Animal Feedings get you close to the critters: YOU get to be the one giving them lunch! Children must be accompanied by an adult. All prices listed are in addition to Zoo admission fees. Feeding sessions are available for purchase now!
Click the buttons below to reserve a time. Zoo Members receive a 12% discount that will apply automatically to your cart when you are logged into the payment system. For FAQs and info about using your Membership Discount, visit our Memberships Page. Important note: Individuals with fish or meat allergies should not participate in penguin, otter, or pelican feedings.
Penguin Feeding Experience
- Go behind-the-scenes into the Penguin Habitat! Get a tour, learn about African penguins, and toss fish to our flock
- All ages welcome!
- Tickets are sold “per session”
- Tickets are $60 per session
- Up to 6 people may participate using 1 ticket
- Children under 2 do not count towards the capacity and are allowed into the experience when held by an adult. Every group must include at least one adult – and small groups are welcome! You do not need 6 people to participate
- Members receive a discount that applies automatically when you are logged into the payment system. See instructions below for logging in if you are unsure
- Tickets are nonrefundable and valid ONLY on the date for which you purchase them, so please ensure you select the correct date before buying
- Penguin Feedings currently take place at 11:00 a.m. daily
- Tickets are available up to 40 minutes prior to the start time of the program; tickets are also sold at the door up until 30 minutes before the program start time (if not sold out in advance)
- Want more penguin-filled fun? Private Penguin Encounters are available! Learn more and reserve yours today on our Wild Encounters page
Giraffe Feeding Experience
- All ages welcome & no reservations required
- Meet our herd of giraffes and feed them their favorite treats: leaves & lettuce!
- The Giraffe Feeding Experience is open year-round. It occurs outdoors at the Feeding Platform in nice weather OR indoors at our Giraffe Discovery Center Building during cold or inclement weather. Zuri, Nigel, and Eddie, our giraffes, are always eager to meet you!
- Food is sold for $2 per serving on a first-come, first-served basis. Cash only is accepted at the feeding location; an ATM is available in the Zoo’s Visitor Center building
- Hours vary seasonally. You can review the sign inside of the Visitor Center building for today’s feeding schedule when you arrive OR email us a day or two before your visit to check the schedule
- Want a guaranteed giraffe-tastic experience? Private Giraffe Encounters are available! Learn more and reserve yours today on our Wild Encounters page
Children’s Zoo Feeding
- All ages welcome & no reservations required
- Our goats, alpacas, cows, and other Children’s Zoo critters love to meet guests, and our Children’s Zoo Ambassadors are always happy to chat with you, answer questions, and share information about the animals!
- Bags of treats for the animals may be purchased for $5 per serving in the Gift Shop or in the Red Concession Stand (available seasonally). Bags are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and quantities are limited each day
- Hours vary seasonally. The Children’s Zoo Feeding is typically open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day; from September through May, the feeding will not be guaranteed 7 days per week. You can review the sign inside of the Visitor Center building for today’s feeding schedule when you arrive OR email us a day or two before your visit to check the schedule
- May be closed in severe or inclement weather
Pelican Feeding Experience
- Meet a Zookeeper at the Aviary, learn all about our birds, then toss fish to the pelicans!
- All ages welcome!
- Tickets are $15 per person
- Anyone can attend the feeding, but only ticket holders will be allowed to toss food to the pelicans
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Members receive a discount that applies automatically when you are logged into the payment system. See instructions below for logging in if you are unsure
- Tickets are nonrefundable and valid ONLY on the date for which you purchase them, so please ensure you select the correct date before buying
- Tickets are available up to 40 minutes prior to the start time of the program; tickets are also sold at the door up until 30 minutes before the program start time (if not sold out in advance)
- Pelican Feedings are unavailable during winter months. Check back in spring!
Otter Feeding Experience
- Meet a Zookeeper at the Otter Habitat, learn all about otters, then toss them their lunch!
- All ages welcome!
- Tickets are $15 per person
- Only two tickets are available per feeding session. Anyone can attend the feeding, but only ticket holders will be allowed to toss food to the otters
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Members receive a discount that applies automatically when you are logged into the payment system. See instructions below for logging in if you are unsure
- Tickets are nonrefundable and valid ONLY on the date for which you purchase them, so please ensure you select the correct date before buying
- Tickets are available up to 40 minutes prior to the start time of the program; tickets are also sold at the door up until 30 minutes before the program start time (if not sold out in advance)
- Otter feedings are temporarily unavailable – stay tuned for updates!
Cancellation Policies
- We believe in giving our animals choices, and cannot guarantee that animals will present themselves to be touched or fed. If an animal chooses not to participate, or does not present itself to be fed or touched, you will not receive a refund.
- Cancellations made more than 72 hours before the start of your program will forfeit 50% of the program fee.
- To reschedule, you must contact us more than 24 hours before the start time of your program. If you contact us more than 24 hours in advance, you will be given the opportunity to reschedule once for no fee. However, if you contact us within 24 hours before the start of the program, there will be a 30% fee assessed to reschedule. Reschedules are subject to availability.
- No-shows on the day of a program will result in the cancellation of your program with no refund or opportunity to reschedule.
- Arriving more than 15 minutes late will result in cancellation of your program with no refund or opportunity to reschedule.
- If a program needs to be cancelled by the zoo due to extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will contact you to reschedule or provide a refund.
- All cancellations or reschedule requests must be made via email to our Education Department.
Member Discount FAQs
For FAQs and info about using your Membership Discount, visit our Memberships Page.