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ZooTampa at Lowry Park » Bugtopia

Bugtopia

Bugtopia: Larger than Life

Something is buzzing in Tampa...

February 25 - April 30, 2023

Girl looking up as giant dragonfly flies over her head

An invasion of epic proportions! Giant larger-than-life BUGS are coming to ZooTampa. This family-friendly event will feature 13 species of animatronic bugs that will amaze and educate guests in fun and unique ways.

Opening Weekend Dates and Events:

Member Previews:

Friday, February 24 - 9:30am-5pm
Saturday, February 25 - 9am-12pm
Sunday, February 26 - 9am-12pm

ZooTampa Membership

This event is free with admission to the Zoo. Get the best value out of your ZooTampa experience by upgrading to a membership so you can visit again and again at no additional cost.

Become a Member

General Admission Ticket

ladybug

Travel to Bugtopia

Join in the Adventure

You will shrink down and be immersed in BUGTOPIA, the fantastic world of animals that skitter, crawl, and fly. Join professor Mo Alexander and his research assistants as they explore the important and fascinating role these tiny creatures have on the preservation of the world we share.

Learn Along the Way

Learn about the amazing insects we share our world with and how they benefit our ecosystem, from tiny ladybugs to dazzling dragonflies. See these larger-than-life creatures in a new and unique way.

Giant Bugs Featured:

black ant

Black Ant
Blue-Eyed Darner
Bombardier Beetle
Devil's Flower Mantis
Emperor Scorpion
Grasshopper
Madagascar Sunset Moth
Mexican Redknee Tarantula
Orb Web Spider - Cross Orb Weaver
Red-Tailed Bumblebee
Say's Firefly
Seven Spotted Ladybug
Stag Beetle

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ZooTampa at Lowry Park

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to excellence in conservation, education, recreation and research. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is featured among the “Top 25 Zoos in the U.S” by TripAdvisor. The Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa, and is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours for select events.

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Winner of Trip Advisor's Travelers' Choice award in 2022

Winner of the Best of Weddings 2021 award from The Knot

Winner of Best of South Tampa 2021 award

Winner of 2021 Best of the City Best Family Attraction award from Tampa Magazine

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1101 W. Sligh Avenue Tampa, FL 33604
P: (813) 935-8552 F: (813) 935-9486

Copyright © 2023 ZooTampa at Lowry Park - All Rights Reserved.

Upgrade your day with a Signature Encounter!

Signature Encounters start at just $19.95 per person for non-members.

Important Age Requirement Info

Children under the age of 5 may participate in the Giant Tortoise Encounter, Koala Photo Encounter, and Lorikeet feeding experience. All other encounters and experiences require guests to be 5 years of age or older.

For all animal experiences, children under the age of 18 require an encounter ticket and must be accompanied by an adult with an encounter ticket.

Children under the age of 3 may participate in the Giant Tortoise Encounter & Koala Photo Encounter without a ticket as long as they are accompanied by a paying adult with a ticket for the encounter.

Be sure each person participating in the encounter is eligible to participate before purchasing tickets.

Members Save 25%! Become a Member

MEMBERS

Starting At

$14^.95

NON-MEMBERS

Starting At

$19^.95

ZooTampa Animal Encounter Tips & Guidelines

Admission is required to participate in Signature Encounters. If you have scheduled a Signature Encounter please purchase your admission ticket if you don’t already have it.
Masks are required to be worn by all guests participating in Signature Encounters. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you.
To ensure safety, participants agree to abide by Zoo safety protocols.
Guests may bring a camera; however, there are areas behind-the-scenes which you may be asked not to photograph. Video recording is not permitted behind-the-scenes.
Tour components are subject to change without notice due to animal, weather, or staff needs.
Service animals are restricted from entering the Koala Photo Encounter area.
Encounters are only refundable up to 48 hours in advance of your scheduled Encounter. For refund inquiries please contact our Guest Services team via email or call us at (813) 935-8552 ext 0.

ZooTampa Hours

Normal Hours of Operation

9:30 am – 5 pm
7 days a week

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Dr. Bogan, Director of the Orianne Center

DR BOGAN, DIRECTOR OF THE ORIANNE CENTER

I am the Chief Veterinary Officer for Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens as well as the Director for the Central Florida Zoo’s Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation. I am a veterinarian board certified in Reptile and Amphibian Practice and have a veterinary master’s degree in conservation medicine. I am currently the president of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians and the Reptile and Amphibian Regent for the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. I am also the Veterinary Advisor for AZA Eastern Indigo Snake TAG.

Start a new Christmas tradition with Holiday Breakfast with Santa at ZooTampa!

ZooTampa and Christmas in the Wild admission is not included with the Holiday Breakfast with Santa. ZooTampa members and Pay for a Day ticket holders are welcome to explore the Zoo after the event. Need admission to ZooTampa? Click here to purchase Zoo admission or become a Member.

Doors will open at 8:30am and will conclude at 10am. Seating is first-come, first-served. This is a rain or shine event and will take place outdoors under our Saunders Pavilion.

Photos will be available for purchase, but guests are welcome to take photos with their own devices.

For dietary restrictions and other special requests, please contact our Guest Engagement team at GuestEngagement@ZooTampa.org.

Guest must have a Christmas in the Wild ticket to participate in all Holiday Signature Encounters. Holiday African Penguin Encounter will be offered on event nights only at 4:45pm and 5pm. Holiday Indian Rhino Encounter will be offered on event nights only at 6pm. Separate ticket required for all encounters. Guests must be ages 5 and up and children 5-17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Dr Nico Maldonado, Veterinarian ZooTampa

Dr. Nico with a giant tortoise at ZooTampa

Nicolás Maldonado grew up in Puerto Rico, and was raised on his family’s cattle farm surrounded by many animals. In 1997, he came to the United States to attend college at Colorado State University. After college, he went on to fulfill his dream of becoming a veterinarian, earning his DVM at Tuskegee University. Dr. Maldonado then completed a small animal and exotics internship at a veterinary hospital in Georgia, and an avian and exotics residency program at Florida Veterinary Specialists (now Blue Pearl Tampa). He now practices small animal and exotic medicine full-time at a private practice in the Tampa Bay area. He has worked with the veterinary staff at Zoo Tampa since 2011. Dr. Maldonado has a special interest in reptiles and amphibians, and has been involved in breeding programs for the Panamanian Golden Frog and Puerto Rican Crested Toad. His passion is for snakes.

Over the years, Nicolás has had many pets including dogs, cats, snakes, tarantulas, birds, tropical fish, frogs and tortoises. He has raised and bred various species of birds, frogs, turtles, and snakes. His hobbies include playing guitar, soccer, HAM radio, hiking, biking, skim-boarding, skateboarding, camping with his family, and vacationing in Puerto Rico.

BUGTOPIA, coming Spring 2023

Something is buzzing in Tampa this Spring. An invasion of epic proportions. Giant larger-than-life BUGS are coming to ZooTampa. Guests will shrink down and be immersed in BUGTOPIA, the fantastic world of animals that slither, crawl, and fly. The family-friendly event will feature 13 species of animatronic bugs that will amaze while educating guests in fun and unique ways. Adventurers will join professor Mo Alexander and his research assistants as they explore the important and fascinating role these tiny creatures have on the preservation of the world we share.