Como Live Episodes From February, March, April, & May 2021

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, May 27: Pancake Tortoise

Check out some of our pancake tortoise animal ambassadors up close on today’s episode of Como Live! Join us this afternoon at 1:30pm on Facebook to learn more about these unique animals

Different species of turtles and tortoises have different types of shells! Draw and color your own shell with this coloring sheet HERE.

Monday. May 24: Summer Flower Show!

The sunken garden summer flower show is in full bloom in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory! Come see our longest running flower show and learn more about the plants by tuning into Como Live this afternoon at 1:30pm on Facebook.

See if you can find the flowers of the summer show by doing this word search HERE. Stumped? The answers are HERE.

Thursday, May 20: TE Tortoises

On today’s episode of Como Live you will get a chance to see some of our newer residents to Tropical Encounters, the red-footed tortoises! See them up close and learn more about them from a zookeeper at 1:30pm on Facebook.

These tortoise words are totally mixed up! Try your hand at unscrambling them with this activity HERE. Download the answer key HERE.

Monday, May 17: Cockroaches!

Things are getting buggy on this Monday’s episode of Como Live. On today’s episode, a zookeeper will talk about cockroaches and show you some of our animal ambassadors. Tune in at 1:30pm on Facebook to learn more!

Cockroaches have many extraordinary adaptations. Take this quiz to learn more HERE.

Thursday, May 13: Celebrating “Go Public Gardens Days!” Cycads

The Go Public Gardens Days celebration continues today’s episode of Como Live! learn about our cycads, one of the oldest plants in the world dating back almost 300 million years ago! Find out why these plants are in trouble and need our help at 1:30pm on Facebook. @PublicGardens

Want to learn more about cycads? Get to know these plants by watching a short video presented by the Cycad Specialist Group HERE

Monday, May 10: This Week We Are Celebrating “Go Public Gardens Days!”

All this week we are celebrating our gardens in honor of Go Public Gardens Days through the American Public Gardens Association. Today on Como Live, we are highlighting our bonsai collection in lieu of the annual Mother’s Day Bonsai Show. While we are not doing this show in person this year, but we hope you will join us on Facebook at 1:30pm today to learn more about and see our bonsai collection! @PublicGardens

Did you know you can start your own bonsai by simply planting a pinecone? Try it HERE!

Thursday, May 6: Sneak Peek at the Summer Flower Show!

It’s Show Change week at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory! Learn about the show change process from one of our horticulture staff and get a sneak peek of the summer flower show, the longest running seasonal show in the sunken garden. Be sure to tune in at 1:30pm on Facebook!

Looking to start your own garden this summer? Check out the University of Minnesota Extension’s tips for planting a vegetable garden HERE.

Monday, May 3: Bromeliads!

Did you know? The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory houses a collection of over 215 different species of bromeliads! Go behind the scenes to see our colorful and vibrant collection and learn more about these interesting plants on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Looking for more plant education resources? Check out Plant Heroes, a resource that is part of the American Public Garden Association that aims to connect children with nature. Plant Heroes has a variety of free educational resources for both teachers and parents. Check out the resources HERE.

Thursday, April 29: Finding Nemo!

Spend some time with the fishes on this afternoon’s Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook! Learn about one of our newer exhibits in the Tropical Encounters room: the saltwater reef tank, and get some of your frequently asked questions answered. Quiz time! Many fish are named for how they look. Can you correctly identify these reef fish? Try this quiz HERE.

Monday, April 26: World Penguin Day!

#Waddlewedowithoutpenguins? We are keeping the World Penguin Day celebration going on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook. Hear a zookeeper talk about our African penguin ambassadors and see one up close being a little mischievous!

Learn more about the penguins of the world with this penguin activity book from Penguins International. Download it HERE.

Thursday, April 22: Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! We are celebrating by showcasing our plants and animals today on a fun-filled episode of Como Live!

Voting has closed, and today we will announce the winner of “Como’s Coolest Leaf” of 2021. Tune into Como Live on Facebook at 1:30pm to find out. Then, stick around afterwards to enjoy some fun enrichment videos from the animals at Como Zoo.

Here’s an activity that will get you outside to celebrate Earth Day. Try this outdoor scavenger hunt HERE.

Monday, April 19: Vote for Coolest Leaf!

Join us for an exciting plant competition on today’s episode of Como Live! Our horticulture staff will showcase their contenders for “Como’s Coolest Leaf” of 2021. We leave it up to YOU to decide which leaf has the best adaptations, most interesting story, or just looks plain cool!

Tune into Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook to see the contestants. Then, vote for your favorite by clicking HERE. Voting closes on Wednesday, April 21st at 11:59pm. The winner will be announced during our Earth Day episode of Como Live on April 22nd! Don’t miss it!

Thursday, April 15: Our Divers!

Dive into to today’s episode of Como Live! Join us on Facebook at 1:30pm to learn more about our scuba divers at Como. Learn more about why our staff dive in different exhibits and see them in action!

Design and color in your own Scuba diver using this template HERE.

Monday. April 12: Como’s Orchid House

The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory houses an exquisite orchid collection of a variety of tropical orchid species. Go behind-the-scenes into our orchid house on today’s episode of Como Live and learn more about our collection.

Try your hand at making handprint flowers with your kids. Check out this easy craft HERE.

Thursday, April 8: Minnesota Turtles!

Today’s #ComoLive will be TURTLEY AWESOME! Join us at 1:30 on Facebook Live to learn all about Minnesota turtles and see one of our turtle animal ambassadors up close!

How well can you identify Minnesota turtle species? Test your knowledge with this quiz HERE.

Monday, April 5: April is National Frog Month!

Did you know? April is National Frog Month! Check out what’s hopping on today’s episode of #ComoLive at 1:30pm on Facebook. You’ll get a chance to see one of our colorful frog ambassador animals up close and learn more about them.

Celebrate National Frog Month with this word search activity HERE. Stumped? You can find the answer key HERE.

Thursday, April 1: Behind the Scenes in the Greenhouse!

What’s happening in the greenhouse this spring? Get a behind-the-scenes tour of our greenhouse production areas on today’s episode of Como Live! You’ll also learn specifically how we manage our spring bulb collection for the Sunken Garden flower show. Tune in at 1:30pm on Facebook to learn more.

How have the bulbs changed since the winter months? You can check out the early stages of our bulb production on a previous episode of Como Live this past February. Check it out HERE.

Pressed flowers make a great keepsake and craft. Learn how to press flowers using a heavy book HERE.

Monday, March 29: Spring Flower Show!

The Spring Flower Show is on display in the Sunken Garden at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. Learn more about this colorful and intricate flower show and spend some quiet time in the garden on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Make some simple paper flowers for a great springtime decoration in any home! Follow the instructions HERE.

Thursday, March 25: Lungfish

On today’s episode of Como Live we are highlighting a unique animal! The West African lungfish has some fascinating adaptations that it uses to survive. Get an up-close look at this fish and learn more from a zookeeper at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Build your own fish! The Shedd Aquarium put together this awesome interactive activity that lets you create your own finned friend. Try it HERE!

Monday, March 20: Patas Monkeys!

We are celebrating a special birthday on today’s episode of Como Live! Julie, one of Como Zoo’s patas monkeys, is turning 12 today! Learn more about patas monkeys from a zookeeper and see what special enrichment Julie gets for her big day at 1:30pm on Facebook!

How much do you know about patas monkeys? Take this quiz HERE and find out!

Thursday, March 18: Sunken Garden Show Change!

It’s Show Change week at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory! The horticulture staff are busy preparing for the Spring Flower Show in the Sunken Garden which will open to the public on Saturday, March 20^th. Listen to one of our horticulturists talk about the process and see the garden in progress on today’s episode of Como Live.

The snow has melted and the grass and leaves from last fall have reappeared. Try your hand at this leaf art activity HERE.

Monday, March 15: Armadillos!

Meet our three-banded armadillo on today’s episode of Como Live! Get an up-close look at this armored animal ambassador and get your questions ready for a live Q and A at 1:30pm on Facebook!

How much do you know about armadillos? See if you can fill in this crossword puzzle HERE. Stumped? Click HERE for the answers!

Thursday, March 11: Different Types of Soil

One of the important requirements for successful plant growth is having the proper soil. Learn about the different types of soil that we use for the variety of plants that we house on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook. You’ll also get a sneak peek behind the scenes of the greenhouse.

Learn more about Minnesota soils from the University of Minnesota Extension by visiting their website HERE.

Monday, March 8: Corpse Flower, Voodoo Lily and Devil’s Tongue

You may have heard of the popular plants known as the Corpse Flower, Voodoo Lily and Devil’s Tongue. Hear from a horticulturalist and learn about what these unique plants have in common and how we grow them here at the conservatory on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook!

Spring is in sight! You can download some floral coloring pages for a relaxing activity HERE.

Thursday, March 4: Cane Toads

Meet the cane toad on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook. Join us for a live Zookeeper Q and A about one of our newest animal ambassadors. Get your questions ready!

You can check out a downloadable toad color matching game for your kids HERE and HERE. Just download the worksheets, print the pages, and cut out the animals for a fun matching game.

Monday, March 1: Leafcutter Ants

Today’s episode of Como Live features the leafcutter ants in Tropical Encounters. Learn about these fascinating insects from a zookeeper on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Prepare for this afternoon’s presentation by doing a leafcutter ant word search HERE.

Stumped? Check out the answers HERE.

Thursday, February 25: We Welcome Nan, Como’s new Polar Bear!

Saturday is International #PolarBearDay! Let’s celebrate on #ComoLive with the polar bears of Como. Join us on Facebook at 1:30 for a zookeeper talk all about polar bears, and possibly get a sneak peak of our new bear, Nan!

Then see if you can help the polar bear reach the Sea Ice through this maze HERE

Monday, February 21: Colorado River Toads

Are you ready to meet North America’s largest toad? Join us for Como Live to learn all about the Colorado River Toad and all the adaptations that not only help them survive in the wild but make them super interesting too!
Hop to Facebook at 1:30.

Afterwards, try your hand at this Colorado River Toad Word Find HERE:

Check your answers HERE:

Thursday, February 18: Sudi’s First Birthday!

It’s Sudi’s first birthday, so let’s celebrate! Hear a zookeeper talk all about Lesser Kudu and watch as they enjoy some birthday-themed enrichment. Join us on Facebook at 1:30 for #ComoLive

Then make your own Kudu Horn Headband HERE

Tuesday, February 16: Preparing for the Spring Flower Show

The Spring Flower Show is still a month away, but we’ve been getting the bulbs set and ready to go! On today’s episode of Como Live to hear from a horticulturist all about how we prepare our bulbs, and how you can care for bulbs in your own home. Join us at 1:30 on Facebook.

Then grow your own indoor bulb garden by following the techniques found HERE

Thursday, February 11: The Turtles in Tropical Encounters

The Turtles in Tropical Encounters always draw a big crowd, but have you ever wanted to know more about them? Learn all about these aquatic reptiles from a zookeeper, and watch a turtle feeding .

Then hang around after today’s video to hear the results of Como’s Cutest Plant Competition!

Then make your own turtle with this turtle craft HERE

Monday, February 8: Cute Plants?

What makes a plant cute? Can you help us decide? Join us for Como Live as Horticulturists take us behind the scenes as they make a case for the cutest plant. Cast your vote in Como Cutest Plant Competition on Facebook at 1:30.

Feeling inspired? Draw your own cutest plant HERE

Thursday, February 4: The Winter Flower Show

It’s the Winter Flower Show. Join us to hear from the Horticulturist who designed this year’s show and then take a tour of the Garden. Get your daily dose of green.

Try your hand at designing your own Sunken Garden Show with this blank template HERE:

Need inspiration? Check out this Sample Design HERE:

Monday, February 1: Camouflaged Animals!

Seeing spots and stripes? Then we must be talking about Camouflaged Animals! Today on Como Live learn about different types of Camouflage, test your vision with a Camouflaged Animal quiz, and then finish up with a live Camouflaged Animal. Get your eyes checked on Facebook at 1:30.

Take a Zen break and color your own camouflaged animal by clicking HERE