Idaho Falls Zoo welcomes baby ‘vampire deer’

The Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park is welcoming new animals this weekend. The following is a news release from the City of Idaho Falls.

IDAHO FALLS — The zoo is proud to announce the birth of a female Reeves’s muntjac, a small brown deer from Asia with some very unique characteristics.

It is one of the smaller of the world’s deer species and is most active in the early morning and at night. It is the oldest known deer species in the fossil record. The muntjac is known as the barking deer because of its strange call, and it is also called the vampire deer because it possesses elongated canine teeth.

The fawn weighs in at about 2 pounds, while an adult muntjac weighs in at about 25 pounds. Compare that to an adult mule deer, which weighs around 130 pounds.

“We are quite excited because the fawn is the first birth for this pair of deer at Idaho Falls Zoo,” says Linda Beard, animal care supervisor.

“It’s the cutest baby I’ve ever seen!” says Aaron Young, the zookeeper who cares for the muntjacs.

You can see our newest addition staying close by her mom in the Little Asia exhibit.

Snakes

On Saturday, May 28, Idaho Falls Zoo will open a new, limited-time snake exhibit – Jewels of Asia – which will feature three species of snakes never-before seen at the zoo.

From the vibrant colors of the Thai bamboo rat snake and the Mandarin rat snake, to the mystique and thrill of a pair of albino Burmese pythons – one six feet in length and the other eleven feet – guests will experience the beauty, anticipation, thrill and mystery of these amazing Asian snakes.

“Our team has been working very hard to construct this amazing new exhibit and bring these incredible snakes to our zoo,” says David Pennock, Idaho Falls Zoo superintendent. “We can’t wait for our guests to experience their beauty!”

Jewels of Asia can only be seen May 28 through Labor Day, so don’t miss the opportunity to explore the incredible world of snakes at the Idaho Falls Zoo.

Other programs

While at the zoo, don’t forget to stop by and visit our penguin keeper to schedule a short, up-close and personal interaction with our favorite feathered, black-footed friends. This program runs May 28 to Oct 9. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-12 (children must be accompanied by an adult), plus zoo admission. Guests can also call (208) 612-8422 during regular zoo operations for more information or to schedule an appointment.

The Animal Encounters Show will also start on Saturday, with daily performances through Labor Day. Visit with a zookeeper and receive more in-depth information about the animals during the daily Keeper Chats held at the Penguin Cove at 10 a.m. and at various locations around the zoo at 2 p.m.