So why are black and white rhinos called that when they're both actually grey? One theory is that the white rhino got its name from a mistranslation of an Afrikaans word, and the black rhino was simply called that to distinguish it from its "white" cousin 🌍🧪🐾🦏

It's World Rhino Day! Did you know there are a total of 5 rhino species around the world? Fossil Rim is home to the two African species- white and black rhinos!

Did you know giraffe have whiskers?😺 Their squishy, fuzzy mouth helps them explore their surroundings, guiding them towards food sources and away from thorns and more!

A moment of Friday zen with one of our cheetahs 😌Cheetahs are masters of conserving energy, often sleeping around 12 hours a day.

Our American Red Wolves live in two family packs at Fossil Rim. Wolves, though they are cautious animals, are still very social with members of their own species!

Then (1990) and Now (2019) We have been providing veterinary care to vulnerable species for decades, and now we're raising funds to build a brand new vet hospital! Visit the link in our bio to learn more! 🌍🧪

In April of this year, conservationists completed the first successful cross-fostering of American Red Wolves. This process involves swapping wild born pups for those born in human care, increasing genetic diversity in both populations. This is crucial as there are so few wild red wolves left! 🌎

Did you know coyotes could hold the key to American Red Wolf restoration? Scientists have found that coyotes in areas where red wolves used to be abundant can contain up to 69% wolf DNA thanks to past interbreeding. This DNA could help introduce new genes into the struggling red wolf population. 🌍

It's American Red Wolf Week! Red wolves are endemic to the United States, meaning they're found nowhere else on Earth. They also happen to be the most endangered of all canid species. Follow along this week for information on the work being done to save this iconic wolf! 🌍🧪🌿🐾🐺

As the temperature drops, our male fallow deer are entering their rut season, when they begin to compete for the affection of females. Most of our deer are epididymectimized, a big word that means they can't make babies, but still have enough hormones to engage in natural seasonal behaviors.

Did you know burping is a fallow deer male's way of attracting mates? The sound, while possibly gross to us humans, is music to a doe's ears 🎶 🌍🧪🐾

Keeping cool is an important part of raising endangered Attwater’s prairie chickens. Chicks have constant access to water to both drink and explore in during the summer heat!

SHHH...this tiny greater kudu calf is enjoying the cooler weather and napping the afternoon away 😴

Addax are super efficient desert dwellers, getting nearly all the water they need from the plants they consume! Scientists believe that addax can live almost indefinitely without drinking free-standing water 💧

Gemsbok horns begin growing as soon as they're born. Both males and females get a pair, which can end up nearly 3 feet long once mature.

Cheetah cubs are the perfect color to blend into the dry grass of their native habitat. You could say they're naturally hard to spot 😉

Jackrabbits aren't your typical bunny 🐇 Despite their name, they're actually hares, a lankier, more independent cousin to typical Texas cottontails.

Despite their small size, blackbuck antelope sure do cut a striking silhouette! Males are almost always posing for surrounding ladies, making them one of our more photogenic residents 📸 🧪🌍

For the first time in several years, wildebeest calves are on the scene! Wildebeest are a least concern species, which means breeding is not top priority in human care.

HUGE CAT NEWS! (well…tiny cat, BIG milestone) 🐾 Naia, one of our black-footed cats, just made history as the oldest of her species ever recorded in human care - 18 years, 6 months, and 5 days! 🥳 Naia’s milestone reflects the dedicated care, nutrition, and enrichment provided by our staff!

❗DEAL ALERT❗ We're offering $5 off self-guided tour tickets for 8:00–8:30 AM time slots, August 30–September 1. Many of our species are most active at dawn and dusk, making our earliest time slot one of the luckiest in terms of sightings! You can get tickets at fossilrim.org/tickets

Arnold is one of two Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs housed at Fossil Rim! He is a master of relaxation, as demonstrated during his latest spa day 💆

Did you know Fossil Rim has a digital magazine? In this issue: 🌍the tiny wild cat behind a big conservation movement ✏️a new educational space opening its doors at the Overlook 🪴a special feature from Maritimus, a Texas children's nature magazine. heyzine.com/flip-book/a7...

Cheetahs have excellent eyesight, adapted to peering long distances across the sunny savannah. They have a 210-degree field of vision, almost double that of humans! 🌍🧪🌿

This bongo calf has its own signature walk! Remind you of anything? 🐔

Learn about Fossil Rim's giraffe calves! We have new calves born typically every year to every other year, and these babies have a role to play in their species' conservation! 🧪🌍🍁🌿

Caught this waterbuck calf trying to either use mom as comfy bed or annoy her enough that she gets up to play 😅 Can any parents relate?

Sparring is a very common behavior among male blackbuck. Whoever wins gets his pick of land and ladies! While these duels can result in injury, they're more often about displaying strength rather than hurting the opponent.

Are you interested in wildlife and land conservation? Want to learn more about endangered species? Like looking at cool animals? We're Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, an AZA-accredited conservation breeding center based in Texas, and we want to connect with you! 🧪🌍🐙🍁🌿

This elusive axis deer fawn was feeling frisky in the cool of the morning! Axis deer are born with spots that they keep their entire lives.

Emus love water and will often seek it out to splash around. This cools them down, cleans them off, and has the added bonus of being lots of fun!

American Red Wolves are a skittish species, so we observe them using game cams. Here is a great example of their curiosity when they feel safe, and the reason we keep our cams behind wolf-proof fencing 😅

Everyone loves to wallow, some (like Raka) more than others 😅

Nile lechwe have come of the longest hair of any antelope at Fossil Rim. This little calf is also sporting their baby coat, which is dense and fuzzy for thermoregulation.

Oh man, it's Monday 🥱

Both the American Red Wolf and Mexican gray wolf were once found throughout Texas. Through successful anti-predator campaigns, the two nearly went extinct. Today, recognizing their ecological importance, scientists are trying to bring them back.

Giraffe herds are tight-knit families where everyone takes care of each other! Big Mac, one of the youngest herd members, will eventually leave to become a breeding individual for another family. Until then, he's cared for by his mom and aunts!

How do researchers keep tabs on tiny species like the Texas horned lizard? With tiny trackers of course! These small tags are attached to the lizards' backs and will eventually shed off. In the meantime, however, they'll give scientists valuable data about the habits and movement of the species!

Arabian oryx were once considered extinct in the wild. While they have seen some growth, they are still a vulnerable species. Babies like this one are part of an effort to restore their declining numbers

Millie, our blue and gold macaw, receives all kinds of enrichment. She's especially fond of paper bags filled with treats, toys or new smells!

We're fawning over fawns 😍 Here we see three different species- a white tailed, axis and fallow deer. All three live together in the various pastures at Fossil Rim.

Many animals will hang out underneath the giraffe feed tower, enjoying the bits dropped by their taller friends. In the wild, it's not uncommon for other species to hang out near a giraffe herd, using them as lookouts for danger!

Aoudad lambs are born climbers- literally! As soon as they can walk they're able to follow their mothers up and down the rocky slopes they live on, keeping them safe from predators who prefer flat ground.

We're mucking around this Monday! Mud is a key part of a rhino's skincare routine 🛀

Bongos are a tight knit species, keeping close to each other for protection. This young calf seems to prefer the company of one of it's older half-siblings, though mom isn't far behind!

Zebras LOVE to roll around in dust and mud. Some research has even shown that members of a herd will roll in the same spot, eventually resulting in a divot that can become a new watering hole with enough rain!

Waterbuck are a unique species of African antelope. As their name suggests, they're great swimmers! Their coat is even thought to be somewhat waterproof, thanks to a special oil secreted by their skin.

When cheetah cubs are born, we try to give them as much privacy as possible. We monitor cheetahs via cameras to keep track of everyone's health and safety without getting in the way!

When male antelope, like this Nile lechwe begin maturing, it's necessary for them to practice future life skills, like sparring. Here, an older calf is training with his dad for the day he'll strike out on his own!

Have you ever seen a Texas horned lizard up close? Their neutral, multi-colored scaled help them blend in with their sandy surroundings!