San Antonio Zoo visitors can expect to enjoy one of the best zoos in the entire country. The San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium generally receives its top ranking due largely to its conservation efforts. The zoo's breeding programs and large animal collection also help to make it one of the best in the United States. There are more than 3,500 animals that call the San Antonio Zoo home, and these animals represent about 600 species. In other words, this is a San Antonio attraction that animal lovers won't want to miss when in town.

The San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium got its start back in 1914. Founded by a prominent citizen by the name of Colonel George W. Brackenridge, the zoo displayed lions, bears, deer, bison, and monkeys in the early days. By 1929, cageless exhibits were added, which was a relatively new thing at the time, and in 1948, the aquarium was dedicated.

Almost twenty years later in 1966, the San Antonio Zoo debuted its Hixon Bird House, and you might be interested to know that today, the bird collection is among the largest in the world. If you like birds, there's also the popular Lory Landing exhibit, which features avian creatures that hail from Australia and other South Pacific destinations. While visiting the Lory Landing exhibit, guests can purchase a small cup of nectar and actually feed lorikeets. There are birds aplenty at the San Antonio Zoo, and among the most fascinating are the cranes. The Cranes of the World exhibit features beautiful cranes from all over the world.

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When you're not enjoying the bird exhibits at the San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium, there will be lots of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals to see. The Africa Live exhibit features hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, African hunting dogs, and a variety of other interesting creatures, while giraffes, ostriches, and Topi antelope are among the animals on display at the Africa Plains exhibit. Over at Amazonia, visitors can see a variety of creatures that call South American countries such as Brazil and Ecuador home. These creatures include a variety of adorable monkeys, armadillos, bats, and huge Andean condors. Jaguars, ocelots, and other large and small cats are also on display in the Amazonia area.

If you're set on seeing amphibians and reptiles, the San Antonio Zoo isn't short on those either. Salamanders from Japan, frogs from Suriname, and mossy frogs that hail from Vietnam are just some of the fascinating amphibians that are on display, and as you might imagine, the reptiles include a variety of snakes. Turtles, tortoises, caimans, crocodiles, and iguanas are also among the reptile population at the San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium.

No visit to the San Antonio Zoo would be complete without seeing the Friedrich Aquarium. This aquarium has 24 different tanks that display sea creatures such as moon jellyfish, eels, seahorses, piranhas, and a wide variety of tropical fish. You can also expect to see an alligator snapping turtle that is believed to be around 40 or 50 years old at the aquarium.

If seeing fascinating animals like these is something that interests you, then a trip to the San Antonio Zoo can make a fantastic addition to the vacation itinerary while in the area. San Antonio Zoo coupons are widely available, which is part of the reason why more than 1 million people a year drop by for a visit. You'll be happy to know that the facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a daily basis. As long as you make it to the gate on time, you can linger until 6 p.m. if you please. You can find the zoo in Brackenridge Park to the near northeast of downtown. While exploring this part of San Antonio, other area attractions that are also worth checking out include the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, Fort Sam Houston, and the excellent McNay Art Museum.

If you're seeking out San Antonio Zoo coupons, it is relatively easy to find ones that offer at least one dollar off the already reasonable admission price. The zoo itself offers such coupons, and you can also often find them in San Antonio travel brochures. Coupons for all kinds of San Antonio attractions, including San Antonio Zoo coupons, can be printed online before you go, so you might keep that in mind when planning your fun-filled visit.