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Feeding giraffes in Florida
Brevard Zoo
“This is where all the animals from the continent of Africa are held,” said Chris DePace, dropping a hint.
The Brevard Zoo in Melbourne is home to a family of six giraffes. On five acres, the group roams daily.
“It’s not your stereotypical giraffe coloration,” explaind Chris, a zookeeper of the African Animals found at Brevard Zoo.
Five of the six giraffes are masai giraffes. They feature unique, ill-regular patterns on their coats.
The giraffes don’t spend all their time roaming the grasslands. When they are comfortable, they’ll saunter up to an observation platform and meet visitors at their level, about 15 feet above the ground.
Visitor Rachel Steeves from Canada was excited to hand feed the leader of the Brevard Zoo’s giraffe family.
“I am too little, but mommy boosted me up and it was pretty fun,’ said the three-year-old from Nova Scotia.
Visitors like Rachel can feed the giraffes carrots, sweet potatoes and specialty crackers. The food given to the giraffes is closely regulated. Hand-outs cost two $2.00 each.
When asked, Rachel would name the Giraffe she fed “Long.”
“Because he is really long. Long as a tree!” she squealed with delight.
Also long, their tongues.
“There tongues are prehensile, which is basically like your monkey’s tail,” Chris explained. “So they can grab and grip onto things.”
Educating guests on the natural world beyond Florida is working.
“Everyone comes into the zoo and says, ‘Oh… I want a giraffe as a pet.’ That is an awful idea,” Chris concluded.
Apparently the message is working.
When asked if she wanted to take the Giraffe home to Canada, Rachel responds with “Nah.”
There is more Florida on a Tankful waiting for you On Demand and on television.
Watch On Demand
Watch Florida on a Tankful now with the new “Bright House Local On Demand” on your Bright House Networks digital cable. Visit
channel 999, Bright House Local on Demand. Use your remote control to scroll to the right to the TRAVEL category. Then SCROLL DOWN to TANKFUL.
Tankful on Television
You can catch new Florida on a Tankful stories each Thursday and Saturday on News 13 and Bay News 9. New editions play at the end of each hour starting at 6 a.m. Classic Florida on a Tankful stories can be found each Friday and Sunday on Bay News 9 and News 13 at the end of each hour starting at 6 a.m.
Published at Thu, 27 Mar 2014 02:05:00 +0000
