Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens Experience more than 100 acres of award-winning exhibits and gardens. For animals. For plants. Forever.
(57270)

🦒🎃 Happy 20th Birthday, Faraja! Born on October 30, 2005, Faraja is the oldest member of our herd of seven giraffes. She...
10/30/2025

🦒🎃 Happy 20th Birthday, Faraja!
 
Born on October 30, 2005, Faraja is the oldest member of our herd of seven giraffes. She loves standing in the rain, no matter how stormy it gets, and never turns down a helping of fresh browse.
 
Her care team treated her to some festive fall fun and plenty of her favorite snacks to celebrate the big 2-0!💛

Get ready for a fudge-tastically fun night at Spooktacular! 🍪✨ Ernie the Elf is making a special visit to the Zoo on Oct...
10/29/2025

Get ready for a fudge-tastically fun night at Spooktacular! 🍪✨ Ernie the Elf is making a special visit to the Zoo on October 30th, spreading smiles, stripes and a little extra sweetness.

While you’re here, don’t miss the Keebler Find the Stripes Scavenger Hunt, FREE with Zoo admission! 🦓 Scan the QR codes around the Zoo to uncover fun facts about our striped animals’ unique patterns and enter for a chance to win an annual Zoo Membership and a behind-the-scenes animal experience for the whole family.

Thanks to Keebler for bringing the magic (and Spookie Fudge Stripes cookies samples, while supplies last)! 👻

No fudge stripes cookies were fed to animals and Fudge Stripes cookies should never be fed to animals. Shout out to our Animal Nutrition Team for making these incredible lookalikes!


NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of 50 United States and D.C., 18+. Ends 10/31/25. Void in PR & where prohibited. See keeblerspookiesweeps.com for official rules.

🐍 MYTH: You can tell a rattlesnake’s age by counting its rattle segments.✅ FACT: Rattlesnakes get a new segment each tim...
10/28/2025

🐍 MYTH: You can tell a rattlesnake’s age by counting its rattle segments.
✅ FACT: Rattlesnakes get a new segment each time they shed, and that can happen several times a year. Rattles also break off, like our 25-year-old Eastern diamondback, Happy, who only has seven segments!

Reptiles are often misunderstood, but learning the truth about them helps us see just how vital they are to our ecosystems. By breaking down myths, we can replace fear with respect and protect the species that keep nature in balance. 🌿

Sleeping through the bye week like…😴
10/27/2025

Sleeping through the bye week like…😴

10/23/2025

Frightfully fun flavors await at Spooktacular! 🎃🧁
 
From eerie cupcakes to savory bites, there’s something wickedly delicious for everyone to enjoy (available for purchase.)
 
Don’t miss your final two weekends of Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, October 23–26 and 30–31! 🌙

When the temperature drops below 90 in Florida, we take any excuse for sweater weather.🧣🥶
10/22/2025

When the temperature drops below 90 in Florida, we take any excuse for sweater weather.🧣🥶

Join us for a Native Plant Celebration Day and discover how native species help our environment thrive! 🌸🌿 🌱 Explore boo...
10/21/2025

Join us for a Native Plant Celebration Day and discover how native species help our environment thrive! 🌸🌿

🌱 Explore booths from Alachua Conservation Trust, Florida Friendly Landscaping and the Florida Native Plant Society to learn about prescribed burns, sustainable gardening and more.

Enjoy hands-on fun for all ages:
🧩 Plant-themed word search
🐝 Build your own pollinator-friendly lawn
🌱 Germination Station
📱 Scan QR codes for local nurseries + plant ID apps
🌳 Tree giveaways and native plant pins!

📅 When: October 24 | 🕙 Time: 10 AM–2 PM

Let’s grow together, naturally. 💚

10/20/2025

Feeling the Monday rush? Slow down and snack with Chata. 🦥💚
 
Celebrate with 20 seconds of slow-motion snacking bliss (featuring her favorite green beans, of course!).
 
Beyond our Zoo, we’re helping protect sloths in the wild through The Sloth Conservation Project in Costa Rica. This initiative installs canopy crossings that reconnect fragmented forests, keeping sloths safely off the ground and out of harm’s way while strengthening the ecosystems they call home.🌿
 
You can also visit our very own Sloth Crossing right here at the Zoo to see Chata and Ruth and learn more about how you’re helping protect sloths near and far. 💚

10/19/2025

Spookie fun is in full swing! 🍪✨ This October, join the Keebler Find the Stripes Scavenger Hunt, FREE with Zoo admission.

🦓 Snap a picture with Ernie the Elf, and spot the stripes and unlock fudge-filled surprises along the way by scanning the QR codes on scavenger hunt signs throughout the Zoo. Complete the hunt for a chance to win a Zoo Membership and a behind-the-scenes animal experience!

Plus, a big thanks to for adding extra sweetness to Spooktacular! Enjoy Original Fudge Stripes handouts (while supplies last), the perfect treat for a frightfully fun night at the Zoo. 👻



NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of 50 United States and D.C., 18+. Ends 10/31/25. Void in PR & where prohibited. See keeblerspookiesweeps.com for official rules.

It’s time for Round 2 of Spooky Science: X-Ray Files! 👀💀Okay, we know this one’s clearly a snake… 🐍 but can you figure o...
10/17/2025

It’s time for Round 2 of Spooky Science: X-Ray Files! 👀💀

Okay, we know this one’s clearly a snake… 🐍 but can you figure out which species? Take a close look! Do you notice any clues in the shape, size or scales that might give it away? Drop your guesses below, and we’ll slither back later with the answer!

Kids are free this November! In partnership with Visit Jacksonville, admission is free for up to 5 children (under 12) p...
10/16/2025

Kids are free this November! In partnership with Visit Jacksonville, admission is free for up to 5 children (under 12) per paid adult all month long during Kids Free November ❤️

Address

370 Zoo Parkway
Jacksonville, FL
32218

Telephone

+19047574463

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Our Story

Escape to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. Discover the earth’s wildlife through interactive and educational experiences. A true family adventure, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is growing and changing daily and is dedicated to consistently improving. Two of our newest exhibits, Land of the Tiger and African Forest, have built in choices, challenges, and variation for our animals. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is quickly becoming a world-class establishment. The Zoo has something for everyone with more than 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 varieties of plants. Whether you are a visitor to Florida’s First Coast or a lifetime resident, we invite you to experience the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens through interactions with people, wildlife and the environment.