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June is the perfect time to learn about wild and marine life since it is National Zoo and Aquarium Month! Zoos and Aquariums are significant resources that aid in the preservation and conservation of thousands of species of animals. They have shifted from purely entertainment to a tool for education and preservation. This blog contains books, facts, and a list of nearby zoos, aquariums, and preservers that welcome learners. 

Interesting Facts:

  • In 1982, President Ronald Regan created National Zoo and Aquarium Month to highlight their roles in conserving and preserving animal and marine life worldwide.
  • The first public aquarium opened in 1853 in London, England, and the first one in the United States opened in 1856 in New York.
  • It is estimated that in the United States, over 181 million people visit zoos and aquariums each year.
  • The Great Barrier Reef Aquarium in Queenshead, Australia, is the world’s largest living reef aquarium, with 660,430 gallons of water! There are over 1,500 species of fish, about 400 species of coral, 4,000 species of mollusk, and some 240 species of birds, plus a great diversity of sponges, anemones, marine worms, crustaceans, and other species.
  • Over 27,000 fish species have been identified, and an estimated 15,000 have yet to be identified.

List of Local Zoos, Aquariums, and Wildlife Sanctuaries: 

Zoos and aquariums are great places to explore and witness wildlife that one may not see in one’s daily life. Visit one Today! Here’s a list of 10 great ones in our area, but if you have a favorite you don’t see listed here, let us know!

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

One Safari Place
Baltimore, MD 21217

National Aquarium

501 E Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

National Aquarium Animal Care and Rescue Center

901 E Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

3001 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

12100 Beech Forest Road
Laurel, MD 20708

Glen Echo Park Aquarium

7300 Macarthur Blvd
Glen Echo, MD 20812

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

12100 Beech Forest Road
Laurel, MD 20708

Phillips Wharf Environmental Center

672 W Glenwood Ave
Easton, MD 21601

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo

13019 Catoctin Furnace Road
Thurmont, MD 21788

Owl Moon Raptor Center

20201 Bucklodge Road
Boyds, MD 20841

Zoo and Aquarium Book Picks:

Non-Fiction

Behind The Scenes at the Zoo: Your All-Access Guide to the World’s Greatest Zoos and Aquariums by Ben Ffrancon Davies

Venture behind the scenes to uncover the secrets of the amazing animals and army of staff that make up these awesome attractions and vital conservation centers. Find out what keeps zookeepers busy as they care for hundreds of animals, from mini meerkats to enormous elephants. Marvel at how courageous zookeepers learn to look after dangerous animals. This book takes you on a once-in-a-lifetime trip through zoo life to discover the considerable amounts of ingenuity and care it takes to make safe homes and futures for wild and endangered animals.

The Aquarium = Acuario by Jacqueline Laks Gorman

Describes things you might see in an aquarium.

Inky’s Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home by Sy Montgomery

This is the story of how, in April 2016, Inky the octopus escaped from the New Zealand aquarium and became an international sensation.

My First Trip to the Aquarium by Katie Kawa

This book uses simple text and illustrations to describe a child’s first visit to an aquarium.

Saving Fiona: The Story of the World’s Most Famous Baby Hippo by Thane Maynard

Readers will learn about Fiona, a baby hippopotamus born prematurely and raised by humans at the Cincinnati Zoo, and how the hippo became a worldwide Internet sensation.

Bridge to the Wild: Behind the Scenes at the Zoo by Caitlin O’Connell

With stunning photographs and exemplary narrative nonfiction, the Sibert Honor-winning creators of The Elephant Scientist, Caitlin O’Connell, and Timothy Rodwell, give readers a heartwarming insider’s look into a day in the life of a zoo curator and the meaningful bonds that she forms with her menagerie.

Life At The Zoo: The Secret World of Your Favorite Animals by Michael George

The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at zoo animals and describes how zookeepers care for, train, and interact with the animals who live there.

Mealtime for Zoo Animals by Caroline Arnold

Photographs and simple text describe the wide variety of foods eaten by animals in the zoo.

Zookeepers by Sarah Tieck

Readers learn what it’s like to work as a zookeeper, including daily tasks, unique challenges, and special gear and tools. Learn about the job’s history, safety methods, and required education and experience. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at zoo animals and describes how zookeepers care for, train, and interact with the animals who live there.

The Zoo by Stuart A. Kallen

Discusses zoos, their purposes, the people who work there, and the animals who may be found there.

Saving the Baghdad Zoo: A True Story of Hope and Heroes by Kelly Milner Halls and William Sumner

The Baghdad Zoo was once home to more than six hundred magnificent animals. But after the war in Iraq began in 2003, the city faced widespread destruction. Hundreds of animals were missing, and the few remaining desperately needed care. Mission. With an international team of zoologists, veterinarians, conservationists, and dedicated animal lovers. Saving the Baghdad Zoo tells the poignant stories of these remarkable animals. The Baghdad Zoo, open once again to the people of Iraq, has become an oasis of hope and safety in a city where both are precious gifts.

Picture Books:

Non-Fiction

Aquarium by Cynthia Alonso

In this wordless picture book, a little girl learns about love, nature, and the transformative power of letting go when a little fish leaps into her life.

Inky’s Great Escape: The Incredible (And Mostly True) Story Of An Octopus Escape by Casey Lyall

Inky’s Great Escape follows a Houdini-esque octopus as he pulls off his greatest disappearing act yet. Inky, worn out from his exciting life in the ocean, has retired to the aquarium. There, he quietly regales his tank mate Blotchy with tales of his past adventures. Then Blotchy dares Inky to make one more daring escape: out of their tank and the aquarium. Will Inky succeed?

Pinky Got Out! by Michael Portis

When Pinky the flamingo slips out to join a zoo tour, the children all notice, but the zookeeper fails to see Pinky trying to blend in with seals, meerkats, and pandas.

This Zoo Is Not For You by Ross Collins

When a platypus wanders into a zoo one day, the animals want to know why he should be allowed to join them.

Look by Fiona Woodcock

A brother and sister spend an exciting day at the zoo, finding balloons, baboons, kangaroos, and more. The story is told entirely through illustrations and single words containing a double “O.”

What Do They Do With All That Poo? by Jane Kurtz

An exploration of different types of animal poo and what the zoo uses it for.

Zoo Day by Anne Rockwell

A little boy visits the zoo with his family for the first time and marvels at its wonders.

Field-Trip Fiasco by Julie Danneberg

Mrs. Hartwell is taking her class on a field trip to the zoo, and because of the fiasco last time, she has prepared a list of tips for dealing with anticipated disasters, but will they work?

Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story For Kids by Kristen Fischer 

Lyla learns yoga poses and gets some tips from the animals at the zoo as she observes one bear, two snakes, and more. Includes step-by-step instructions for doing each pose.

Pandamonia by Chris Owen 

When visiting the zoo, don’t wake the panda . . . whatever you do!

Sealed with a Kiss by Beth Ferry

What’s a seal to do when she’s new to the zoo? Make new friends, of course! But when the other animals aren’t so friendly, a wise sparrow inspires them to surprise Seal with a special treat. Full of heart and humor from bestselling author Beth Ferry and illustrator Olivier Tallec, this story of friendship and forgiveness will have little ones giggling along.