Animal
Experiences
Experience unforgettable up-close encounters with some of the Zoo’s most incredible animals.
Enhance your visit with an unforgettable Animal Encounter at the Gulf Breeze Zoo. Get up close with some of the zoo’s amazing animals while learning about their behaviors, habitats and conservation from our knowledgeable animal care team. Guests can choose from seven unique encounters, including the American alligator, Galápagos tortoise, giraffe, Indian rhinoceros, Nile hippo, ring-tailed lemur and sloth.
All encounter participants must check in at Admissions to sign a waiver and receive a wristband before proceeding to their scheduled encounter location.
Giraffe Encounter
Go behind the scenes to meet our herd of reticulated giraffes! Tour the giraffe house, feed these gentle giants from the keeper access area and learn what makes this threatened species so unique. Along the way, you’ll discover how our animal care team cares for the herd and the conservation efforts helping protect giraffes in the wild.
What you to know before you go
Cost: $35 per person; zoo admission not included
Time: 1 p.m.
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
Group Size: Maximum of 10 participants
Age: Ages 6 and older. Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult
What to Wear: Comfortable closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended
Meet: Next to the Giraffe Feed Hut 10 minutes before the scheduled encounter time. Encounters begin promptly and late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
When: Daily, weather permitting
Did You Know?
Sloths sleep up to 20 hours a day.
Hippos are the second-largest land animal on earth.
Elephants and white rhinos are the only land mammals larger than hippos.
Giraffes can run up to 35 miles per hour.
Indian Rhino Encounter
Meet Soman, our rare male greater one-horned rhino, also known as the Indian rhino, during this unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience. Spend time alongside his habitat with one of his dedicated keepers while learning about his daily care, training and the unique “armor-plated” appearance that makes this species so remarkable. You’ll also enjoy a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity.
What to know before you go
Cost: $50 per person; zoo admission not included
Time: 3 p.m.
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes.
Group Size: Maximum of 10 participants
Age: Ages 8 and older. Children ages 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult
What to Wear: Comfortable closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended
Meet: Outside the rhino enclosure 10 minutes before the scheduled encounter time. Encounters begin promptly and late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
When: Daily, weather permitting.
American Alligator Encounter
Meet one of our juvenile American alligators during this unique hands-on experience. You’ll have the opportunity to safely hold an alligator while learning about these incredible reptiles, their natural behaviors and the specialized care they receive from our animal care team.
What to know before you go
Cost: $40 per person; zoo admission not included
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
Group Size: Maximum of 8 participants
Age: All ages welcome
What to Wear: Closed-toe shoes are recommended
Meet: At the encounter building 10 minutes before the scheduled encounter time. The encounter begins promptly as scheduled.
When: Daily, weather permitting
Nile Hippo Encounter
Enjoy exclusive access to our Kiboko Station hippo habitat! Meet our two Nile hippos alongside one of our animal care specialists as you learn about their daily routines, training, diets and unique behaviors. You’ll also have the opportunity to help feed these incredible animals while discovering the conservation efforts helping protect hippos in the wild.
What to know before you go
Cost: $50 per person; zoo admission not included
Time: Noon
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
Group Size: Maximum of 10 participants
Age: Ages 6 and older. Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult
What to Wear: Closed-toe shoes are recommended
Meet: At the train station, to the left of the Sloth Encounter, 10 minutes before the noon train. The train departs promptly and late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
When: Daily, weather permitting
Sloth Encounter
Whether they’re hanging out, taking a nap or slowly making their way to a favorite snack, Blue and Zelda are as charming as sloths can be. During this unforgettable encounter, you’ll get up close with these gentle animals, offer them their favorite treats and discover why they’re among the zoo’s favorite residents.
What to know before you go
Cost: $50 per person; zoo admission not included
Time: 11:15 a.m.
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
Group Size: Maximum of 8 participants
Age: All ages welcome. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult
What to Wear: Closed-toe shoes are recommended
Meet: At the train station, to the left of the Sloth Encounter, 10 minutes before the scheduled encounter time. The encounter begins promptly as scheduled.
When: Daily, weather permitting
Ring-Tailed Lemur Encounter
Meet the troop in our newest animal encounter! Step into the world of our playful ring-tailed lemurs as you feed them their favorite treats while learning about their fascinating behaviors, life in Madagascar and the conservation efforts helping protect this endangered species.
What to know before you go
Cost: $45 per person; zoo admission not included
Time: 10:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
Group Size: Maximum of 6 participants
Age: Ages 8 and older. Children ages 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult
What to Wear: Closed-toe shoes are recommended
Meet: In front of the lemur habitat, across from the lion habitat, 10 minutes before the scheduled encounter time. Encounters begin promptly and late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
When: Daily, weather permitting
Galápagos Tortoise Encounter
Available May through October, this hands-on experience introduces guests to our resident Galápagos tortoises while exploring the care, biology and conservation of the world’s largest tortoise species.
What to know before you go
Cost: $25 per person; zoo admission not included
Time: 10 a.m.
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
Group Size: Maximum of 8 participants
Age: All ages welcome. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult
What to Wear: Closed-toe shoes are recommended
Meet: Outside the Galápagos tortoise habitat 10 minutes before the scheduled encounter time. The encounter begins promptly as scheduled.
When: May through October, daily, weather permitting
Did You Know?
Sloths sleep up to 20 hours a day.
Hippos are the second-largest land animal on earth.
Elephants and white rhinos are the only land mammals larger than hippos.
Giraffes can run up to 35 miles per hour.
