Como Live Episodes From June, July, August 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.

Monday, August 30: Baby Kudu!

Get a peek at our youngest kudu on her first day out on today’s Como Live! Learn more about these animals by listening to a zookeeper talk at 1:30pm on Facebook.

How well do you know the hoofstock animals at Como Zoo? Test your knowledge with this word scramble HERE. Stumped? Get the answers HERE.

Thursday, August 26: Enchanted Garden & Its Pollinator Plants

Check out our beautiful garden spaces right outside of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory on today’s Como Live. Get a closer virtual look at this garden and learn more about pollinator plants on at 1:30pm on Facebook

Is your yard pollinator friendly? Take this survey HERE from the University of Minnesota Extension to find out where it ranks!

Monday, August 23: Up Close With Galapagos Tortoises!

We’re getting up close to our Galapagos tortoises on today’s Como Live! How much do you think our tortoises weigh? Tune in to check out the training process and how we check our tortoises weight at 1:30pm on Facebook.

How much do you know about tortoises? See if you can arrange them size with this quiz HERE.

Thursday, August 19: World Orangutan Day!

It’s World Orangutan Day! Celebrate with us on Como Live! Get a chance to see our orangutans virtually and listen to a zookeeper talk about them on today’s Como Live!

Check out these resources from the Orangutan SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) education team. Test your hand at trivia quiz HERE. You can also try this crossword puzzle HERE.

Monday, August 16: Hedgehog!

Check out one of our hedgehog ambassador animals up close on today’s Como Live! See them interacting with some enrichment and listen to a zookeeper talk more about them at 1:30pm on Facebook.

You can do your own hedgehog crossword to test your knowledge HERE. Stumped? Download the answers HERE.

Thursday, August 12: Charlotte Partridge Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden

The Charlotte Partridge Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden has an extensive and rich history. Get a brief insight to how this garden came to be what it is today on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Want to learn more about the elements that make up a Japanese garden? Check out this webpage from Japan-Guide.com HERE.

Monday, August 9: Koi Fish!

The koi at Como are a favorite of children and adults alike. Check out these colorful fish and learn more about them on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

There are about 100 different varieties of koi. Check some of the more common varieties out with this graphic HERE. You can also color your favorite or create your own variety by downloading this coloring page HERE.

Thursday, August 5: Behind-the-scenes of the Greenhouse

Learn more about plant propagation on today’s episode of Como Live! Go behind-the-scenes of the greenhouse and check out the seeding room and germination chamber. Learn more from a horticulturalist at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Want to start your own plants from seed? Learn more by watching this video from This Old House HERE

Monday, August 2: Bowl Lotus, or is it Micro Lotus?

The Conservatory is growing a micro lotus, or bowl lotus! Learn more about this unique plant from a horticulturalist on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Thinking of getting a micro lotus for your house? Check out this video from the Bergen Water Gardens & Nursery which explains how to pot a micro lotus HERE.

Thursday, July 29: Global Tiger Day!

Today is Global Tiger Day! We are celebrating by highlighting our Amur tigers here at Como Zoo. Check out a fun video montage of these striped cats!

Color a picture of a tiger from the Tiger Conservation Campaign HERE! And, learn more about what this organization is doing to help endangered tigers by visiting their website HERE

Monday, July 25: Flamingos!

The flamingos are enjoying summer here at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory! Learn more about these bright birds by listening to a zookeeper talk on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Did you know? Wild flamingos perform a special dance to attract a mate. Check it out HERE.

Thursday, July 22: Celebrating National Zookeeper Week!

It’s National Zookeeper Week! We want to take a minute and say THANK YOU to all of our awesome zookeepers at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory! Tune in to see a video compilation for a special episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Check out this interview from last year with zookeeper Jill that talks all about her experiences in the field. Click HERE to watch!

Monday, July 19: Summer Flower Show

The Summer Flower Show is the longest running flower show in the Sunken Garden at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. Learn all about how this flower show is maintained on this episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Have a question about a plant you have at home? Check out the “What’s wrong with my plant?” webpage from the University of Minnesota Extension to see if you can get some of your questions answered HERE.

Thursday, July 15: Arctic Sea Ice Day!

Today is Arctic Sea Ice Day! Arctic Sea Ice Day was created by our partner organization, Polar Bears International, to draw attention to the loss of sea ice in the arctic. Wild polar bears rely on sea ice to hunt, breed, roam, and sometimes den.

We are helping to spread awareness for Artic Sea Ice Day by highlighting our ambassador polar bears on today’s Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook. Before or after watching, be sure to check out this handout HERE from Polar Bears International to learn more about why Arctic sea ice is important and what you can do to help. Want to do more? Explore more great resources on Polar Bear International’s website HERE!

Monday, July 12: Banana Tree

Did you know that there are banana plants growing in our North Garden? Learn more about them from one of our horticulture staff and get a closer look on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Are bananas one of your favorite fruits? You can check out Forks Over Knives 22 Recipes for Overripe BananasHERE

Thursday, July 8: Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden

Spend some time in the Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden on today’s episode of Como Live. Did you know that there are specific elements that make a Japanese garden? Learn more about them and the meaning behind certain characteristics but watching this segment at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Try your hand at this word scramble containing elements of a Japanese garden HERE. You can find the answers HERE.

Tuesday, July 6: Seals and Sea Lions in Como Harbor

We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend! Dive back into the week with us on today’s episode of Como Live! This entertaining segment will showcase our seals and sea lions swimming in their new home, Como Harbor! Check it out at 1:30pm on Facebook.

How much do you know about our seal and sea lion, or pinniped friends? Try your hand at this crossword HERE. Stumped? You can find the answer HERE.

Thursday, July 1: Golden-headed Lion Tamarins

Check out the golden-headed lion tamarins on today’s episode of Como Live! Hear a zookeeper talk about these curious primates at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Monkey or Ape? Do you know the difference? Test your knowledge with this quiz HERE.

Monday, June 28: The Water Gardens

Check out the water gardens on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook! Our horticulture staff will give you an up close view and share how they care for these beautiful aquatic plants. Our Victoria Water Platter seeds come from Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Check out their process for moving the water platters in this video HERE

Thursday, June 24: Rainbow Boa

We are highlighting one of our colorful animal ambassadors on today’s episode of Como Live! Join us for a zookeeper talk about the rainbow boa at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Test your knowledge about snakes by doing this crossword HERE. You can find the answers HERE.

Monday, June 21: It’s World Giraffe Day!

It’s World Giraffe Day! Celebrate with us on today’s episode of Como Live! Listen to a zookeeper talk about giraffes at 1:30pm on Facebook.

You can check out our World Giraffe Day Enrichment video from last year’s celebration by clicking HERE

Thursday, June 17: Pinniped Training!

Como Harbor, our new seal and sea lion exhibit is now OPEN at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory! Check out a pinniped training on this episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Can you find the names of all of Como Zoo’s pinnipeds? Try your hand at this word search HERE. Stumped? Check out the answers HERE.

Monday, June 14: Fire-Bellied Toads!

Learn about the unique adaptations of the fire-bellied toads on today’s episode of Como Live! Join us at 1:30pm on Facebook to see these brightly colored amphibian ambassadors up close.

Frog or toad? Do you know the difference? Take this quiz HERE

Thursday, June 10: Galapagos Tortoises!

Sorry Como Live fans, we had some technical difficulties with today’s episode, but we were able to record them eating their lunch! nom nom nom

Summer is just around the corner and our Galapagos tortoises are outside enjoying the weather! See a LIVE zookeeper talk on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook. Get your questions ready!

How much do you know about the tortoises of the world? Try this crossword HERE. Stumped? You can find the answers HERE.

Monday, June 7: Spider Monkeys!

Did you know that spider monkeys get their name from their disproportionately long limbs and prehensile tails? Learn more about these primates at Como Zoo from a zookeeper on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Are you in middle of high school, and feeling creative and inspired to help primates in need? The Orangutan SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) Annual Art Contest is accepting submissions through June 12th! Students in grades 6-12 may participate and win incredible prizes. One entry may even become Orangutan SAFE’s new logo. Click here for more info and registration.

Thursday, June 3: Today’s The Day! Grand Opening of Como Harbor!

Today is the grand opening of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory’s newest exhibit, Como Harbor! Watch the unveiling and ribbon cutting ceremony on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook. Get a virtual sneak peek of Como Harbor by visiting our website HERE. You will also find out more information about this new exhibit and even see some of the animals in their new home!

Tuesday, June 1: What’s Growing In Tropical Encounters?

Ever wonder what is growing in Tropical Encounters? Find out today on today’s episode of Como Live. Learn about plants with some familiar products, like coffee! Tune in at 1:30pm on Facebook to find out more.

Ever heard of shade-grown coffee plants? Find out what that means by watching this short video from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology HERE.