We know you animal lovers have been sitting around, twiddling your thumbs about the impending arrival of the Final Four in Houston. You've been thinking, "What the heck does all this basketball have to do with me?"

Well, you'll want to take note of this next bit of information.

The fabulous folks at the Houston Zoo can't wait to add some feathers and fuzz to your Final Four blues. Our esteemed zoo will be hosting interactive animal presentations at Bracket Town, a five-day Final Four fan festival March 31 through April 4.

If you can imagine family-friendly activities galore for Houstonians big and small to enjoy under one roof (George R. Brown Convention Center), then you've got the idea of Bracket Town down. The invitees just happen to include the scaly, soft, screechy residents of Houston as well.

Visitors to the Houston Zoo space at Bracket Town will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a few notable animal ambassadors, which will be hanging out on site.

"The animals will vary from show to show," said Chance Sanford, director of education at the Houston Zoo. So if you've ever wanted a meet-and-greet with an American alligator, American kestrel, Argentine black and white tegu or Hog Island boa, Bracket Town may be your shot.

Or perhaps the Flemish Giant rabbit, screech-owl, North American porcupine or Senegal parrot suit your fancy? Well, you're in luck. These diverse animals will also be on hand to paw, squawk or chat you up.

"Not only are these animals a little bit easier to handle, but they come with a great message," Sanford said. "The porcupine, for example, lives in Texas, and is native to the area. People might see one out in the wild, and it might cause them to change their behavior when it comes to porcupines."

Animals can be a conduit to learning for us any day.

The booth will also feature audience participation games, called Zooper Challenges, where contestants can find out how many leaps it takes them to match a leopard's 20-foot maximum jump.

When they say, "There's something for everyone," we're pretty sure Bracket Town meets the definition. And if there's an event featuring Houston Zoo residents, you can guarantee we'll be sure to follow suit.