Look it's a ............

[ruftytuftyrider]

I have learnt the difference Sometime because I have always been interested in animals. As a child I looked things up in books and as an adult I use the internet. Visiting zoos and safari parks adds to any knowledge I have as unfortunately we cannot afford to go on safari in Africa. Even if I know what an animal is I read the notice to find out more about their lifestyle - to me that is the natural thing to do.

I work in a deprived area but have yet to come across someone who doesn't know that milk comes with cows but you do read of such things in the paper and maybe I am just lucky in my experiences of people.

Those that are uninterested in animals but visit zoos must be in the lucky minority to have enough money to do so. I can only afford to do things I am interested in.

I never said I knew all the different animals at the zoo - I still get confused with some of the species of monkeys. I would not expect anyone (unless they worked in a zoo) to be able to recognise and name every animal at the zoo.

I have re-read my post and cannot see what you have taken uppence with but that is up to you.

It has been lovely to hear other peoples experiences especially the riding a cow which is why this thread was started - I think maybe I should have put it in the funnies area.

[sometime]

Those that arent interested in animals that visit zoo go because the advertising says it is a good entertaining day out for them and their children many go because there are rides and fairgrounds and animals for the kids to oooh and aaah at. Most dont know or care what each animal is. Not taking offense at anything you write you are very entitled to your opinion perhaps yes it should have been in funnies as then it wouldnt have come across as a moan about peoples inability to recognise the animals you stated.
We all know about different things have different interests and wouldnt it be a boring old world if we couldnt appreciate them or recognise that fact

[nia2311]

But the animals in the zoo have pictures with labels. Surely the majority of adults can do "match the animal?" If you don't know what it is, don't make it up and confuse your child, find the information board, do a picture comparison and then speak as though you are the font of all knowledge.......

[ruftytuftyrider]

Thanks Nia, glad I am not the only one who doesn't think it is hard to "match the animal".

Zoos are a great day out, just cannot see how much fun it is if you don't know (or can't be bothered to find out) what you are looking at.

I was 50/50 on where to put it as on the one side it is amusing when people get it very very wrong but also frustrating too when you see young children being given incorrect information.

[nia2311]

Make it into a game if you really don't know. Get the kiddies to find the right picture and you can read the names together. I find it very interesting to read the information board and encourage my son to do the same. Fun, yet educational!

[leevale]

A new little girl aged 3 was playing with the zoo animals this week on her first day at school.
She correctly named a model baboon and a chimpanzee, then picked up a camel. "This one's called a camel. It has one hump, so it's a boy. Some camels have two humps and long eyebrows. They are girl camels."

[flee]

We went to a show with Mini-Flee, 2 year old grand daughter , and she was answering the Judges questions brilliantly ( I swear this child is a genius )
'What's YOUR name ?'
'How old are you ?'
'What's your ponies name ?'
'How old is he ?'
Then - 'What colour is he ?'Mini-Flee answers 'Brown . And White !'
Judge says ' Well then , actually , he's a SKEWBALD.'
Mini-Flee narrows her eyes .
'And what breed is he ?' asks Judge .Mini-Flee looks perplexed , she doesn't know what 'breed' means .
'She means - what IS he ' I say helpfully. Mini-Flee beams . She knows this one
'A Bugger .' she says .
Gods honest truth .Church Farm last week .

[ruftytuftyrider]

leevale just told my daughter about the camels and their humps and she loved it - me too.

Oh flee your grand daughter sounds fabulous - think she is taking after her grandmother (sorry if you are nan, grandma or any other variation).

[gillwales]

Sometime's post reminded me of an incidence at MIH, during the Supreme judging one then well known inhand stud and production yard took in the champion of show hunter breeding section, an older 14.2 hh grey mare in the standard turnout, ie being plaited. The judge asked the handler if the mare was a Connemara? Well I do realize that you could plait a connie and show in that section, but this mare was clearly not one of those. The look on the stud owners face was priceless!

[sometime]

Bless her Flee she sounds like my sort of kid

[nici]

Several years ago I went on holiday with friends who had a 3yo daughter. On a walk one day we passed a lake with several birds swimming on it.
"Oh look at the duckies swimming" I said to little Kate
"They're not ducks, they're coots" she replied.
She was right too (I checked up afterwards!)

Regarding spotty cats, I can recognise a cheetah easily as it has a very distinct shape, however I'm not sure I'd be able to tell a jaguar from a leopard that easily. I do however know the difference between a camel and a giraffe!!

[ruftytuftyrider]

At the safari park yesterday overheard someone in the car in front shout look its a horse .... at the deer.