The Houston Zoo offers a wide variety of activities and exhibits for visitors to explore and enjoy. From immersive animal habitats to interactive experiences, the zoo provides an engaging and educational day out for all ages.

Exhibits at the Houston Zoo

1. African Forest: Discover the diverse wildlife of Africa, including Grant’s zebras, white rhinoceroses, red river hogs, Masai giraffes, ostriches, chimpanzees, and western lowland gorillas.
2. McNair Asian Elephant Habitat: Observe the zoo’s herd of Asian elephants in their expansive 7,000-square-foot barn and 160,000-gallon pool.
3. Bird Habitats: Explore one of the largest bird collections in the United States, with over 800 birds from more than 200 species.
4. Carnivores: Marvel at the powerful predators, including lions, Malayan tigers, clouded leopards, American black bears, African wild dogs, leopards, and cheetahs.
5. Allen H. and Ethel G. Carruth Natural Encounters: Embark on an adventure through different continents, encountering animals like Asian small-clawed otters, Damaraland mole-rats, golden lion tamarins, and Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths.
6. Wortham World of Primates: Observe a variety of rare and endangered primates, including lemurs, monkeys, gibbons, and orangutans.
7. Texas Wetlands: Discover native species like American alligators, whooping cranes, and bald eagles.
8. Reptile and Amphibian House: Explore the world of venomous reptiles and exotic amphibians, including blue iguanas, crocodile monitors, and reticulated pythons.
9. Bug House: Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of insects and arachnids from various forests, jungles, and deserts.
10. John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo: Enjoy the petting zoo and a realistic bat cave, perfect for families with young children.
11. South America’s Pantanal: Encounter animals like blue-throated macaws, jaguars, giant river otters, Baird’s tapirs, greater rheas, capybaras, and giant anteaters.
12. Galapagos Islands: Explore the unique animals and habitats of the Galapagos Islands, including Galapagos tortoises, Humboldt penguins, California sea lions, Peruvian pelicans, bonnethead sharks, and Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Animal Encounters at the Houston Zoo

• Meet the Keeper Chats: Attend scheduled talks with zookeepers to learn more about various animals, including birds, elephants, reptiles, and more.
• Giraffe Feeding Platform: Feed the majestic giraffes in the African Forest exhibit.
• Piranha Feeding: Witness the feeding of these fascinating fish in the Natural Encounters building.
• Elephant Bath: Observe the daily event where the zoo’s elephants are bathed.

Special Experiences at the Houston Zoo

• TXU Energy presents Dinosaurs: Explore an exhibit featuring life-sized dinosaurs, running from March 8 to September 2.
• August Member Morning: Enjoy an exclusive event for members on August 3, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
• September Member Morning: Attend another exclusive event for members on September 7, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
• Brew at the Zoo: Experience a special event for adults aged 21 and above, taking place on September 13, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
• Zoo Ball 2024: Attend the zoo’s annual fundraising event on October 19, from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight.

Zoo Information

• Hours: The Houston Zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours during summer and special events.
• Prices: Admission prices vary depending on age, residency, and membership status.
• Parking: On-site parking is available, with directions provided on the zoo’s website.

Conservation Efforts at the Houston Zoo

• Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program: The zoo actively participates in this program, which manages and conserves selected species in North American zoos.
• Conservation Projects: The Houston Zoo supports various conservation projects in Texas and globally, protecting endangered wildlife and habitats, including the Houston toad, sea turtle, Attwater’s prairie chicken, Galapagos tortoise, Bornean orangutan, elephant, clouded leopard, African lion, frogs, Brazilian tapir, rhinoceros, African wild dog, chimpanzee, okapi, and cheetah.

Additional Resources

• Zoo Map: Visitors can access a map of the zoo on the website to navigate the grounds easily.
• Webcams: The zoo offers nine exhibit webcams, including the Rhino Cam, Elephant Yard Cam, and Leafcutter Ant Cam, allowing remote observation of the animals.
• Zoo News: Blog: Stay up-to-date with the latest news, events, animal births, and conservation efforts through the zoo’s blog.

References:
– Visit Houston Texas
– Wikipedia
– Houston Zoo