easy
15 minutes
No special fitness level required; suitable for all ages and mobility levels.
Get up close with Joe the fennec fox in an exclusive 15-minute private animal encounter at New Braunfels’ Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo. Learn, connect, and create lasting wildlife memories!
15 minutes • All ages
Experience unforgettable moments with your favorite zoo animals in a 15-minute hands-on encounter! Connect with conservation through personal interactions with animal ambassadors like Joe the fennec fox and Tilly the brown lemur, guided by a zookeeper. Create lasting memories while fostering a deeper appreciation for wildlife.
Admission is separate and required to participate in an Animal Encounter
Book an animal encounter for an experience of a lifetime for you and your loved ones!
15 minutes
Our animal encounters are focused on the importance of conservation while encouraging compassion for Mother Earth. Through these hands-on encounters, we strive to make real-world connections for our guests with the use of our animal ambassadors. There is no better way to connect with our residents than getting to spend one on one time with them and their zookeeper. Your appreciation for our natural world is sure to grow as you watch how agile our lemurs are as they scamper around your lap, feel how soft and gentle our resident fennec foxes are, or look in the eyes of one of our baby capybaras as you hand them their favorite treat.
Make memories that will last a lifetime by meeting Joe our fennec fox, Tilly the brown lemur, Enzo the capybara, Waffles the pancake tortoise, and many more!
Animal encounters include a private encounter with a zoo keeper and an animal ambassador of your choosing.
FREE PARKING!
THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS
Can we take photos during the encounter? Absolutely! We encourage all parties to bring a cellphone or camera!
Do we get to hold the animals? That all depends on which animal ambassador is selected! Though all encounters are hands-on opportunities, some animals are comfortable being held while others are not.
How early should we arrive? We ask that you show up 15 minutes early, that way you have plenty of time to park and purchase your admission tickets.
Can my service dog come? Service dogs may come into the Zoo, but they are not permitted to join the animal encounter for the safety of the animal ambassadors.
Private encounters are limited, so reserve your spot in advance to secure your preferred date and time.
Dress comfortably and avoid strong scents that might disturb the animals during the encounter.
Arriving at least 10 minutes early ensures you get a briefing and are ready for the full experience.
For the safety of both guests and animals, always follow the guidance provided by your zookeeper host.
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo has been educating visitors about wildlife in Texas since 1963, emphasizing hands-on experiences.
The zoo actively participates in breeding programs and educates the public on habitat preservation and species conservation.
Ensures safety and comfort while moving around the zoo and during the encounter.
Provides sun protection during sunny days at the zoo.
summer specific
Helpful for hand hygiene before and after interacting with animals.
Capture memorable moments with the animals during your private session.