Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo



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Featured Exhibits

Biggest Expansion Ever as
Safari Ride Opens

We've just doubled our exhibit space to include a new 25 acre experience called
The "Global Wildlife Safari Ride.”

Fun, feeding and photos on teh new Safari Ride

“We have been working on this project for the last three years “says Zoo Director Richard Hahn.

“It is our biggest expansion ever and our most impressive to most people,” says Callan Hahn, designer of the new area.

The Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo is unusual among the mid Atlantic area zoos as the only one with an escorted truck (ride through) safari.

Also known as the FuFeFo (for fun, feeding and foto), the adventure is a one hour ride that winds through four different paddocks encompassing twenty five wooded acres.

For many riders, half the fun is bouncing along in the army surplus troop carrier called a deuce and a half that lumbers through and over mud, rocks, water and stumps with the dexterity of mahout's elephant on shikari in India. It essentially makes its own roads and is not for the faint of heart.

This is a fun, feeding and "foto" opportunity. All riders must be at least 36" tall and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. (Sorry, FuFeFo is not suitable for guests with mobility issues. For safety reasons, babies and guests under 36" tall will
not be allowed on the ride.)

Furred and feathered friends to be encountered along the way include giant birds like Ostrich and Emu, hoofed mammals from six continents including African Zebra, North American bison, Asian and African antelope, European deer, Eurasian wild sheep, South American Llama and unusual cattle, donkey and goat breeds from around the world--all there for the fun, feeding and photographing.

Global Wildlife Safari Ride departs Saturday and Sunday only
at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Requires a minimum of 10 riders
for each departure.

For best availability, we recommend arriving early and purchasing your Safari ticket when you enter the Zoo. You will have a seat reserved on the next available departure.

Fun, feeding and photos on teh new Safari Ride

Global Wildlife Safari Ride
Adults (13 and up)	$20 $18 for members
Children (2-12)	$15

All tours are subject to availability and do not include park admission. Park admission is required. Prices are subject to change without notice. Prices listed are per person and do not include tax. Animal interactions may vary.

The Scariest and Most Beautiful Venomous Snakes we have found.You can't see this variety of deadly snakes anywhere else
in the northeast! You'll see dozens of different species of venomous serpents from every part of the globe, including Africa's exquisitely camouflaged Gaboon Viper, Asia's exceedingly rare albino Indian Spectacled Cobra, a most unique rattlesnake that is cross between Timber and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes and South America's bold and beautiful Bushmaster.

Converted into a special, permanent attraction in 2005, Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo dares you to explore the World of Venomous Snakes in "Hot Stuff, Hotter than Ever! " Hot Stuff honors the Preserve's early beginnings as the 2 acre "Jungleland Snake Farm" in 1933. Learn about how venom works, how snakes are feared and worshipped by different cultures, and how to tell killer snakes from imposters.

In "Hot Stuff" will be some some of the most beautiful of the most venomous beasts in the world including albino Indian Cobras and white Diamondback Rattlesnakes.

Favorites with many people, especially children, are several large ponds where wild Canada geese and Mallard ducks bring their new goslings and ducklings to feed from your hand.
Tell and Touch demonstrations at the Conservation and Jurassic Theaters allow adults and children alike to get their first and/or only opportunity to touch a python, chinchilla, alligator or other yucky living things. “It's a good place to expand your horizons and those of your children.” says Brandi Owens, Educator and Volunteer Coordinator. “We try to explain to our visitors that we are all connected to the natural world and its inhabitants whether we like our fellow earth creatures or not.”
Australian and Madagascar reptiles and giant lizards, pythons and anacondas make Catoctin Zoo of the most complete mid sized zoological attractions in the country.
Discover a new Butterfly Garden, an Invertebrate exhibit, and a Naturalized Garden pond with hundreds of beautiful Japanese Koi that you may hand feed.
We have even tamed the gravel paths on the main slopes by making them beautifully paved - easier to use for strollers and wheelchairs.

Darcy's Japanese Koi Pond

Japanese Koi Pond

Annie's Butterfly Garden

Butterfly Garden

Begun in 2005 and opened two years later the Darcy's Japanese Koi Pond is one of the most admired and special exhibits in the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve. Home to 100 large Japanese Koi, 50 Chinese Goldfish, one dozen European Orfs, also called Golden Trout and several two foot albino Channel Catfish, there is something here for everyone. Designed so that the fish are at eye level even for children, it features crystal clear water, a naturalized waterfall and an staggering variety of Asian trees, shrubs, grasses and water plants that impresses most horticulturists. As the multitude of Japanese Maples, Black and Red Pine Trees and Azaleas grow into their adult forms, we continue to enhance the area with Mandarin ducks and other small Asian waterfowl in 2010. Feeding the fish by hand with the special koi food provided nearby in vending machines ensures a very special personal experience for the young and the young at heart.

Annie's Butterfly Garden is another labor of love. Named for the mother of Mary Anne Hahn, it has been a haven of refuge for others looking to remember their loved ones in special ways. Painted Lady Butterflies have frequently been sponsored for the miniature netted gazebo in the center of the garden. Many of the plants have been planted especially to provide nectar for adult butterflies or sustenance for various native butterfly larvae. The interest in this modest endeavor has led to the planning, currently in execution, of a Butterfly Greenhouse where many more species of butterflies may be maintained in a protective environment from early summer through fall. The almost 1500 square foot structure will house over 100 butterflies of up to 25 species when completed. The pilot program is slated to be open in 2010. We anticipate that walking through the tropical landscaped exhibit amidst many of nature's most beautiful creations will be an experience not soon forgotten.