Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Las Vegas lacks major zoo but abounds in specialty habitats

Animal Attractions

Leila Navidi

Trainer Katie Massey exclaims as an 8-week-old lion licks her ear at the Lion Habitat at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2011.

Most major cities have accredited public zoos. Not Las Vegas.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to see exotic animals or interact with friendly critters. Just plan to do some walking.

Our animals are spread out among attractions all over town. You can hit the Strip to see sharks or flamingos or tigers. Or drive out into the desert to pet a donkey. A detour in the mall can lead you to an underwater playground.

Below is a list of some must-see spots for those looking to explore Las Vegas’ other wild side. For a full photo gallery, click here.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      MGM Grand Lion Habitat

      This one-of-a-kind, $9 million glass enclosure offers visitors a chance to see African lions play, groom and sleep. The 20 lions live on an 8.5-acre ranch 12 miles outside of Las Vegas, but are rotated into the exhibit alone or in pairs for several hours. They are reportedly descendants of Leo the lion, the most recent mascot used by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. The lion has been a part of MGM for decades.

      The free attraction is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feeding times are 11:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      MGM Grand Lion Habitat

      This one-of-a-kind, $9 million glass enclosure offers visitors a chance to see African lions play, groom and sleep. The 20 lions live on an 8.5-acre ranch 12 miles outside of Las Vegas, but are rotated into the exhibit alone or in pairs for several hours. They are reportedly descendants of Leo the lion, the most recent mascot used by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. The lion has been a part of MGM for decades.

      The free attraction is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feeding times are 11:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      MGM Grand Lion Habitat

      This one-of-a-kind, $9 million glass enclosure offers visitors a chance to see African lions play, groom and sleep. The 20 lions live on an 8.5-acre ranch 12 miles outside of Las Vegas, but are rotated into the exhibit alone or in pairs for several hours. They are reportedly descendants of Leo the lion, the most recent mascot used by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. The lion has been a part of MGM for decades.

      The free attraction is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feeding times are 11:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

      Come face to face with sharks, sawfish, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, moon jellies and a rare golden crocodile at North America’s only predator-based aquarium. More than 2,000 animals live in the 1.6 million-gallon seawater exhibit, which wraps almost 360 degrees around a cave.

      Shark Reef opened in 2000 and is the only aquarium accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in Nevada. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $12 for children ages 5 to 12. Discounts for locals are available.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

      Come face to face with sharks, sawfish, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, moon jellies and a rare golden crocodile at North America’s only predator-based aquarium. More than 2,000 animals live in the 1.6 million-gallon seawater exhibit, which wraps almost 360 degrees around a cave.

      Shark Reef opened in 2000 and is the only aquarium accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in Nevada. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $12 for children ages 5 to 12. Discounts for locals are available.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

      Come face to face with sharks, sawfish, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, moon jellies and a rare golden crocodile at North America’s only predator-based aquarium. More than 2,000 animals live in the 1.6 million-gallon seawater exhibit, which wraps almost 360 degrees around a cave.

      Shark Reef opened in 2000 and is the only aquarium accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in Nevada. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $12 for children ages 5 to 12. Discounts for locals are available.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage

      The brainchild of entertainers Siegfried & Roy, the Secret Garden is a natural habitat and preservation center for lions, tigers, leopards and other big cats. Many, including the famous white tigers and white lions, are endangered species.

      Steps away is the Dolphin Habitat, home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Watch them swim and frolic as they would in the wild.

      Both attractions are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Tickets cost $17 for adults, $12 for children ages 4 to 12. Discounts are available for hotel guests and residents.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage

      The brainchild of entertainers Siegfried & Roy, the Secret Garden is a natural habitat and preservation center for lions, tigers, leopards and other big cats. Many, including the famous white tigers and white lions, are endangered species.

      Steps away is the Dolphin Habitat, home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Watch them swim and frolic as they would in the wild.

      Both attractions are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Tickets cost $17 for adults, $12 for children ages 4 to 12. Discounts are available for hotel guests and residents.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage

      The brainchild of entertainers Siegfried & Roy, the Secret Garden is a natural habitat and preservation center for lions, tigers, leopards and other big cats. Many, including the famous white tigers and white lions, are endangered species.

      Steps away is the Dolphin Habitat, home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Watch them swim and frolic as they would in the wild.

      Both attractions are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Tickets cost $17 for adults, $12 for children ages 4 to 12. Discounts are available for hotel guests and residents.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Silverton Aquarium

      Calling itself the “best free attraction” in Las Vegas, the 117,000-gallon reef aquarium is home to more than 4,000 tropical fish and various species of stingrays and sharks. Two more aquariums house jellyfish. Watch marine biologists feed the fish or catch a live mermaid show.

      Nearby, the Bass Pro Shop features freshwater aquariums with trout, catfish, carp and bass, koi ponds and an 18,000-gallon canyon river modeled after Red Rock Canyon that houses ducks, turtles, bluegills and sturgeon.

      Watch the live aquarium webcam here.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Silverton Aquarium

      Calling itself the “best free attraction” in Las Vegas, the 117,000-gallon reef aquarium is home to more than 4,000 tropical fish and various species of stingrays and sharks. Two more aquariums house jellyfish. Watch marine biologists feed the fish or catch a live mermaid show.

      Nearby, the Bass Pro Shop features freshwater aquariums with trout, catfish, carp and bass, koi ponds and an 18,000-gallon canyon river modeled after Red Rock Canyon that houses ducks, turtles, bluegills and sturgeon.

      Watch the live aquarium webcam here.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Silverton Aquarium

      Calling itself the “best free attraction” in Las Vegas, the 117,000-gallon reef aquarium is home to more than 4,000 tropical fish and various species of stingrays and sharks. Two more aquariums house jellyfish. Watch marine biologists feed the fish or catch a live mermaid show.

      Nearby, the Bass Pro Shop features freshwater aquariums with trout, catfish, carp and bass, koi ponds and an 18,000-gallon canyon river modeled after Red Rock Canyon that houses ducks, turtles, bluegills and sturgeon.

      Watch the live aquarium webcam here.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo

      A hidden oasis on the Strip, the Wildlife Habitat houses more than 300 birds, including Chilean flamingos, pheasants, quail, swans, ducks and parrots. Turtles and koi also frolic in its ponds. Take a stroll among the lush gardens and waterfalls, and see how many critters you can spot.

      The resort is open 8 a.m. to dusk. Admission is free.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo

      A hidden oasis on the Strip, the Wildlife Habitat houses more than 300 birds, including Chilean flamingos, pheasants, quail, swans, ducks and parrots. Turtles and koi also frolic in its ponds. Take a stroll among the lush gardens and waterfalls, and see how many critters you can spot.

      The resort is open 8 a.m. to dusk. Admission is free.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo

      A hidden oasis on the Strip, the Wildlife Habitat houses more than 300 birds, including Chilean flamingos, pheasants, quail, swans, ducks and parrots. Turtles and koi also frolic in its ponds. Take a stroll among the lush gardens and waterfalls, and see how many critters you can spot.

      The resort is open 8 a.m. to dusk. Admission is free.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      The Atlantis Aquarium at Forum Shops at Caesars

      Watch puffers, flounder, sharks and rays glide through a 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium in the middle of a mall. Atlantis is home to more than 100 species of fish.

      Time your visit to catch feedings at 1:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. daily. Tours also are available at 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. The aquarium is near the Cheesecake Factory.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      The Atlantis Aquarium at Forum Shops at Caesars

      Watch puffers, flounder, sharks and rays glide through a 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium in the middle of a mall. Atlantis is home to more than 100 species of fish.

      Time your visit to catch feedings at 1:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. daily. Tours also are available at 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. The aquarium is near the Cheesecake Factory.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      The Atlantis Aquarium at Forum Shops at Caesars

      Watch puffers, flounder, sharks and rays glide through a 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium in the middle of a mall. Atlantis is home to more than 100 species of fish.

      Time your visit to catch feedings at 1:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. daily. Tours also are available at 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. The aquarium is near the Cheesecake Factory.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park

      Informally known as the Las Vegas Zoo, the 3-acre park and garden features more than 150 animals, including a variety of endangered cats as well as the last family of Barbary apes in the United States. Privately owned, the zoo started as a pet store more than 20 years ago by a retired North Las Vegas homicide detective, who has since turned it into a nonprofit corporation. Animals are lent from other zoos.

      The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets cost $9 for adults, $7 for children and seniors.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park

      Informally known as the Las Vegas Zoo, the 3-acre park and garden features more than 150 animals, including a variety of endangered cats as well as the last family of Barbary apes in the United States. Privately owned, the zoo started as a pet store more than 20 years ago by a retired North Las Vegas homicide detective, who has since turned it into a nonprofit corporation. Animals are lent from other zoos.

      The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets cost $9 for adults, $7 for children and seniors.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park

      Informally known as the Las Vegas Zoo, the 3-acre park and garden features more than 150 animals, including a variety of endangered cats as well as the last family of Barbary apes in the United States. Privately owned, the zoo started as a pet store more than 20 years ago by a retired North Las Vegas homicide detective, who has since turned it into a nonprofit corporation. Animals are lent from other zoos.

      The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets cost $9 for adults, $7 for children and seniors.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      The Tank at the Golden Nugget

      Voted one of the "Top 10 Hotel Swimming Pools in the World" by Forbes Traveler, the Golden Nugget features a $30 million aquatic complex with a 200,000-gallon shark tank and a three-story waterslide. The waterslide shoots riders through the middle of the shark tank.

      The Tank is maintained by a hotel Life Sciences Department and houses 300 animals, including six species of sharks and rays.

      The pool is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Day passes for non-hotel guests cost $20 for people 12 years or older and $15 for children 11 and under.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      The Tank at the Golden Nugget

      Voted one of the "Top 10 Hotel Swimming Pools in the World" by Forbes Traveler, the Golden Nugget features a $30 million aquatic complex with a 200,000-gallon shark tank and a three-story waterslide. The waterslide shoots riders through the middle of the shark tank.

      The Tank is maintained by a hotel Life Sciences Department and houses 300 animals, including six species of sharks and rays.

      The pool is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Day passes for non-hotel guests cost $20 for people 12 years or older and $15 for children 11 and under.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      The Tank at the Golden Nugget

      Voted one of the "Top 10 Hotel Swimming Pools in the World" by Forbes Traveler, the Golden Nugget features a $30 million aquatic complex with a 200,000-gallon shark tank and a three-story waterslide. The waterslide shoots riders through the middle of the shark tank.

      The Tank is maintained by a hotel Life Sciences Department and houses 300 animals, including six species of sharks and rays.

      The pool is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Day passes for non-hotel guests cost $20 for people 12 years or older and $15 for children 11 and under.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Bonnie Springs Ranch Petting Zoo

      Get up close and personal with a variety of animals at this petting zoo in a ghost town nestled in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Visit with native species such as deer, sheep and goats, and nonnative species, including wolves and a Canadian lynx named Simba.

      The petting zoo is a registered nonprofit organization, and its goal is to shelter and nurture adopted and abandoned animals. It is open seven days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer. Tickets cost $5 on weekdays, $7 on weekends.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Bonnie Springs Ranch Petting Zoo

      Get up close and personal with a variety of animals at this petting zoo in a ghost town nestled in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Visit with native species such as deer, sheep and goats, and nonnative species, including wolves and a Canadian lynx named Simba.

      The petting zoo is a registered nonprofit organization, and its goal is to shelter and nurture adopted and abandoned animals. It is open seven days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer. Tickets cost $5 on weekdays, $7 on weekends.

    • Animal Attractions
      Photo by Leila Navidi

      Bonnie Springs Ranch Petting Zoo

      Get up close and personal with a variety of animals at this petting zoo in a ghost town nestled in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Visit with native species such as deer, sheep and goats, and nonnative species, including wolves and a Canadian lynx named Simba.

      The petting zoo is a registered nonprofit organization, and its goal is to shelter and nurture adopted and abandoned animals. It is open seven days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer. Tickets cost $5 on weekdays, $7 on weekends.

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