Stuff to leave at home:
Rollerskates, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, bicycles, radios, speakers, balloons, and pets are not allowed in the zoo. Call ahead about service dogs at 916-808-5888.

Give your lungs a rest.
Smoking and vaping are prohibited all over the zoo.

Is there food at the Sacramento Zoo?
Yes! Food can be purchased at Kampala Café and the Cones booth.

Young children can enjoy more than just the animals.
Ride the train and Conservation Carousel or climb the Kilimanjaro Climb rock wall for an extra fee. The playground is also a favorite of our youngest visitors.

Souvenirs to take home!
Don’t forget to stop by the Zoofari Market during your visit to pick up unique gifts!

Please do not feed the animals.
Our animals have specific diets and nutritional needs and we request that you please not feed them. Because some animals are under strict diets for medical reasons, it is vitally important that this policy is followed.

Animals do not like to be teased!
For the welfare of our animals, we ask you not to tease, whistle or yell at the animals at the zoo. Please do not throw food or any other items into the animal exhibits.

You can’t lose, even if they snooze.
Especially on warm afternoons, many of our animals like to nap. Wait for several minutes or check out our indoor Reptile House.

Want to see animals up-close?
Glass exhibits offer great views – check out the Reptile House, chimpanzee exhibit, African lion, capybara, North American river otter, and meerkat exhibits. For the animals’ safety please do not touch the glass!

Look sharp and be patient.
In winter, look for animals warming up in sunny areas. During hot weather, check out the shady spots in an exhibit – the animals will probably be there. Be patient and look carefully at all areas of the animal exhibit. The animals you are looking for might be concealed by trees, sitting in the shade of a cave or even right in front of you, camouflaged!

Non-commercial photography for personal use is allowed in public areas, but you must stay safely behind any barriers and remain in the public areas at all times.

Commercial photography and filming requests must go through the Public Relations Department.

• The Reptile House was built in the shape of a snake and opened in 1970.
• The Sacramento Zoo began as the William Land Park Zoo in March 1927. It consisted of approximately 40 animals housed on four acres of land.
• In 1942, the zoo budget was $150 for one year! In 2021, the zoo budget was more than $7 million for one year.
• The Sacramento Zoological Society was formed in 1956 to encourage educational opportunities and fundraise for zoo expansion.
• Approximately 50,000 school children visit the Sacramento Zoo annually.
• The Sacramento Zoo exhibits almost 400 animals representing over 100 species featuring carnivores, birds, reptiles, ungulates, primates and more.
• The total yearly animal food budget is over $150,000—almost $50,000 is spent on fruits and vegetables which are delivered twice a week.
• Herkimer, the desert tortoise is the oldest resident at the Sacramento Zoo – he was born the same year that the zoo opened.

• The pink color of flamingos comes from the food they eat.
• Cheetah males, usually two or three brothers from the same litter, will often form groups called coalitions.
• Chimpanzees are one of the few non-humans that use tools. Chimps use sticks to draw termites out of termite mounds and use rocks and branches to crack palm nuts.
• The giraffe has the same number of vertebrae in their neck as a human – seven!
• Giraffes give birth standing up! That’s a 6-foot drop for the baby.
• A full-grown orangutan has the strength of eight men.
• Kangaroos are the best jumpers of all mammals and can jump over 30 feet in one hop, 6 feet high, with a speed up to 40 mph.
• No two zebras look alike. Each has a different stripe pattern.
• Gibbon pairs vocalize together, called “duetting”. These songs help bond the pair as well as advertise their location to other gibbons.
• Dart frogs come in a range of bright colors. These bright patterns tell potential predators, “I’m toxic. Don’t eat me.”
• Ruffed lemurs are the only primates that make nests for their infants instead of carrying them.

• The first female zookeeper was hired in 1975 at the Sacramento Zoo. Today, over 65% of keeper staff are female.
• In 1975, Sacramento Zoological Society membership was 260. Today, there are around 11,000 member households
• The Sacramento Zoo covered 11 acres in 1975 and covers 14.4 acres today.
• Total front gate revenue for the zoo in 1975 was $87,903. Total gate receipts in 2021 were $6,195,728!
• Total zoo attendance in 1975 was 414,119. Total zoo attendance in 2016 was 532,322.