Your Cast of Animals
requesting Animals for your event
Animal requests can be submitted for your event to help tailor the presentation to your group.
Requests must be submitted at least one week prior to your scheduled show. Based on your selected package, you may choose the number of animals allowed and send your list to us at info@zootoyou.ca.
While we do our best to accommodate requests, they are not guaranteed. Our presentations are carefully planned to ensure a well-balanced, safe, and engaging experience for all audiences.
Please note: Animal requests are not available for the 16-animal package, as this option is designed to provide a full variety of species.
Interaction & experience Level
Each animal listing includes an interaction level so you know what to expect. Some animals are more hands-on than others.
Surprise List
Prefer not to submit requests? We can select a well-balanced variety of animals that best suits your group and presentation style.
comfort & considerations
If any participants have a strong fear of certain animals, please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Our goal is to create a positive and comfortable experience for everyone. While we always respect individual comfort levels, we also find that many children benefit from safe, guided exposure to animals they may initially feel unsure about. This often helps build confidence, understanding, and respect.
In some cases, limiting certain animals due to adult concerns can reduce opportunities for children to have these positive experiences. For this reason, we encourage open-minded participation, while always ensuring that no one is ever required to interact beyond their comfort level.
Alligator or Caiman (crocodilian)
Alligators and caimans are powerful reptiles found in parts of North and South America. Depending on the species, they can grow anywhere from around 3 feet to over 10–14 feet long, though the crocodilians we bring are typically baby to juvenile (about 1-4 feet long).
They’re ambush predators, using patience and quick bursts of speed, and their strong tails help them glide through the water with ease.
Fun Fact: Alligators and caimans can go through thousands of teeth in their lifetime, when one falls out, another grows in behind it!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to learn about crocodilian behaviour, adaptations, and the important role these animals play in their ecosystems, plus a very memorable photo moment!
Sugar Glider
Sugar gliders are small marsupials from Australia, known for their ability to glide through the air like flying squirrels. They have a special membrane of skin that stretches from their front legs to their back legs, allowing them to glide from tree to tree. They are very social animals and use a variety of sounds and scents to communicate with each other.
Fun Fact: Sugar gliders can glide distances of up to 150 feet in the wild!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to learn about nocturnal animals, gliding adaptations, and social behaviour, a very unique and memorable experience for guests.
Burmese Python
Burmese pythons are one of the largest snakes in the world, known for their impressive size and strength. They can grow anywhere from around 10 to over 18 feet long, though the ones we bring are much smaller and easier to handle.
They are non-venomous constrictors, meaning they use their powerful bodies to gently squeeze their prey rather than using venom.
Fun Fact: Burmese pythons can stretch their jaws incredibly wide, allowing them to swallow prey much larger than their head!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A unique opportunity to safely experience a large snake up close while learning about constrictors, muscle strength, and how these impressive reptiles survive in the wild, they are always a guest favourite!
Pueblan Milk Snake
Pueblan milk snakes are brightly coloured snakes from Mexico with bold red, black, and cream bands that make them look a lot like the famously venomous coral snake. Don’t worry though, they’re completely harmless! These snakes use their colours as a clever trick to scare away predators in the wild.
Fun Fact: There’s a rhyme people use to tell them apart from coral snakes: “Red on black, friend of Jack; red on yellow, kill a fellow!” (Milk snakes follow the safe pattern!)
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive, best suited for calmer handling, great for older age groups, a fun and eye-catching snake, great photo opportunities.
Tarantula
Tarantulas are large, ground-dwelling spiders found in many parts of the world. Despite their intimidating appearance, most species are calm, gentle, and slow-moving, making them a great introduction to the world of arachnids.
They have eight legs and eight eyes, and use tiny sensory hairs on their bodies to detect movement and vibrations around them.
Fun Fact: Tarantulas don’t use webs to catch their food, they are active hunters that rely on patience and quick movement!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to safely experience a spider up close while learning about arachnids, behaviour, and how these misunderstood animals play an important role in the ecosystem. They are often a surprising crowd favourite!
Chinchilla
Chinchillas are small mammals from the Andes Mountains in South America, known for having some of the softest fur in the animal kingdom. Their incredibly dense fur helps keep them warm in cold mountain climates.
Instead of water, chinchillas take special dust baths to keep their fur clean and healthy.
Fun Fact: A chinchilla can have up to 60 hairs growing from a single hair follicle and that’s what makes their fur so unbelievably thick and soft!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity to gently interact with one of the softest animals in the world while learning about adaptations and care. Always a crowd favourite!
Crested or gargoyle Gecko
Crested and gargoyle geckos are small, tree-dwelling lizards from New Caledonia. They are excellent climbers, using tiny hair-like structures on their feet to grip surfaces, even smooth glass!
They can make short leaps from branch to branch and use their tails for balance, helping them move easily through their environment.
Fun Fact: These geckos don’t have eyelids. Instead, they use their tongues to lick and clean their eyes!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity to observe climbing adaptations up close and gently interact with these unique lizards. Always a fun and memorable experience for guests.
Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are friendly, desert-dwelling lizards from Australia, known for their calm nature and curious personalities. They get their name from the “beard” under their chin, which they can puff out as a form of communication.
They are often very relaxed and comfortable around people, making them one of the most popular reptiles for hands-on experiences.
Fun Fact: Bearded dragons bob their heads and can wave one of their arms in a slow, circular motion, which is a behaviour used to communicate with other dragons!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity for hands-on interaction while learning about reptile behaviour, desert adaptations, and diet, with the possibility of helping feed them during the presentation. A consistent crowd favourite!
Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Red-eyed tree frogs are brightly coloured amphibians from the rainforests of Central America. Their vivid green bodies, bright red eyes, and orange feet help them blend into leaves while also startling predators when needed.
They use sticky toe pads to climb and grip onto branches and leaves in their humid rainforest homes.
Fun Fact: Red-eyed tree frogs can jump over 20 times their body length!
Interaction & Experience:
Limited handling. A special opportunity for the birthday child to interact while guests observe up close and learn about rainforest habitats, amphibians, and climbing adaptations. Always a standout for photos and a memorable crowd favourite!
Red-footed Tortoise
Red-footed tortoises are colourful, ground-dwelling reptiles from South America, known for the bright red and orange scales on their legs. They typically grow to around 12–14 inches in length and have a calm, curious, and friendly nature.
Unlike many reptiles, they are omnivores and enjoy a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other foods.
Fun Fact: Red-footed tortoises can recognize people and will often walk over when they see food coming!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity for hands-on interaction while learning about tortoise behaviour, diet, and adaptations, with the possibility of helping feed them during the presentation. A consistent crowd favourite!
Emperor Scorpion
Emperor scorpions are large, dark-coloured arachnids found in the rainforests of Africa. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are generally calm and slow-moving.
They have large pincers for grabbing prey and a curved tail with a stinger used for defence.
Fun Fact: Emperor scorpions glow under ultraviolet (UV) light!
Interaction & Experience:
Limited handling. A great opportunity to observe this fascinating arachnid up close while learning about defence mechanisms, behaviour, and how scorpions survive in the wild. A unique experience that often becomes a surprising crowd favourite for older groups.
African Pygmy Hedgehog
African pygmy hedgehogs are small, nocturnal mammals known for their adorable faces and protective spines. When they feel unsure, they can curl into a tight ball to protect themselves, using their spines as a natural defence.
They rely heavily on their sense of smell and hearing to explore their surroundings.
Fun Fact: Hedgehogs have thousands of tiny spines on their backs, but they’re not sharp like needles and can feel surprisingly gentle when handled properly!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to gently interact with this unique small mammal while learning about nocturnal behaviour and natural defence strategies. A consistent crowd favourite!
Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos are small, ground-dwelling lizards known for their gentle nature and distinctive spotted patterns, similar to a leopard. Unlike many other geckos, they do not have sticky toe pads and instead walk on the ground.
They store fat in their thick tails, which helps them survive during times when food is scarce.
Fun Fact: Leopard geckos can drop their tails to escape predators and then grow them back!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to gently interact with a calm, easy-to-handle reptile while learning about adaptations and survival strategies, A reliable crowd favourite for all ages.
Rabbit
Rabbits are gentle, social mammals known for their soft fur, long ears, and curious personalities. They use their strong back legs for hopping and can move surprisingly quickly when they want to.
They communicate using body language and can even show excitement by doing little jumps and twists called “binkies.”
Fun Fact: Rabbits’ teeth never stop growing, so they need to constantly chew to keep them worn down!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity for gentle, hands-on interaction with one of the most familiar and loved animals. A consistent crowd favourite for all ages.
Box Turtle
Box turtles are small, land-dwelling turtles known for their beautifully patterned shells and their ability to completely close themselves inside for protection. They have a special hinged shell that allows them to “box up” tightly when they feel threatened.
They are often found in forests and grassy areas and are known for their calm, slow-moving nature.
Fun Fact: Box turtles can live for several decades and some have been known to live over 50 years!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to observe and gently interact with a calm reptile while learning about defence mechanisms, habitats, and long lifespans, with the possibility of helping feed them during the presentation.
Ball Python
Ball pythons are calm, gentle snakes known for their unique defence behaviour; when they feel unsure, they curl into a tight ball and tuck their head in the middle to stay protected.
They typically grow to around 3–5 feet long and are one of the most commonly handled snakes due to their relaxed nature.
Fun Fact: Ball pythons get their name from their habit of curling into a perfect little ball when they feel threatened!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity to safely experience a smaller snake up close while learning about reptile behaviour and defence strategies. An excellent choice for younger guests or anyone new to handling snakes, and a consistent crowd favourite.
African Spurred Tortoise
African spurred tortoises (also known as sulcata tortoises) are one of the largest tortoise species in the world. They can grow over 100 pounds and live for many decades, with some reaching over 80–100 years of age.
Native to the dry regions of Africa, they are strong, powerful animals with a surprisingly curious and determined personality.
Fun Fact: These tortoises are excellent diggers and can create large burrows to escape the heat in their natural habitat!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A unique opportunity to experience a large tortoise up close while learning about size, strength, and long lifespans, with the possibility of helping feed them during the presentation. Due to their size, they are typically included in larger events or outdoor setups rather than standard birthday parties.
Corn Snake
Corn snakes are calm, gentle snakes found in North America. They typically grow between 3–6 feet long and are known for their beautiful patterns and colours, which can range from bright orange to reds and browns.
They are non-venomous and use constriction to catch their food, making them a great example of how snakes survive and hunt in the wild.
Fun Fact: Corn snakes get their name from their checkered belly pattern, which looks a bit like kernels of corn!
Interaction & Experience:
Very interactive and one of the best introductions to snakes. A great opportunity to learn about snake behaviour, movement, and how they feel, while helping build confidence and reduce fear. A consistent crowd favourite, especially for those meeting a snake for the first time!
Tegu (Red or Black & White)
Tegus are large, intelligent lizards from South America known for their strong build and curious, dog-like personalities. Depending on the species, they can grow up to 3–5 feet long and use their forked tongue to “taste” the air, just like snakes.
Unlike many reptiles, tegus are highly aware of their surroundings and can become very calm and interactive when handled regularly.
Fun Fact: Tegus are one of the few reptiles known to show signs of problem-solving and recognition. They can learn routines and even recognize their handlers!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately to highly interactive depending on the individual. A unique opportunity to learn about reptile intelligence, behaviour, and how large lizards differ from snakes. Feeding demonstrations may be possible. A fascinating, memorable experience. Limited availability.
House Hippo / Skinny Pig
Nicknamed “house hippos” because of their wrinkly skin and chunky little bodies, skinny pigs are actually a special type of guinea pig with very little fur. Despite their unusual appearance, they are just as friendly, social, and gentle as their furry relatives.
They love warmth, attention, and snacks, and are known for their big personalities in a small body.
Fun Fact: Skinny pigs aren’t completely hairless, they usually have soft fuzz on their noses and feet!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive and incredibly engaging. A great opportunity to talk about animal adaptations, care needs, and how different animals can look very unique but still behave in familiar ways. Feeding opportunities may be available. Always a conversation starter and a crowd favourite!
Ferrets "Duncan & Donut"
Ferrets are playful, energetic mammals known for their curious nature and endless antics. They love to explore, climb, and dart through tunnels, often turning everything into a game.
With their long, flexible bodies and big personalities, ferrets are always on the move and full of surprises.
Fun Fact: Ferrets do a happy dance called the “weasel war dance” when they’re excited. Hopping, twisting, and bouncing all over the place!
Interaction & Experience:
Very interactive and full of energy. A fun and engaging opportunity to watch natural play behaviours as they run through tunnels and explore their environment. Great for all age groups and guaranteed to get laughs. A consistent crowd favourite!
Dwarf Reticulated Python
Dwarf reticulated pythons are a smaller version of the longest snake species in the world. While they don’t reach the extreme sizes of their full-sized relatives, they can still grow impressively long, often becoming the longest snakes in ZooToYou’s collection.
They are beautifully patterned, slender constrictors known for their striking appearance and smooth, flowing movement.
Fun Fact: Reticulated pythons hold the record for the longest snakes on Earth, some can grow over 20–30 feet long in the wild!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive and best suited for older or more adventurous groups. A great opportunity to experience a longer snake and learn about size, strength, and how constrictors move and hunt. An impressive and eye-catching animal that always stands out during presentations!
Blue-tongued Skink
Blue-tongued skinks are calm, easygoing lizards from Australia known for their calm nature and bright blue tongue. When startled, they stick out their tongue as a warning display and the bold colour helps scare off predators in the wild.
They have thick, smooth scales and a relaxed, easygoing personality that makes them very approachable.
Fun Fact: Blue-tongued skinks are omnivores. They eat a mix of plants, insects, and even small animals!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive and very easy to observe up close. A great opportunity to learn about reptile defence behaviours, diet, and adaptations, especially for those who prefer a calmer, slower-paced animal experience. A gentle and engaging crowd favourite.
Uromastyx
Uromastyx are dinosaur-like, desert-dwelling lizards from Africa and the Middle East, known for their chunky bodies and distinctive spiky tails. In the wild, they use their tail like a shield or gentle “club” to protect themselves from predators.
Despite their tough appearance, uromastyx are primarily plant-eaters, feeding mostly on leafy greens, seeds, and flowers.
Fun Fact: Uromastyx are one of the few lizards that are mostly vegetarian. They thrive on a plant-based diet!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive and great to observe up close. A unique opportunity to learn about desert adaptations, herbivorous reptiles, and how animals survive in hot, dry environments. A calm but fascinating addition to any presentation.
Alligator or Caiman
(crocodilian)
Alligators and caimans are powerful reptiles found in parts of North and South America. Depending on the species, they can grow anywhere from around 3 feet to over 10–14 feet long, though the crocodilians we bring are typically baby to juvenile (about 1-4 feet long).
They’re ambush predators, using patience and quick bursts of speed, and their strong tails help them glide through the water with ease.
Fun Fact: Alligators and caimans can go through thousands of teeth in their lifetime, when one falls out, another grows in behind it!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to learn about crocodilian behaviour, adaptations, and the important role these animals play in their ecosystems, plus a very memorable photo moment!
Sugar Glider
Sugar gliders are small marsupials from Australia, known for their ability to glide through the air like flying squirrels. They have a special membrane of skin that stretches from their front legs to their back legs, allowing them to glide from tree to tree.
They are very social animals and use a variety of sounds and scents to communicate with each other.
Fun Fact: Sugar gliders can glide distances of up to 150 feet in the wild!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to learn about nocturnal animals, gliding adaptations, and social behaviour, a very unique and memorable experience for guests.
Burmese Python
Burmese pythons are one of the largest snakes in the world, known for their impressive size and strength. They can grow anywhere from around 10 to over 18 feet long, though the ones we bring are much smaller and easier to handle.
They are non-venomous constrictors, meaning they use their powerful bodies to gently squeeze their prey rather than using venom.
Fun Fact: Burmese pythons can stretch their jaws incredibly wide, allowing them to swallow prey much larger than their head!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A unique opportunity to safely experience a large snake up close while learning about constrictors, muscle strength, and how these impressive reptiles survive in the wild, they are always a guest favourite!
Pueblan milk snakes are brightly coloured snakes from Mexico with bold red, black, and cream bands that make them look a lot like the famously venomous coral snake. Don’t worry though, they’re completely harmless! These snakes use their colours as a clever trick to scare away predators in the wild.
Fun Fact: There’s a rhyme people use to tell them apart from coral snakes: “Red on black, friend of Jack; red on yellow, kill a fellow!” (Milk snakes follow the safe pattern!)
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive, best suited for calmer handling, great for older age groups, a fun and eye-catching snake, great photo opportunities.
Tarantula
Tarantulas are large, ground-dwelling spiders found in many parts of the world. Despite their intimidating appearance, most species are calm, gentle, and slow-moving, making them a great introduction to the world of arachnids.
They have eight legs and eight eyes, and use tiny sensory hairs on their bodies to detect movement and vibrations around them.
Fun Fact: Tarantulas don’t use webs to catch their food, they are active hunters that rely on patience and quick movement!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to safely experience a spider up close while learning about arachnids, behaviour, and how these misunderstood animals play an important role in the ecosystem. They are often a surprising crowd favourite!
Chinchilla
Chinchillas are small mammals from the Andes Mountains in South America, known for having some of the softest fur in the animal kingdom. Their incredibly dense fur helps keep them warm in cold mountain climates.
Instead of water, chinchillas take special dust baths to keep their fur clean and healthy.
Fun Fact: A chinchilla can have up to 60 hairs growing from a single hair follicle and that’s what makes their fur so unbelievably thick and soft!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity to gently interact with one of the softest animals in the world while learning about adaptations and care. Always a crowd favourite!
Crested or gargoyle Gecko
Crested and gargoyle geckos are small, tree-dwelling lizards from New Caledonia. They are excellent climbers, using tiny hair-like structures on their feet to grip surfaces, even smooth glass!
They can make short leaps from branch to branch and use their tails for balance, helping them move easily through their environment.
Fun Fact: These geckos don’t have eyelids. Instead, they use their tongues to lick and clean their eyes!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity to observe climbing adaptations up close and gently interact with these unique lizards. Always a fun and memorable experience for guests.
Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are friendly, desert-dwelling lizards from Australia, known for their calm nature and curious personalities. They get their name from the “beard” under their chin, which they can puff out as a form of communication.
They are often very relaxed and comfortable around people, making them one of the most popular reptiles for hands-on experiences.
Fun Fact: Bearded dragons bob their heads and can wave one of their arms in a slow, circular motion, which is a behaviour used to communicate with other dragons!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity for hands-on interaction while learning about reptile behaviour, desert adaptations, and diet, with the possibility of helping feed them during the presentation. A consistent crowd favourite!
Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Red-eyed tree frogs are brightly coloured amphibians from the rainforests of Central America. Their vivid green bodies, bright red eyes, and orange feet help them blend into leaves while also startling predators when needed.
They use sticky toe pads to climb and grip onto branches and leaves in their humid rainforest homes.
Fun Fact: Red-eyed tree frogs can jump over 20 times their body length!
Interaction & Experience:
Limited handling. A special opportunity for the birthday child to interact while guests observe up close and learn about rainforest habitats, amphibians, and climbing adaptations. Always a standout for photos and a memorable crowd favourite!
Red-footed Tortoise
Red-footed tortoises are colourful, ground-dwelling reptiles from South America, known for the bright red and orange scales on their legs. They typically grow to around 12–14 inches in length and have a calm, curious, and friendly nature.
Unlike many reptiles, they are omnivores and enjoy a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other foods.
Fun Fact: Red-footed tortoises can recognize people and will often walk over when they see food coming!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity for hands-on interaction while learning about tortoise behaviour, diet, and adaptations, with the possibility of helping feed them during the presentation. A consistent crowd favourite!
Emperor Scorpion
Emperor scorpions are large, dark-coloured arachnids found in the rainforests of Africa. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are generally calm and slow-moving.
They have large pincers for grabbing prey and a curved tail with a stinger used for defence.
Fun Fact: Emperor scorpions glow under ultraviolet (UV) light!
Interaction & Experience:
Limited handling. A great opportunity to observe this fascinating arachnid up close while learning about defence mechanisms, behaviour, and how scorpions survive in the wild. A unique experience that often becomes a surprising crowd favourite for older groups.
African Pygmy Hedgehog
African pygmy hedgehogs are small, nocturnal mammals known for their adorable faces and protective spines. When they feel unsure, they can curl into a tight ball to protect themselves, using their spines as a natural defence.
They rely heavily on their sense of smell and hearing to explore their surroundings.
Fun Fact: Hedgehogs have thousands of tiny spines on their backs, but they’re not sharp like needles and can feel surprisingly gentle when handled properly!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to gently interact with this unique small mammal while learning about nocturnal behaviour and natural defence strategies. A consistent crowd favourite!
Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos are small, ground-dwelling lizards known for their gentle nature and distinctive spotted patterns, similar to a leopard. Unlike many other geckos, they do not have sticky toe pads and instead walk on the ground.
They store fat in their thick tails, which helps them survive during times when food is scarce.
Fun Fact: Leopard geckos can drop their tails to escape predators and then grow them back!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to gently interact with a calm, easy-to-handle reptile while learning about adaptations and survival strategies, A reliable crowd favourite for all ages.
Rabbit
Rabbits are gentle, social mammals known for their soft fur, long ears, and curious personalities. They use their strong back legs for hopping and can move surprisingly quickly when they want to.
They communicate using body language and can even show excitement by doing little jumps and twists called “binkies.”
Fun Fact: Rabbits’ teeth never stop growing, so they need to constantly chew to keep them worn down!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity for gentle, hands-on interaction with one of the most familiar and loved animals. A consistent crowd favourite for all ages.
Box Turtle
Box turtles are small, land-dwelling turtles known for their beautifully patterned shells and their ability to completely close themselves inside for protection. They have a special hinged shell that allows them to “box up” tightly when they feel threatened.
They are often found in forests and grassy areas and are known for their calm, slow-moving nature.
Fun Fact: Box turtles can live for several decades and some have been known to live over 50 years!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive. A great opportunity to observe and gently interact with a calm reptile while learning about defence mechanisms, habitats, and long lifespans, with the possibility of helping feed them during the presentation.
Ball Python
Ball pythons are calm, gentle snakes known for their unique defence behaviour; when they feel unsure, they curl into a tight ball and tuck their head in the middle to stay protected.
They typically grow to around 3–5 feet long and are one of the most commonly handled snakes due to their relaxed nature.
Fun Fact: Ball pythons get their name from their habit of curling into a perfect little ball when they feel threatened!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A great opportunity to safely experience a smaller snake up close while learning about reptile behaviour and defence strategies. An excellent choice for younger guests or anyone new to handling snakes, and a consistent crowd favourite.
African Spurred Tortoise
African spurred tortoises (also known as sulcata tortoises) are one of the largest tortoise species in the world. They can grow over 100 pounds and live for many decades, with some reaching over 80–100 years of age.
Native to the dry regions of Africa, they are strong, powerful animals with a surprisingly curious and determined personality.
Fun Fact: These tortoises are excellent diggers and can create large burrows to escape the heat in their natural habitat!
Interaction & Experience:
Highly interactive. A unique opportunity to experience a large tortoise up close while learning about size, strength, and long lifespans, with the possibility of helping feed them during the presentation. Due to their size, they are typically included in larger events or outdoor setups rather than standard birthday parties.
Corn Snake
Corn snakes are calm, gentle snakes found in North America. They typically grow between 3–6 feet long and are known for their beautiful patterns and colours, which can range from bright orange to reds and browns.
They are non-venomous and use constriction to catch their food, making them a great example of how snakes survive and hunt in the wild.
Fun Fact: Corn snakes get their name from their checkered belly pattern, which looks a bit like kernels of corn!
Interaction & Experience:
Very interactive and one of the best introductions to snakes. A great opportunity to learn about snake behaviour, movement, and how they feel, while helping build confidence and reduce fear. A consistent crowd favourite, especially for those meeting a snake for the first time!
Tegu
(Red or Black & white)
Tegus are large, intelligent lizards from South America known for their strong build and curious, dog-like personalities. Depending on the species, they can grow up to 3–5 feet long and use their forked tongue to “taste” the air, just like snakes.
Unlike many reptiles, tegus are highly aware of their surroundings and can become very calm and interactive when handled regularly.
Fun Fact: Tegus are one of the few reptiles known to show signs of problem-solving and recognition. They can learn routines and even recognize their handlers!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately to highly interactive depending on the individual. A unique opportunity to learn about reptile intelligence, behaviour, and how large lizards differ from snakes. Feeding demonstrations may be possible. A fascinating, memorable experience. Limited availability.
House Hippo / Skinny Pig
Nicknamed “house hippos” because of their wrinkly skin and chunky little bodies, skinny pigs are actually a special type of guinea pig with very little fur. Despite their unusual appearance, they are just as friendly, social, and gentle as their furry relatives.
They love warmth, attention, and snacks, and are known for their big personalities in a small body.
Fun Fact: Skinny pigs aren’t completely hairless, they usually have soft fuzz on their noses and feet!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive and incredibly engaging. A great opportunity to talk about animal adaptations, care needs, and how different animals can look very unique but still behave in familiar ways. Feeding opportunities may be available. Always a conversation starter and a crowd favourite!
Ferrets
"Duncan & donut"
Ferrets are playful, energetic mammals known for their curious nature and endless antics. They love to explore, climb, and dart through tunnels, often turning everything into a game.
With their long, flexible bodies and big personalities, ferrets are always on the move and full of surprises.
Fun Fact: Ferrets do a happy dance called the “weasel war dance” when they’re excited. Hopping, twisting, and bouncing all over the place!
Interaction & Experience:
Very interactive and full of energy. A fun and engaging opportunity to watch natural play behaviours as they run through tunnels and explore their environment. Great for all age groups and guaranteed to get laughs. A consistent crowd favourite!
Dwarf Reticulated Python
Dwarf reticulated pythons are a smaller version of the longest snake species in the world. While they don’t reach the extreme sizes of their full-sized relatives, they can still grow impressively long, often becoming the longest snakes in ZooToYou's collection.
They are beautifully patterned, slender constrictors known for their striking appearance and smooth, flowing movement.
Fun Fact: Reticulated pythons hold the record for the longest snakes on Earth, some can grow over 20–30 feet long in the wild!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive and best suited for older or more adventurous groups. A great opportunity to experience a longer snake and learn about size, strength, and how constrictors move and hunt. An impressive and eye-catching animal that always stands out during presentations!
Blue-tongued Skink
Blue-tongued skinks are calm, easygoing lizards from Australia known for their calm nature and bright blue tongue. When startled, they stick out their tongue as a warning display and the bold colour helps scare off predators in the wild.
They have thick, smooth scales and a relaxed, easygoing personality that makes them very approachable.
Fun Fact: Blue-tongued skinks are omnivores. They eat a mix of plants, insects, and even small animals!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive and very easy to observe up close. A great opportunity to learn about reptile defence behaviours, diet, and adaptations, especially for those who prefer a calmer, slower-paced animal experience. A gentle and engaging crowd favourite.
Uromastyx
Uromastyx are dinosaur-like, desert-dwelling lizards from Africa and the Middle East, known for their chunky bodies and distinctive spiky tails. In the wild, they use their tail like a shield or gentle “club” to protect themselves from predators.
Despite their tough appearance, uromastyx are primarily plant-eaters, feeding mostly on leafy greens, seeds, and flowers.
Fun Fact: Uromastyx are one of the few lizards that are mostly vegetarian. They thrive on a plant-based diet!
Interaction & Experience:
Moderately interactive and great to observe up close. A unique opportunity to learn about desert adaptations, herbivorous reptiles, and how animals survive in hot, dry environments. A calm but fascinating addition to any presentation.