Upgrade Your Day
Up-Close Animal Encounters & Feeding Experiences
Add amazing moments to your day at ZooTampa with our unforgettable signature animal encounters.
Reserve your spot today — spaces are limited.
Age Requirement Info
Age requirements vary by encounter
- 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.
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 for all participants on the Giraffe, White Rhino, Indian Rhino, and Koala encounters. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you.
- Masks are optional for the Elephant, Tortoise, Manatee, and Penguin encounters.
- 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, Giant Tortoise, and Africa Penguin encounter areas.
- 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.
Signature Encounter
Giant Tortoise Encounter
Did you know the giant tortoise can live to be over 100 years old and grow to over 900 pounds? Get up-close with these fascinating reptiles and spend time with the team that cares for these gentle giants.
Meet at the Giant Tortoise habitat in Africa 10 minutes prior to your ticket time. Tickets must be purchased in advance to participate in this experience.
Signature Encounter
Manatee Critical Care Center Backstage
Did you know that ZooTampa is home to the first non-profit manatee critical care facility in the US? At our state-of-the-art David A. Straz, Jr. Critical Care Center, we take in sick, injured, and orphaned manatees and provide them with the specialized care they need so they can be re-introduced back to their native waters. On this backstage tour, you'll go behind the scenes to learn more about what it takes to care for and rehabilitate this treasured Florida species. Plus, meet a member of the dedicated team who cares for them each and every day.
Meet at the Manatee Overlook in Florida 10 minutes prior to your ticket time. Tickets must be purchased in advance to participate in this experience.
*This tour is recommended for ages 12 & up
Signature Encounter
Southern White Rhino Backstage
Did you know white rhinos can weigh up to 5,000 pounds? Go behind-the-scenes to the Rhino barn to experience the massive presence of this important animal. You and your family will learn amazing facts from those who care for them at ZooTampa and get to know some of the members of our crash!
Meet at Manatee Circle near Expedition Photo 10 minutes prior to your ticket time. Tickets must be purchased in advance to participate in this experience.
Signature Encounter
Indian Rhino Feeding
Get up-close for an unforgettable experience where you get to feed a greater one-horned rhinoceros! Commonly known as an Indian rhino, this rare species is vulnerable to extinction. Plus, learn more about our breeding pair Jamie & Johnny, get exclusive access to the team that cares for these special animals every day.
Meet at the Indian Rhino habitat in Asia 10 minutes prior to your ticket time. Tickets must be purchased in advance to participate in this experience.
Signature Encounter
African Elephant Backstage
What's it like to care for the largest land animal on earth? Find out first-hand how our Animal Care Team utilizes learned behaviors to ensure our African elephants are maintaining optimal health and welfare. Plus, watch a real training session and talk to the professionals who interact with these amazing animals every day.
Meet at Manatee Circle near Expedition Photo 10 minutes prior to your ticket time. Tickets must be purchased in advance to participate in this experience.
Signature Encounter
African Penguin Backstage
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how we care for our endangered African penguins. Meet members of our colony and ask any penguin question you may have from our Animal Care Team.
Meet at the African Penguin habitat in Africa 10 minutes prior to your ticket time. Tickets must be purchased in advance to participate in this experience.
Signature Encounter
Koala Photo Encounter
On this encounter with an adorable marsupial, you'll go behind-the-scenes with our animal care team to meet Heathcliff, our male Queensland Koala, for a "koala-ty" photo.
Meet at the Koala habitat in Wallaroo 10 minutes prior to your ticket time. Tickets must be purchased in advance to participate in this experience.
Signature Encounter
Giraffe Backstage Encounter
Get eye-to-eye with the world's tallest animal! Get to know our giraffe's quirky personalities, ask questions, and learn about the positive reinforcement techniques we use with all of our animals.
Meet at Manatee Circle near Expedition Photo 10 minutes prior to your ticket time. Tickets must be purchased in advance to participate in this experience.
Lorikeet Landing Aviary
Go inside this free-flight aviary with some of the world's most colorful birds. Experience is FREE with your admission, but only available at set times during the day! Check the Wildlife Connections schedule for details. Feedings may be available for a nominal fee at the time of your experience. See a team member at the Lorikeet Landing Aviary for more information.
Signature Encounter
Sloth Photo Encounter
Did you know that sloths can spend 90% of their lives upside down? Get up-close to one of our incredible sloths, meet a team member that cares for them every day, and then strike a pose for a photo by a professional photographer!
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.
IMPORTANT: Age requirements vary by encounter. See specific encounter for details.
Walk-Up Feeding Experiences
These feeding experiences can be paid for when you arrive at the habitat. No pre-purchase required.
Stingray Bay Touch Experience
Temporarily Unavailable
Get hand-to-fin with a slippery stingray at this FREE up-close animal experience. Feedings may be available for a fee. See a Team Member at the Stingray Bay gift shop for more information.
NEW! Signature Encounter
Manatee Critical Care Center Backstage Encounter
Temporarily Unavailable
Did you know that ZooTampa is home to the first non-profit manatee critical care facility in the US? At our state-of-the-art David A. Straz, Jr. Critical Care Center, we take in sick, injured, and orphaned manatees and provide them with the specialized care they need so they can be re-introduced back to their native waters. On this backstage tour, you'll go behind the scenes to learn more about what it takes to care for and rehabilitate this treasured Florida species. Plus, meet a member of the dedicated team who cares for them each and every day.
*This tour is recommended for ages 12 & up
NEW! Backstage Encounter
Secrets of the Zoo Backstage Encounter
Back by popular demand! Are you a fan of the NatGeo WILD television series, Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa? Season 3 is still under production, but you can get your fix now of the wild behind-the-scenes adventures of the amazing animals that live at ZooTampa and the dedicated team entrusted with their care. Go on an unprecedented tour with one of our “stars” and get exclusive updates on the animals you love. From rhinos to manatees, find out ALL the secrets and spend your morning on an adventure you will not forget.
*Accompanied by paying adult
