If your kids need more entertainment this autumn than a scenic road trip passing Pennsylvania’s beautiful fall foliage, tempt them with the furry, scaly or squishy types that call such landscapes their home — from walk-through parks with exotic species to animal habitats dedicated solely to the groundhog, reptiles, deer and felines, Pennsylvania has 20 zoos crawling, running, flying and swimming with wild animals.
Wildlife
You can see where the buffalo roam, as well as cougars, emus, goats, kangaroos and more at Animaland Zoological Park in Wellsboro. Or stroll through the Southern Swamps or Big Sky Country at ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey, where more than 200 animals represent more than 60 species and five regions of the continent.
Cats, Wolves, Reptiles, Oh My!
Over 200 abused, mistreated or unwanted animals reside at T&D’s Cats of the World in Penns Creek, including lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, bobcats, servals, lynx and jungle cats. In the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Lititz’s Wolf Sanctuary of PA is home to displaced wolves, where the wolves serve as ambassadors to the wild. At Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, less-loved members of the animal kingdom are on display, including cobras, vipers, pythons, alligators and lizards.
Sharks AND Bears?
From the African Savannah to the Tropical Forest, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium – one of few zoo and aquarium combos in the U.S. – is home to more than 400 species. Discover what a penguin habitat is like, how the spectacled bear got its name and what a naked mole rat likes to eat.
