You can see animals on television and read about them in books but nothing beats seeing animals in person.  |
| Where’s the biscuits? Paula and the Reid Park Zoo’s giraffes at the giraffe feeding station |
You could spend a lifetime trying to see animals in their native habitats.
But if you don’t have that kind of time and money, you can easily see native Arizona animals and exotic wildlife from around the world at Arizona zoos.
Arizona has a great collection of zoos.
If you’re looking for fun as well as educational Arizona attractions, zoos make great "things to do" whether you’re a local or you’re on an Arizona vacation.
We have to admit that we’re a little bit biased because we both used to work and volunteer at zoos.
However, as former zoo veterans, we can give you some inside information and tips for getting the most out of your Arizona zoo experience.
Tip #1: When is the Best Time to Visit Arizona Zoos?
We recommend visiting AZ zoos when they first open in the morning.
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| Javelinas, like this pair at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, are a common Arizona desert animal |
Why? Because the majority of animals are most active before noon.
This is partly due to the fact that the temperature is cooler earlier in the day.
But the other reason is a zoo insider’s tip: the animals haven’t had their lunch yet!
Zoo animals are generally very active in the morning before they eat.
And, just like people, they to tend to want a snooze after a meal.
This is why you often see them sleeping or hiding out in the afternoons.
Visiting in the morning is also a good idea during the busy winter season as Arizona zoos can become very crowded, especially on weekend afternoons.
Tip #2: Get Up Close and Personal
Visit a zoo and you can also get some inside knowledge about the animals too.
When you visit, try one of these activities:
- "behind-the-scenes" zoo tours
- up-close animal encounters
- chats with a zoo keeper
- birds of prey flight demonstrations.
Tip #3: Zoos Have More Than Just Animals
We know that sounds funny but its true. Today’s zoos strive to give you a real sense of the world’s diverse ecosystems by housing animals in exhibits that mimic their homes in the wild.
But Arizona zoos have fun activities for kids and adults too such as:
- boating on a lake or riding a train
- zoo summer camps for kids
- water sprayground and old fashioned carousels.
Each of these zoos offers something special. Read our zoo reviews by clicking on the name of each zoo below.
This world-renowned Arizona attraction has animals, plants and minerals from the Sonoran Desert. It’s a combination of zoo, museum, botanical garden and nature preserve set in the middle of a desert park. See river otters, mountain lions and an amazing cactus collection.