Experience the Wild
Your Passport to Wildlife from Across the Globe
Memphis Zoo is home to 4,500+ animals. Find your favorites and discover new species to love!
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African Veldt
Large mammals are always a favorite of Zoo visitors, and the African Veldt is where you find them at the Memphis Zoo. Giraffes, rhinos and elephants call this corner of the Zoo their home. An enlarged elephant exhibit - featuring a pool that allows elephants to submerse and bathe - opened in 2006. A large, grassy area is centered in the exhibit, offering picture-worthy views of bongos and red river hogs. Factoid: A giraffe's kick is so powerful, it is capable of killing a lion in a single blow.
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Animals of the Night
There are only a handful of exhibits devoted to nocturnal animals in the United States - and Memphis has one of them. Residents of Animals of the Night have their daylight hours reversed from ours - which means its always dusk during the day. There's plenty of light, however, to see incredible exhibit areas featuring floor-to-ceiling glass. The highlight of the exhibit is the center bat flight, which has open viewing on two sides and features over 400 bats. Factoid: This exhibit was renovated in the late 1990s. It used to be a home to primates and was the site for the giant panda, which visited the Memphis Zoo in 1987.
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Aquarium
One of the oldest exhibits at the Memphis Zoo, the aquarium remains a very active and interesting exhibit. The building houses aquatic life from both fresh and salt water environments. After the success of a popular animated film, the clownfish became a must-see. But, don't overlook the other 156 species of marine and freshwater organisms from around the world. Factoid: Memphis currently breeds and exhibits two species of cichlid that are extinct in the wild.
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Cat Country
A four-acre, multi-million dollar, open-air cat exhibit The construction of this exhibit was talked about for more than fifty years. Allows for multi-level viewing of the cats Separates cats from visitors using high tension wires and moats Unique because it houses not only predators, but animals of prey as well Allows the visitor to be completely surrounded by the flora of the animals’ native habitats Exhibit’s design created by Design Consortium, a top New Orleans architectural firm that specializes in zoo design. More than a cat exhibit — introduces man’s involvement with nature over the course of more than 4,000 years Includes cultural phenomena throughout time, including an Egyptian temple, remnants of an ancient Asian city and an Asian pagoda bridge Includes natural phenomena represented by rock outcroppings called kopjes (kopees), broad grassy savannas, rock caves and a waterfall Enhances preservation programs for several endangered species.
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Cat Country
38 species of wild cats, 5 endangered
About 3,200 tigers are left in the wild
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China
Sits on three acres of land and features a sampling of the culture, animals, architecture, horticulture and of China Giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le became residents of the exhibit in April 2003. Houses Pere David deer, Asian small-clawed otters, white-naped cranes, Francois Langurs, waterfowl, pheasants, and other birds A fifty-foot Chinese pagoda serves as the ticket and information booth. Features a Cultural Exchange Bell Pavilion, which houses a large bronze bell made in China, especially for the Memphis Zoo Welcoming Guest Hall, serves as a theatre where visitors view a film produced especially for the Memphis Zoo. Two sides of the courtyard are bordered with loggias, open galleries with decorative columns supporting bright southern-style Chinese glazed tile roofs. A Taste of China Food Service Pavilion and Deck gives visitors a place to relax and savor their trip through CHINA. Endangered Species Carousel, a spectacular hand-carved carousel of animals, provides entertainment but has conservation and cultural messages as well.
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Related Conservation Efforts
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Dragon's Lair
This exhibit was specifically built for largest lizard in the world - the Komodo Dragon. Native to small islands in Indonesia, Komodo Dragons can grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 200 pounds. The Zoo's three dragons share a special exhibit with outdoor and indoor areas - allowing them to stay warm during the cool winter months.
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Herpetarium
Located across from the Tropical Bird House, the herpetarium is home to the Zoo's snakes, alligators, lizards and frogs. One of the most popular exhibits in the building is for the reticulated python. Other exhibits include some of the most venomous snakes in the world, including the green mamba. Factoid: Memphis Zoo is the leading zoo for Louisiana pine snake conservation. In addition to breeding this rare enigmatic serpent, Memphis Zoo administers the Species Survival Plan and conducts extensive field research.
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Northwest Passage
A tribute to the animals, First Nations culture and architecture of the Pacific Northwest Home to polar bears, sea lions, black bears, bald eagles and ravens Includes a large underwater viewing area allowing guests to view polar bears and sea lions in a very naturalistic environment Features a 500-seat amphitheater for sea lion shows and a longhouse classroom for educational classes The exhibit has more than 500,000 gallons of purified fresh and saltwater for marine mammals. Children are able to crawl inside a large plastic bubble on the side of the sea lion pool which gives the sensation of actually being inside the exhibit. As you enter the exhibit you are greeted by five authentic Northwest totem poles. Each pole represents the culture of five different clans found in the Northwest region. The Chief Seattle Donor Garden features Chief Seattle’s speech given more than 100 years ago in response to the United States Government’s attempt to purchase the land from the Native Americans.
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Once Upon a Farm
A multi-million dollar face-lift of the old children’s area, transforming it into a charming community for all ages Focuses on domesticated rather than exotic animals Takes visitors back to 19th century farm life Spotlights miniature versions of domesticated farm animals such as rabbits, cattle, chickens, pigs, goats and more Invites visitors to tour old-fashioned barns, a gristmill and water wheel, a windmill and silo, a chicken coop and incubation area Lets children observe and imitate prairie dog life by burrowing through an underground tunnel and surfacing to “bubble top” prairie dog holes inside the exhibit Includes natural phenomena such as fruit and nut trees, vegetable gardens, ponds and streams Offers an old-fashioned train for a scenic ride around the exhibit’s perimeter.
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Pelican Pool
Pelicans are distinguishable because they have extremely large bills and expandable throat pouches. They catch fish by scooping water into their pouch. They drain the water and swallow the fish. Pelicans have a preen gland that secretes oil. They rub this oil on their feathers to waterproof them. Factoid: The Memphis Zoo has five pelicans: Radar, Fat Albert, Billie Jo, Bobby Jo and Betty Jo.
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Penguin Rock
Over 22 black-footed penguins live across from the Zoo's rides area at Penguin Rock. Like all penguins, the black-footed penguin is a flightless, aquatic bird. They are found in a variety of climates ranging from Antarctica to the warm Galapagos Islands located at the equator. There are eighteen species of penguins recognized in the world, and the black-footed penguins are the only ones found in warm southern and southwestern Africa - which means they are perfectly suited for Memphis' hot summers. Factiod: When it's time for the penguins to go inside their nighthouse at the end of the day, they politely form a single-file line
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Primate Canyon
Offers expansive exhibits for the Zoo’s most popular residents Features seven exhibits containing 10 species Enhances conservation programs for several endangered species Is a five-acre, multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art outdoor exhibit Allows for multi-level viewing of primates Created by Design Consortium, a top New Orleans architectural firm that specializes in zoo design Includes cultural phenomena throughout time, including an Oriental pagoda and red lacquer bridge and a replica of an African fishing village Includes natural phenomena represented by rock outcroppings, waterfalls, streams and rock caves Includes play areas for the primates such as shallow pools, green spaces, waterfalls and climbing structures made from towering poles and ropes Contains state-of-the-art graphic panels explaining pertinent facts about the biology of each species and conservationists’ efforts to preserve them Features interactive play areas for children where they can compare the size of their hands and feet with gorillas and learn about how they grow.
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Teton Trek
Inspired by America’s playground, Yellowstone National Park, Teton Trek encompasses the look and feel of this great ecosystem and all the character it entails. This four-acre exhibit is home to grizzly bears, timber wolves, elk, trumpeter swans, ruddy ducks, green-winged teal and sandhill cranes. Teton Trek’s structures are almost as grand as the animals that inhabit them. Upon entering the exhibit, guests walk through the Great Lodge, a 60-foot tall log cabin inspired by Old Faithful Inn. A geyser situated at the entrance of the lodge sprays water up to 30 feet high. The grizzlies enjoy a 20-foot tall waterfall which becomes a meandering stream with fishing village at its base. A wooden boardwalk winds its way around the entire exhibit and serves as an overlook for visitors to see inside each animal area from above. After completing the stroll on the boardwalk, guests are able to return to the lodge and take a seat in one of the rocking chairs that are on two separate balconies overlooking the exhibit. A stone fireplace inside the lodge also makes for a cozy spot to rest and enjoy the scenery.
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Tropical Bird House
Toucans greet you at the entrance to the Zoo's Tropical Bird House. The building is home to exotic bird species from around the world. There are two open flight areas in the exhibit. In these unique areas, birds are not behind glass or in cages. Visitors can actually walk through the center flight as birds fly overhead. Factoid: The Memphis Zoo plays a leadership role in the conservation of birds from the Mariana Islands. We currently house 6 species from the Marianas including the endangered Mariana fruit dove.
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Zambezi River Hippo Camp
The Zambezi River is one of Africa's rivers of life. Rolling through six countries, spanning 1,600 miles, the Zambezi River counts as its residents some of the most intriguing, powerful and beautiful creatures on Earth. And now Memphis Zoo visitors get to experience it!
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Something for Everyone
Find Your Adventure
There's adventure around every corner of the Memphis Zoo for both young and old!
Watch a butterfly emerge from it's cocoon, experience the magic of a hopping kangaroo, or take part in one of our special events. At Memphis Zoo there's something for everyone to enjoy!
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Memphis Zoo Conservation
Secure the Future of a World of Wildlife
We aim to improve the security and stability of animal populations - both in the wild and in captivity.
Our conservation projects apply the tools and knowledge gained from scientific research to solve real-life problems threatening the world's wildlife.
Discover Our Conservation Efforts
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