Zoo Tours: Cypress Swamp | North Carolina Zoo

EPISODE 123
I saw the sunshine and I could feel the moonshine! Please forgive me if I've gone to Carolina in my mind. Welcome to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro! A 2,600 acre animal haven, that's almost designed like a North American and African Safari, rather than a traditional zoo. BUT because your experience is on foot, this is considered the world's largest walk through zoological park. Your first virtual tour will begin exactly how you would on a real one, with the Cypress Swamp! You'll learn how alligators survive the cold, what would happen to a swamp if all predators disappeared, and meet a snapping turtle that was born in the year 1900!
Read more about Heath and Olive's story below!
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[@ZooTours]

*Here are some more facts I didn't say in the welcome video!:* kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJLHmGhqoZ6tjdE* *▪︎The North Carolina Zoo is home to 1,800 animals of 250 species, and 52,000 plants* *▪︎If you saw everything in one day, you would walk over 3 miles - which is average for a large zoo. BUT because the footpath is not a circle and because the parking lots are so far apart, you have to walk those 3 miles to leave. Unless you take the tram. But then you risk being next to people!* *▪︎Due to its size, I needed 3 full visits to film what I needed, and walked approximately 27 miles* *▪︎Despite what I said about the heat, the Desert Dome was actually the second coldest part of the zoo (in the summer)* *▪︎Though I won't reveal what's around it in the ranking but I will say the North Carolina Zoo is my 5th favorite park... for now.*

[@savannahvarns2126]

My wildest encounter was with a southern cassowary at the wildlife world zoo and aquarium. The first time we visited, they were at the back, but the second time we visited, the cassowary was near the fence and was interacting with us. Overall, a cool but dangerous interaction

[@tylerkohorst9124]

My wildest encounter was at the fort wayne children's zoo seeing a peacock try to sprint out of the zoo, it flew on top of the gift shop, and the zoo employees finally catching it. Speaking of the zoo, I love their albino peacock.

[@kahlebheltzel3123]

I remember seeing one of the albino ones enter the tortoise habitat and try to impress it by showing its feathers and dancing... I don't think he was impressed very much though.

[@breckenridge1974]

The alligator names are Gatorboy and Leev. Also fun fact: The area across from the second alligator habitats on the boardwalk used to house waterfowl like wood ducks, mergansers, canvasbacks, teal, and pintails. There was also an outdoor exhibit for gopher tortoises and box turtles there as well.

[@wildandmagicalworldofflori8032]

Looks like we're off to a wild start to our biggest Zoo adventure! I was not expecting that one of their snappers was over 120 years old, that WILD!!!! Can't wait to continue on to the Rocky Coast

[@Steveofthejungle8]

Appreciate the James Taylor references 😂

[@ZooTours]

Thank you! I'm glad at least someone understood.

[@CrazyGoatGuuus]

My wildest zoo animal experience was probably earlier this year at AquaZoo Friesland. I had the biggest scare of my life. I was at the zoo, taking pictures of the nile crocodiles, which I've been doing a lot this year. And usually they barely move. That day, however, when I was crouched down, taking pictures of a croc on the edge of the water, he suddenly full on lunged at me. Now luckily, there was glass between us, but I was within a foot of him and it was really fast and unexpected. Felt like it went from 0 to 100 in a millisecond. Genuinly one of the coolest and most terrifying things ever. Makes me respect and love them even more. Crocs are awesome. So also great to see some crocodilians in this very cool zoo tour!

[@HyblerHonza]

Big thanks from CzechRuplubic. I love visitng zoo, I was almost in every zoo in our cauntry. Most likely I never can wisit yours beautiful zoo in USA, sou I very appreciate I can visit them through your videos.

[@CrazyGoatGuuus]

I love Prague Zoo! Are there any other zoos in the country you'd recommend for the next time I'm there?

[@HyblerHonza]

@@CrazyGoatGuuus Prague Zoo is the best one. But i recommend Zoo Zlín, they have the first born baby of African Elephant in CzechSlovakia zoo history and the habittet for animals are on top. Also the zoo Dvůr Králové is special. They focus only on African animals. You can ride your ouwn car in their African safari or Lion safari.

[@noabo1521]

I think my wildest zoo encounter, was when i visited my local zoo (Aalborg Zoo, Denmark) i had my dog with me, when we walked to last viewing spot for the Polar Bears, (they had 2 cubs, and an adult at the time). So it would hide behind a rock and jump up on against the window scaring my family, It got surprised dog and me, it did this multiple times (NOTE: I have a dachshund, so a small one) it just seemed so funny to me

[@Zombie9Slayer]

I love your channel, as a Zoo Enthusiast in the UK I haven't been to that many American Zoos (apart from Tampa Bay's Busch Gardens and Disney's Animal Kingdom) so watching your Zoo Tour videos gives me more information and knowledge about Zoos I have never visited before, Keep up the great work.

[@alexanderdoster7487]

I was just there about an hour ago, liked the way it seemed to blend in with the wilderness

[@kahlebheltzel3123]

my wildest experience is i got to feed African wild dogs at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, IN. (which you should cover in the far future) it was so cool to see them all get an equal share of the rabbit that they got feed. Recently on August 16th they held a Zoo National Painted Dog Day which they celebrated the painted dog, it was so much fun to paint a wooden painted dog, watching them get feed, participate in the scavenger hunt, and a lot more. So, I would say that that was my wildest experience. Just excited for the next episode!!!!!!!!!

[@rhino932toon]

And so it begins, the tour of this amazing zoo! Thanks once again for sharing these amazing videos with us man! I have a question, what was your animal to see at the North Carolina Zoo?

[@ZooTours]

If you mean favorite:) Then definitely black bears Luna and Nova, some of the most personable animals I've ever seen.

[@rhino932toon]

@@ZooTours that's so nice, I'll look forward to seeing these lovely bears in the video when it's released

[@skittlezzz0014]

The wildest encounter I have had with an animal in the wild is my family ran into a wild black bear in downtown gatlinburg. The wildest encounter I had at a zoo was when I was around 10-11 I was at the Columbus Zoo and was looking at the Mandrills, who were in their indoor enclosure, when all of a sudden the male came running up and jump scared me by banging on the window.

[@kdspfisoaho]

I've been to Zoos Like 5 or 4 times and I LOVE IT 💘 ❤

[@gourmei7590]

I have been to this zoo my whole life and always thought it was mediocre. These videos and the hope of upcoming expansions had made me look at it through a different lens and i am excited to return this spring.

[@panagiotasyrrothanasi9856]

My wildest encounter was with sea lions in a zoo in Europe

[@natureguyx46presents7]

When I was little maybe around kindergarten or a little older I had the chance to pet an emu.

[@psherrington5673]

My wildest encounter well that happened the year Cleveland zoo was building the rainforest I lived right above the zoo and well one day ( for our story ) one the orangutan got lose and well decided that my neighbors garage was a cool spot to hide needless to say we heard a loud noise and we thought someone broke in and found a big ole tang chilling out

[@SODORAILTALES]

My wildest encounter was at Reid Park zoo in Arizona! I was near the Zebra enclosure,when I heard some grunting and dust! I went over and saw the zebras chasing each other over a patch of grass they had to share. The two ostriches with them were scared and ran around

[@matthewfinney1874]

Just to let people know they are beginning construction on the 10-acre Asian trek and announced that a couple days ago.

[@TV-wu5py]

my wildest zoo encounter was probably when I really young at a rescue center for big cats, (not rly a zoo but I digress), and accidentally got sprayed (peed on) by their albino tiger.

[@witheredjr2887]

The kangaroo for me when I was in South Carolina

[@legendarygamerbob7252]

OH BOY, I woke up at the middle of the night and there was a mama bobcat and a baby but no dad that was cool

[@theimmigrant7953]

My wildest zoo encounter was at the Houston zoo, I was at the orangutan’s enclosure watching her get fed when I heard a roar, and when I ran to the carnivore area I saw their Tiger putting on a show prowling back and forth near the glass while roaring and grunting for a few minutes before hiding in the overgrowth and disappearing. It was so eye opening seeing just how enormous these predators are, to think the only thing separating me from it was a sheet of glass.

[@Gigaguruu]

My weirdest encounter when I was at Melbourne Zoo in the lemur enclosure and the Lemur jumped on me btw the enclosure is a walkthrough

[@wyatt-andrews-workshop22]

Wildest Encounter: I went on a behind the scenes tour of The Living Desert when I was 11. We got to the Jaguar backstage and walked up to a resting individual. However, I got a little too close and nearly received a thorough mauling. Thankfully there was a thin layer of chain link between me and the big cat so I received little more than a great story.

[@creepyjoe7621]

My wildest encounter was at the brookfield zoo when a polar bear jumped in the water, and went right up to me with a stick, and started tapping the glass with the stick.

[@kahlebheltzel3123]

at the Columbus I remember something similar happening but instead of a stick I think it was a very small ball

[@stevegordon9207]

The alligators are Gatorboy and Leev!!

[@zooemperor3954]

My wildest encounter with a zoo animal was with a pair of Andean bears mating at the Queens Zoo.

[@juanda_55]

My wildest encounter at the zoo was the alligator snapping turtle and seein* the alligator

[@PixarShark]

Dunno if this counts, but my wildest zoo encounter might have been at the one I work at. 😄 I got to meet our old aladabra tortoise (who has been featured on the channel before!) and go up and pet him. His skin felt like wrinkled leather, it was crazy, and he was pretty shy about being pet at first. But then when we went to the other side of the exhibit and were getting ready to leave, he turned around with all the speed he could muster and came at us as if to say “Hey…!! Can you do that again please…??” 😂

[@roysoth1929]

I took a selfie with an orangutan at the national zoo. I work at the Maryland zoo In Baltimore and see crazy stuff All the time

[@lesliechu8879]

Ah, the Everglades Cypress Swamp attraction! Say, try visit Disney's Animal Kingdom soon cause' they have a Wild Africa Trek attraction that lets you see animals up close at the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction! Plus, 3 zoo trivia questions for you & your girlfriend, Zak.... 1) How many pups did the Bearizona's wolf pack gave birth to? 2) Which 2 chimpanzees at the San Francisco Zoo passed away last few years? 3) What animal wandered into the gorilla enclosure at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park?

[@frankwilliams6891]

My wildest encounter was in the Bronx zoo in the Congo gorilla forest. One of the female gorillas came up to the glass and was looking at me. So I stuck my tongue out at it. She then stuck her tongue out back at me! I couldn’t believe it so I did it again and she repeated this went on for a few minutes. What an amazing experience.

[@fishtaco4170]

My wildest encounter is I got to pet the only pangolin in the US at the time in San Diego

[@agustin091]

Amazing video! I love this content

[@gardevoirmaster5743]

Hey is it possible for you to do a tour of the Australia zoo. I’ve always wanted to go but I have not been to Australia at all yet so it would be great to have. Like a preview to see how good it is.

[@MistahRowlet]

He only those American zoos but there is hope

[@gardevoirmaster5743]

@@MistahRowlet yep Ik that but like you said there is hope for him to make an exception

[@MistahRowlet]

@@gardevoirmaster5743 you never know

[@kristinkoppes686]

Wildest encounter So I was about 25( like 2007) I was going to the denver aquarium I was by the tiger habitat I was laying down and looking at my watch one had charged to the window and scared the hell out of me

[@natesvideos7339]

My wildest zoo encounter was at the now closed Bowmanville Zoo in Canada where an emu almost pecked an eye out

[@ElDario99]

My wildest encounter with a zoo animal was with the dromedaries at Madrid's Zoo Aquarium back in 2019.

[@MarcoAnguloistheGOAT]

My wildest encounter is at zoo camp in Cincinnati, we got to learn how to handle a radiated tortoise, which are critically endangered

[@Tigerbearwolf8600]

Feeding the giraffe at West Midlands safari park uk

[@joshuazerbel2495]

Talk about a fantastic video I would definitely like to visit the North Carolina zoo one day Just one question would you ever visit the Tennessee Aquarium again for the last 2 tour? My wildest animal encounter was with dolphins at Sea world San Diego where we interacted with them and it was amazing in my book

[@thecutieandpandafam1650]

I have a question? Do you believe that there is some cougar/catamount/mountain lion/puma/panther in the eastern usa? Because I have encountered a mountain lion in the West Virginia botanical garden

[@Lord_of_Proboscidea]

My wildest zoo encounter was probably making DIRECT eye contact with a Sumatran tiger. I was staring into those beautiful eyes and them it let out a roar. Keep in mind I was around 7 at the time .-. I also saw a walrus up close thru glass, it was incredibly huge. And on a separate day I heard an elephant’s and lion’s roar on the same day!!!

[@NayilCreates]

my wildest encounter was me at the toronto zoo when a gorilla walked up to the glass and started looking at me

[@robinwisnyai8632]

You should take a tour of the Erie zoo.

[@nanuqo2006]

I was in a zoo with a lemur walkway as a young kid on a really hot day and the lemurs tried to lick me because i was sweating

[@alfredsupersauce]

Wildest encounter I witnessed was a capuchin catching, killing, plucking, and eating a small bird that flew through the mesh into the enclosure. I'm sure the zookeepers enjoyed the pleasant surprise of feathers and bones they found later.

[@TheRandomZooVisitor]

My wildest encounter was when i was a child at the kc zoo, i had my back turned to the glass and one of the zoos lions kept trying to swipe at me.

[@hanscheng8391]

mine wildest was in a open zoo in thailand i got nearly jumped by a wallaby

[@thulasinagendram378]

Secretary bird

[@Shrock568]

When I was little I stuck my hand in front of a bamboo shark at the St.Louis zoo and it tried to bite me.

[@journeyofemmajoy]

i know one of the gators name is gator boy

[@carleigh....E]

the chimpanzee came up to the glass and interacting with me

[@ryanosullivan7834]

My wildest zoo encounter was at the reptile house at the bronx zoo and a reticulated python kissed me throw the glass

[@PhillipNeumeier]

My wildest encounter was in March 2019 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I was filming Izu, the resident male lion , walking across his habitat. When he came to the glass viewing area, he jumped up onto a big rock and started to roar. Then he leapt off the rock and strode off to take a look the plains. You can watch the video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2TSeX2fmNZqoNE

[@zylis109]

Puma

[@zoolover4669]

One of my wildest animal encounters was we went to a drive threw safari and an albino elk licked my leg.