tropical Encounters Exhibit

Did you know we have a caecilian in our Tropical Encounters exhibit? Learn more about this unique, elusive amphibian on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Prepare by testing your knowledge with a short quiz HERE. 

Thursday, August 13: Tortoise Thursday Trivia!

Get ready for Tortoise Thursday Trivia, and meet one of our ambassador tortoises on today’s episode of Como Live. Get your questions ready for a Q and A!

Tortoises are reptiles with unique adaptations. Do this word scramble HERE containing words that are all about tortoises. Unsure of the answers? Click HERE for the key.

Wednesday, August 12: North Garden!

Today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook will feature some of the plants of the North Garden—including citrus and other familiar plants like coffee and sugarcane. Tune in to learn more about their important uses and get an up-close view!

Prepare by doing this North Garden plant crossword HERE. Stumped? Get the answers HERE.

You can check out a video all about other fruits and spices of the North Garden that premiered last month HERE.

Tuesday, August 11: Behind-The-Scenes of the Greenhouse

We are already starting to think about fall and winter at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory! Learn about the production of the Fall and Holiday Sunken Garden Flower Shows on today’s episode of Como Live, and get a behind-the-scenes look a the beginnings of the chrysanthemums and poinsettias.

How well do you know the Sunken Garden Flower Shows at Como? See if you can identify the five seasonal flower shows by taking this quiz HERE.

Monday, August 10: World Lion Day!

Do you hear that? We’re roaring into Monday—it’s World Lion Day! Join us for a zookeeper chat and Q and A on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook to celebrate these big cats! Get your questions ready!

Test your knowledge on lions with this short quiz HERE

Friday, August 7: Wyoming Toads

Today on #ComoLive, get a sneak peek at behind the scenes footage on the progress of the Wyoming toad project. Learn more about the breeding process and see first-hand the hormone injections that encourage toads to breed, all the way up of the shipment of these critically endangered species to Laramie Basin in Wyoming for release. This year we shipped close to 1,200 tadpoles!

Learn more about the Wyoming toad project HERE:

Try this frog life cycle activity with your kids HERE to prepare! Find the answer key HERE.

Thursday, August 6: Rabbits

Join one of our zookeepers as they talk more about the difference between domesticated and wild rabbits and get an up-close view of this ambassador animal today at 1:30pm on Facebook during Como Live!

You can make a fun paper rabbit craft using just your handprint HERE.

Wednesday, August 5: Tea Garden

The tea garden is a unique and special place. Learn more about the purpose of the tea garden and reason behind its features with our Japanese Garden specialist on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

What makes your garden unique? Get outside and spend some time in your backyard or nearby park and do this scavenger hunt HERE to notice what features are a part of your own green space!

Tuesday, August 4: Flamingos!

Our flamingos always dazzle at Como Zoo! Learn more about these colorful birds during a zookeeper talk on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook. Get your questions ready!

How much do you already know about flamingos? Test your knowledge with this short quiz HERE

Monday, August 3: Lanterns and Ornaments

Want to know more about the lanterns and other ornamental features of the Japanese Garden? Our Japanese Garden specialist and consultant will guide you and give you their stories on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

While watching the video, follow along by doing this word search HERE and see how many terms you can find. Can’t find all the words? Click HERE for the answers.

Friday, July 31: Meet our Ostriches!

Learn more about our two resident ostriches on today’s episode of Como Live! Get your questions answered about the world’s largest bird by tuning in at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Birds are found on every continent on the globe. Learn more about their different habitats by taking this quiz HERE

Thursday, July 30: Meet a Guineafowl!

Meet a guineafowl on today’s episode of Como Live! Join one of our educators as they talk more about this ambassador animal and get an up-close view today at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Looking for something crafty to do? Try your hand at egg painting! Follow these instructions HERE.

Wednesday, July 29: International Tiger Day!

Happy International Tiger Day! Join us for a zookeeper talk all about these fantastic felines on today’s episode of #ComoLive at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Our Big Cats enjoy a variety of enrichment to mix up their day. You can make some enrichment for you cat at home using something as simple as a plastic bottle! Follow the instructions HERE.

Tuesday, July 28: Flamingo Moving Day!

For today’s episode of Como Live, you’ll get a chance to see behind the scenes footage from when our flamingos, ducks and geese moved out to the bird yard exhibit! Check out how it’s done at 1:30pm on Facebook.

You kids can make their own flamingo using their hand print and colored paper. Follow the instructions HERE.

Monday, July 27: What to Expect When We Open On Wednesday

It’s official! Como Zoo opens on Wednesday, July 29^th.

Today’s episode of Como Live is a little different—we will go through what a visit to Como Zoo looks like under our reopening guidelines. Tune in at 1:30pm on Facebook for a walking tour of our one way path, and some fun tidbits of information along the way!

Advanced reservations are required. Book your time HERE.

And, be sure to review our FAQs about visiting HERE.

Click HERE for previous Como Live episodes