Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo Gainesville’s community zoo and the training facility for the Zoo Animal Technology program at Santa Fe College.
(1938)

Open daily, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., with last entry at 2:30 p.m. The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is Gainesville’s community zoo and the training facility for the Zoo Animal Technology program. Situated on 10 forested acres we house rare and endangered species including Matschie's tree kangaroos and ocelots.

08/20/2025

Enrichment day for the squirrel monkeys means keepers get creative. Today they built two Pawzler puzzle feeders—modular toys that can be rearranged for endless challenges. The troupe took turns investigating, pulling, twisting, and occasionally arguing over whose turn it was. Even after all the mischief, the puzzles are still in one piece!

Music by Storyblocks

Blue’s showing off his best face 😛 Key deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer, found only in the Florid...
08/19/2025

Blue’s showing off his best face 😛
Key deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer, found only in the Florida Keys!

📚 Story Time at the Zoo! 🐾Join us on Wednesday, August at 10:30 A.M. in front of the zoo for a morning of fun tales with...
08/18/2025

📚 Story Time at the Zoo! 🐾
Join us on Wednesday, August at 10:30 A.M. in front of the zoo for a morning of fun tales with the Alachua County Library District!

Story Time is free for all, and if you’d like to explore the zoo afterward, regular admission applies.

Don’t miss this chance for a wild story adventure!
🔗 More info: https://t.ly/NzZEo

🐾 Member Perk Alert!As a valued Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo member, you’re invited to enjoy exclusive extended hours o...
08/17/2025

🐾 Member Perk Alert!
As a valued Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo member, you’re invited to enjoy exclusive extended hours on Wednesday, August 20 — from 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
(That’s 30 minutes earlier and a whole hour later than regular guests!)

🛍️ Please note: the gift shop will close at 3:00 P.M.

New semester extended-hour dates will be announced soon in the members’ newsletter.

Not a member yet? Don’t miss out on early access, late stays, and other special perks!
👉 Join our zoo family today: t.ly/ZooMember

Membership comes with even more perks, including:
50% off admission at other AZA reciprocal zoos and aquariums
Special members-only events throughout the year
Early access to favorites like Boo at the Zoo
…and much more!

We can’t wait to see you! ✨

🐾 It’s AND a celebration! Our beautiful caracal Cleo 12! 🎉Her keepers made her day extra special with a tasty birthday...
08/16/2025

🐾 It’s AND a celebration! Our beautiful caracal Cleo 12! 🎉
Her keepers made her day extra special with a tasty birthday lineup: refreshing blood water, hidden meat to sniff out and find, and crunchy enrichment to pounce on.
Join us in wishing this queen of the leap a very happy birthday! 💛

🎓🐾 Congratulations, Summer Class of 2025 Zooies! 🐾🎓From your first day in the program to this incredible milestone, you’...
08/15/2025

🎓🐾 Congratulations, Summer Class of 2025 Zooies! 🐾🎓
From your first day in the program to this incredible milestone, you’ve shown dedication, teamwork, and a love for animals that inspires us all. Your instructors and staff are so proud of your accomplishments and the professionals you’ve become. You are the future of wildlife care and conservation — and the world needs you now more than ever. 🌿🦋

💬 Share a warm wish for the graduates in the comments and help us cheer them on as they start their next chapter!

It’s Armadillo Day, and Dillon and Tatu the 3-banded armadillos are enjoying the spotlight with their son, Poco! 🐾💛Armad...
08/13/2025

It’s Armadillo Day, and Dillon and Tatu the 3-banded armadillos are enjoying the spotlight with their son, Poco! 🐾💛

Armadillos are an ancient group of animals that first appeared in South America. Today there are 21 living species, including Florida’s nine-banded armadillo.

Three-banded armadillos, like Dillon, Poco, and Tatu, are the only species that can roll into a complete ball, locking up so tightly that even a jaguar can’t pry them open. Their shell isn’t just armor — it’s also great at trapping warm air close to their bodies, helping conserve heat. Normally solitary, they’ll even huddle together in cold weather for extra warmth.

Instead of digging their own burrows, they make use of abandoned anteater burrows or shelter under dense vegetation. Unfortunately, many armadillo species are threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and domestic dogs, and their low body heat means they must forage daily to survive. Learn how you can live among armadillos here: https://t.ly/0KalN

Today we’re shell-ebrating these tough-yet-vulnerable creatures — from Dillon and Tatu to the tiny new bundle of armor, Poco. 🦔✨

Senior Spotlight - ErinHi, my name is Erin Brandt, and I am a graduating senior in the Santa Fe Zoo Animal Technology Pr...
08/13/2025

Senior Spotlight - Erin

Hi, my name is Erin Brandt, and I am a graduating senior in the Santa Fe Zoo Animal Technology Program. This program has been very life-changing. This program has prepared me for my future career by providing me with both education and hands-on experience in animal care, management, and conservation. I have gained so much experience in constructing and maintaining animal enclosures, ensuring proper sanitation, and creating stimulating environments.

My favorite part of this program has been the training aspect. I have had the great opportunity of training one of our female kookaburras, Sheila. She is the sassiest and sweetest bird I know. My favorite memory is that whenever I'm about to train, she flies down to her training perch and makes either a little chirping sound or laughs to let me know she's ready and excited for our training session. This shows the significant bond we have through trust and positive interaction. I have also enjoyed training our red ruffed lemurs and one of our squirrel monkeys, Lolo. She is so energetic during our sessions together. Through these experiences, I have learned how to read behavioral cues and build trust through positive reinforcement.
I am still figuring out my next chapter, but I am keeping the door open to any opportunities that may come my way.

Senior Spotlight - AlbaniHowdy, howdy!My name is Albani Perez, and in just a few days, I’ll officially be a proud gradua...
08/12/2025

Senior Spotlight - Albani

Howdy, howdy!
My name is Albani Perez, and in just a few days, I’ll officially be a proud graduate of the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo! I’ve had such a blast in this program working with amazing animals, my peers, and most importantly, the incredible staff. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be a Summer 2025 Zooie alumni. They’ve taught me to keep pushing through no matter what, and that a simple piece of newspaper can totally rock a parrot’s world through enrichment!
Throughout my time in the program, I've learned so much—not just about exotic species, but also about proper animal welfare and training. My love for reptiles has grown massively, and I even overcame my slight fear of snakes while working with Monty, our Ball Python, who taught me to better understand snake behavior. Getting to know each animal’s unique personality has been such an unforgettable experience. I also gained hands-on skills, from using various tools like drills to operating a miter saw, which later helped me design and build an amazing enclosure for our Prehensile-Tailed Skink family. One of the most rewarding parts of the program was learning how to train animals. I had the opportunity to work with our Galapagos Tortoises, Squirrel Monkeys, and Red-Ruffed Lemurs. Training Curly, our Galapagos Tortoise, was especially meaningful, he taught me confidence and helped me come out of my shell during our many Galap encounters. He also showed me that being an animal nerd is cool.
It’s been such an honor to work with such a wide variety of animal species, and I would absolutely do it all over again if given the chance. After graduation, I plan to finish my master's degree in animal science and then apply to veterinary school.

Senior Spotlight - MaggieHi! My name is Maggie Dunlea, and I am a graduating senior of Santa Fe College teaching zoo. Th...
08/12/2025

Senior Spotlight - Maggie

Hi! My name is Maggie Dunlea, and I am a graduating senior of Santa Fe College teaching zoo. Throughout this program, I have made so many lifelong memories and friends (including Abby featured in the second picture). One of my favorite memories is training the female capuchin monkey, Frappuccino. Over eight months, I spent time with her almost every day, learning and growing. Whether we were working on new behaviors or asking for Kiwi from the button board, I will remember every second with her. This program has been life-changing, and I can't wait to see where it leads me in the future.

Senior Spotlight - MeganMy name is Megan Kroll, and I will soon be graduating from the Santa Fe Zoo Animal Technology Pr...
08/12/2025

Senior Spotlight - Megan

My name is Megan Kroll, and I will soon be graduating from the Santa Fe Zoo Animal Technology Program. This program has been life changing, got me out of my comfort zone, and opened the way to so many amazing opportunities. My favorite part of the program was being able to train our southern three-banded armadillo, Dillon. It was amazing getting to watch his son, Poco grow up. I will miss going on outreaches with him and giving him scratches after our training sessions. I also got to train our squirrel monkey, Sol, in my last semester. I loved watching her progress in the short amount of time that I worked with her. Working with both Dillon and Sol taught me so much and has helped develop my love for learning about animal behavior and training. It has always been my dream to spend my life working with animals, and I am so grateful for all the knowledge I gained during the program so I can now accomplish that.

I am thankful for all the incredible animals that I go to work with. Also, for my friends I met during the program and my family for supporting me throughout the last year and a half. After graduation I plan to finish my Associate of Arts degree in Zoology at Santa Fe College before finding a job as a mammal keeper. I can’t wait to see where my career will take me.

Senior Spotlight - EthanMy name is Ethan and for the past year and a half I have been surrounded by animals of all speci...
08/10/2025

Senior Spotlight - Ethan

My name is Ethan and for the past year and a half I have been surrounded by animals of all species, and every single day I can't help but smile. I joined this program to gain a better understanding of animal behavior; I received that, and more than I could have ever imagined. I think my favorite animals in the Zoo would have to be a 5-way tie between the gilla monsters, red-footed tortoises, Galapagos tortoises, white-handed gibbons, and the eastern indigo snake. I'm dedicating my life to Veterinary medicine and this program has given me an in-depth look into the world of animal care. One of my favorite parts of the program was getting to assist our amazing veterinarians as they treat our animals. Those days only furthered my passion and made me more certain that working with animals is what I'm supposed to do. Although this isn't a veterinary based program, I've gained immense knowledge that will allow me to make better welfare decisions for animals and aid in their recover.

Address

3000 NW 83rd St
Gainesville, FL
32606

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm
Sunday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+13523955633

Website

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Our Story

The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is Gainesville’s community zoo home to over 75 different species of animals, and maintained by students enrolled in the college’s premier Zoo Animal Technology Program. Situated on 10 forested acres we house rare and endangered species including Matchie's Tree Kangaroo and ocelots. The 1/4 mile trail through the wooded environment is lined with mulch and is stroller and wheelchair accessible.

We are open to the public every day from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Guided tours, animal encounters, and Zookeeper for a Day opportunities are available by reservation. Admission to the zoo is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12, active military and veterans, UF staff and students with Gator1 card, teachers, firefighters, police, first responders (EMT/EMS) with valid ID, and seniors 60+. Children 3 and under and SF students and staff with ID are FREE. Membership opportunities are also available.

Our page will share information for the public, current and previous Zoo Animal Technology students, prospective students, and anyone interested in keeping up with the Teaching Zoo! You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @SFTeachingZoo For more information, check out our website: sfcollege.edu/zoo