There are no age restrictions for entry to Inokashira Park Zoo "Animal Plaza." Even young children under elementary school age who are not yet able to participate in the zoo's observation sessions can easily enjoy it with their parents.

Witnessing the transformation of a child who initially came in hesitantly, saying, "First I'll just look, then I mustered up a little courage to touch it, and now I can hold it in my hand!" is the most rewarding thing for us. The plaza is also a place to nurture future animal lovers.

One of the most popular creatures among young children is the "land bug." Although its name includes "bug," it's not an insect, but rather a type of terrestrial isopod. In the playground, you can easily find them by opening the "observation board" placed on the ground. Once a child finds one and places it in their palm, the curled-up pill bug starts to move, walking around on its 14 legs. The ticklish sensation is fun and brings laughter. The fact that it doesn't fly and is easy to catch by hand is also a reason for its popularity.
　
In the plaza, visitors will also be challenged to play a maze game using pill bugs. Pill bugs have a habit called the "alternating turning response," which causes them to turn left and right alternately as they move. This maze was specially made for pill bugs, taking advantage of this habit. Some individuals may climb over the walls of the maze or go in the wrong direction, so the success rate is not 100 percent. Cheers erupt when they successfully reach the goal. It's a game where you can learn about the surprising abilities of pill bugs, which you're always familiar with.
　
There's another thing that catches the eye of young children at this time of year: the wild strawberry, with its round, bright red berries scattered across the ground. The wild strawberry is a common perennial plant that grows on the edges of rice paddies and in damp grasslands. Judging from its name, which comes from its Chinese name "snake strawberry," you might imagine it's poisonous. In reality, it's non-poisonous, but it's not tasty either. There are various theories about the origin of its name, such as it being a "strawberry that snakes eat," or that its way of spreading by extending its stems along the ground is likened to a snake.
　
The truly delicious fruit you can enjoy in the square right now is the "mountain mulberry." Many of you probably have memories of picking and eating them as children, staining your mouths red. Don't let them be a treat only for wild birds like turtle doves and Azure-winged Magpie; please, everyone, try tasting these sweet and sour fruits.

・ Let's play at the "Creature Plaza" [1] (June 1, 2012)

Photo above: Pill bug
Top center photo: Pill bug maze
Photo, bottom center: Wild strawberry
Photo below: Mulberry fruit

[Inokashira Park Zoo Education and Outreach Section, Mikako Takamatsu]

(June 8, 2012)