Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo

About Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo is located at 5640 S Interstate 35 in New Braunfels, Texas. The zoo's FAQ describes the site as positioned between Austin and San Antonio. The zoo's website presents it around interactive animal experiences and education, and describes its collection of snakes as one of the most diverse in the country.

The zoo states its mission as protecting biodiversity, promoting animal welfare, encouraging sustainable living practices and empowering communities to care about the world in which they live. Its stated vision is to become a leader in the use of education and conservation to help create a diverse, thriving and sustainable natural world.

According to its own pages, the zoo is open year-round, rain or shine. Its admission page states that it is home to more than 500 different animals, and its history page describes more than 500 different species. The Meet Our Animals page profiles a selection of species sorted by region, which the zoo says is only a handful of the animals it houses. The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo's history page says it is accredited by the Zoological Association of America.

History

The zoo's history page says the attraction began as the Snake Farm in 1967, a home to an extensive collection of snakes, reptiles and other exotic mammals. It operated in its original form as a roadside attraction for many years.

In 2007 the property received new ownership, according to the history page, and began a transition from a roadside attraction to a professionally managed zoo. The zoo says the original exhibits have been restored, renovated and rebuilt, and that animal enclosures have been expanded in size. It lists dedicated zoologists on staff and says programs were added over time, including interactive shows, education initiatives, birthday parties and field trips.

The zoo's expansion page describes the original site as a roadside attraction in the style of the 1930s, on three acres, with older concrete and chain-link enclosures. It describes a master plan in phases. The first phase focuses on restoring and improving the property, including rebuilding or restoring the pre-existing exhibits from 1967 with larger enclosures and more natural-feeling habitats. The second phase lists a new entrance with a gift shop and party rooms, a remodeled original Snake Farm building and retail space, an expanded and paved parking lot, and paved pathways throughout the facility.

The same page says the zoo purchased an additional 26 acres behind the current property. The master plan lists a combined footprint of more than 30 acres, with future attractions that include a safari park, a bar and restaurant, a kangaroo walkabout and a giraffe feeding station. These are described as plans, and the zoo's website should be consulted for their current status.

Exhibits and habitats

The zoo's admission page lists what a general ticket includes: a petting zoo and free-roaming birds, specifically chickens and peacocks; interactive shows every 30 minutes; a reptile center; and outdoor animal exhibits that include big cats. The website also names two long-term residents, Hercules, described as a 14-foot Burmese python, and Ngala, a white lioness.

The Meet Our Animals page sorts the species it profiles by region, with some species filed under more than one.

Africa: African crested porcupine, black mamba, common brown lemur, dromedary camel, fennec fox, Grant's zebra, red ruffed lemur, ring-tailed lemur, spotted hyena, warthog, white lion and white-necked raven.

Asia: Asian small-clawed otter, Burmese python, clouded leopard, grey wolf, king cobra, peacock and reticulated python.

Australia: blue-tongued skink, children's python, rose-breasted cockatoo and shingleback skink.

North America: albino American alligator, American alligator, corn snake, gopher snake, grey wolf, jaguar, mountain lion, North American bison, prairie dog, striped skunk and Texas tortoise.

Central and South America: blue-headed macaw, blue-throated macaw, capybara, green anaconda, jaguar, Patagonian cavy, six-banded armadillo, squirrel monkey and toco toucan.

The page also profiles the pot-bellied pig.

Interactive animal shows are listed as a regular part of the schedule. The zoo's FAQ says the show schedule is constantly growing and evolving, and the current schedule is posted on the zoo's show schedule page.

Two Rivers Mining Co. is an on-site gem and fossil mining attraction, described by the zoo as a shaded deck with western music and a viewing area that overlooks bison and longhorn. Visitors pan for gemstones, fossils, crystals and shark teeth, and the admission page directs guests to buy a mining bag in the zoo's store.

Conservation and programs

The zoo lists a Native Species Protection program among its initiatives, and a Let's Go Green page that describes a five-year conservation plan, the Green Initiative, set to begin in January 2017. That page organizes the effort around four areas: waste management through source reduction, reuse and recycling; water conservation; purchasing of environmentally responsible materials and products; and environmental education. Specific aims on the page include converting remaining dump-and-fill water bowls to filtered or recirculating systems and working with the City of New Braunfels Recycling Center.

The zoo offers animal encounters as a paid add-on. Its encounters page lists ambassador animals by name and species: two capybaras that can be fed and petted; fennec foxes named Joe, Jannet, Sugar and Spice that can be held; red ruffed lemurs named Cinnamon and Nutmeg; giant Burmese pythons named Hercules and Meg, which require two specialists to handle; Burmese pythons named Simon and Leo; a corn snake named Ruby; an American alligator named Ali; dwarf crocodiles named Snip and Snap, which were captive-born; and pancake and star tortoises. Encounters are a private, hands-on experience with a keeper and the chosen animal, and photography is permitted. The zoo sets a minimum age of 13 for participants, requires children under 13 to be accompanied by a paying adult, and does not allow service dogs to take part in encounters. Zoo admission is purchased separately.

Other programs listed include field trips designed to support in-class curriculum, group visits, birthday party packages that come with a private animal show, charitable donations, and a Howl-O-Ween Extravaganza event. The website also lists employment opportunities.

Planning your visit

The zoo's address is 5640 S Interstate 35, New Braunfels, TX 78132, and its phone number is 830.402.4603. As listed on the zoo's website, regular hours are 10am to 6pm daily, and the zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The zoo adds that hours may change because of weather or special events and recommends calling for updates.

Tickets are sold online and at the door, according to the FAQ. Current ticket details are on the zoo's website.

Guests may bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages, according to the FAQ. Guests are asked not to bring in alcoholic beverages or plastic straws, and snack and drink options are offered seasonally and on weekends. The zoo rules page says that pets are not allowed, that service animals are permitted but may not enter the petting zoo, that children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, that shirts and shoes are required, and that costumes concealing identity are not allowed. Smoking is prohibited throughout the property, including parking areas. A Feed Your Friends program uses approved food sold at the gift shop.