A zoological garden, zoological park, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures and displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred. The term zoological garden refers to the biological discipline zoology, which derives from Greek ΖÃ?‰Î¿(”animal”), and λογοÃ?‚ (”study”). The term was first used in 1828 for the London Zoological Gardens, soon abbreviated to “zoo.”
Many zoos in Europe and North America keep animals in enclosures that attempt to replicate their natural habitats, for the benefit of both resident animals and visitors. They may have special buildings for nocturnal animals, with dim lighting during the day, so the animals will be active when visitors are there, and brighter lights at night to ensure that they sleep. Special climate conditions are created for animals living in radical environments, such as penguins. Special enclosures for birds, insects, fishes and other aquatic life forms have also been developed…
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