The Brookfield Zoo in Illinois is currently experiencing a unique phenomenon – the arrival of the cicadas. These large, winged insects have emerged from the ground after 17 years, and their presence has not gone unnoticed by the zoo’s animal residents.
Availability and Distribution
Cicadas are present in force around the Brookfield Zoo, particularly near old growth trees, with thousands of shells and live cicadas visible. While the cicadas are noticeably present within the zoo itself, their numbers are not as high as in the surrounding areas.
Animal Response
Many animals at the Brookfield Zoo have enjoyed cicadas as a healthy snack, including:
- African painted dogs
- Sloth bears
- Brown bears
- Roadrunner
- Meerkats
- Mongoose
- Gray’s monitor lizard
However, some species, such as several species of lizards, screaming hairy armadillos, and Beaker the tawny frogmouth, were not interested in eating the cicadas.
Cicada Characteristics
Cicadas found at the Brookfield Zoo are approximately one to two inches in length and have beady red eyes. They are known for their loud insect sounds, but pose no threat to humans, as they do not bite and are not considered crop-destructive pests.
Zoo Staff and Visitor Experience
The zoo staff are sharing the protein-rich and low-in-fat insects with many of the indoor animals, ensuring a balanced diet. The presence of cicadas is not expected to significantly impact visitor experiences at the Brookfield Zoo.
Additional Resources
For those interested in learning more about the Brookfield Zoo’s cicada experience, a video showcasing the animals snacking on the insects is available, and the zoo has issued a news release detailing the cicada enrichment program.
References
- Cicada Enrichment – YouTube. (2024, May 21). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0wEfEJjCtg
- Brookfield Zoo makes the most of the cicadapocalypse. (2024, May 22). Retrieved from https://www.rblandmark.com/2024/05/22/brookfield-zoo-makes-most-cicadapocalypse/
- Cicadas at Brookfield Zoo? : r/ChicagoSuburbs – Reddit. (2024, May 25). Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/ChicagoSuburbs/comments/1d04du7/cicadas_at_brookfield_zoo/
- Animals at Brookfield Zoo Chicago Receive Tasty Treat–Cicadas. (2024, May 21). Retrieved from https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/Animals-at-Brookfield-Zoo-Chicago-Receive-Tasty-Treat-Cicadas
- Brookfield Zoo Animals Snack on Cicadas | Season 2024 | KLRN. (2024, May 28). Retrieved from https://video.klrn.org/video/brookfield-zoo-animals-snack-on-cicadas-o9f8ia/