Turtle Back Zoo

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Turtle Back Zoo WEB: turtlebackzoo.com NJ's #1 Zoo! (And a Top 10 Tourist Destination in the Garden State)
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Days away! The holidays are fast approaching and so is the start of Holiday Lights at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. Who ...
18/11/2025

Days away! The holidays are fast approaching and so is the start of Holiday Lights at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. Who are you tagging to join you? 👇

👀 Look who slithered into our Reptile House... Meet Apollo, the reticulated python!
17/11/2025

👀 Look who slithered into our Reptile House... Meet Apollo, the reticulated python!

🎇Species Spotlight Sunday!Meet: LC▶️Northern Caiman Lizard (Dracaena guianensis)▶️IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concer...
16/11/2025

🎇Species Spotlight Sunday!
Meet: LC
▶️Northern Caiman Lizard (Dracaena guianensis)
▶️IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Caiman lizards live in aquatic, terrestrial, and arboreal habitats, and have unique adaptations to help them in these different environments. Their long tail helps propel them in the water, and they have a clear eyelid to protect their eyes when swimming. The green coloring on most of their body helps camouflage them in foliage when on land or in trees. When basking, they will select branches that overhang a body of water so they can drop down and swim away if threatened.

LC embraces the aquatic side of himself. His favorite diet items are clam and shrimp and he spends most of his time relaxing in his pool if he's not napping alongside his yellow-bellied slider friend (pictured here).

15/11/2025

Here's a sneak peek at Holiday Lights set up! Staff have been working hard to bring nights of holiday magic for you and your families to enjoy. Are you joining us for opening weekend November 21 - 23?

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has an exciting Docent program. Docents are specially trained volunteers who give education...
14/11/2025

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has an exciting Docent program. Docents are specially trained volunteers who give educational talks, act as guides, and are stationed throughout the Zoo to provide information to visitors about the Zoo and its animals. Being a TBZ docent is an enriching, rewarding, and social experience. Must be at least 18 years old. Training is only offered once a year. For a full list of requirements and to apply: turtlebackzoo.com/join-our-team/

For additional information, please contact the Zoo’s Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].

Happy International Day of Zoo and Aquarium Educators! If you've ever done a class or birthday party or other program wi...
13/11/2025

Happy International Day of Zoo and Aquarium Educators! If you've ever done a class or birthday party or other program with us here at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, then chances are you've met our dedicated team. So, instead of learning about our animal ambassadors, today let's learn about our educators!
Check our stories for current programs that still have some availability 🌱

📸: Katie with Rizzo the Northern White-faced Owl, Jared with Blintz the Pancake Tortoise, Shannyn with Rizzo, Crystal with Jim the Black-breasted Leaf Turtle, Some of the Education team, Shawn with Dash the Diamondback Terrapin

13/11/2025

Bring your team outside the office and make a difference! 🌎
With Zoo Team Go, corporate volunteer groups tackle real conservation projects at the Zoo—improving habitats, cleaning waterways, and supporting the work of Essex County Turtle Back Zoo.

Perfect for team building, employee engagement, and community impact.
💪 Teams of 30–200 welcome!
🏡 Indoor activities available!

Learn how your company can join the mission: www.zoologicalsocietyofnj.org/volunteer

12/11/2025

✨ Members Only Holiday Lights Event ✨
📅 Thursday, November 20 | 5PM–8PM

Take an evening stroll through dazzling light displays, enjoy festive photo ops, and celebrate the season with friends and family! 🌟

🍔 Grab a bite from Big John's Gourmet Burgers or warm up with Drive-In Cones and Coffee ($)
🎶 Dance to our Live DJ at the amphitheater
🔥 Roast s’mores and sip hot chocolate outside the Savanna Café ($)
🎅 Snap a pic with Santa or get your face painted by Dee ($)

🐢 Visit the Touch Tank, Reptile House, and Farm to see a few animals!
❄️ Igloo rentals available for a cozy night under the lights. ($)

👉 RSVP now: www.zoologicalsocietyofnj.org/events/lights25

Leaping lemurs, who's that? Kato and Kellan, two of our new ring-tailed lemurs, are currently on view at our Animal Well...
12/11/2025

Leaping lemurs, who's that? Kato and Kellan, two of our new ring-tailed lemurs, are currently on view at our Animal Wellness Center!

🔥 Warm up your Holiday Lights evening with a private Igloo Rental. Rent for 4 hours from 5pm – 9pm. Holds 8 – 10 guests....
11/11/2025

🔥 Warm up your Holiday Lights evening with a private Igloo Rental.
Rent for 4 hours from 5pm – 9pm. Holds 8 – 10 guests.
▪ Heated
▪ Decorative Lighting
▪ Soft Seating with Tables
▪ Lighted Necklaces
▪ Hot Chocolate
▪ S’Mores
▪ Chocolate Chip Cookies
Reservations are limited and booking fast. Contact [email protected] or #862-930-7679 to book today!

10/11/2025

🌍 Protect What’s Wild – in your backyard and around the world!

Every year, countless species face extinction. But with action — and your help — there’s hope.
Your gift to the Zoological Society of New Jersey and the Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund supports real, science-driven conservation work at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and in the wild.

💚 Join us in fighting for biodiversity before it’s too late.
🎁 First-time gifts of $200 or more receive a special thank-you gift!

🔗 https://bit.ly/4o9gWCV

🎇Species Spotlight Sunday!Meet: Demarcus and Makena▶️Lion (Panthera leo)▶️IUCN Conservation Status: VulnerableDemarcus a...
09/11/2025

🎇Species Spotlight Sunday!
Meet: Demarcus and Makena
▶️Lion (Panthera leo)
▶️IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Demarcus and Makena were introduced to each other earlier this year and enjoy each other's company very much! Demarcus is a bit shier when it comes to additions to his enclosure and prefers his familiar favorite enrichment items: cardboard boxes, a big blue barrel, and mint. Makena is very energetic and playful, and she also loves cardboard boxes!

Address

NJ

Opening Hours

Monday 10:00 - 15:00
Tuesday 10:00 - 15:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00
Thursday 10:00 - 15:00
Friday 10:00 - 16:00
Saturday 10:00 - 16:00
Sunday 10:00 - 15:00

Telephone

+19737315800

Website

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