What does it feel like to pet a sloth, capybara and ring-tailed lemur? Find out at ©Wild Florida.
Some may feel that the drive-through safari experience provides the ultimate animal encounters—and indeed, having a large, free-roaming beast stick its head in your car for snacks is full of fun and laughs. But that’s only where the animal experiences begin at Wild Florida. In addition to its Drive-Thru Safari Park, Wild Florida has a Gator Park, Airboat Tours and a full host of VIP experiences.
Perhaps you’ve had the chance to pet a sloth before, but have you ever held one on your lap? You can in the VIP Sloth Experience, where you can hold a sloth while it enjoys some tasty treats, and perhaps takes a nap. We’re all for sloth snuggles!
You can also feed, pet and play with other cuddly creatures such as African crested porcupines (we hear they love armpit scratches), capybaras and one of the most endangered species on the planet, ring-tailed lemurs.
Experience the thrill of feeding a giraffe at ©Wild Florida.
Next, it’s on to the giraffes. Wild Florida doesn’t stop at merely feeding them—you can use that food to lure them over to paint on a blank canvas for you. Wherever have you gotten the chance to help a giraffe create its artwork? It’s beyond adorable. A portion of the ticket price of this encounter goes directly to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
Afterwards, head over to the Gator Park for the Gator Feeding Encounter, where you can go behind-the-scenes with a trainer to feed dozens of hungry gators. You can even help to train them, in the albino alligator exhibit. Learn how to use verbal cues to act as a trainer and reward these lovely creatures with their favorite snacks as part of a daily enrichment program.
Before you leave, don’t forget to visit Crusher, Wild Florida’s largest gator, who has his own exhibit. A rescue brought to Wild Florida from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee, the highly trained and intelligent gator is a fan and staff favorite, and when you meet him, you’ll discover why. wildfloridairboats.com
