Want to get up close and personal with some of your favorite Zoo residents? Book an animal encounter for an experience of a lifetime for you and your loved ones!
Our animal encounters are focused on the importance of conservation while encouraging compassion for Mother Earth. Through these hands-on encounters, we strive to make real-world connections for our guests with the use of our animal ambassadors. There is no better way to connect with our residents than getting to spend one on one time with them and their zookeeper. Your appreciation for our natural world is sure to grow as you watch how agile our lemurs are as they scamper around your lap, feel how soft and gentle our resident fennec foxes are, or look in the eyes of one of our baby capybaras as you hand them their favorite treat.
Meet The Animals!
Exclusive Capybara Encounters
Unlike other capybara experiences in Texas, you will actually be able to feed and pet our two capybaras! You will also be able to take all the photos and videos you would like. We actually encourage it! We don’t want you to miss a second of your epic experience and want you to take these amazing memories home with you.
Skunk
Meet one of our charming skunk ambassadors, Theo or Trixie, during your visit! During this hands-on encounter, you’ll get the chance to pet and interact with these curious animals while learning all about their unique behaviors and important role in nature.
Fennec Fox
Book Your Fennec Fox Encounter
Meet one of our adorable fennec foxes — Joe, Jannet, Sugar, or Spice — during your next visit to the zoo! Known for their tiny size and oversized ears, these captivating creatures are sure to steal your heart. During your encounter, you’ll get to gently hold one of our foxes and learn all about their behavior, habitat, and care from a trained zookeeper.
Red Ruffed Lemur
Book Your Red Ruffed Lemur Encounter
Meet our incredible red ruffed lemurs, Cinnamon and Nutmeg! During this unforgettable animal encounter, you’ll get to watch them leap, climb, and explore all around you.
Brown Lemur
Book Your Brown Lemur Encounter
Meet Tilly, our beloved brown lemur and a favorite among zoo staff! From her endearing oinking sounds to the gentle way she holds guests’ hands, Tilly’s charm is truly one of a kind.
Tortoise Encounter
Slow down and meet three unique tortoise species all in one incredible encounter! Get hands-on with our Texas tortoise, pancake tortoise, and star tortoise as you learn about what makes each of them special.
Giant Snake
Book Your Giant Snake Encounter
Get in touch with your wild side during an unforgettable encounter with Hercules or Meg, our giant Burmese pythons! These gentle giants are so large it takes two reptile specialists just to carry them — so feel free to bring your fellow reptile enthusiasts along. This is our most sizable encounter by far, and we’re confident Meg and Hercules will leave your whole group amazed.
Burmese Python
Book Your Burmese Python Encounter
Meet Simon and Leo, our gentle Burmese pythons who have a talent for changing minds about snakes! Perfect for first-timers or the snake-shy, this encounter offers a safe and awe-inspiring introduction to these incredible reptiles. And of course, nothing beats snapping a photo with one of these giants at The Snake Farm itself — it’s an experience you won’t forget!
Corn Snake
Book Your Corn Snake Encounter
Looking for a beginner snake to learn more about these incredible reptiles? Meet Ruby, our beautiful corn snake! Though small in size, Ruby is packed with fascinating adaptations that our handlers will introduce you to during this hands-on encounter. It’s an ideal experience for younger guests ready to be brave and hold a snake all by themselves — and discover just how cool reptiles can be!
Alligator
If you’ve ever watched one of our thrilling croc shows, now’s your chance to meet a gator up close! Ali, our American alligator, is a favorite among the reptile team and one of the zoo’s most impressive animal ambassadors.
Dwarf Croc
Book Your Dwarf Croc Encounter
Snip and Snap are our two dwarf crocs here at the Zoo! Our keeping staff is incredibly proud of these little guys as they are quite rare to have been born in human care. Along with learning all about how the birth of these two is important to their species as a whole, you will get to see just how adorable even our scaly animals can be.
Animal Encounters Include:
- A private, hands-on experience with a zoo keeper and the animal ambassador of your choosing
Pricing:
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$50 for the first person
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$25 for each additional participant (50% off)
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Please note: Zoo admission is required and must be purchased separately.
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Our GIANT Snake Encounter starts at $100 for the first person and $25 for each additional participant.
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Participants must be 13 or older. Guests under 13 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we take photos during the encounter?
Absolutely! We encourage all parties to bring a cellphone or camera!
Do we get to hold the animals?
That all depends on which animal ambassador is selected! Though all encounters are hands-on opportunities, some animals are comfortable being held while others are not.
How early should we arrive?
We ask that you show up 15 minutes early, that way you have plenty of time to park and purchase your admission tickets.
Can my service dog come?
Service dogs may come into the Zoo, but they are not permitted to join the animal encounter for the safety of the animal ambassadors.