PHOTO BLOG: LA ZOO PART 1

LOS ANGELES ZOO, PHOTO BLOG
The Los Angeles Zoo is sanctuary to many amazing animals from all around the world. This is Part 1 of a series of LA Zoo Photo Blogs. Photography by Ramiro Rivas.

MEERKAT
The meerkat or suricate Suricata suricatta is a small mammal and a member of the mongoose family. It inhabits all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats at a time, but some superfamilies have had 50 or more. Meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years.

KOALA
The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from near Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula. Populations also extend for considerable distances inland in regions with enough moisture to support suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were largely exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia

Nubian Ibex

The Nubian Ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) is a rocky desert dwelling goat antelope found in mountainous areas of Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Sudan. It is generally considered to be a subspecies of Alpine Ibex, but is sometimes considered specifically distinct (Capra nubiana). Nubian Ibex stand around 60 centimetres (24 in) tall at the shoulder and weigh around 50 kilograms (110 lb).