Critter Lane Petting Zoo
Valles Mines, MO
- Admission
- $10
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Critter Lane Petting Zoo
3 confirmed
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Critter Lane Petting Zoo say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Critter Lane Petting Zoo
Critter Lane Petting Zoo is a petting zoo at 9100 Critter Lane in Valles Mines, Missouri. It is a hands-on facility built around general admission and petting access, animal feeding, rides and a small number of scheduled animal encounters. The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The zoo's website introduces some residents by name. One of them is Maynard, whom the site describes as a mammoth donkey that loves attention. A 2023 post on the site names the animals in its encounter program as Sissy, a spider monkey, and Mabel, a two-toed sloth. The site also notes that the zoo received recognition plaques from the National Animal Welfare Association in September 2020.
Exhibits and habitats
The zoo's website lists a mix of petting, feeding and ride options rather than a fixed set of themed exhibit areas. Activities named on the site include:
- General admission with access to the petting areas
- Animal feeding
- Camel rides
- Pony rides
- Tractor or cart rides and swing rides
- A parakeet stick interaction, in which visitors interact with parakeets
- A Spider Monkey and Sloth Encounter, listed as available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The site says encounters must be booked and paid for in advance by phone, on a separate number from the main zoo line, and that encounter tickets do not include admission to the petting zoo.
The site describes the grounds as natural terrain, with bumps, slight inclines, gravel and grass, and says the zoo is partially wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair rentals are not available, according to the site.
Conservation and programs
Beyond everyday admission, the zoo's website lists several group and seasonal offerings. Birthday party packages include reserved pavilion seating. Field trip programs are offered for school and youth groups. Seasonal offerings listed on the site include live nativity events and reindeer rental services. Holiday updates and announcements are posted on the zoo's Facebook page, according to the website.
Planning your visit
As listed on the zoo's website, the zoo is open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Ticket details are on the zoo's website.
The zoo's address is 9100 Critter Lane, Valles Mines, Missouri 63087. The website lists a phone number of (573) 358-8995 and an email address of info@critterlanepettingzoo.com.
According to the website, no pets are allowed on the premises and adults must supervise their children at all times. The posted guidelines ask visitors to obey signs, stay on walkways and not throw objects into animal habitats.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Parking
- Current admission and encounter pricing (ticket details are on the zoo's website)
- Full list of animal species currently on site
- Current names of the encounter animals
- Seasonal changes to hours
Critter Lane Petting Zoo compared with nearby zoos
How Critter Lane Petting Zoo lines up against other zoos in the same state. We don't have coordinates for it yet, so these aren't ranked by distance.
| Zoo | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critter Lane Petting ZooThis zooValles Mines, MO | $10 | Thu–Mon 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; closed Tue & Wed. | — | No |
| Branson's Wild WorldBranson, MO | $24.95 | Open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last ticket sold 4:00 PM). Closed Christmas Day. | — | No |
| Dickerson Park ZooSpringfield, MO | $19 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | — | Yes |
| Endangered Wolf CenterEllisville, MO | — | Guided tours by reservation, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; closed Tuesdays. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day. | — | No |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Critter Lane Petting Zoo: common questions
Is Critter Lane Petting Zoo AZA accredited?
No. Critter Lane Petting Zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
What days is the zoo open?
As listed on the zoo's website, it is open Thursday through Monday and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Can visitors bring their dogs?
No. The zoo's website says no pets or dogs are allowed.
Is the zoo wheelchair accessible?
The website describes the zoo as partially wheelchair accessible, with natural terrain that includes bumps, slight inclines, gravel and grass.
On which days is the Spider Monkey and Sloth Encounter offered?
The website lists it as available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.