Sacramento Zoo Rules of Behavior

As you are enjoying your troop meetings at the Sacramento Zoo you will have the unique opportunity to see and hear some of our more active night animals. This experience is something that most visitors miss because they visit the zoo during the day. Our animals are also not used to anyone being in their home at night. Noise or flashlights, if not handled properly, may be very scary to them. Please be considerate to them by following the rules below. This will also make your night visit more enjoyable.

WALK QUIETLY Please don't run through the zoo or shout, tease or call to the animals. This behavior might be scary for them and they will hide. The animals are not used to people visiting their home at night.

STAY WITH YOUR GROUP Scouts and adults must walk with a buddy, and stay in the designated area at all times. Walk in a direct route from the back gate to the meeting areas, and stay with the troop during the meetings. Even though there isn't anyone else in the zoo, accidents can happen

STAY FOR THE WHOLE MEETING The back gate will be open from 7:15 until 7:45, and again at the end of the troop meeting (usually 9:00). We will open the gate on an emergency basis only during the meetings. People attending the troop and troop committee meetings need to plan to stay the entire time.

BE COURTEOUS WITH FLASHLIGHTS Animals (and even people) don't like bright lights in their eyes. It is important to keep flashlights pointed downwards. When touring the Reptile House, adults are the only ones allowed to use flashlights.

NO TAPPING ON THE GLASS Tapping on glass in the Reptile House causes the animals to hide or get agitated and they might hurt themselves. Remember we are their guests.

LEAVE THEM AT HOME Some things are better left at home because they aren't allowed in the zoo. They are balloons, styrofoam, straws, glitter, confetti, ribbon, radios, bicycles, skateboards, skates, rollerblades, balls, frisbees or any other objects which can be thrown into the exhibits, and alcoholic beverages. Some animals will eat these things and could get sick or even die.

DON'T FEED THE ANIMALS You can help keep our animals alive and healthy by just following these rules. If you see any foreign or unusual objects in an animal exhibit, please report it to your overnight staff.