Experience
The Must Do Zoo

Experience the Must Do Zoo

Behind the Scenes Tours

Make your next Zoo visit the most wild one ever and add a behind the scenes tour to your day*. During this unforgettable adventure you will see the Zoo from a keeper’s perspective and learn how we care for your favorite animals!

Please review our policies and pricing below prior to reserving a tour.

Questions? Please contact the Zoo’s education department at education@toledozoo.org

*Additional fee applies – not included with Zoo admission

Pricing varies by tour, select reserve to see specific pricing

Toledo Zoo Behind the Scenes Tours Gift Certificates

Behind the scenes tour gift certificates now available for 2022 tours. Gift certificates offer a tour for 6 participants for the cost of 4 participants. Tour restrictions and policies still apply.

Reef Tank and Aquarium

Tour the Zoo’s historic Aquarium including a unique view of our 90,000 gallon reef tank.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Mon, Fri
Times: 9:30 a.m.

Penguin

Meet and greet our tuxedoed penguin colony on a guided tour of Penguin Beach.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Mon, Wed, Sat
Times: 2 p.m.

Octopus

Tour the Toledo Zoo's historic Aquarium, and participate in a before hours encounter with our Giant Pacific Octopus. Afterwards, go behind the scenes for a unique view of our 90,000 gallon reef tank.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Wed, Sat
Times: 9:30 a.m.

Ostrich Feed

Get eye to eye with the largest bird in the world as you offer them an afternoon snack.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Days offered: Thu, Sat
Times: 1:30 p.m.

Tortoise Encounter

Meet our adult Galapagos tortoise, Emerson, in his exhibit and participate in feeding of other species of small tortoises.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Days offered: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
Times: 11:30 a.m.

Stingray Feed and Reef Tank

Feed our stingrays at our touch tank then go behind the scenes for a unique view of our 90,000 gallon reef tank.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Sun, Thu
Times: 9:30 a.m.

Rhino

Meet our Indian rhino and learn about his excellent care from his keepers.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 8 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Mon, Sat
Times: 1:15 p.m.

Elephant

Tour the facility that houses our African elephants and learn about care practices. You will get an insight into our elephants favorite snacks and enrichment all while being guided by a zookeeper who cares for these giants every day.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 8 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Sun, Fri
Times: 1:15 p.m.

Tasmanian Devil

Learn about our conservation efforts to protect these animals while getting a special look at their daily care.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Days offered: Fri
Times: 1:30 p.m

Cheetah Encounter

Go behind-the-scenes for your very own guided tour of our cheetah facility, where you will meet our three brothers and watch an enrichment feeding.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Days offered: Fri, Sun
Times: 2 p.m.

Nature’s Neighborhood Animal Encounter

Meet animals from our ambassador animal collection up close.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: All ages
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Daily
Times: 3:30 p.m.

Red Panda

Meet our three red pandas and explore their Primate Forest outdoor exhibits

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Fri, Sun
Times: 9:30 a.m.

Reptile House

Take a tour of our historic Reptile House to discover how we care for these amazing animals.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Sun, Thu
Times: 11:30 a.m.

Cassowary Feed

This special encounter allows you to get up close to the Zoo's cassowary and participate in a feed experience.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Days offered: Wed, Sat
Times: 2:30 p.m.