Did you know that you can visit a zoo, complete with exotic animals, on the Internet? Not only can you see the animals, but you can also read fascinating information about them without ever leaving your home.

Let's begin at The Cheetah's Workshop, where you'll learn that cheetahs can run 70 miles an hour, as well as other interesting facts. At Big Cat Flashcards, you'll meet Godfrey the cheetah, who will help you learn about the cats by playing a game.

Next, let's visit Ivory Haven, which is Laura the elephant's house on the Web. Laura is a 15-year old African elephant whose favorite treats are apples, bananas, and carrots. As it states at the site, "Elephants are reminders that people should look, listen and wonder... It is through wonder that so many creative paths are taken; so many roads traveled." Be sure to listen to Laura say "hello" by clicking on "Trumpets and Such."

There's just something so adorable about a Panda Bear, and at Panda Resources, you can learn all about these wonderful animals. Learn facts about the red or giant panda or read about a red panda conservation plan. The site features links galore for panda bears.

Naturalia is a delightful site that features a "zoo in the wild" with no bars. The site is written in both Italian and English, so be sure to click on the appropriate version. The animals are divided by region, and you're even able to hear the sounds of several of the animals, like the baboon or the hippopotamus. When you click on the name of an animal, you're presented with a picture as well as information about that animal, including its habitat, size, and longevity.

This next site is not for the weak at heart. In fact, you'll get a warning when entering the site: "BEWARE! This website contains a life-size King Cobra." Not a pleasant thought, especially when you can see the snake's forked tongue darting at you. King Cobra @ National Geographic is an impressive site that offers fascinating information about the cobra. Did you know that it has a head as big as a man's hand and can stand tall enough to look you in the eye? <gulp>

One of the best animal or veterinary sites on the Web is NetVet. At the Electronic Zoo, you can click on categories such as marine mammals, primates, zoo animals, or wildlife. From there, you'll find link after link of resources just waiting for you to explore.

Would you believe that animals have their own search engine on the Web? Yep, it's called Noah, the Animal Search Engine. Check it out when you're looking for animal resources.

Robin Nobles is a freelance writer who can be reached at robinnobles@robinsnest.com.

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