Children will enjoy our colorful strollers, each with storage capacity, a canopy to block the sun, wheel locks, and easy maneuverability.
Strollers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Wheelchair Rental
$12 per wheelchair
$30 per electric wheelchair
Enjoy your visit with a comfortable wheelchair or easily-operated electric cart- both with storage compartments.
A form of I.D. is required.
Wheelchairs and electric carts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Zoo Tram
Tired of walking? Take a guided tour around the Zoo for just $4 per person for an all-day pass!
Runs during SunTrust Zoo Lights and everyday March through October.
Closed December through February.
Farm Train & Children's Rides
$2 per ride for farm train
$2 for CHINA carousel.
$1 for children's rides in rides area
Open seven days a week 9:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m., weather permitting, beginning March.
Rides & train and carousel are closed November 1 through February 28.
The African black-footed penguin is one of the 17 species of penguins found in the world. Of the 17, only seven are “cold weather” species. The African black-footed penguin is considered a “warm weather” penguin. If it’s below 40º, there’s a good chance our little guys and gals are inside, enjoying their toasty indoor quarters.
About the Memphis Zoo penguins
The Memphis Zoo is home to 22 penguins. No two penguins are exactly alike, but they are so similar, their keepers need to place colored bands on their flippers to tell them apart. Females have bands on their left wing, while males have bands on their right wing. The different colored beads on the bands let our keepers know exactly who is who. Our oldest penguin is 20 years old. He was hatched on January 16th, 2000. Incidentally, the Memphis Zoo has had penguins in our collection since 1987.
Quick Facts
Quick Facts
“Genevieve,” a female penguin with a solid purple band, has grey eyes. This is highly unusual for penguins, whose eyes normally turn to brown when they mature into adulthood. She has passed her grey eye trait to her offspring.
Quick Facts
Penguins are an excellent example of countershading. If a predator is in the sky, the black of a penguin’s back might confuse them into thinking they are looking at the dark water. The white of the penguin’s belly might confuse a predator into thinking they’re looking at the white of the sky.
Quick Facts
All black-footed penguins born here at the Memphis Zoo are hand-raised by the keepers beginning at 2-3 weeks of age.
Quick Facts
Black-footed penguins are the species most often displayed in North American zoos and aquariums.
