TACOMA ZOO FIELD GUIDE
Face-to-face with a sloth: a focused, 30-minute encounter at Debbie Dolittle’s Petting Zoo
A 30-minute, supervised interaction where guests may touch and feed sloths (but not hold them), with unlimited time to visit the rest of the zoo and one bucket of food provided per person.
Face-to-face with a sloth: a focused, 30-minute encounter at Debbie Dolittle’s Petting Zoo.
At Debbie Dolittle’s Petting Zoo in Tacoma you can book a dedicated, 30-minute Sloth Encounter that puts you at the enclosure to touch and feed these slow-moving mammals while the rest of the zoo remains open for you to explore. The experience is structured and supervised: you receive one bucket of food per person, may touch and feed the sloths (holding is not permitted), and General Admission visitors can observe the interaction through a viewing window.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Dedicated 30-minute sloth interaction
Your party receives a 30-minute, supervised encounter period with the sloths where you may touch and feed them; handling or holding the animals is not allowed.
Unlimited access to the petting zoo
Alongside the sloth interaction, guests have unlimited time to enjoy the rest of Debbie Dolittle’s Petting Zoo and its animals.
A public viewing window
General Admission guests are able to watch your encounter through a window, making the meeting visible to visitors not participating directly.
What the day feels like
What the encounter feels like
The experience unfolds as a focused, thirty-minute session at the sloth enclosure, supervised by zoo staff. Your party will receive one bucket of food per person to use during the encounter and may touch and feed the sloths under staff guidance; holding the animals is not permitted. Outside the timed encounter, you are free to spend unlimited time visiting the other animals at Debbie Dolittle’s Petting Zoo while observers can watch the interaction through a viewing window.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this encounter suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Prepare for the weather; encounters will continue unless there are severe safety concerns in the area or issues with the animals' behavior.
Dress for changing conditions and note that the zoo will only cancel or pause encounters for significant safety concerns or animal behavior issues.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Sloth Encounter?
The encounter period with the sloths is 30 minutes.
Can I hold the sloth during the encounter?
No. You may touch and feed the sloths during the encounter, but you will not be able to hold them.
Can friends or other visitors watch the encounter?
Yes. General Admission guests will be able to see you through a window during your encounter.
Is food provided for the animals?
Yes. Each participant receives one bucket of food to use during the encounter and while visiting the zoo.
When should I check in?
Check-in is required at least 10–15 minutes prior to your scheduled start time; have waivers completed and ready for staff at check-in.
Are there age restrictions for participation?
Children 9 and under are not allowed to participate in the Sloth Encounter.
Do minors need anything special to join?
Minors must have a parent or guardian sign their waiver prior to the encounter.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Always prepare for the weather; Sloth Encounters will continue unless there are severe safety concerns in the area or due to the animals' behavior.