“Up Close and Personal” at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – Part 3 – Sloths and Red-Footed Tortoises

This is Part 3 of the “Up Close and Personal” at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Series. You may also enjoy:

Up Close and Personal at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – Part 1 – Kangaroos and Lunch

Lemurs: “Up Close and Personal” at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – Part 2

Animal Adventures at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

On November 6-11, my husband and I followed up a wonderful trip to Birmingham Alabama for the wedding of dear friends, with a brief detour to Gulf Coast Shores. This was our first time in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Area and it definitely lived up to its great reputation.

We decided to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo while we were there, as we had read about the Animal Adventures that you could experience there. Having done an animal encounter at the San Diego zoo years ago, we thought this would be a great chance to meet some additional animals in an “up close and personal” adventure.

We arrived early at the zoo, as animal adventure tickets are only available to be purchased on the day of your visit. We wanted to be early in case the zoo was busy and the various 15 minute time slots filled up quickly. Each adventure – kangaroos, lemurs and sloths – required an additional $24.95 ticket – which is in addition to the zoo admission price. My husband and I each paid about $100 for our three animal adventures + zoo admission. If we lived locally or vacationed in the area each year, we might have chosen to do one adventure each year instead, but since we did not know when we would be back in the area, we decided to do all three adventures on the same day. Currently, as of August 2024, the zoo website is only showing the sloth adventure and the lemur adventure – as the kangaroo adventure, and kangaroo area are both closed. So it is always good to check the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo website before planning your vacation. It’s also worth noting that the minimum age to participate is 5 in the animal adventures; and 5-10 year olds can only attend with a paying adult. As one would expect – adventures are also closed in the event of lightning. We went on a Monday, non-holiday, in a light tourist time. We were beyond lucky that due to this and arriving and signing up for the adventures as soon as we arrived, Wayne and I were the only two guests in each adventure. Even on a busy day, though, the zoo only books 4 participants for each 15 minute session with the Lemurs and the Kangaroos, while the Sloth adventure usually has up to 6 guests per session.

South American Adventure – The Sloths and the Red-Footed Tortoises

The two photos below are my favorites – from the classic hanging upside down pose

to the less common “Momma never told me to chew with my mouth closed” pose below. (note the carrot under the tongue)

The sloths we visited were Linne’s Two-Tooed Sloths – native to the Tropical Rainforests of South America. The sloths “Petron” and “Agave”, an unrelated male and female, are housed together and have the zoo keepers and guests hoping for a baby sloth at some time in the future. The Two-Toed Sloths have two “fingers” on their front feet or hands, but three toes on their hind feet. (whereas the Three-Toed sloths have three “fingers” or toes on their front legs and three on their hind legs as well).

We were very excited to see the sloths move during our visit, as they often sleep 15 hours in the daytime, and are most active at night. Although even at night their “active” is rather slow.

Please click on the above YouTube Video from our time with the sloths. We were so excited to see The Sloths moving along the ropes and get an idea of how they get around in the Rain Forest. Surprisingly they can travel 9 miles an hour in the treetops, but only 100 feet an hour on the ground.

I was most impressed with how they moved thru the ropes (simulated tree and vine like structures). I was amazed that their fingers and toes were much more useful than I expected.

Although their “claws” look like very large dog claws, the phalanges bones in them allow for a lot of movement and an impressive “grip” as seen in the various pictures. When moving thru the ropes (simulated tree and vine like structures) they seem to use their “claws – both “fingers” and “toes”, in a similar way to the way a mountain climber might use a rope and anchor. They also reminded me of a superhero, as they “hook” forward with an hand, then hook with an forward with a hand or leg, and then “hook” again, although of course a super hero would likely be moving that way at lightning speed, rather than sloth speed. For more information on the Two-Toed sloth you may want to check out this post from the Smithsonian National Zoo and this one from the Sloth Conservation Foundation.

See the above video for more footage from our time at the zoo. I was concerned that we would only get to see the sloths while they were sleeping, and was very excited that they were awake for the our whole “up close and personal visit.

Out visit with the sloths was not as interactive as those with the kangaroos and Lemurs, but we did get to pet them – which was cool, and seeing their movements, expressions, and habits “Up Close”, was incredibly unique and interesting.

Red-Footed Tortoises

As an added bonus, we had the pleasure of seeing two Red-Footed Tortoises. They, like the sloths, are native to South America. They are identified and named from the red that they often have on their heads, as well as on their legs and tails. They can also have yellow and orange on their heads and tails. They often live to be 50 years old.

Click “play” above to see a short clip of The Stroll of the Red’Footed Tortoises.

The most surprising thing I learned about the Red-Footed Tortoises was that the males and females use head movements to identify each other.

It was fun to see the above tortoise couple go for a little stroll along the board walk!

If you would like to know more about the Red-Footed Tortoises, you may enjoy this article from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

Saying Good-by to a Wonderful Day at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

After seeing the sloths, it was time to say good-by to the animal adventures as it was almost closing time at the zoo. I hope we will get to visit there again, and possibly get to do one of their premium animal adventures, such as the Big Cat Premium Experience or Giraffe premium experience! I think if we do get back to the zoo again, we will both want to do the Lemur adventure again, as it was our favorite!!!

I am also hoping to experience some other “Up Close and Personal Animal Adventures” at other zoos and Safari parks, so please check back to see where we go next!

Although this is the last Animal post from our Gulf Shores – November 2023 visit, there are still two more Gulf Shores Posts Coming up. One will be about our visit to nearby Foley, Alabama, which is home to a wonderful O-guage Train Layout that is fun for train enthusiasts of all ages, and FREE. I will also be doing a post on the restaurants we enjoyed in the Gulf Shores Area.

Comments

I treasure your comments !!! If you have time, I would love it if you would scroll down to the comment section of the post (at the very bottom). Feel free to comment about this post, and also about any zoos or animal experiences that you have enjoyed; as well as any beach vacation locations you love! Thanks so much!!!!

Other Posts I Hope You Will Enjoy!

Up Close and Personal at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – Part 1 – Kangaroos and Lunch

Lemurs: “Up Close and Personal” at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – Part 2

Tablescape Celebrating the Paris Olympics

Poolside Dining with Pink and Purple Posies

Link Parties

Following is a list of websites I really like!  They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Parties” aka “Blog Hops”.

If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas.  I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well!  Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!! 

You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 

Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party ! 

Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!

The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!

Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building. 

April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday

Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  

Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  

Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!! 

The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!

Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!

Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations! 

Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at  Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at  Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes. 

Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects. 

Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list. 

Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods. 

Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities. 

Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas! 

Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well. 

My Wee Abode (Julie) hosts the “Tuesday Turn About” Link Party. Julie is turning her small home into a charming coastal farmhouse home. Her website and link party include great home decorating, DIY, craft projects and recipes.

Wednesday

Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects. 

French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared. 

Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!

Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor. 

Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building. 

Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family! 

Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!

Lydia at  Pandora and Max hosts the “All Seasons” Link Party. Lydia’s recent blog entry was all about her trip – and the sunsets are a “must see” – fabulous!

Thursdays

I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 

Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here. 

Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party. 

Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters” and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!

Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph! 

Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas. 

Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links). 

Friday

Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group. 

Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts. 

Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc. 

Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations. 

Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions. 

At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas! 

Carol at Answer is Choco hosts BFF Link Party. Carol’s website contains lots of ideas about crafts, scrapbooking, recipes and many other things!

Saturday

Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!

Pam’s Party and Practical Tips hosts the “Dare to Share Saturday” Link party – which includes some great party ideas, recipes and crafts!

Wishing you a great week

and hoping you have many wonderful

animal adventures in your future !!!!!