Animal Encounters

Join us as you step behind the scenes to see one of our famous Pantanal residents up close and personal. Don’t be afraid to get messy as you help our keepers feed our anteaters one of their favorite treats!

During this experience you will:

• Go behind the scenes at our hoofstock barn
• Tour the kitchens to see how our keepers provide daily care for our animals
• Have an opportunity to feed an anteater using one of our specially designed puzzle feeders

$125 Member/$150 Non-member (per person)

On Sale Through December 2026

RESERVE TICKETS

MEMBER PORTAL

Encounter Details:

• All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
• This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
• This encounter is limited to 6 people per encounter. If you have fewer than six in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the six persons total.
• For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.
• Please note: This Encounter involves feeding our Anteaters one of their favorite treats- either avocado or peanut butter. If you or a member of your party have a food allergy, please be aware.

Accessibility:

• Walking and standing for 45 minutes 
• Unpaved surfaces including loose dirt and gravel
• Not wheelchair accessible

We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739.

Get a first-row seat to see how keepers build relationships with our amazing elephants! You will have an opportunity to feed, hear stories about our herd, and touch one of these amazing creatures with a photo opportunity you can share with your friends and family.

During this experience you will:

• Go behind the scenes at our Elephant Barn
• Tour the barn to see how our keepers provide daily care for our animals
• Have an opportunity to meet one of our adult elephants up-close with a touching and/or feeding experience included

$400 Member/$450 Non-member (per person)

On Sale Through September 2026

Reserve Tickets

MEMBER PORTAL

Encounter Details:

• All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
• This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
• This encounter is limited to eight people per encounter. If you have fewer than eight in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the eight persons total.
• For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.

Accessibility:

• Walking and standing for 45 minutes 
• Unpaved surfaces including loose dirt and gravel
• Wheelchair accessible

We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739.

Here’s your chance to experience what it’s like to bathe an elephant! Head behind the scenes to help scrub down one of our elephants with a photo opportunity you can share with your friends and family.

During this experience you will:

• Go behind the scenes at our Elephant Barn
• Have an opportunity to scrub down one of our adult elephants during their bath time
• Note: You may get wet during this experience. We recommend wearing close-toe shoes and clothing that you don’t mind getting damp

$400 Member/$450 Non-member (per person)

On Sale Through December 2026

Reserve Tickets

MEMBER PORTAL

Encounter Details:

• All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
• This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
• This encounter is limited to just six people per encounter. If you have fewer than six in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the six persons total.
• For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.

Accessibility:

• Walking and standing for 45 minutes 
• Lifting large brushes 
• May get wet 
• Wheelchair accessible 

We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739. 

No passport? No problem! Go behind the scenes at the Galápagos Islands exhibit and meet our feathered friends up close without leaving Texas. During this experience you will learn from our world-class animal care team about what it’s like to care for our penguin colony and experience a special meet-and-greet with one of our resident penguins. 

During this experience you will: 

• Go behind the scenes at our Galápagos exhibit 
• Interact with keepers and learn how we care for our penguins 
• Have an opportunity to get up-close to one of our resident penguins

$195 Member/$220 Non-member (per person)

On Sale Through October 2026

RESERVE TICKETS

MEMBER PORTAL

Encounter Details:

• All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
• This encounter is for ages 6 and up. If you have someone in your party under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
• This encounter is limited to just six people per encounter. If you have fewer than six in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the six persons total.
• For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, you will have opportunities to take photos during your encounter that you can share with family and friends.

Accessibility:

• Bring a sweater! This space is kept cool for penguins and can get chilly.
• Sitting for 30 minutes
• Boots will be provided for you to wear during this experience. We also recommend wearing close-toe shoes and socks.
• Step over 2 in. high to access our behind-the-scenes area

We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739 

Take the perfect tortoise selfie when you’re up close with some of the Zoo’s longest-living residents, the Galápagos tortoises. During this experience, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our Galapagos tortoises and learn all about these special residents while feeding them their favorite treats.

Pro tip: Feet are friends, not food. Our tortoises might confuse red shoes for treats, so it’s best to leave your red shoes at home for this one (yes, we’re serious). Closed-toe shoes are required.

Note: These experiences are available April – October.

$65 Member/$90 Non-member (per person)

Reserve Tickets

Member Portal

Encounter Details:

• All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
• This encounter is for ages five years and older. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
• This encounter is limited to just four people per encounter. If you have fewer than four in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the four persons total.
• For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.

Accessibility:

• Walking and standing for 20 – 30 minutes
• Unpaved surfaces including loose dirt and gravel
• Bending, kneeling and/or crouching for short periods of time

We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739 

Create memories when you meet one of our sea lions face to face! You will have the opportunity to learn about our charismatic residents, pose for photos, and assist the keepers with a short training session in our newest exhibit.  

During this experience you will: 

• Go behind the scenes at our Galápagos exhibit 
• Interact with keepers and learn how we care for our sea lions 
• Have an opportunity to get up-close to one of our sea lions  

On Sale Through October 2026

$300 Member/$350 Non-member (per person)

RESERVE TICKETS

MEMBER PORTAL

Encounter Details:

• All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
• This encounter is for ages 6 and up. If you have someone in your party under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
• This encounter is limited to just four people per encounter. If you have fewer than four in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the six persons total.
• For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.

Accessibility:

• Walking and standing for 45 minutes 
• Slippery surfaces; there may some standing water on the ground
• Closed toe shoes are required, and shoes with grippy soles are recommended
• Walking up small inclines, no handrails 

We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739 

Step into our treehouse and get a up close view into our gorilla’s world. Spend time feeding and interacting with our great apes all while learning about how our global partners are protecting gorillas in the wild.

During this experience you will:

• Go behind the scenes at our Gorilla Treehouse
• Have an opportunity to feed our Gorillas using a special port that is built into the wall
• Interact with Zookeepers and hear stories about our amazing Gorilla family
• Note: All interactions with Gorillas happen behind a plexiglass window

Required: All guests must properly wear a mask during the entire animal experience for the safety of our other guests, staff and animals.

$125 Member/$150 Non-member (per person)

On Sale Through December 2026

Reserve Tickets

Member Portal

Encounter Details:

• All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
• This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
• This encounter is limited to just six people per encounter. If you have fewer than six in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the six persons total.
• For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area.

Accessibility: 

• Walking and standing for 45 minutes 
• Ability to go up and down stairs, hand rails available
• Elevator available if needed
• Wheelchair accessible

We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739