Birdy Spotlight – Owls

Written by:  Ryanne Sullivan, Animal Care Professional

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In honor of Halloween, this month’s birdy spotlight is on a group of birds that hunt in the dark of night- owls! These mysterious birds are great to have around because a staple of their diet includes rodents.

Since barn owls play a huge role in controlling rodent populations, many people don’t mind having them around.  A single barn owl can consume about 1,500 rats, mice, voles and gophers per year!  Did you know that an entire family of barn owls can consume about 25 rodents per night? Woah!

After an owl eats, anything that is indigestible is formed into a pellet which is regurgitated (swallowed food brought up again to the mouth). A favorite science class pastime is dissecting this pellet. With thorough investigation, you can discover what an owl has eaten.  Some of the items found in these pallets are insects, indigestible plant matter, bones, fur, feathers, bills, claws, and even teeth.

Owls have amazing adaptations and senses – their most notable adaptation is their keen eyesight, enabling them to see the length of a football field with the light of a single candle! Their eyeballs are also locked into a circular bone in their skull making it impossible to move their eyes around.  To make up for their forward facing eyes, owls have additional neck bones that make it possible to swivel their head an average of 270 degrees.  Along with their great eyesight, many owl species have asymmetrical ears. Located at different heights on the owl’s head, their ears are able to pinpoint the location of sounds even in multiple dimensions.

ZooTampa is home to 5 of the 216 species of owls that are in the world. You can our resident owl species along the Florida Boardwalk and during the daily “Spirits of the Sky” Bird of Prey show. You might also see an owl during Creatures of the Night’s “Pigpimples School of Mystery and Mayhem” show on select nights through October.

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Commemorations

Please review our booking tips before continuing

Outside Food & Drinks Policy

ZooTampa at Lowry Park offers a variety of delicious food for guests at several restaurants and concession stands throughout, but we understand that guests may need to bring outside food for special dietary needs. Acceptable and prohibited food items are listed below. For the convenience of our guests, there is a picnic area located outside the park near the main parking lot.

 Acceptable Items
  • Bottled water (max 20oz bottle, sealed) one per guest
  • Small snacks for young children
  • Baby food/baby formula
  • Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep (limit one per child)
  • Pre-purchased empty ZooTampa souvenir cups
  • Any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements
 Prohibited Items
  • Prepared or packaged food or meals
  • Alcohol
  • Glass or any open containers or water bottles filled with beverages
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Prohibited Items

For the safety of our animals, guests and employees, the following items are not permitted to be brought into ZooTampa:

  • Any type of explosive or weapon
  • Knives or other sharp objects
  • Pepper spray
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Marijuana
  • Illegal drugs
  • Straws
  • Clothing likely to create a danger or disturbance
  • Any hazardous items or materials

The following items are also prohibited to avoid blocking of walkways and/or trip hazards:

  • Segways
  • Hover boards
  • Two-wheeled scooters
  • Self-balancing electric vehicles
  • Shoes with wheels
  • Drones
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Please leave any unnecessary articles secured within your vehicle to expedite your entry into the park.

We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not observing Zoo Rules.

Pay For A Day Tickets

With a new Pay For A Day, Rest of Year Free ticket – for a limited time – you get unlimited admission through December 31, 2023 including access to our seasonal event series. Some blockout dates apply — see below for details. Not valid with any other discounts.

When does my Pay For A Day ticket expire?

For a limited time, new Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free tickets are valid from the day of purchase until 12/31/2023 Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free tickets which were purchased prior to October 1st, 2022 are valid until 12/31/2022.

What are the blockout dates?

3/11/23 – 3/19/23
11/24/23 – 11/26/23
12/26/23 – 12/31/23

Can I purchase a Pay For A Day ticket on a blockout date?

Yes! You can purchase a Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket for first-time use on a listed blockout date and have full access to the park on that day. Blockout dates apply to repeat visitation.

Can I use my Pay For A Day ticket on blockout dates?

If you already have your Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket and wish to visit during a listed blockout date, please stop by the Zoo’s ticketing windows for alternate options:

  1. During blockout periods, Pay For A Day ticket holders have access to significantly discounted single-day tickets.
  2. For a limited time from the date of purchase, Pay For A Day tickets can be upgraded to a Zoo Membership (with no blockout dates).
I purchased a Pay For A Day ticket online. How do I get my actual ticket?

Bring a copy of your confirmation (or show the confirmation email on your mobile device) to expedite entry into the Zoo. At your convenience during your visit you can stop by the Tours & Guest Services kiosk located just inside the Zoo to print your physical pass. No need to stand in line at the ticket windows. Walk right in!
Still have questions? Email us or call (813) 935-8552 ext. 0.