Top 25 Zoos

[pbiflyer]

Zoo Tampa is totally fine.  On the small side, but decent.  Combine it with nearby Busch Gardens and you have a decently complete zoo.  Oddly neither has a small mammal house or a reptile/aquatic house, no indoor exhibits to speak off.  I can't think of many zoos that don't have either.

On the plus side, my 2 year old is OBSESSED with giraffes.  Favorite animal by far, only one of his peer group that puts them near the top.  And Zoo Tampa has a giraffe feeding experience.  So this weekend he got to feed the herd of 4 Masai giraffes some leaves and romaine hearts, and then fill their treat containers.  He was out of his mind happy and dumbfounded and the keepers were amazing.

Stuff like that, and behind the scenes activities, are some of the best public facing stuff that zoos do, IMO (obviously, conservation and breeding to save species top it).  Bring in revenue to fund the great work they do, and help bring everything to life and make it all the more tangible, which also helps drive the conservation work.

If you ever find yourself near cocoa beach, the Brevard Zoo has some great animal interaction opportunities, including giraffes. https://brevardzoo.org/visit/