Birmingham Zoo

The Birmingham Zoo is quite unique because it is the only zoo in the United States with an all-male herd of African elephants! This is very unusual, as other zoos have all-female herds or herds with more females than males. Elephants live in matriarchal groups, and for many years, it was believed that male elephants were anti-social loners. However, researchers now know that male elephants often form powerful, long-lasting bonds with other males, and even come together in groups of up to 15! 

However, males are difficult to study in the wild. These powerful bulls are gigantic and can be rather bad-tempered. Birmingham Zoo has dedicated its entire enclosure to housing only male elephants so researchers can better understand the social dynamics of males. This provides scientists with a greater understanding of how these majestic creatures interact, which helps zoo staff provide better care for them.

Best times to visit the Birmingham Zoo: 

The Birmingham Zoo is open all year round. However, there are some exhibits and areas that are closed during the winter months, like the splash pads and the giraffe encounter. 
The weather in Birmingham is typically moderate throughout the year. However, it does get hot and sticky in the summer, and the zoo animals spend more time in the shade to keep cool. Fortunately, winters are pretty mild, and the animals tend to be more active in these cooler temperatures.