What’s in the Bottle? – A Keeper’s Guide to Hydration in the Wild (Zoo Edition)

Water.

The stuff of life, pools, rainstorms, and it’s definitely the thing plants crave.

Animal Care Team members crave it too (or should) since we are on our feet marching around the Zoo or lifting pounds of aromatic animal … used hay; this is why we have a culture of hydration and a culture of water bottles to go with it.

You’ve seen us carrying them — sometimes dented, probably stickered or even steaming (that’s coffee or tea) — as we march past with a bucket of food or try to convince a goat to shift for us. But what’s really going on with these clanky sidekicks of steel? And why should you care? I wanted to talk about different types you might see a Zoo professional use and how you can adapt that to your life as well.

The Types of Metal Water Bottles Keepers Carry (A Field Guide)

1. The Sticker Explosion Special
     a. Size: Medium
     b. Contents: Water with personality

This bottle has been through it. Covered in animal stickers, puns like “Hydrate or Driedrate,” and at least one sticker peeling off from overuse. Very loved. Possibly emotional support.

2. The “Oops I Dropped It (Again)” Bottle
     a. Size: Irregular
     b. Contents: Ice, regret

Scratched, scuffed, and shaped like it’s been punted by a golf cart. Because it has. Might rattle when shaken. Still holds water like a champ. Resilient, just like its keeper.

3. The “I Got This Free from Somewhere” Bottle
     a. Size: Who knows
     b. Contents: Hope

Every zoo has that one staff member who’s still using the promotional bottle from “National Zookeeper Week 2017.” It leaks. The lid is suspicious. But it still goes on every shift.

4. The “Titan”
     a. Size: XL
     b. Contents: 97% water, 3% stubbornness

This bottle could hydrate an elephant. It’s huge. You’ll usually find it in the hands of a keeper who has the energy to carry it. Has its own seatbelt in the Zoo van. This one is often the most rare to see due to the copious amounts of refill stations, so make sure to have your bingo cards ready.

But why all this hydration as an animal care professional?

You’re walking and talking a LOT, often in the sun, with tools, hay bales, and diets. Staying hydrated = more energy and maximum wellbeing-building stamina. So we refill often. Most zoos (ours included!) have refill stations near restrooms or food courts. Some folks even use animal landmarks for hydration breaks:

“When we see the giraffes, we drink.”

“After the mara, we all take 10 sips.”

“Ferb the goat was able to sneak a map out of a pocket— hydrate.” Though this last one could send you to the bathroom too many times. So the next time you see a keeper clutching a giant, sticker-covered bottle like it holds the secrets of the universe — just know it kinda does. It holds the key to thriving in a day with so many animals and our great guests.

Sean M.
Lead Keeper, Ambassador Animals