Adam Murdoch, an animal trainer in the circus, works with zedonks—a cross between a zebra and a donkey. Two clowns from the circus—Dean and Jesse—took some time to talk to our kid reporters. Read what they had to say. See what Kid Reporter Jennifer Shapp has to say about her trip to the circus. Check out Kid Reporter Jonathan Amdur's report on his visit to the newly redesigned circus. Read about a new training program that is helping kids get fit. Check out this slideshow for pictures from under the big top. Courtesy of Feld Entertainment

Ever heard of a zedonk? How about a zorse? They might sound like creatures in a Dr. Seuss story, but they're actually the names of animal hybrids that you can see at Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. A zedonk is a cross between a zebra and a donkey, while a zorse is a cross between a zebra and a horse.

At the circus, animal trainer Adam Murdoch works with a zedonk named Zelda—one of eight zedonks in the United States (two are owned by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus). Adam has been with the circus since 2001, and thinks the animals he gets to work with are something special.

"She's really smart," Murdoch says about Zelda.

When he works in the show, Adam wears pretty flashy costumes—a striped shirt and black velvet jacket with multicolored rhinestones. He was excited to find out about his costume.

"Usually I have to wear jungle fatigues," he says. "Sparkles are better."

Adam has some advice for training animals at home: you should keep sessions short, do lots of repetition, and give lots of treats. What about his advice for kids trying to figure out what they'd like to do in life? Study, study, study.

"The more you study, the more it will help you when you decide on a career," advises Adam.

On to the Elephants

Mike Hayward is another animal trainer at the circus. He spends long hours working with elephants. He explained that they train the elephants by taking them through each new trick, step by step. When they get the trick right, they get treats. The amount of time it takes for elephants to learn is different for each elephant.

In the show, the animals do funny moves. In one skit, an elephant grabs Mike's leg and makes him fall, forcing him to fling what he is holding to other people.

Mike and Adam know so much about these animals. The trainers say they never get bored with their work. They love the animals and share a special bond with them. And all that hard work definitely pays off under the big top, where audiences get to see an unforgettable show.