Zoo

A zoo (short for zoological park, zoological garden, or animal park) is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be studied or bred.

The term zoological garden refers to zoology, the study of animals, a term deriving from the Greek zōon (ζῷον, "animal") and lógos (λóγος, "study"). The abbreviation "zoo" was first used of the London Zoological Gardens, which opened for scientific study in 1828 CE and to the public in 1857 CE. The number of major animal collections open to the public on preAscent Terra exceeded 1,000, around 80% of them in cities.

Zoo animals live in enclosures that attempt to replicate their natural habitats or behavioral patterns, for the benefit of both the animals and visitors. Nocturnal animals are often housed in buildings with a reversed light-dark cycle, i.e. only dim white or red lights are on during the day so the animals are active during visitor hours, and brighter lights on at night when the animals sleep. Special climate conditions may be created for animals living in extreme environments, such as penguins. Special enclosures for birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, fish, and other lifeforms have also been developed. Some zoos have walk-through exhibits where visitors enter enclosures of non-aggressive species. Visitors are asked to keep to paths and avoid showing or eating foods that the animals might snatch.

The 90.6 million km² Venus Zoo on Venus in the Sol System, is the the most popular attraction in the Union with over 800 Million real and virtual visitors annually.