Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, CO: A Great Place to Take Your Family

I stood looking through the glass at the Orangutans. My family and I had been through the whole Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado when we meet up with the Orangutans. At first my gaze landed on the hammock towards the back of the glass enclosure where there were three Orangutans, one baby was playing in the area, but they were just the beginning of my experience. The male Orangutan that was off to my left sitting on some sort of wooden plank began to move. My excitement rose as he continued to edge towards the glass. My family was now surrounding me as they were looking in to the enclosure watching the animals play and sleep. The male was a dark orange with a brownish face. His jowls larger than the others, and his overall body size was massive. His long arms helped support him as he walked towards the class.

The male continued closer until he was nose to nose with the glass. I laughed as he puckered his lips and pressed them to the glass. When I flipped my hair off my shoulders the Orangutan suddenly became increasingly interested in watching me. He beat his chest with his hands and continued to pucker his lips and breath on the glass. Even when I walked away his eyes followed me. My family and I stood there at least five minutes before leaving as another crowd had gathered to watch. The entire time the Orangutan remained at the glass watching us and interacting, as I have not experienced in any other zoo.

I have frequented the Denver Zoo and been to many around the United States, but all of the animals in this zoo were the most interactive I have ever experienced. The gorillas were just as active as the Orangutans by moving around the enclosure. The silver back male even pounded on his chest as he called out to his family. The was a mother and her baby walking around, every once in a while she would move closer to the glass or turn so you could see her little one on her back.

If you have never heard a Hippo call out and open its mouth wide while in a zoo, you will want to head to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The enormous Hippo that was separate from the other two opened its jaws wide and emitted a loud call, practically deafening us all in the indoor enclosure. The sneeze was one of the best parts. I have seen Hippos swim at the Denver Zoo and play a little, but this guy or gal was so close to the enclosures bars that you could see the scars, wrinkles in the skin, and see just how amazing their jaws really are.

Other animals you will find at the zoo include Giraffes that you can actually feed and pet, an African Elephant full of life, Kangaroos, and big cats. The tiger was in a forested enclosure, but deemed to come play in the water down where everyone could see her. The mountain lions were another great place for my family and I to stop. There were about four of them in this one cage. One of the mountain lions was laying atop a log platform, another was laying the shade under some concrete, the other was laying on the ground, and the fourth was patrolling the grounds. This mountain lion continued to move around the cage in the same pattern while the others lay there for the visitors to watch when a chicken came walking by outside the cage on the right. Instantly the mountain lion walking around stopped and perched on top of a tree. Its back legs gripped the tree, while its front paws dangled just waiting for the chicken to come closer. Aware of the new being in their territory the other three lions came to attention. Two of them moved closer to the fencing waiting for the chicken to come a little closer. There tails were twitching, the hind legs ready to spring, and their eyes were at attention listening to every little noise. The two lions pressed their faces to the cage, with their noses working overtime. As the chicken came down the hill and walked right up to the cage the lions sprang towards the barrier. Of course their paws couldn't get through, even after the second chicken arrived. They sat at attention occasionally batting at the cage. I am sure they were feeling quite teased at that point.

Soon the chickens moved on and the lions lost interest, moving back towards their spots to again relax. When a tree branch rustled the cage one mountain lions sprang, it's adrenaline up from the chickens, and it startled the new crowd of watchers for it sprang directly at the front of the caging its teeth barred. The other cat reared back hissing at the commotion. Screams and laughter of delight erupted from the crowd.

When you visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo you will find more than you bargained for with entertainment and learning about the different animals of the world we live in. I recommend anyone visiting Colorado Springs or living in Colorado should visit this wonderful zoo at least once. I know I plan on returning for more!