Education Animals

The following animals are available for on-site and outreach programs. HPZS does not guarantee specific animal requests for programs, but we will work to accommodate any request you may have. Each program is theme-specific and will include appropriate animals. The health and safety of our animals is a priority when we plan a program and can, therefore, affect our decisions.

Please be aware that not all program animals are touchable and that touching of the animals during a program is at the discretion of the presenter.

We reserve the right to change our lesson plan and the animals used for the lesson at any time, without prior notification, to ensure the safety of our staff, animals, and program guests.

Tarantulas work well in programs about arachnids, comparing insects and spiders, venomous animals, and native Arizona animals.  Tarantulas are a non-touchable animal but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

 Scorpions work well in programs about arachnids, venomous animals, and native Arizona animals.  Scorpions are a non-touchable animal but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

   Cockroaches are the only Education Animal that may be held by outreach participants. They work well in programs about insects, comparing arachnids and insects, and food chains.  Cockroaches are recommended for all ages.

 

Toads work well in programs about amphibians, venous versus poisonous, and colorful animals.  Toads are non-touchable animals, but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

 Native Snakes* work well in programs about reptiles, snakes, native Arizona animals, desert animals, camouflage, venomous versus poisonous, and animal locomotion.  Most non-venomous native snakes are touchable animals and recommended for all ages.  Venomous snakes are non-touchable but can be fun for all ages.

 * Venomous Available

 

Non-native Snakes work well in programs about reptiles, snakes, rain forest animals, camouflage, animal colors, and animal locomotion.  Most non-venomous snakes are touchable animals and recommended for all ages.

 

 

 

 Geckos work well in programs about reptiles, lizards, and exotic animals.  Geckos are touchable animals and recommended for all ages.

 

 

 

Blue-Tongued Skinks work well in programs about reptiles, lizards, animal colors, and exotic animals.  Blue-Tongued Skinks are touchable animals and recommended for all ages.

 

 

Bearded Dragons work well in programs about reptiles, lizards, protection, desert animals, camouflage and exotic animals. Bearded Dragons are touchable animals and recommended for all ages.

 

 

 

 Green Iguanas work well in programs about reptiles, lizards, and rain forest animals.  Green Iguanas are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

 

 Desert Tortoises work well in programs about reptiles, tortoises, tortoises versus turtle, desert animals, native Arizona animals, and protected species.  Desert Tortoises are touchable animals and recommended for all ages. 

 

 

 

 

Sulcata Tortoises work well in programs about reptiles, tortoises, tortoises versus turtle, desert animals, and invasive species.  Sulcata Tortoises are touchable and recommended for all ages.

 

 

 Radiated Tortoises work well in programs about reptiles, tortoises, tortoise versus turtle, and endangered species.

 

 

 

Red-Eared Slider Turtles work well in programs about reptiles, turtles, tortoise versus turtle, aquatic species, and invasive species. 

 

 

 

 

 

Box Turtles work well in programs about reptiles, turtles, tortoise versus turtle, and aquatic species.

 

 

 

 

Green Cheeked Conures work well in programs about birds, rain forest animals, animal locomotion, and animal colors.  Green Cheeked Conures are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

 

 

  Blue and Gold Macaws work well in programs about birds, rain forest animals, animal locomotion, animal vocalization and animal colors.  Blue and Gold Macaws are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

 

 

 Turkey Vultures work well in programs about birds, food chains, native Arizona animals, birds of prey, and animal senses. Turkey Vultures are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

  American Kestrels work well in programs about birds, native Arizona animals, birds of prey, and animal locomotion. American Kestrels are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

 

  Peregrine Falcons work well in programs about birds, native Arizona animals, birds of prey, and animal locomotion.  Peregrine Falcons are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

  Harris Hawks work well in programs about birds, native Arizona animals, birds of prey, and animal locomotion. Harris Hawks are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

 

 Red-Tailed Hawks work well in programs about birds, native Arizona animals, birds of prey, and animal locomotion. Red-Tailed Hawks are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

   

Great Horned Owls work well in programs about birds, nocturnal animals, native Arizona animals, birds of prey, and animal locomotion. Great Horned Owls are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

   Chickens work well in programs about birds, poultry, animal domestication, animal locomotion, and animal anatomy. Good animal for an intro to birds and agriculture. Chickens are touchable animals and recommended for all ages.       

 

 

 

     

 

 Guinea Pigs work well in programs about mammals, rodents, animal domestication and animal anatomy. Guinea Pigs are touchable animals and recommended for all ages.

 

 

 

 Prairie Dogs work well in programs about mammals, rodents, animal communities, animal locomotion, and animal vocalizations. Prairie Dogs are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

 

 Hedgehogs work well in programs about mammals, insectivores, adaptations, and exotic animals. Hedgehogs are non-touchable animals but can be fun for all ages.

 

 

 

 

 

 Rabbits work well in programs about mammals, animal locomotion, animal intelligence, and animal anatomy. Rabbits are touchable animals and recommended for all ages.

 

 

 

Goats work well in programs about mammals, animal locomotion, animal intelligence, animal domestication and animal anatomy. Goats are touchable animals and recommended for all ages.

 

 

 

Miniature Horses work well in programs about mammals, animal locomotion, animal domestication and animal anatomy. Miniature Horses are touchable animals and recommended for all ages.