Lunch at the Zoo

What Zoo Animals Eat and Why

Ages 7-10; grades 2-5

A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what zoo animals eat, and why.

How do you feed a hungry crocodile without becoming dinner yourself?
What do you feed a baby porcupine?
Do elephants need vitamin pills?

In the wild, animals can usually find the foods they need to eat. But zoo animals can’t go out and search for their own meals. Instead, nutritionists must discover what foods each animal needs to stay healthy and happy. Whether serving lunch to poisonous snakes, making dinner for a thousand animals at once, or caring for babies who have lost their mothers, life for the zoo staff is never dull.

This fascinating and informative book looks behind the scenes at some of the largest zoos in the country to discover what–and how–they feed their animals.