Small Mammals

Small Mammals:

Small Mammals deserve the same respect and access to social and environmental choice and control as large, more charismatic species. Jon has not written about them specifically but has collaborated in the design of many zoo exhibits for them.

Close up with small mammals

Having Fun Up Close

Here is a fun display of meerkats at the Werribee Open Range Zoo designed by John Wright of Hassell Design Studio. If they choose, meerkats can sun themselves next to visitors in the park’s café. Jon designed this underground “pop-up” viewing for Tasmanian Devils at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park in Port Arthur.

Good Small Mammal Exhibits

  • Bobcat and Coati Exhibits, Living Desert State Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico, 1977 J&J
  • Oregon Zoo, Beaver & Otter Exhibit Portland, OR USA. 1981 J&J

Otters are among the most engaging small mammals because they are intelligent, social, and highly active and interactive. Otters seem to be one of the few members of the weasel (mustelid) family well suited to living in zoos because most other species are simply too active to confine comfortably. Otters love swimming and underwater exploration, including complex underwater currents and catching live fish where permitted. However, they require more land area than aquatic habitat and benefit from dry sandy areas for coat conditioning. They especially need novel items to satisfy their curiosity. Note how the otters in the video above enjoy interacting with the turtle shell.

  • Woodland Park Zoo, Otter Exhibit Seattle WA, USA. 1995 CLR

Regenstein Small Mammal - Reptile House at Lincoln Park Zoo

Small mammals at the zoo

These images are of the 2300 sqm (25,000sf) Regenstein Small Mammal – Reptile House at Lincoln Park Zoo. Jon led the design team with CLRdesign (then operating as CLRR) between 2000 to 2002.  Displays included giant recreations (upper right photo), desert species like dwarf mongoose in large desert dioramas and kit fox in open displays within a vast glass-roofed gallery.

This excellent facility is also featured under Reptiles.

  • Lincoln Park Zoo, Regenstein Small Mammal and Reptile House Chicago, Il USA. 2002 CLR
  • Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, Exhibits Port Arthur, TAS Aust. 2004 JCD