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, January 28: Winter Carnival Orchid Display
Well we’re missing the Annual Winter Carnival Orchid Flower Show, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy some orchids anyway. Today for Como Live hear a gardener talk about what goes into an Orchid display. Join us on Facebook at 1:30.
Thinking you’d like to make your own orchid arrangements but not sure where to start? Check out popular and beginner-friendly orchids HERE:
Monday, January 25: Hermit Crabs!
Hermit Crabs! Did you know that there are over 800 species of Hermit Crab? Join us as we talk all about these little crustaceans that carry their houses on their backs. Tune in on Facebook Live at 1:30.
Make your own Hermit Crab with this fun handprint Craft HERE:
Thursday, January 21: Penguins!
Penguins! It’s Penguin Awareness Day, so let’s celebrate by meeting one of Como’s penguins and hear a Zookeeper talk all about them. Join us for Como Live at 1:30 on Facebook.
Learn more about how you can help African Penguins in the wild by visiting the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) website HERE:
Tuesday, January 19: Cactus or Succulent?
Can you tell the difference between a Cactus and a Succulent? Join us on Como Live today at 1:30 on Facebook and learn all about Cacti and Succulents from one of our Horticulture staff!
Then test your plant knowledge with this Cacti and Succulent themed Word Find HERE:
Check your work with the Answer Key HERE:
Thursday, January 14: Biofacts …what are they?
What is a Biofact? Join us on Como Live today at 1:30 on Facebook to learn all about Biological Artifacts; what they are, where they come from, and how they are used at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
Want to continue to explore Biofacts on your own? Why not take a Nature Walk. Check out this list of the Top 10 Places to Hike in the Twin Cities Metro Area HERE.
Monday, January 11: The Elusive Sunbitten in Tropical Encounters!
Join us today for Como Live in Tropical Encounters to learn all about Sunbitterns! Listen to a Bird Keeper tell you about the largest bird in our Rainforest exhibit and observe one of these beautiful animals at 1:30 on Facebook.
Sunbitterns have beautiful wings with eye spots that they open like a fan. Make your own Sunbittern fan with this fun craft HERE:
Thursday, January 7: Kemala’s 7th Birthday!
It’s Kemala’s 6th Birthday! Join us for her birthday party and hear a Primate Keeper talk all about birth management and Kemala’s birth story.
Make your own Craft Tube Orangutan by clicking HERE:
Monday, January 4: Changing from the Holiday Flower Show to the Winter Flower Show
Join us for a view of the Sunken Garden as it gets prepped for the Winter Flower Show. Hear a horticulturist talk about the process of the Show Change and get a sneak peak of some of the plants that will be making an appearance on Como Live at 1:30 on Facebook.
It may only be January, but if you’re planning on starting flower or veggie seeds inside to get a jump on the growing season, that’s right around the corner! Check out which seeds should be started in February, and other tips and tricks to start seeds indoors HERE.
Friday, January 1: Join Us For A Year In Review
We made it to the end of 2020! See who arrived, who left, what we were up to when we were closed, and a great view of Como Harbor!
Keep your pets engaged all winter long with at home enrichment! Find neat ideas for your dogs, cats, and critters HERE.
Monday, December 28: Hedgehogs!
We have a prickly visitor today for Como Live! Join us at 1:30 on Facebook to learn all about Hedgehogs and their unique adaptations that help them survive in the wild.
Then test your hedgehog knowledge with a Hedgehog Word Search HERE. Then check your answers HERE.
Wednesday, December 23: Santa Visits the Reindeer!
SANTA!! Santa makes a special visit to the Reindeer of Como on Facebook Live at 1:30. Kids can get all their last-minute Santa questions answered with a Virtual Live Q & A, just in time for the big night!
After visiting with Santa, head outside for a nature walk and collect some natural craft supplies to make your very own Twiggy Reindeer Ornament (instructions HERE).
Monday, December 21: Virtual Tour of the Holiday Flower Show
Join us this afternoon on today’s episode of Como Live for a tour of the Holiday Flower Show. Enjoy a virtual walk through the Sunken Garden and hear from a Horticulturist more about the plants and what went into designing the show. 1:30pm on Facebook.
Want to welcome poinsettias into your home but have a black thumb? Try your hand at this cute Poinsettia Ornament craft HERE.
Thursday, December 17: Leopard Gecko!
A Leopard Gecko makes a special appearance on today’s episode of Como Live. Tune in at 1:30pm on Facebook to get a close-up view of this little reptile and learn all about how they survive in the wild.
Then if your eyes aren’t too full of spots, try your hand at a Gecko Word Search HERE. Afterwards you can double check your answers on the Answer Key HERE.
Monday, December 14: Monkeys!
Join us this afternoon on today’s episode of Como Live for International Monkey Day! Hear a zookeeper talk about Como’s White-faced Sakis and Golden-headed Lion Tamarins. Get an up-close look at these monkeys and learn more at 1:30pm on Facebook.
Are you a primate expert? Test your Monkey and Ape knowledge with a short quiz HERE, and then check your answers with the Answer Key HERE.
Thursday, December 10: Zookeeper talk about Reindeer!
At Como Zoo, there are many animals that enjoy the winter temperatures! On today’s episode of Como Live, you can more about our reindeer and the adaptations they have to survive the cold weather. Tune in for a Zookeeper talk at 1:30pm on Facebook.
‘Tis the season for reindeer crafts! Check out this easy craft from supplies you can find around your home HERE.
Monday, December 7: Unique Plant Adaptations
Join one of our horticulture staff members to learn more about unique plant adaptations. You’ll get a chance to see an up-close view of some interesting plants LIVE from the North Garden!
Prepare yourself for this afternoon’s talk by taking the plant defense adaptations quiz HERE!
Thursday, December 3: Changing from Fall Flower Show to Holiday Flower Show!
The Sunken Garden hosts five flower shows every year. During the holiday season, the fall show changes into the Holiday Show, which boasts beautiful poinsettia plants. Learn more about the show change process and get a sneak peak of the Holiday Show during a gardener talk (video above)
Want to have poinsettias decorating your house this holiday season? Learn more about growing and caring for these plants from the UMN Extension HERE
Looking for more care tips for poinsettias and how to keep them looking good from year to year? You can watch this short video from the United States Botanic Garden HERE
Monday, November 30: Red-footed tortoises in Tropical Encounters
Have you checked out the red-footed tortoises in Tropical Encounters? They are one of the newer residents to this exhibit! Learn more about them on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.
Have time today for a quick word search? This one is all about tortoises. Download the puzzle HERE. Stumped? You can check out the answers HERE.
Wednesday, November 25: Turkey, the Parrott!
Turkey the double yellow-headed Amazon parrot joins us today on Como Live just in time for Thanksgiving! Join us for a zookeeper talk (and maybe hear him talk a little bit as well) at 1:30pm on Facebook.
How much do you know about parrots? See if you can solve this crossword HERE. Can’t figure out the answers? Check out the key HERE.
Monday, November 23: Virtual Tour of Part II of the Fall Flower Show!
Take a break with the flowers and enjoy some color in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. Join us this afternoon on Como Live for a virtual tour of “Part Two” of the fall flower show in the Sunken Garden.
Did you know you can grow your own houseplant with a common vegetable? Try your hand at the growing carrot tops activity HERE.
Thursday, November 18: National Bison Month
It’s #NationalBisonMonth. Celebrate with us by learning more about North America’s largest land animal on today’s episode of Como Live. Listen to a zookeeper talk and get a close-up view of our resident bison!
Looking to learn more and find out more ways you can help? Check out the Wildlife Conservation Society’s webpage celebrating National Bison month HERE.
for virtual events and more information about what they are doing to re-wild the Bison. You can also download the National Mammal Seal coloring page HERE.
Monday, November 16: Emerald Tree Boa
Join us this afternoon on today’s episode of Como Live for a zookeeper talk about one of Tropical Encounter’s newest residents, the Emerald Tree Boa! Get an up-close look at this snake and learn more at 1:30pm on Facebook.
Looking for a fun break from distance learning? Try your hand at this bubble snake activity HERE. You can still have some fun outside even with winter on the way!
Thursday, November 12: Toads!
Where have all the toads gone? As the weather gets colder, frogs and toads go into hibernation for the winter hear in Minnesota. Learn more about the process and why on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.
And, get an up-close view of a familiar American toad! Some animals will hibernate here over winter, while others will migrate and spend their winters further south where it’s warmer. Hibernate or Migrate? Test your knowledge with this quiz HERE.
Monday, November 9: Bird Cam!
Looking to do some bird watching? Join us this afternoon at 1:30pm on Facebook for a LIVE view of our bird feeders in Tropical Encounters! All of the birds are native to the Central and South American Rainforests.
How many different bird species can you spot? Download our bird watching guide HERE. This guide has all the species of birds that are found in our Tropical Encounters exhibit. Watch our LIVE bird feeder cam and check off what you see!
Thursday, November 5: Polar Bear Week!
It’s #PolarBearWeek! We are celebrating by sharing a training session with our resident bear Neil and talking more about what you can do to help his wild counterparts on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.
Want to learn more about helping wild polar bears? @PolarBearsInternational is committed to conserving these animals and the sea ice they depend on. See what Polar Bears International has been doing all week long for #PolarBearWeek and get involved by visiting their website HERE.
Monday, November 2: The MMC is turning 105 on November 7!
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is turning 105 years old on Saturday, November 7th! Learn more about this magnificent building’s rich history on today’s episode at Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.
Looking to read more about the history of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory and the surrounding area? You can check out a timeline dating back to the 1800’s HERE.
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