Toledo Zoo Toledo Zoo and Aquarium News 2024

I'm hoping to visit Toledo sometime this year and wanted to check, in case there are delays, about some standard questions for me:
- Is Toledo a decent winter zoo?
- Are any animals taken off display completely in the winter? Is indoor viewing available for larger species like elephants, rhinoceros, etc.?
- Are there any particular must-see exhibits?
- What are the notable rarities?

I think I already know some of these answers, particularly the must-see exhibits, but I always value other perspectives, especially as I can sometimes overlook one thing for another.
 
I'm hoping to visit Toledo sometime this year and wanted to check, in case there are delays, about some standard questions for me:
- Is Toledo a decent winter zoo?
- Are any animals taken off display completely in the winter? Is indoor viewing available for larger species like elephants, rhinoceros, etc.?
- Are there any particular must-see exhibits?
- What are the notable rarities?

I think I already know some of these answers, particularly the must-see exhibits, but I always value other perspectives, especially as I can sometimes overlook one thing for another.
Toledo is a great winter zoo because most of the good exhibits are indoors. Tons of species will be off-display I believe, however.

Absolute must-sees are the aviary, the aquarium, the pheasantry, the reptile house, and (most of all) ProMedica.
 
I'm hoping to visit Toledo sometime this year and wanted to check, in case there are delays, about some standard questions for me:
- Is Toledo a decent winter zoo?
- Are any animals taken off display completely in the winter? Is indoor viewing available for larger species like elephants, rhinoceros, etc.?
- Are there any particular must-see exhibits?
- What are the notable rarities?

I think I already know some of these answers, particularly the must-see exhibits, but I always value other perspectives, especially as I can sometimes overlook one thing for another.
Toledo is a great winger zoo but there are a few animals you may miss including, many African species (possible to see if you do the train), and a few tortoises (galapagos and leopard). The phesantry and flamingo habitats could also be closed. Almost all of their larger animals have indoor viewing but if you do take the train you would be able to see the African species off display. As for must see exhibits I would say are the museum, aquarium and aviary.
The hippos may be the only animals you would not see but they are usually out and the indoor viewing may be viewable.
 
- What are the notable rarities?
I don’t know many rarities the zoo has, but I do they have many including, saltwater crocs, flying snakes, tutaras, tasmainian devils, many waterfowl in both flamingo and penguin enclosures, and many reptiles and birds across the zoo.
 
There is also the new Tasmanian devil transport hub with at least 2 devils. I think they may have 4 others from Fort Wayne and Saint Louis. There may also be renovations on the reptile house.
 
There is also the new Tasmanian devil transport hub with at least 2 devils. I think they may have 4 others from Fort Wayne and Saint Louis. There may also be renovations on the reptile house.
Did the reptile house ever close for rennovations? I went in May and it was very much open and with nothing noticeably different.
 
Wow, I didn't realize Toledo had a collection this great. Glancing at their website, they have "fruit doves" in the aviary, and they're some of the craziest looking birds I've ever seen. Why did no one ever tell me doves came in colors like that? I need to get back up to Ohio so bad. Or New Guinea, maybe.
 
If you can make it in the summer the black-backed gulls are definitely bigger than I expected and I think they’re either the only holder or one of two in the United States.
 
Wow, I didn't realize Toledo had a collection this great. Glancing at their website, they have "fruit doves" in the aviary, and they're some of the craziest looking birds I've ever seen. Why did no one ever tell me doves came in colors like that? I need to get back up to Ohio so bad. Or New Guinea, maybe.
Some fruit dove species (black-naped and pink-necked, especially) are actually fairly common in US zoos, so there will be plenty more places you can see them. That said, Toledo does have a nice fruit dove collection- I saw four fruit dove species during my October visit.

I'm hoping to visit Toledo sometime this year and wanted to check, in case there are delays, about some standard questions for me:
- Is Toledo a decent winter zoo?
- Are any animals taken off display completely in the winter? Is indoor viewing available for larger species like elephants, rhinoceros, etc.?
- Are there any particular must-see exhibits?
- What are the notable rarities?

I think I already know some of these answers, particularly the must-see exhibits, but I always value other perspectives, especially as I can sometimes overlook one thing for another.
I have no idea about winter, since I visited in October, but I can answer some other questions. I found the indoor area available to the elephants particularly impressive, although I don't remember if an on-show indoor area existed for the rhinos. For exhibits, you shouldn't have much problem seeing everything in one day- I saw the entire zoo (including some exhibits multiple times) over just half a day, though it all depends on how long you spend at each exhibit of course. ProMedica Museum of Natural History is a definite must-see, in particular the "Hall of Venom" on the top floor with an impressive snake collection and the poison dart frog walk-through that's on ground level. The Aviary is the other big must-see, and while the exhibits themselves aren't overly impressive the Reptile House shouldn't be missed either. While less prominent of an exhibit, I was also very impressed by "Flamingo Key", their walk-through aviary with flamingos, various waterfowl, etc. The Pheasantry is nice, and fairly unique, although I'd argue the aquarium is just okay.

A non-comprehensive list of the notable rarities that may interest you include:
  • golden white-eye (Aviary)
  • Raggiana bird of paradise (Aviary)
  • red-collared widowbird (Aviary)
  • kagu (Aviary)
  • cheer pheasant (Pheasantry)
  • greater black-backed gull (Flamingo Key)
  • Tasmanian devil (Tembo Trail)
  • tuatara (Reptile House)
  • saltwater crocodile (Reptile House)
  • various Ranitomeya species (Reptile House)
  • spotted-tailed cave salamander (ProMedica)
  • Burmese vine snake (ProMedica)
  • Blanding's tree snake (ProMedica)
  • inland taipan (ProMedica)
  • Russell's viper (ProMedica)
  • spectacled eider (mixed with the penguins outside Aquarium)
 
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I'm hoping to visit Toledo sometime this year and wanted to check, in case there are delays, about some standard questions for me:
- Is Toledo a decent winter zoo?
- Are any animals taken off display completely in the winter? Is indoor viewing available for larger species like elephants, rhinoceros, etc.?
- Are there any particular must-see exhibits?
- What are the notable rarities?

I think I already know some of these answers, particularly the must-see exhibits, but I always value other perspectives, especially as I can sometimes overlook one thing for another.
I saw the entire zoo (including some exhibits multiple times) over just half a day, though it all depends on how long you spend at each exhibit of course.
I would not recommend trying to see the whole zoo in just half a day, although as @Neil chace has said, it is possible. Last summer there were a few days in the week that the zoo was open until eight o'clock. I remember the website stating different open hours than was the case, so I recommend you call for accurate information. Some areas of the zoo close early, such as the Venomous Snakes room (Venom Hall is always accessible, just not Venomous Snakes), so definitely prioritize seeing the Museum of Natural History first.

A non-comprehensive list of the notable rarities that may interest you include:
  • golden white-eye (Aviary)
  • Raggiana bird of paradise (Aviary)
  • red-collared widowbird (Aviary)
  • kagu (Aviary)
  • cheer pheasant (Pheasantry)
  • greater black-backed gull (Flamingo Key)
  • Tasmanian devil (Tembo Trail)
  • tuatara (Reptile House)
  • saltwater crocodile (Reptile House)
  • various Ranitomeya species (Reptile House)
  • spotted-tailed cave salamander (ProMedica)
  • Burmese vine snake (ProMedica)
  • Blanding's tree snake (ProMedica)
  • inland taipan (ProMedica)
  • Russell's viper (ProMedica)
  • spectacled eider (mixed with the penguins outside Aquarium)
Just to add to this:
  1. many-colored fruit dove (Aviary)
  2. coconut crab (museum)
  3. paradise flying snake (museum)
  4. Kodiak bear (Grizzly Ridge)
  5. Santiago giant tortoise (Galápagos Garden)
  6. long-tailed duck (Penguin Beach)
  7. Kimberly rock monitor (Reptile House)
  8. Goldie's lorikeet (Aviary)
  9. various pheasant species ( Aviary and Pleasantry)
  10. oriole warbler (Aviary)
  11. blue-winged kookaburra (Pheasantry)
  12. terciopelo (museum)
 
I'm sure you physically can blitz through the zoo and technically see every exhibit in under four hours, but will you have fun? That's the question. A zoo nerd needs time to take everything in and properly enjoy the experience. I've found that out the hard way too many times.

Also, black-backed gulls sound worth seeing. The largest gull species, as I recall, which probably says something.
 
I'm sure you physically can blitz through the zoo and technically see every exhibit in under four hours, but will you have fun? That's the question. A zoo nerd needs time to take everything in and properly enjoy the experience. I've found that out the hard way too many times.

Also, black-backed gulls sound worth seeing. The largest gull species, as I recall, which probably says something.

This is especially true for Toledo. The outdoor exhibits are (mostly) unimpressive. They’re not particularly bad, just not particularly good. A few bird rarities but that’s about it if you’ve been to a few major zoos already. The real appeal are the many buildings. Each has dozens of exhibits loaded with rare, interesting animals. ProMedica has non-animal dioramas, too. So the zoo grounds aren’t that big. Solid mid-size zoo. You could walk it or see an equivalent zoo of its size in a brisk half day. But Toledo? No. The buildings essentially double, if not triple, the amount of time it takes to see the place.
 
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