definition
strict definition
petting zoo
Related terms: children's zoo
An animal exhibit where visitors may touch and sometimes hold the tame or domesticated animals displayed.
A petting zoo is a special type of exhibit where visitors can pet and sometimes hold the animals on display. The animals are generally very tame or domesticated, and may include rabbits, goats, sheep, rodents, pigs, ponies, and other animals suitable for contact with children.
Visitor contact with the animals is the distinguishing feature. Holding an animal is possible but is not required at every petting exhibit.
The display can include several suitable species. An enclosure viewed only from outside a barrier does not establish the invited touching that defines a petting zoo.
petting zoo Photos
Related definitions
-
aquatic mammal exhibit
A zoo habitat for housing and displaying seals, dolphins, or other aquatic mammals. -
bear exhibit
A zoo enclosure, habitat, or housing facility for keeping and displaying one or more kinds of bears. -
bird exhibit
A zoo enclosure, habitat, or housing facility for displaying birds generally or a particular group of birds. -
canine exhibit
A zoo habitat for housing and displaying wolves, foxes, coyotes, wild dogs, or other canines. -
ecosystem-themed zoo exhibit
A zoo habitat displaying animals of a particular ecosystem, recreated with natural features or artificial materials. -
feline exhibit
A zoo enclosure, habitat, or housing facility for keeping and displaying large cats or other felines. -
insect exhibit
A zoo enclosure, habitat, or housing facility displaying insects, often with other small invertebrates. -
large mammal exhibit
A zoo habitat for housing and displaying large mammals, such as elephants, rhinos, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, etc. -
marsupial exhibit
A zoo habitat for housing and displaying kangaroos, wombats, or other pouched mammals. -
nocturnal animal exhibit
A zoo enclosure, habitat, or housing facility for animals more active in darkness than in daylight. -
panda exhibit
A zoo enclosure, habitat, or housing facility dedicated to keeping and displaying giant pandas. -
primate exhibit
A zoo space for housing and public viewing of monkeys, apes, lemurs, or other primates. -
region-themed zoo exhibit
A zoo habitat for housing and displaying animals of a particular continent or region. -
reptile exhibit
A zoo enclosure, habitat, or housing facility for keeping and publicly displaying reptiles. -
small animal exhibit
A zoo habitat for housing and displaying small animals, such as rodents, otters, bats, or any assortments of small animals.