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Greater Rheas Berlin Zoo

Greater (American) Rheas image
If you are staying at any of the great hotels in Berlin, you are undoubtedly staying within walking distance of this zoo.  It is located on the outskirts of the Tiergarten, the large park in the center of the city.  The park itself is bigger than the country of Monaco.

Greater (American) Rheas close up picture
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Greater (American) Rheas information & photographs.

The rheas are species of ratites (flightless birds, with unkeeled sterna) in the genus Rhea, native to South America. There are two existing species: the Greater or American Rhea and the Lesser or Darwin's Rhea. The genus name was given in 1752 by Paul Mohring and adopted as the English common name. Mohring's reason for choosing this name, from the Rhea of classical mythology, is not known.

"Rheas" are large, flightless birds with grey-brown plumage, long legs and long necks, similar to an ostrich. These birds can reach 5.6 feet (1.7 m), and weigh up to 88 pounds (40 kg). Their wings are large for a flightless bird and are spread while running, to act like sails. Unlike most birds, rheas have only three toes. Their tarsus has horizontal plates on the front of it. They also store urine separate in an expansion of the cloaca.

What to expect at the Berlin zoo.

Thousands of great animals included in a well laid out zoo/aquarium setup.  I was surprised by the size of the place.   Not just a cage with one or two elephants but, apparently, a whole african savanah with a herd of elephants.  Not just elephants, but giraffes, lions, gorillas, kangaroos, polar bears, tigers, emus and, even, a glimpse of (not one, but two) okapi.

from wikipedia

"The Berlin Zoological Garden (German: Zoologischer Garten Berlin) is the oldest and internationally most well known zoo in Germany. Opened in 1844 it comprises an area of 35 hectares and is located in Berlin, Tiergarten. With almost 1,400 different species and around 14,000 animals the zoo presents the most comprehensive collection of species in the world.

The zoo and its aquarium numbered 3.2 million visitors in 2007. It is considered to be the most visited zoo in Europe and one of the most popular worldwide. Regular animal feedings are among its most famous attractions. Several globally known animals like Knut, the polar bear or Bao Bao, the Giant Panda are contributing to the zoo's public image.

The zoo is closely collaborating on scientific fields with a large number of universities, research institutes, and other zoos around the world. It maintains and promotes numerous European breeding programmes and safeguards several endangered species. A number of species kept at the 'Berlin Zoo' are regularly returned to the wild after years in intensive human care."

Greater Rheas Berlin Zoo

A couple of nice places to eat, inside or out.  Lots of signs pointing the way and a comprehensive zoo map in our guide book.

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