Animal Tour at L.A. Zoo to Be X-Rated for Valentine’s Day Program

When you think of romance--don’t forget Valentine’s Day is approaching--a rhinoceros is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. It is, after all, a huge and clumsy animal with extremely rough skin and upright horns.

So it may be tough to associate it with, say, passion.

Well, surprise. Rhinos are actually very sexual animals that participate in lengthy foreplay, including lots of biting and licking, prior to marathon mating sessions.

A male Indian rhino’s sexual organ is almost 3 feet long, he breeds for an hour nonstop and can have up to 86 ejaculations. Who would have thought?

“That’s a lot of activity,” said Mike Dee, mammal curator at the Los Angeles Zoo. “And that’s with no resting at all!”

Watching a rhinoceros breed may not be your idea of an enchanting valentine activity, but you must admit it could be memorable.

That’s why on Saturday at 3 p.m., the Los Angeles Zoo will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a “Prime Mate Party,” which offers information on the unusual courtship and breeding behaviors of various animals.

The event starts with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception at the zoo’s Grand Room. A string quartet will play love tunes to set the tone. Then zoo docents will conduct a walking tour of about 40 animals, with colorful anecdotes about they mate. After the tour, Dee will host an informative and graphic two-hour slide show featuring many of the animals on the tour and others not housed at the L.A. Zoo.

The zoo is at the junction of the Ventura and Golden State freeways in Griffith Park. The cost is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Reservations are required. (213) 666-4650, Ext. 403.