Animals in Captivity Part 6

Toronto Zoo Reptile 007

Here are some more shots I have taken of reptiles and amphibians at the zoo. I personally love snakes and lizards, always wanted to have one as a pet, but for some reason I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do it. One thing I notice a lot when it comes to animals is the way they are categorized for our pleasure and understanding. My main example has always been when we think it is okay to experiment on rats, but not necessarily on primates simply due to our personal feelings of association, too much like us, or cute. Even though it is pretty clear that there is a hierarchy of animals based on how humans interact with them there will always be people who see the beauty in all animals regardless of their mass appeal or reputations. Many people have issues with reptiles, specifically snakes, but that doesn’t stop others from keeping them as pets and as a part of their families.

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Animals in Captivity Part 3

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Both times I have gone to the Toronto Zoo it has been ridiculously hot and it clearly shows on the animals that have outdoor habitats. Sometimes I catch myself thinking, why can’t they be more active, look more lively and it always brings me back to the fact that they are kept in small areas in many instances conditions they would never face in their natural habitats.  I reflect a lot on the photos I take and I always find the apes to overall appear sad. That being said they are sometimes playful. As long as there are zoos I will continue going and photographing, hoping every time to capture something different and unique.