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UK wildlife: How do Whipsnade Zoo weigh their animals?

Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) with Keeper: Jonathan RisbridgrZSL Whipsnade Zoo

All of the animals’ weights and measurements are recorded in a database called the Zoological Information Management System. It helps zookeepers all over the planet compare important information on thousands of endangered species.

Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Here some ring-tailed lemurs are being weighed. It looks like they're having fun!

Northern rockhopper penguinsZSL Whipsnade Zoo

All of the animals have different personalities so they need to be encouraged to get on the scales in different ways. These northern rockhopper penguins have been given their favourite fishy snacks.

Slender-tailed meerkat (Suricata suricatta) Bippity and Pixie with Keeper Hallie SpencerZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Regular weight checks and waist measurements can also help keepers find out if an animal is pregnant. Lots of the animals at the zoo are endangered species which are part of the zoo’s international conservation breeding programmes.

Greater one-horned rhinoceros or Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) Beluki with keeper Phil CurzonZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Greater one-horned rhinoceros Beluki is one of the heaviest animals at the zoo. An industrial-sized scale was needed to cope with Beluki's 1650kg weight.

Owl butterfly caterpillar with keeper Thomas MaundersZSL Whipsnade Zoo

How do you weigh a butterfly? Well extra sensitive equipment is needed to do it accurately, especially for insects such as spiders and butterflies. This owl butterfly caterpillar is one of the zoo’s smallest inhabitants.

Postman butterfly with keeper: Thomas MaundersZSL Whipsnade Zoo

This is a Postman butterfly being measured. The red patterns on the Postman butterfly's wings are a warning to predators that it is poisonous. They're native to Mexico and can be found in Central and South America.

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) Heidi with keepers Christina Finch and Danielle HearneZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Heidi the reindeer steps up for her weigh-in, coming in at 71.5kg.

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) Flora with Keepers Christina Finch and Danielle HearneZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Another reindeer Flora, is a little heavier at 77kg. Did you know both male and female reindeer grow antlers, while in most other deer species, only the males have antlers?

Slender-tailed meerkat (Suricata suricatta) - Bippity and PixieZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Slender-tailed meerkats, Bippity and Pixie, weighed in at 1kg each - that's about the same as a bag of sugar!

Three scarlet macaw with Keeper Liz BrownZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Meet one-year-old Scarlet macaws Haribo, Skittles and Sherbet. They swooped onto their special weighing perch.

Panther chameleon with keeper Thomas MaundersZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Ever wondered how heavy a chameleon is?! Well this is how you weigh one - using a comfy-looking branch on top of the scales! This Panther chameleon came in at 209g. The panther chameleon is known for the way it can quickly change colour. This one is a male because it has bright turquoise, greens and blues across its body. The females are usually more dull in colour which means they can blend in to their surroundings more easily.

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