Zoos & Wildlife
You can read all you want in a book, but there is nothing like seeing the objects of your study up-close and personal when you visit a zoo, nature preserve, aquarium, or wildlife sanctuary. Visit the animal kingdom here in Florida, and you'll find a fun and interesting way to learn more about the natural world.
Florida Zoos & Wildlife
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Homeschool Programs
The Mote Aquarium offers Mote Homeschool Days each month during the school year. Students and their families enjoy an exciting day of age-appropriate, ocean-themed learning experiences led by Mote’s professional marine science educators. Students explore all aspects of Mote Aquarium, Mote research and Sarasota Bay. For students in grades 1st-8th (ages 6-13).
Miami Metrozoo
Metrozoo houses more than 700 wild animals in a cageless environment. Large, open-air exhibits provide the ideal setting in which visitors can experience some of the world's most beautiful and endangered wildlife. With nearly 300 developed acres on a 740-acre parcel of land, Metrozoo is the only zoo in the continental United States located in a subtropical climate.
Marineland Dolphine Adventure
Marineland Dolphin Adventure, the world's first oceanarium, invites you to their 1.3 million gallon series of dolphin habitats. Choose from a variety of interactive programs, which range from those for land-loving guests to enjoy dolphins up-close, to those that offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in the dolphins' aquatic world as you swim with our gentle residents. Experience these amazing animals for yourself. General admission guests are able to view the dolphins through 6 x 10 ft acrylic windows as they swim, play and interact with guests in programs alongside the pristine Atlantic coastline.
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Reserve)
The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve was formed through a collaboration of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It covers 74,000 acres of coastal lands in northeast Florida from Ponte Vedra Beach to Palm Coast. The GTM Research Reserve is part of a national system of research reserves that focus on research, education and stewardship. The GTM Research Reserve has a 21,000 square foot Environmental Education Center which includes interpretive exhibits, aquariums, classrooms, teaching and working laboratories, an auditorium and an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Guana River Aquatic Preserve. Education staff offer programming for all ages on the importance of estuarine ecosystems. A Coastal Training Program offers training for professionals on issues of concern in our local community including watershed, invasive plants and much more.
Mote Marine Aquarium
From its humble beginnings in tiny shed in a small Florida town, Mote Marine Laboratory has expanded to include a 10.5-acre campus in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations and public exhibits in Key West and field stations in Summerland Key and Charlotte Harbor. The Mote Marine Aquarium in Sarasota offers large displays of marine life, mammals, turtles, and aquaculture.
Jacksonville Zoological Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo is the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. See over 1,000 animals on 73-picturesque acres as they tour around the world from Africa, Central America, and Asia. Also features Wild Florida, a native Florida attraction featuring native animals and plants, and Land of the Jaguar, a neo-tropical attraction featuring jaguars and other Central and South American animals. Other animals include koalas, kangaroos, wallaby, lorikeet, and a cassowary.
Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is located on Hutchinson Island. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, the 57 acre parcel houses the Society's headquarters, library, nature trails, Children's Activity Pavilion, Rays on the Reef Ray Pavilion and the Frances Langford Visitor's Center. With its coastal hardwood hammocks and mangrove forest communities, the site provides excellent opportunities for education and research aimed at increasing the general knowledge of these unique environments.
The ZOO
A wildlife experience awaits you at The ZOO, with over 700 animals surrounded by botanical gardens. Spend the day - get a close look at bears, tigers, rhinos, zebras, birds, primates, and otters. Take a ride on a camel or on the Safari Line Limited, a train ride through over 30 acres of free-roaming wildlife. The ZOO is located in Gulf Breeze.
Florida Aquarium
With over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and beyond, The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa features 152,000 square-feet of air-conditioned fun. From playful river otters to intimidating sharks, there are more than 20,000 aquatic animals and plants to see during a visit to the Aquarium. Touch a bamboo shark in Stingray Beach or a sea star in the No Bone Zone on the 2nd floor.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Home School Zoocademy
Zoocademy is a unique experience for Home School students ages 5-18, covering a range of topics in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science and Conservation. In this series of classes, students ages 5-12 meet for three hours, once a month, for programs that feature Animal Ambassadors, crafts, games, Zoo visits, and more! Students ages 13 and up will now attend Home School Zoocademy through an online course with The Ogburn School.
Central Florida Zoological Park
Visit a variety of animals and take in the many educational programs at the Central Florida Zooological Park, located in Lake Monroe, Florida.
The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
Founded in 1974, the Whitney Lab is dedicated to using marine model animals for studying fundamental problems in biology and applying that knowledge to issues of human health, natural resources, and the environment. The goal of the Whitney Lab’s K-12 outreach education programs is to use the Lab’s resources and expertise in modern biology to enrich science education in the surrounding communities and increase STEM education for local student learners. At the elementary school level, our programs introduce younger students to the scientific method, and do so in a format that promotes observation and questioning. At the higher level we provide high school students with the resources to conduct an experiment using modern biotechnology.
Marine Science Center
Experience the marine environment as you journey past mangroves, coral propagation tanks, alligators, whale and dolphin anatomical exhibits, a dune habitat with a cross-section of a sea turtle nest, and a wide variety of local fish and invertebrates including a 5,000-gallon aquarium. There are always new exhibits to learn from and to enjoy. Text, audio, and on-site naturalists (when available) provide interesting information on the ecology of Volusia County. The museum features sea turtle rehabilitation, nature trails, an observation tower, an artificial reef aquarium, and more.
Lowry Park Zoo
Located in Tampa, the Zoo consists of 24 acres within Lowry Park, featuring the largest concentration of native Florida wildlife exhibited in the state. Highlights include the Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center, Asian Domain, Primate World, and a children's petting zoo. Also features free-flight aviaries and the Harrell Discovery Center, a 1,500-square-foot interactive area featuring hands-on displays, exhibits, artifacts, videos and a small insect zoo. You can also visit Stingray Bay where visitors can pet and feed stingrays in a 16,000-gallon touch pool.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a family adventure park offering an array of attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent. Busch Gardens provides a blend of rides, a zoo featuring more than 2,700 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops and games.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Explore a wading bird rookery, see albino alligators, exotic birds and mammals, crocodiles from the Americas, Africa, and Asia, and visist Maximo, the largest animal in the park. Also offering daily educational programs.
Brevard Zoo
Stroll through the shaded boardwalks of Latin American and Native Florida. We feature over 200 animals representing more than 60 species including alligator, crocodile, giant anteater, tapir, marmoset, jaguar, eagle, river otter, exotic birds and more. Located in Melbourne.
SeaWorld Orlando
Located on 200 acres, SeaWorld Orlando offers marine animal attractions, educational performances, specialty tours, rides, and more.
Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park
Palm Beach Zoo display over 600 animals on 27 tropical acres. Explore Australasia with Tiger, Kangaroo, Wallaby and Emus. Trek across Florida to witness Florida panther, river otter, alligator and bald eagle. Cool off in our interactive fountain and then take a ride on our carousel. From giant lizards to miniature monkeys, the Palm Beach Zoo is a fun-filled day for the entire family.
The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary offers visitors an opportunity to learn about tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, bobcats, coatimundis, and foxes. You can enjoy a daytime or nighttime tour.
Caribbean Gardens, The Zoo in Naples
Caribbean Gardens features a natural path almost a mile in length winding past rare and beautiful animals residing within a 52-acre jungle of exotic plants first planted in 1919. In this tropical setting, you'll see lions, kangaroos, and monkeys, plus endangered African wild dogs and Asian deer. The Primate Expedition Cruise takes you through islands inhabited by monkeys, lemurs, and apes.
Lion Country Safari
Lion Country Safari is home to over 1000 animals in the drive-through preserve and in the Safari World exhibit area. Among the more notable species on display at the park are lions, white rhino, African elephants, chimpanzees, zebra, and giraffe. Also features a petting zoo, merry-go-round, boat rides, aviaries, bird, reptile, alligator, and squirrel monkey exhibits
Lubee Bat Conservancy
Located just north of Gainesville, Florida, on a 110- acre ranch, the center is a multi purpose facility housing mainly old-world fruit bats, and designed for use by visiting scientists, veterinarians, educators and students. Conservation science research programs include studies in reproductive physiology, endocrinology, genetics, nutrition, behavior and enrichment to ensure the future of endangered fruit and nectar bat species in the wild and in captivity.
Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo
Located in Gainsville, SFCC Teaching Zoo is home to over 75 different species of animals and over 200 individuals. Our diverse collection contains both native and exotic species that everyone can enjoy. Some family favorites are the Bald Eagles, White-throated Capuchin monkeys, Sika Deer, Galapagos tortoises, Matschie's Tree Kangaroo, Asian small-clawed otters and African Grey parrots. These species and many other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians are on display in a naturally wooded environment. Admission is free.
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