Animal Kingdom Uncovered

Scarlet Ibis

The scarlet ibis is a vibrant burst of red in any zoo exhibit. Their striking color is a result of their natural diet of crustaceans and small invertebrates, which contain pigments called carotenoids. In captivity, zoos replicate this diet to ensure these birds retain their signature hue.

In one instance, zookeepers noticed that the ibises were becoming unusually playful, dropping and retrieving small objects from their pool. This behavior inspired the creation of enrichment activities. The team introduced floating puzzles filled with food, challenging the ibises to figure out how to extract their meal. Not only did this stimulate their intelligence, but it also became a popular attraction for visitors. One particularly clever ibis, named Ruby, became famous for solving the puzzles faster than any of her companions, earning her the title of "the ibis genius."