Orange County Zoo-Things To Do in Orange County

History of the Orange County Zoo

Lets have a short history lesson to learn more about the OC Zoo...

The Orange County Zoo saw its beginnings in 1905 when red foxes were bred in the Irvine Park by J. A. Turner. Sam Nau, a Tustin rancher then gathered a small collection of animals in 1920. Then an alligator and bird exhibit were added in by 1935. Under the name Irvine Park Zoo, this zoo was officially opened in 1985 and was then later on renamed as the Orange County Zoo. This local zoo is owned and operated by the County of Orange.


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Visit The Animals At The OC Zoo

Which animals live in this local zoo in Orange County, California?

The Orange County Zoo is home to all the following animals. Let us now meet the different members of the Orange County Zoo are and be on our way to learning and appreciating this local zoo. The OC Zoo has been reputed for housing plants and animals native to the Southwestern part of the United States.

Coyote
Bobcat
Ocelot
Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle
Mule Deer
Coati
Burro
Raccoon
Beaver

Red Tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl
Chuckwalla
Barn Owl
Reptiles such as snakes
Mountain Lion
Black Bear
Turkey Vulture
Porcupines
Island Fox

In the Barnyard Petting Zoo Area you would find


Goats
Pigs
Doves
Pheasants
Sheep
Chicken
Rabbits


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Orange County Zoo Makes A Great Childrens Zoo

Learn about the Petting Zoo at OC Zoo

The OC Zoo is also home to a great petting zoo that houses many domestic animals such as goats, sheep, pot bellied pigs, chickens, rabbits, pheasants and doves. Children can have a wonderful time watching these animals and even feed them. This certainly is an exciting experience for them and would not only avert any potential fears for animals that they may develop but also allow their caring and nurturing side to surface. It is also equally exciting for parents to watch their little one feeding another living animal.
The petting zoo makes this a great children's zoo that all kids would enjoy to spend a day in.

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Activities at the Orange County Zoo

Why this childrens zoo can be great fun for scouts

Guided Tours for Scout Groups
Orange County Zoo offers guided tours to brownies, girl scouts, boy scouts and cub scouts. These tours last for one hour and address where animals live, how they adapt, feeding habits and other information about animals that come from Southwestern United States.

Bird Tours for Children and Scout Groups
This tour explores the world of birds. This two hour program includes some fun crafts time and creative activities.

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Other Children's Activities at the OC Zoo

Let's see the exciting activities that awaits other kids who come to this local zoo

Toddler Programs

Catering to toddlers up to 4 years old, toddler programs in Orange County Zoo provide an hour of fun and educational experience for many toddlers. These programs offer many fun hands-on crafts activity, and other learning games.


Story Time @ OC Zoo

Open to children of all ages, everyone can enjoy a great story time under the oak trees at the zoo. Enjoy an enjoyable time listening to some great and exciting stories.


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Zoo Tour Offered at Orange County Zoo

Group tours for students and adults can be arranged at the Orange County Zoo. Docent guides are provided in these tours and they help educate you about animals and plants native to the Southwestern United States. The tour also includes a visit in the zoo's petting zoo and is about 1.5 hours long. A learning package is provided for this group tour and this package helps meet the California public school standards.

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