Every major tourist attraction city in America has some type of zoo or botanical garden facility. It’s a family-friendly and informative experience for people of all ages, and Las Vegas is no exception. Although Vegas’ zoo has a fancy name, the Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park, it’s still a basic zoo and operates as a nonprofit organization.

With all the many casino resorts in Las Vegas, one might expect any zoo in the city to be a large, lavish piece of property with thousands of exotic animals from all over the globe. However, the Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park only covers a very small 3 acres and is a relatively small facility that mostly houses animals that can thrive in the dry climate.

From the outside, the zoo is very whimsical and even a bit outdated in terms of everything that surrounds it. The low faded walls are painted yellow and green, and the actual “Zoo” sign looks like something from a 1960s casino on The Strip. The inside of the facility is kept nicer, at least, and the animals are cared for by well-trained staff.

Since the Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park is located in the desert, its primary goal is to inform people about desert life and the natural habitat, and to raise awareness about the protection of that habitat. It’s not as kid-friendly as zoos with zebras, giraffes and elephants, but the chimps and wild cats do manage to entertain.

Of course, everything in Vegas is a business. Even though the zoo is a nonprofit facility, all guests still have to pay an admission fee. And you’ll also find a gift shop in the zoo with an assortment of items, and even a gem exhibit area featuring some of the crystals from the area and other gems from around the world.

Animals in the zoo range from harmless to extremely dangerous. Guests of the zoo will have to watch out that they don’t step on one of the free-roaming peacocks around. Although they’re on the not dangerous list, they still have carte blanche in the zoo and get to walk where they want.

There are also a slew of snakes and other poisonous reptiles that are native to Nevada, including rattlesnakes and scorpions (not a reptile). There is also a family of Barbary Apes. This is the last family of this species in the entire country, and they’re kept pretty secure for their safety.

Other animals at the zoo include parrots, chimpanzees, and endangered cats like the panther, and also eagles, emus, ostriches, wallabies, pygmy goats, and more. In total, over 150 species of plants and animals are held at the zoo.

The Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park is located in the heart of Vegas. It sits just northwest of The Strip and is a quick 15 minute drive in traffic.