The Houston Zoo is located in Hermann Park and provides a fun, educational and inspirational experience for animal lovers of all ages. Visitors can meet with zookeepers, learn about animals and nature with hands-on exhibits, and explore dozens of life-size exhibits to see their favorite animals in action. The zoo is a 55-acre zoological park and home to over 4,500 animals belonging to over 900 species. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to meet the highest standards in zoo care.

Popular Exhibits at the Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo is home to several exhibits that give visitors a chance to get closer to their favorite animals, learn about different species, and explore life-size habitats. Popular exhibits at the Houston Zoo include:

• Reptile and Amphibian Building
• Fischer Bird Gardens
• Janice Suber McNair Asian Elephant Habitat
• The John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo
• Ethel G. and Allen H. Carruth Natural Encounters Building
• Wortham World of Primates
• World Bird Run

The zoo also supports several conservation projects to ensure the survival of wildlife endangered species, including the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken, Wyoming Toad, Clouded leopard, Malayan tiger, Komodo dragon and the Houston Toad.

Fun Things to Do at the Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo is nestled in a 55-acre tropical landscape and was been named one of the top ten zoos in the United States by Parents Magazine in 2009. The Wildlife Carousel, located at the entrance of the zoo, is one of the most popular attractions and features several hand-carved and painted Texan creatures and exotic animals.

Visitors can see many of their favorite animals up close by visiting the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo, a $6.5 million area that features forty exhibits representing six ecosystems: the city, Gulf Coast, forest, prairie, farm, forest and desert. The Discovery Center also features several hands-on exhibits where children can learn about animals and nature. Take a walk through the Kipp Aquarium to explore twenty-five exhibits that take visitors around the world to explore coral reefs, Mojave Desert streams and the Amazon basin.