Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

3 minutes ago

Have you ever seen our animals make this funny face? It is called a flehmen response, and many animals, including Amur tigers, use it to communicate on a molecular level. Opening their mouth and lips, animals inhale scents and pheromones in the air – both smelling and tasting the invisible particles using their Jacobson organ which is at the base of the nasal cavity (pictured here during a recent tiger annual exam).
Just imagine being able to smell your favorite food or even your best friend from miles away! The Jacobson organ helps tigers amplify their sense of smell almost as if they are "tasting the air"!Have you ever seen our animals make this funny face? It is called a flehmen response, and many animals, including Amur tigers, use it to communicate on a molecular level. Opening their mouth and lips, animals inhale scents and pheromones in the air – both smelling and tasting the invisible particles using their Jacobson organ which is at the base of the nasal cavity (pictured here during a recent tiger annual exam).
Just imagine being able to smell your favorite food or even your best friend from miles away! The Jacobson organ helps tigers amplify their sense of smell almost as if they are "tasting the air"! ... See moreSee less

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

1 day ago

🐨 Lottie's Legacy reaches far beyond Riverbanks!
During the nearly two decades in our care Lottie was an exceptional mother to 11 joeys and left a huge impact on the koala population in AZA-accredited zoos. Her impressive family tree spans across the country including 15 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and even 3 great great grandchildren.
Lottie's beloved legacy lives on!🐨 Lottie's Legacy reaches far beyond Riverbanks!
During the nearly two decades in our care Lottie was an exceptional mother to 11 joeys and left a huge impact on the koala population in AZA-accredited zoos. Her impressive family tree spans across the country including 15 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and even 3 great great grandchildren.
Lottie's beloved legacy lives on! ... See moreSee less

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

1 day ago

Free Friday TODAY - Every Friday in January and February for Residents of Richland and Lexington Counties!

In appreciation of the continued support of residents of Richland and Lexington Counties, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will once again offer complimentary admission to Richland and Lexington County residents every Friday during January and February. The offer is extended to residents of the two counties because Riverbanks is a special purpose district that supplements its operating budget with property taxes collected in both counties.

Due to COVID-19 Riverbanks is operating under restricted capacity, and all guests are required to reserve timed tickets online. Residents of Richland and Lexington County must present their reservation confirmation and proof of residency for each member in the party over age 18 at any Riverbanks ticket booth to obtain free tickets for entry.

Face masks are required in accordance with ordinances set by the City of Columbia and the City of West Columbia.

For additional information on what items that will be accepted as proof of residency, please visit: www.riverbanks.org/free-fridays/ ... See moreSee less

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

2 days ago

♻️ Don't forget to GO GREEN and recycle your holiday lights here at Riverbanks!

🌟 Instead of trashing your broken or unused light strands bring them to Guest Relations at our Main Zoo Entrance to be recycled, now through January 31.♻️ Don't forget to GO GREEN and recycle your holiday lights here at Riverbanks!

🌟 Instead of trashing your broken or unused light strands bring them to Guest Relations at our Main Zoo Entrance to be recycled, now through January 31. ... See moreSee less

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

4 days ago

🦏Lunch n' Z-Learn is back for 2021 🐊

Join us for a WILD lunch break as we explore Riverbanks LIVE on Facebook. Starting this Wednesday we'll be checking in on our gecko breeding program to see what's hatching!

Be sure to get these January Lunch n' Z-Learn dates on your calendars- you're not going to want to miss out!

1/13 - Gecko Hatchlings
1/20 - Journey the Sea Turtle Update
1/27 - Meet a Babirusa🦏Lunch n' Z-Learn is back for 2021 🐊

Join us for a WILD lunch break as we explore Riverbanks LIVE on Facebook. Starting this Wednesday we'll be checking in on our gecko breeding program to see what's hatching!

Be sure to get these January Lunch n' Z-Learn dates on your calendars- you're not going to want to miss out!

1/13 - Gecko Hatchlings
1/20 - Journey the Sea Turtle Update
1/27 - Meet a Babirusa ... See moreSee less

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

5 days ago

😍 We have some EXCITING news to share!
Olive the prehensile-tailed porcupine has given birth to a healthy little porcupette. Yes, you read that right, porcupette is what baby porcupines are called! We are swooning 🥺
Check back later today for some "too cute not to share" photos of our newest little addition!😍 We have some EXCITING news to share!
Olive the prehensile-tailed porcupine has given birth to a healthy little porcupette. Yes, you read that right, porcupette is what baby porcupines are called! We are swooning 🥺
Check back later today for some "too cute not to share" photos of our newest little addition! ... See moreSee less

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

1 week ago

Every Friday in January and February for Residents of Richland and Lexington Counties - Free Fridays!

In appreciation of the continued support of residents of Richland and Lexington Counties, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will once again offer complimentary admission to Richland and Lexington County residents every Friday during January and February. The offer is extended to residents of the two counties because Riverbanks is a special purpose district that supplements its operating budget with property taxes collected in both counties.

Due to COVID-19 Riverbanks is operating under restricted capacity, and all guests are required to reserve timed tickets online. Residents of Richland and Lexington County must present their reservation confirmation and proof of residency for each member in the party over age 18 at any Riverbanks ticket booth to obtain free tickets for entry.

Face masks are required in accordance with ordinances set by the City of Columbia and the City of West Columbia.

For additional information on what items that will be accepted as proof of residency, please visit: www.riverbanks.org/free-fridays/ ... See moreSee less

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

1 week ago

🦍Cenzoo is here to remind you that YOU can answer the call to save gorillas!

After the holidays is the perfect time to bring your unwanted phones to Riverbanks to recycle 📱♻️

We'll accept ANY kind of cell phone - yep even the big, heavy ones you can't even fit in your pocket now. For each cell phone received, a donation will be made to save gorillas in the wild!

Drop your cell phones off at Guest Relations at the Main Zoo entrance.🦍Cenzoo is here to remind you that YOU can answer the call to save gorillas!

After the holidays is the perfect time to bring your unwanted phones to Riverbanks to recycle 📱♻️

We'll accept ANY kind of cell phone - yep even the big, heavy ones you can't even fit in your pocket now. For each cell phone received, a donation will be made to save gorillas in the wild!

Drop your cell phones off at Guest Relations at the Main Zoo entrance. ... See moreSee less

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

2 weeks ago

Did you know - golden lion tamarins use their long tails for balance as they leap from branch to branch in search of food. The tiny, maned monkey hides out from predators and stays warm at night by sleeping in tree hollows! ... See moreSee less