It was my second week in Florida, but I couldn’t really go out much to see places yet. My fiancé, now my hubby, and I were busy preparing things for our upcoming civil wedding at that time so most of our days were spent either staying at home or going to the county clerk’s office handling our paperwork. I was still adjusting to life in Florida having just moved here from Dubai – UAE to be with him and for us to build our own family here. Then one day he decided that we would go to Brevard Zoo located in Melbourne, Florida. I was thrilled because as far as I can remember I had never been to any zoo before.
My husband bought our Brevard Zoo Tickets online for our Brevard Zoo adventure on 17th November 2024. It was Sunday, and the zoo was not crowded until later in the afternoon. We arrived early which gave us the chance to explore some of Brevard Zoo attractions by ourselves before it got busy. Anyone can visit Brevard Zoo any day of the week from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
| General Admission Tickets | |
| Adult ages 12 to 64 | $ 32.95 |
| Senior ages 65+ | $ 27.95 |
| Child ages 3-11 | $ 21.95 |
For up-to-date information on the admission tickets and offers, visit the Brevard Zoo website.
When we went to the zoo, I half-expected to meet some of my “kabayan”. Kabayan is the term we used for our fellow Filipino citizen whenever we go around the world, but I did not meet one. As we wandered through the zoo, I was amazed to see animals that I had only seen on television, online or in books when I was younger. This wildlife experience in Florida truly stood out to me, and I cannot forget this experience. I feel like I was that little kid again wishing and hoping to see Giraffe in real life. Those long necks are such a wow and intriguing. Feeding them is one of the most fun Family activities in Florida and it is something everyone can enjoy.
Brevard zoo is one of Florida nature parks and witnessing its beauty and the people behind it is truly incredible. Being able to manage to bring together a diverse range of animals from the strange and unique to gentle, aggressive, cute, friendly, some poisonous and dangerous is amazing. I could not help but wonder how they made Florida animal encounters so entertaining and fun. It is definitely worth the visit and stands out as one of the best things to do in Brevard County. What is even more impressive is that the zoo did an amazing job of wildlife conservation in Florida. It is providing a safe haven for different kinds of animals and species most specially to those endangered ones.
Here are some photos of both common and rare animals from our adventure at the Brevard Zoo.
Table of contents
ARAPAIMA NAPO
Watching the Arapaima Napo gracefully swim beneath the water, it may seem harmless to the smaller fish around it. However, given its massive size, it could pose a threat, particularly to smaller species. The Arapaima is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world.
GIRAFFE
Seeing a real giraffe has been a dream of mine since childhood, and getting up close to one was truly unbelievable. I was captivated by their stunningly beautiful eyes.
RHINOS
When I first saw these rhinos, I told my husband that they look so sluggish and slow, but he told me that rhinos can run fast despite their size. I certainly wouldn’t want to be chased by one, though!
RED RUFFED LEMUR
This Lemur is so playful and seems to be enjoying being alone. I am trying to recall if we have this one in the Philippines. It looks familiar to me.
OKAPI
The Okapi looks truly majestic. Its unique features, colors, and the stripes on its body transport me to an enchanted world. It’s also so peaceful to watch.
NORTH SULAWESI BABIRUSA
The Babirusa resembles a native pig or wild boar from the Philippines. I almost shouted when I saw it, as it felt so familiar, like being back in the Philippines.
MADAGASCAR HISSING COCKROACH
The Madagascar hissing cockroaches were incredibly loud, and they were nested in an area that resembled a cave. As we searched for the source of the sound, I got goosebumps when I saw these large cockroaches. If you have a fear of cockroaches, it’s best to skip this exhibit. 🙂
KOMODO DRAGON
The Komodo dragon resembles the monitor lizards found in the Philippines. We used to see many of them in the forest, and I remember they would eat coconuts. I wonder if the Komodo dragon would eat the same.
THE ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE
I initially thought the alligator snapping turtle was not alive because it remained completely still the entire time we were watching. Its mouth was wide open, but when we looked closer its tongue had a worm-like appearance which resembled something alive, we realized it was real. We came to know that the turtle remains still for hours and hours only wiggling its tongue inside the mouth to mimic a small worm which catches the attention of fishes and capture them.
Want to know more about the mighty Alligator Snapping Turtle? We wrote a blog post about it.
KANGAROO
Kangaroos are so cute yet a bit strange to me. Their bodies resemble that of a human, with well-defined muscles and biceps. We were supposed to feed them, but we arrived early, and the free feeding time didn’t start until 11:00 AM. However, there is an option to buy Kangaroo food which allows people to enter earlier.
FLAMINGO
The first thing I noticed about the flamingos was their beautiful pinkish color and the large group they were in—truly impressive! They moved peacefully and slowly around their area, appearing quite sociable, as they weren’t distracted by the people around them.
FISHES
We saw fishponds filled with fish all around the Zoo. I jokingly told my husband that it looked like a great spot for fishing, as the fish resembled tilapia – a popular fish in Filipino dishes. 🙂
GOLDEN-HEADED LION TAMARIN
These creatures are much smaller than monkeys. True to their name, golden-like strands of fur adorn their heads. Their hair is also thicker than monkeys’ hair, and they have shorter tails as well.
DINGO
At first glance, I thought these dogs were askals, the Filipino term for “Asong Kalye,” meaning “street dog” in English. People commonly see Askals roaming the streets; people also raise them as pets in the Philippines. However, after observing the dingo, I realized that it likely wouldn’t be suitable to raise one as a pet.
BOBCAT
Just looking at this bobcat’s distinct appearance, I couldn’t help but feel a bit frightened. It was simply chilling in its spot, yet its intense presence made me instinctively want to back away.
BIRDS
The zoo is home to a variety of birds, including eagles, parrots, and owls, to name a few. The parrots were especially entertaining, talking and saying “Hi.” However, as soon as we approached, it stopped talking and simply stood there, doing nothing. It was amusing how shy it suddenly became!
BEAR
The bear was initially cautious and seemed to avoid people, but eventually, it approached, eyeing us as if it were enjoying the visit. It was my first time seeing a bear up close, and I felt surprised by how cute and fluffy it looked—almost like a giant stuffed toy.
LION
The highlight of the zoo visit was definitely the Lion. It was my first time seeing a real lion up close, and while it looked incredibly aggressive, I couldn’t help but felt in awe of its presence. Even though it was behind tall fences, the lion showed a sense of dominance, maintaining an air of authority as if it were still the king of the entire place. There are three lions in Brevard Zoo namely, Chobe, Karoo and Ruaha.
I had an amazing time and felt in awe the entire time we walked around the zoo. I still can’t believe I had such close encounters with these incredible animals. Maybe we could explore other Florida zoos also. It was fascinating to see so many unique creatures in one place, many of which come from other countries. I highly recommend visiting the Brevard Zoo—I’m sure everyone will have a fantastic time. It’s also a great spot for bonding, whether you’re with friends, a partner, or family.
