Mammal World, FL – I’ve been told that Mammal World was an amazing place, but I truly had no idea. It has its own ZIP code, police station, theme restaurants and an independent sewage system. It’s even got its own mayor: Edward the Elk. Well, he’s more of an honorary mayor. Didn’t see him sign a single bill or make any speeches. This might be due to Mammal World’s lack of any legislative body, but I’m not entirely sure Edward knows he’s the mayor.

The bone display was closed, so I ended up in the smoke-filled Zebra Bar & Grill. It’s supposed to be one of the theme restaurants, but the Grill portion of the name isn’t quite right. There’s no menu and they only have salted apricots with creamed rhubarb and celery salsa at the bar. A surprising number of Mammal World’s animals take their lunch hour here. Ronny, Mammal World’s lone Besson’s Unhorned Rhinoceros, was taking up a corner all by himself and going through several bottles of Bushmill’s.

The animal uniforms are lovely. Each beastly specimen wears a bright green bellhop’s hat, a green waistcoat with a golden watch and green leather shoes with white spats. Some wear pants as appropriate and all of the large cats have curved Arabian shoes with bells on the toes so they can’t sneak up and claw anyone. There was also an alligator on the premises, but no one wanted to talk about it. I got the feeling it was an embarrassment for Mammal World.

I met a nice guy at the water buffalo racing pavilion and we’re heading off to the Mammal World Airport Motel in a bit. More tomorrow!