But for a smaller one that is making great strides, consider a visit to the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, about an hour east of Orlando.
Unique to the zoo is "Paws On, the Animal Study Zone," providing a one-of-a-kind interactive environmental adventure where both children and adults learn about animals through play and hands-on exhibits. You can experience walking into the mouth of a full-size replica of a right whale, tunnel through a giant soil cube, dig for dinosaur bones and sit on a stegosaurus skeleton.
The zoo has over 413 animals representing 109 species from around the world, all residing in natural settings. Elevated boardwalks guide visitors through a lush tropical tree hammock past a wide variety of animals native to Latin America and Florida including jaguar, llama, rhea, giant anteater, tapir, monkeys, exotic birds, alligators, crocodiles, river otter, bald eagle, red wolf and others.
A new area at the Brevard Zoo is the Australia Exhibit, which has a free flight aviary with cockatoos, lorikeets, budgerigars and laughing kookaburras along with an outback exhibit of red kangaroo, emu and wall-by.
Also at the Brevard Zoo is an Animal Encounter area, where children can get up-close and personal with deer, chickens, goats and a pot-bellied pig.
The zoo has a mini-train ride, food service and a gift shop. Don't miss seeing the feeding of the alligators and crocodiles at 3:30 p.m. daily.
The zoo is located just east of the Wickham Road exit (Exit 73) off Interstate 95, on Melbourne's north side.
The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. except for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Admission prices are $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors over 60 and $4.50 for children ages 2-12. Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.
For more information, call the zoo at (321) 254-WILD or visit the zoo's web site at www.brevardzoo.org.
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