Does the polar bear have a name?  His name is Nikita; named after a Russian polar bear researcher.

How old is Nikita?  Born on November 21, 2006 at the Toledo Zoo, he is 3 ½ years old.

How much does he weigh? He currently weighs over 700 pounds, but could weigh over 1,000 pounds when full grown.

What does he eat?  Nikita eats about 16 pounds of fish (herring, capelin and trout), 5 pounds of dog food and 1 ½ pounds of lard each day. He receives other food like fruits and vegetables as treats and rewards in his training.

Why is there only one polar bear? Nikita is too young to be interested in female companions. Young male polar bears at Nikita’s age live and explore on their own.

How big is the area where Nikita lives? What you are seeing is an awesome Arctic adventure area nearly 10,000 square feet customized for polar bear living. It includes a 140,000 gallon pool, a 105 ton sand box complete with grassy and diving areas.

Where does Nikita go at night?  Nikita’s behind-the-scenes area is divine – we’d like to say 5-star! There are bedrooms designed for up to three adult bears along with a cub room and diet preparation area. The Kansas City Zoo is working with other zoos in the United States to acquire additional bears in hopes of someday having cubs.

Can Nikita break the glass? No, the glass around the exhibit is 2 ½ inches thick and the wall are 17 feet high. Nikita can not break the glass nor climb out of the exhibit.

Why are there toys in his exhibit?  All of the animals at the Kansas City Zoo receive enrichment items to keep them active.

How long will Nikita live? Polar bears can live into their 30’s in zoos.

Does Nikita get hot?  The pool in the exhibit is kept at 65 degrees year round. Nikita’s dens/bedrooms are also kept at 65 degrees. This helps to keep him cool.

Why are there plants on the roof?  This is called a green roof; plants provide insulation for the building and help the environment by increasing oxygen output.

POLAR BEAR PASSAGE: Recreated glaciers, a large sandbox and open spaces along the banks create a Polar Bear Environment of Fun for digging, plunging and napping. This awesome Arctic adventure creates an interactive public connection to these magnificent northern species through above and below water viewing in the 140,000 gallon pool and a climate controlled viewing area with multiple viewing angles. Host your next cocktail party or intimate dinner reception in the coolest place in town.

Zoo Director Randy Wisthoff adds, "We not only are committed to polar bears and their conservation through education and outreach programs; we are committed to bringing the best Zoo exhibits to the citizens of Kansas City. You (the public) wanted polar bears, and we hope to create the most mesmerizing exhibit for you to enjoy year-round."

A 800 pound, almost year-old male polar bear from the Toledo Zoo will be calling the Kansas City Zoo home. The polar bear will arrive this spring and will be the "star" of the Zoo’s new awesome arctic adventure opening summer of 2010.

The $11 million world-class, mesmerizing Polar Bear project is thanks to the Kansas City, Missouri voters who passed a bond package in 2004 with the promise of bringing these large white bears back to their city. With multiple indoor and outdoor viewing angles, guests will admire these magnificent northern species through 2.25 inch thick glass windows.

Polar bear habitat is quickly shrinking. Zoo’s nationwide are working together to educate and communicate the need to reduce greenhouse gases, reuse our resources and reverse global climate change in order to help polar bear populations as well as other species. Located directly inside the front entrance, the polar exhibit will meet the Manitoba Standards for polar bear husbandry, ensuring that the polar bears receive excellent care both physically and on an enrichment level.



Beaks and Feet Boulevard Opened in June

Across from the Tropics, the new Beaks and Feet Boulevard highlight the differences and similarities in how animals use their beaks and their feet.

On the Boulevard, watch as the toucan and macaws crack their nuts with their beaks; see how the small primates called tamarins use their feet for holding, grabbing and climbing. Observe the agouti using his short digging feet for burying his nuts, saving them for later. From magpies and peacocks to the iguana and tamandua, can you tell how each uses their feet and beaks? Are their feet webbed, do they run on their toes; are their beaks long and thin or are they curved. Expand your knowledge of all these Beaks and Feet animal adaptations.

Snakes opened at the Kansas City Zoo on Thursday, April 1.  Snakes Alive bring these sensational super serpents to you – to B-U-S-T their Myths!

Thanks to a generous donation from a private donor, over a dozen of these reptiles will move into what was the Birthday Bungalow near the Endangered Species Carousel. In the fashion of recycling and responding to the request for the magnificently shiny slithering animals, we remodeled the bungalow to bust the myths of snakes. (Birthday parties are being held in the new and modern Zoo Learning Center.)

Snakes get a bad rap! Diverse in size and color, with an important role in the web of life, snakes can be appreciated for their beauty and respected as fellow dwellers on this planet. Imagine if snakes didn’t help control the populations of certain rodents that reproduce often. Venom is also being used in medicine research.

Slither, slide, walk or run to the Kansas City Zoo to busta-myth about these glistening ornate patterned creatures. Did you know snakes don’t have eyelids or ears and their “noses” are also found on the roof of their mouths?