In 2022, You Can Journey To The Galápagos Islands Without Leaving Texas At The Houston Zoo
By Katie Lawrence|Published September 25, 2021
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
If you’ve ever wanted to visit the Galápagos Islands, you’ll soon get the chance – and you don’t even need a passport or plane ticket! In the fall of 2022, to celebrate its 100-year anniversary, the Houston Zoo will unveil a state-of-the-art exhibit showcasing the unique and diverse wildlife of the famous island chain. From the iconic Galápagos tortoises to sea lions and a whole host of other fascinating creatures, the exhibit will quickly become one of your favorites.
This tunnel of trees is among the most recognizable spots in Texas, marking the entrance to the beloved Houston Zoo.
First opened in September 1922, the 55-acre zoo is the second-most visited zoo in the U.S.
Over 6,000 animals across nearly a thousand different species call the zoo home, and you'll see everything from giraffes to tropical fish in every color imaginable.
Visitors of all ages have an absolute blast perusing the exhibits and coming face-to-face with all the incredible creatures.
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In autumn of 2022, to celebrate its 100-year anniversary, the zoo is set to unveil a state-of-the-art Galápagos Islands exhibit that will transport visitors overseas without ever leaving Texas.
The first major exhibit of its kind to showcase the unique wildlife of the legendary archipelago, the addition promises to be fun, educational, and inspirational.
As you can see, the habitat will be quite expansive, featuring sea lions, sharks, and several other aquatic and land-dwelling animals.
Of course, the stars of the show will be the Galápagos tortoises, the largest living species of tortoise. They can grow to weigh nearly 1,000 pounds and have lifespans of up to 177 years!
These penguins are special in that they can survive in temperatures of up to 100 degrees - after all, the species does originate from South America. Their resilience makes them a perfect fit for the heat and humidity of Southeast Texas!
Address: 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030.
Current zoo hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Visit the official website or Facebook page to keep up with the progression of the Galápagos Islands exhibit.
Are you excited about the Galápagos Islands exhibit at the Houston Zoo? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section, and check out our previous article for another zoo in Texas that’s perfect for a family day trip.
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