Must-See Attractions for Animal Lovers

Are you amazed by animals? Or do you feel particularly connected to them and jump at every chance to be close to them? Well then, Sarasota County is a great place to be! We’ve got lots of local attractions where visitors can get up close and personal with all kinds of creatures—from tiny seahorses to fierce-looking lions.

Mote Marine Aquarium | Mote SEA

You’ll find more than 100 species of marine life at City Island's Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, including a creepy-looking moray eel, mesmerizing jellyfish and their beloved resident manatees. This Sarasota staple is a laboratory, so visitors can observe oceanic research from Mote's marine scientists as it is happening, including the life-saving (and adorable!) work being done at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital.

Little ones love spending time at the stingray touch pool, and the playful "Otters & Their Waters" exhibit can make anyone smile. Special presentations offer more information on Mote’s sealife residents. Check out the daily sea turtle talks or the narrated training sessions in the 135,000-gallon shark habitat.

Get ready for the highly anticipated grand opening of Mote’s biggest venture yet—Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), nearly doubling in size to 110,000 square feet! Stay tuned for the debut of this state-of-the-art facility at Nathan Benderson Park, where world-class underwater exhibitions and interactive experiences will beckon! 

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL, 941-388-4441; Mote SEA coming soon to NBP

Save Our Seabirds

Located just across the way from Mote on City Island is Save Our Seabirds. This non-profit rescues, rehabilitates and releases sick and injured wild birds found in the area. Its Wild Bird Learning Center is home to more than 130 animals that were injured and treated, but are unable to return to the wild.

You and the family can stroll the three-acre site’s “birdwalk” to meet pelicans, owls, vultures, herons and other once-wild birds. Some have visible life-altering injuries, like the sandhill cranes that have been fitted with prosthetic legs and the various birds with wing injuries. Enjoy a steady soundtrack of squawks, caws and chirps as you learn about the traits and characteristics of each species, as well as what you can do to help protect them from harm in the wild.

1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL, 941-388-3010

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

A popular Sarasota attraction since the 1930s, Sarasota Jungle Gardens offers 10 acres of “Old Florida” fun. More than 200 native and exotic animals—many of them rescued—can be found here, including lemurs, iguanas, snakes and tortoises. If you’ve ever wanted to hand-feed a free-roaming flamingo, you can (and should) do it here. Kids of all ages can also get their photo taken with a tropical bird perched on their arm or while holding one of the reptile residents (think, baby alligator!). 

Daily presentations educate and entertain visitors. Don’t miss the roller-skating and bike-riding birds during the Jungle Bird Show, or all the scaly critters that take part in the interactive Reptile Encounter. As the name suggests, Sarasota Jungle Gardens also has some pretty cool plant life to admire, including towering royal palms and Ponderosa lemon trees that produce football-sized fruit.

3701 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL, 941-355-5305

Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary

For a truly wild time, head to Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, where over 350 animals spanning more than 60 different species (formerly born in captivity or injured in the wild) have found a forever home at this sprawling 20-acre sanctuary. Visitors can observe creatures like bears, primates and, of course, lions and tigers. These massive predators roam three indoor/outdoor housing complexes—complete with exercise habitats and swimming pools. Plop the little ones in the petting zoo to meet more mild animals like goats, llamas and chickens.

Two demonstration shows take place each day on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They’re subject to change, but generally feature the parrots and big cats. During the shows, you can learn about the animals’ characteristics and watch training sessions in action!

7101 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 941-371-6377

Myakka Elephant Ranch

Experience a unique-to-Florida encounter at Myakka Elephant Ranch, a non-profit conservation center dedicated to elephant education and preservation. Guests can learn about elephant conservation efforts and interact with the three resident elephants through guided experiences and memorable photo ops. You and the family can even opt for the Spa Encounter, which includes helping to bathe these gentle giants. Visits are by reservation only, so be sure to book in advance.

4450 Verna Bethany Rd, Myakka City, FL , 941-702-0220

Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is in nearby Bradenton, boasting a planetarium and exhibits featuring fossils, Florida’s ancient past and local maritime history. It’s also the site of the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, a 60,000-gallon tank modeled after a Florida cypress spring. The exhibition not only serves family enjoyment and interactions, but is a second-stage rehabilitation facility for injured manatees that have received treatment but aren’t quite ready to be released back into the wild.

201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL, 941-746-4131