Brevard Youth Sports
Your Online source for Youth Sports Throughout Brevard County
Brevard Zoo Review
4/8/08- Spring Break is here and it's time to get another review in. Today the kids and I headed up to the Brevard Zoo for an afternoon of fun with the animals. The zoo was very busy with both parking lots filled to capacity and the overflow parking reaching along the entrance road. I have rarely found an empty parking lot at the zoo unless arriving right when it opens or at the last minute before they stop letting visitors in for the day (I believe it is 4:15p.m.). The admission prices to the zoo are very reasonable, but purchasing one of the Membership Passes is the best value by far. The zoo has grown substantially since it's opening in early 1994. Now I would like to think that most of the visitors on this page have been to the zoo at least once but for those that have not been I will take you on a small tour (I will only write about a few animals in each area, but for a full listing you can click on the link for each area and that will take you to the appropriate page on the Brevard Zoo website for a full listing of the animals you can expect to encounter). Upon entering the zoo you have the option to head out left or right along the shady sidewalks. We always head to the right to save the giraffes for last. Now the Paws On Play area that was built as a kids play area is under construction (The planned reopening is the summer of 2009). My kids always reminisce about the boardwalks, sand pit, petting farm, and the old "beehive" play area whenever we walk by the construction. After seeing what is planned for the area I think it will be well worth the wait (I will still miss playing Hide 'n Seek along the boardwalk though). There is an area where you can take the kids to get their fill of sand, check out many reptiles and other small animals, as well as get a chance to play veterinarian. Just follow the signs on the other side of the Panther's Paw Gift Shop.
Once you walk past the play area you will come across the first of four boardwalk loops leading to the animals. This path takes you on a virtual tour of Central and South America called La Selva. The many different primates and the showcase big cat enclosures get most of the attention, but the Giant Anteater is my favorite. After walking through La Selva and back out to the main walkway in the zoo you will come to the Wild Florida Loop. To your left you will see an abundance of American Alligators and to your right a pair of American Crocodiles. Heading down the loop you may be greeted by one of the two Whitetail Deer in residence (My daughter WILL NOT pass by the deer without asking for a quarter to buy some food pellets to feed the deer). There are several other animals sharing the exhibit with the deer. Wild Turkeys, a pair of Sandhill Cranes, several species of wild ducks, and an assortment of turtles make their homes with the deer. Today my son practiced calling the turkeys with one of his turkey calls. I do not recommend this as I am not entirely sure it is allowed (We had one of the big males answering almost every time). Right now through May 11th you can explore the past by purchasing tickets to Planet Dinosaur which is located halfway through the Wild Florida Loop. We have already gone through this twice and it is pretty cool to see the 13 robotic dinosaurs. Kids also get the opportunity to dig for a small fossil to take home at the end of the exhibit. The River Otter exhibit is always a favorite with everyone as you have several different viewing options and hopefully everyone gets a chance to see the otters swim in their pond as you stand right next to them. Now as you leave the Wild Florida area you are greeted by the Dippin' Dots concession stand. It is a weakness that I must always give in to. One great thing the zoo has done is to totally redo the snack bar and transform it into the Flamingo Cafe. The menu is much larger than you would expect from a small zoo (Or any zoo for that matter). You can also purchase zoo cups that can be refilled with soda, fruit punch, or lemonade for $.50 (I have been told that you can get refills of water at no charge). Right behind the Flamingo Cafe is the Cape to Cairo Express train. For a reasonable fee you can board the small train for a ten minute ride around the back areas of the zoo. Heading back around the Flamingo Cafe you find yourself walking toward the Austral/Asia Loop. Greeting you near the entrance is a large Hyacinth Macaw (Not native to either area) that will talk to you if you take the time to stop for a chat. While crossing the bridge over a small pond full of Tilapia and a few largemouth bass (Some of the Tilapia are guarding underwater nests right now) you will spot a pair of Black Swans cruising about. Next up is the Red Kangaroo/ Parma Wallaby, Emu exhibit in which the Emu's seem to always be the most entertaining animal with their deep drumming calls. Up ahead you will see the free-flight aviary which is the home to many species of birds, mammals, and turtles. Later in the spring the zoo usually transforms the first part of the aviary into a butterfly's dream garden. There will be an area in which you can look for various types of caterpillars chewing their way to bloated bliss and a small glass enclosure where you can view all the types of caterpillars in their cocoons while they transform into butterflies. Of course flitting around your head will be a multitude of winged beauties waiting for you to take their picture. The largest area in the aviary is home to several species of birds and where you can for a small fee get a little cup of fruity nectar to feed the many Rainbow Lorikeets that fly throughout the open area looking for those little cups. Now the lorikeets can be a little testy (That is just their nature), but you can count on at least one of them using you for a perch if you show off your little nectar cup. One other thing to think about is that because of their diet, the lorikeets umm droppings much more liquid than solid and you never know when they may drop you a little something for your kindness. In the next area of the aviary you will spot an assortment of birds, a pair of small deer, and the ever hanging Island Flying Fox Bats. Finishing up your walk around the Austral/Asia Loop you can find Southern Cassowarys and Dingos. On your way to the final loop at the Brevard Zoo you can spot/smell the Siamang monkeys on their little island as they cruise around eating and grooming and eating some more. Your first few stops along the Expedition Africa Loop will let you view pythons, tortoises, and a large Savannah Monitor that are some of the newest additions to the zoo. Right beside the Savannah Monitor exhibit you can take a guided kayak tour around the Expedition Africa area for a small fee. This is your best bet to get a view of all the animals. Walking up the ramp leading to the giraffe platform you can spot the pair of White Rhinoceros on one side and several types of birds and small mammals on the other. Do not be disappointed if you do not get to feed a giraffe every time you visit the zoo. Many times they will not come close to the walkway, but you will almost always be able to see at least one of the two species distinguishable by their markings. If they are in a generous mood one or more of the giraffes will gladly take one of the giraffe crackers that are available at the concession stand out of your hand. Be forewarned that their long purple tongues will wrap around the cracker and leave a little slimy gift in thanks. Always present in this area is the resident Stanley Crane who will be more than happy to snatch up any dropped giraffe crackers. Also roaming the area with the giraffes are Impalas and Thompson's Gazelles. Heading back through the Expedition Africa Loop on your way out of the zoo you will spot a large pavilion that is the site of many of the zoo's events and during the summer is where you can hear live music on the nights the zoo stays open late. There is more than enough at the zoo to keep a family occupied for an entire day. Here is a list of Things to do at the Zoo. There are also many Special Events and Camps available at the zoo during Spring and Summer Breaks. As always we enjoyed our visit to the zoo and look forward to our next review.
Photos from the Brevard Zoo. Everyone is used to seeing the giraffes so I took some photos of some of the other animals on exhibit.
Head on on back to our What to do in Florida Page.
Youth Football Youth Baseball & Softball Youth Soccer High School Sports Cheerleading, Dance, & Gymnastics
Community Sports Action Sports AAU Sports Outdoor Sports Non Sporting Activities Other Sports