What is the minimum age to participate?

Participants must be at least 8 years old; children under 8 cannot join the encounter.

How long is the encounter?

The guided part lasts about 15–20 minutes; plan for roughly 30 minutes total including check-in.

Can I touch the anteater?

Handling rules vary by session; the program prioritizes observation and staff-led contact only when appropriate for the animal’s welfare.

Yes, photography is usually permitted but flash is discouraged—always follow the keeper’s instructions.

How many people can join a session?

Each session is limited to a maximum of two guests to keep the experience intimate and low-stress for the animal.

Is the encounter suitable for people with mobility needs?

Accessibility details are available through the booking page; contact staff ahead of time to discuss accommodations.

Up-Close Giant Anteater Encounter in Grove City, PA — 15

Adventure Brief

Meet a gentle giant with a tubular snout and sticky tongue during a 15–20 minute, small-group session in Grove City, PA. The Giant Anteater Encounter is an educational, up-close experience limited to two guests per booking—ideal for families with older kids and wildlife-minded travelers.

15–30 minutes (experience plus check-in)

easy

From $26.50

On the outskirts of Grove City, Pennsylvania, the Giant Anteater Encounter offers a rare, low-key wildlife moment that feels both intimate and educational. This short, supervised experience—open to participants ages 8 and up and lasting approximately 15–20 minutes—welcomes no more than two guests per session, so you trade the bustle of a crowded zoo for a near-private lesson in anteater biology and behavior.

These animals, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, are unmistakable: a long tube-like snout, a tongue that flicks out to scoop ants and termites, and heavy, curved foreclaws built for prying apart insect nests. At this Grove City attraction, the encounter centers on those distinctive adaptations. You’ll meet an adult giant anteater in a secure viewing or small handling area and watch trained staff demonstrate feeding and enrichment, explain skull and digestive adaptations, and let the two-guest group observe the animal’s deliberate movements and massive tail. The layout emphasizes observation over handling—safe for both people and animal—and the limited group size gives space to ask questions and study details at close range.

Part of what makes this opportunity stand out in western Pennsylvania’s outdoor scene is the contrast: after a day of hiking local state parks, it’s rare to come across a tropical specialist like the anteater and learn directly from a keeper. The program is compact enough to fit into a road-trip schedule yet substantive enough to deepen your sense of species diversity and conservation urgency. Giant anteaters are listed as Vulnerable in the wild; talks during the encounter cover habitat loss, diet specialization, and how captive programs can support public education.

Practicalities are straightforward. Book in advance—sessions cap at two guests and age minimums apply. Plan for roughly thirty minutes total including check-in, and leave bulky backpacks behind; neutral clothing and quiet voices make for the best experience. Flash photography is usually discouraged; ask staff for permissions. Accessibility and specific accommodation information is available through the booking link.

Families with older children, naturalists chasing unusual mammals, and travelers who prefer short, information-dense activities will find this encounter especially rewarding. It’s not a full zoo tour but a concentrated education session that privileges slow observation, tactile curiosity, and close learning. For anyone passing through Grove City, the Giant Anteater Encounter is a memorable detour: a small, deliberate brush with a species whose oddness reveals deeper stories about adaptation and survival.

If you’re planning a visit, reserve your spot through the provider’s booking page and factor this as a short stop between outdoor activities. Staff often share recommendations for nearby trails and family-friendly picnic areas, so combine the encounter with a longer day outside. Small-group wildlife learning like this can reshape how you look at familiar landscapes on subsequent hikes. Enjoy.

About Keystone Safari

Keystone Safari in Grove City, Pennsylvania, operates a 144-acre interactive animal park dedicated to wildlife encounters, conservation education, and family-friendly activities. Visitors can drive through and walk through exhibits that showcase rare and international species, including Barbary Lions and Reticulated Giraffes. Ranked as the 6th best safari park in the nation, Keystone Safari combines large habitat displays with hands-on opportunities such as a feed wristband that allows guests to safely feed select animals.

The park offers a Walk-Thru Admission that highlights the property’s diverse habitats and species, and it provides curated experiences for closer animal interactions. The African Penguin Feeding Experience pairs guests with animal care staff to feed and learn about African Penguins, with keeper commentary on behavior, diet, and conservation needs. The Two-Toed Sloth Encounter is a behind-the-scenes opportunity for visitors aged eight and up to meet, handle, and feed Linnaeus's Two-Toed Sloths under staff supervision.

Animal care staff lead educational presentations and supervised encounters designed to prioritize animal welfare and guest safety. Tickets and specific experience availability vary by season and are subject to capacity limits. Keystone Safari operates on its 144 acres to provide structured, immersive encounters and interpretive information that support memorable visits and respectful interactions with wildlife. The park’s combination of drive-through, walk-through, and specialty encounters makes it a notable destination for families, educators, and visitors seeking up-close animal experiences in western Pennsylvania. Advance reservations are recommended for specialty experiences; tickets and feed wristbands may be purchased online or directly at the park entrance.