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Zoo Miami, also known as Metrozoo, is the largest and oldest zoo in Florida, and one of the biggest zoos in the US. The southern part of United States, near the Caribbean and the tropics, provides a favorable climate to host a huge variety of animals and species from all over the world, such as Asia, Africa and Australia. This is a different zoo, where visitors will not find caged animals confined in a small area, but large camps and forests created and raised to be just like the animals and plants original habitats. Wanna find out more about the best zoo in Florida?! Keep reading the article for tips and for Miami Zoo Prices.
As one of the largest zoos in the US, animals are distributed by regions, according to their geographical territories (África, Asia, South America, etc.). There are over 750 acres of forests, woods and fields that are home to nearly 1,000 exotic species in an ecosystem created to look like as much as possible with their regions of origin.
In addition to plants and animals, this famous zoo in Florida also offers a variety of attractions and games for children. It is important to pick up a map of the zoo soon as you arrive to get to know all that the zoo offers. Some games for children involve water … so always carry extra clothing as it is very common kids get soaked having fun. One tip is to pay attention to the hours monitors will be with Miami Zoo animals. There are always explanations and fun things happening!
About Miami Zoo Animals
Zoo Miami is one of the largest zoos in the world and offers a wide variety of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Some of the featured animals are lions, giraffes, tigers, rhinos, gorillas, bears, hyenas, leopards, camels, snakes, elephants and others.
Hot days! Watch out…
Miami Zoo is located in one of the hottest states of the USA: Florida, close to the tropics. It is an open wide area and there are no shade through the roads and trails. Some people even recommend not to go on the summer or very hot days.
No wonder this Florida Zoo, the best zoo in Florida, provides covered transportation for visitors to move around the park (see next topic) and also attractions and water-lay areas for cooling down and relief.
Always take a cap or hat, sunscreen and sunglasses!
Moving around the best Zoo in Florida (internal transportation)
Since we are talking about the biggest zoo in Florida, the facility offers some internal transportation options. This way visitors can make the most of the ride and appreciate all the Florida Zoo animals. There are three types of transport:
1. Safari Cycle Zoo Miami
Safari Cycle Zoo Miami é a Quad with pedals for families: It is the most common means used by visitors to pedal around the zoo. Quads accommodate up to 6 adults and 2 children. It requires a little physical effort, but nothing too intense. The zoo’s entire area is quite flat and with asphalted roads. The advantage of this means of transport is the freedom it gives the visitor to come and go inside the zoo. Pedaling the cycle permits you to go to any attraction or animal you want. As we have already mentioned on this article, be careful about very hot days which can be very uncomfortable, especially for those who are not used to exercise. The minimum age to rent a Safari Cycle is 21. Also, in rainy days, the Safari Cycle gives you extra protection.
2. Safari Tram Tours
For those who are not much to cycling, this famous zoo in Florida offers a tram tour option, with guides. It is a narrated tour through Asia and Africa (two regions in the Zoo). The price is around $ 6 per person and the experience is very nice. You will have amazing explanations about the Miami Zoo animals. The explanations are really detailed and you will learn a lot about each animal. You will even be able to ask questions.
3. Monorail
The third transportation option in Miami Zoo is the Monorail, which gives a comfortable, privileged and aerial view of everything in the facility. Specially on hot days is a nice option, since it is ar-conditioned. It is cheaper then the TRam (around $3.5 per person) and is a nice way to learn about Miami Zoo animals.
As we are talking about one of the largest zoos in the world, it is practically impossible to follow it all on foot! It is recommended to use a transport described above, especially on hot days.
For the kids (…and also adults)
Imagine being face to face to one of the tallest animals in the world….a giraffe? And also being able to feed them in a very fun experience? Zoo Miami has a place called Samburu Giraffe Feeding Station, where guests can walk up to an elevated platform and feed the Giraffes. Its the most fun thing to do at the Zoo and the kids will love it!
Is it a hot day? Don’t worry! The place offers a variety of water-play areas that will cool you and your kids down. Don’t forget to bring extra clothes. Learn more about Miam Zoo water-play areas.
There are plenty other nice attractions at the zoo: Rhino encounter (feed the Rhino), lots of playgrounds for the kids, The Sami Family Anphitheater (host wildlife shows and educational or performance-based events), The Asian Trail (Zoo Miami’s ornamental gardens), The Children’s Zoo (meet some small animals and have a fun-educational experience), Amazon and Beyond (enchanting journey through the forests of Central and South America), The Asian Riverlife and many more. See all ttractions here.
Places to eat
There are three main restaurants at the zoo where you can have meals, salads, sandwiches and snacks: Carousel Café, Oasis Grill and the Fiesta Café. Also there are vending machines strategically placed throughout the zoo where you can buy ice cream, water and soda.
On weekends and holidays there are food and beverage vendor carts throughout the zoo.
There are some options to eat, and the best of them the restaurant Oazis Grille, which offers salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and more.
History
The history of the Miami Zoo opened in 1948, when there was only a few lions, an elephant and a rhinoceros taken from a circus that ended its activities at the time. The Zoo was located in Key Biscayne Island in a preserved area called Crandon Park and occupied a of just over 48 acres (20 hectares).
Before becoming a park, the zoo area in Key Biscayne was a coconut plantation, which housed some species of turtles, reptiles, monkeys and pheasants. These species were later incorporated into the zoo’s collection.
Later African and Asian animals were also brought in and in the 60s the park had grown to more than 1,000 animals and was among the top 30 zoos in the United States.
In 1965 the park was devastated by a hurricane and more than 200 animals died. From this date the authorities Miami decided to move the zoo to another larger area south of Miami. Only in 1981 the new zoo was opened in Dade County, and was renamed the Miami Metrozoo. Later it was renamed to Zoological Park and Gardens Miami-Dade.
Zoo Miami today occupies about 750 acres, and is home to over 3,000 animals representing over 500 different species. Of this population, more than 40 species are classified as endangered. The zoo is also home to over 1,000 species of trees, palms and other plants, and more than 100 special exhibitions featuring a wide range of scientific topics and species.
Concern for the environment and welfare of animals
The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which means it went through a process of application and strict supervision and meet or exceed the AZA’s standards for animal health and welfare, fundraising, zoo staff and involvement in global conservation efforts.
Zoo Miami is proud to be an active leader in many initiatives of global wildlife and environmental conservation, and we are currently involved in more than 36 ongoing projects on six continents.
“Zoos are providing these windows into the world to plant a seed in kids to understand the importance of protecting wildlife all over the world because we’re all connected, it’s no longer just looking at an animal like you look at an animal in a circus, it’s looking at an animal as an ambassador for an environment that is a link in the chain for the quality of life for all of us,” Magill explained.
Park Hours
Zoo Miami is open every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Check all the park hours for weekdays, weekends and holidays.
Miami Zoo Prices
Wondering how much is Miami Zoo? Below info about Miami Zoo Price:
| Tickets for Adult (13+) | $22.95 |
| Child (3-12) | $18.95 |
| Tickets for Children 2 and under | FREE |
| Zoo members – Miami Zoo tickets price | FREE |
| Parking | FREE |
Miami Zoo Address & Contact Info
Address: 12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177, EUA
Zoo Miami Contact Info
Phone: 305-251-0400
Fax: 305-378-6381
Zoo Miami Foundation Contact Info
Phone: 305-255-5551
Fax: 305-255-7126
Offical website: https://www.zoomiami.org/
