Petting zoo

"Little Kids" Children's Zoo, St. Louis Zoo

Petting zoo of wild and posibly dangerous animals such as Python reticulatus should be supervised by keeper, such as in Reptile Park Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta

A petting zoo (often called, and/or part of, a "children's zoo") features a combination of domestic animals and some wild species that are docile enough to touch and feed. In addition to independent petting zoos, also called children's farms or petting farms, many general zoos contain a petting zoo. Some petting zoos can be found in city parks, and some petting zoos are also mobile and will travel to a home for a children's party or event. Many areas have a qualified mobile petting zoo.

Most of pettings zoo are usually profides only domesticated animals such as sheeps, rabbits or ponies, however some wild species such as python or leopard cub may also available in certain petting zoo. Since wild animals are potentially dangerous to human although already fed or tamed, the visitors and the animals should always be supervised by its keeper.

History

In 1938, the London Zoo included the first children's zoo in Europe and the Philadelphia Zoo was the first in North America to open a special zoo just for children.

Animals and food

A pygmy goat being fed crackers at the Akron Zoo

Petting zoos feature a variety of domestic animals. Common animals include sheep, guinea pigs, goats, rabbits, miniature horses, camels, llamas, pigs, miniature donkeys, and other domestic animals and also wallabies.

Petting zoos are extremely popular with small children, who will often feed the animals. In order to ensure the animals' health, the food is supplied by the zoo, either from vending machines or a kiosk nearby. Food often fed to animals includes grass and crackers, and also in selected feeding areas hay is a common food.