Upside Down -- Flamingo at Charles Padock Zoo in Atascadero, California
by Darin Volpe
Title
Upside Down -- Flamingo at Charles Padock Zoo in Atascadero, California
Artist
Darin Volpe
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Flamingos feed by lowering their heads upside down and dipping them into the water. The small tooth-like structures on the beak allow water to filter out while keeping the food within. Their diet consists mainly of algae and crustaceans, and they occasionally eat water plants as well.
American Flamingo are on the Yucatan Peninsula, the West Indies, and the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific. Because most live around the Caribbean, they are commonly known as Caribbean Flamingos. They are often found on mudflats and inland salt-water lakes because they prefer areas with high salt concentrations.
The Charles Paddock Zoo was established in 1955 by a county park ranger who nursed wild animals back to health. It was originally located in the county animal shelter, but was moved to the present site in 1963 and became known as the Atascadero Children's Zoo. As it grew it expanded from animals brought to founder for rehabilitation to include more exotic species such as Red Pandas and Malayan Tigers. In 1980 it was named "The Charles Paddock Zoo" in memory of it's founder.
Uploaded
May 23rd, 2017
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