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MORE ZOO FUN

Enjoy Experiences and Adventures At John Ball Zoo

All of our experiences are generally available during the summer season. However, occasionally Mother Nature requires that we close them for safety.

Note: Availability is subject to weather. Please call (616)336-2017 for daily availability.

Funicular

John Ball Zoo Gem Company

Budgie Aviary

Face Painting

Sky Trail Ropes Course

Zip Line

1300 W. Fulton St,
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

2023 Season: Mar 24 - Nov 19

Office Hours: Mon – Fri, 9am – 4pm

(616) 336-4300

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Bennett's Wallaby

Macropus rufogriseus

Bennett's Wallaby
Facts
Diet: Herbivore, grazer

Grass and herbs. They will consume juicy roots for water during dry spells.

Habitat

Eucalypt forests with moderate shrub cover and open areas nearby, also grassland.

Threat Range

Least Concern

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

Yes

Region

Mainly found on the island of Tasmania. Also, South east of Australia and King Island.

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Our Animals
Bennett's Wallaby
Jack

Male

Bennett's Wallaby
Josie

Female

Bennett's Wallaby
Junee

Female

Bennett's Wallaby
Jackie

Female

Bennett's Wallaby
2 Joey's

Jack & Junee's

Cockatoo

Cacatuidae

Facts
Diet: Frugivore

Wild – Fruit during the wet season and flowers during the dry season. Some soil and fungi
Zoo – Salad mix (greens, fruits, veggies) hard boiled eggs, and fish. Are fed twice a week

Habitat

Tropical, terrestrial. Rainforests and savanna areas. It prefers heavily forested, humid habitats but avoids muddy areas due to low burrowing capacity of these habitats.

Threat Range

Data Deficient

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Throughout the South American mainland and North of Argentina.

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Our Animals
goat (1)
Morty

Male

goat (1)
Ethel

Female

Ring-tailed Lemur

Lemur catta

Ring-tailed Lemur
Facts
Diet: Omnivore

Wild – fruits, leaves, stems, flowers, exudates (resin, latex, sap), spiders, spider webs, chameleons, caterpillars, insects, small birds, and termite mounds.

Habitat

Rainforest, scrub forest, and brush forest

Threat Range

Endangered

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Southern and southwestern Madagascar.

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Our Animals
Ring-tailed Lemur
Janae

Female

Ring-tailed Lemur
Debbie

Female

Ring-tailed Lemur
Magnus

Male

Black Howler Monkey

Alouatta caraya

Black Howler Monkey
Facts
Diet: Herbivore

Wild – Mostly leaves but they do complement their diet with fruits, buds and flowers. Zoo – Leaf Eater Biscuits (vitamin and mineral enriched) and some fruits and greens.

Habitat

Range varies from tropical semi-deciduous gallery forest where rains are nearly constant throughout the year, to tropical deciduous forest spotted with savanna-like openings where there is a marked wet, warm season and a dry, cool season.

Threat Range

Least Concern

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

Yes

Region

South America ranging through eastern Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina.

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Our Animals
Black Howler Monkey
Violet

Female

Black Howler Monkey
AJ

Female (Violet's Daughter)

Black Howler Monkey
Tater

Male (Violet's Son)

Experience

Sky Trail Ropes Course

Information

COMING YOUR WAY SOON!

Four stories tall, two climbing levels, and over 15 obstacles ranging in difficulty, this Ropes Course gives you a chance to test your courage and strength and it’s downright fun! Mastered all elements before? Get ready, because this course has new challenging obstacles for you to conquer. All height, weight, clothing and harness restrictions must be met to ride this experience. Additional restrictions may apply, please see the Ropes Course  restrictions listed below.

Save money by purchasing a combo ticket to ride the Zip Line and climb the Ropes Course!

Come prepared! View our full list of requirements for more information and have your waiver signed and submitted all online!

Ropes Course may close early due to inclement weather.

General Guidelines:

  • A waiver must be completed by each participant/guardian.
  • Participant must be 48 inches (122 cm) tall to participate.
  • Maximum weight is 300 pounds (136kg).
  • Closed back shoes are required.
  • Guests should have on pants or shorts, no skirts or dresses.
  • Participant must safely fit in the harness.
  • Participant must be able to understand and demonstrate knowledge of all safety rules.
  • Last ticket sold 30 minutes prior to zoo closing.
  • Participants while under the under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
  • Cell phones are not allowed on attraction.
  • Pockets must be empty. No loose objects such as cell phones. Eyeglasses should be secure.
  • No gum, food or drinks allowed on the attraction.
  • Anyone with joint or back injuries my re-injure themselves or worsen a preexisting injury.
  • Anyone with heart problems, fresh stitches, or is pregnant should refrain from participating.

Please have the Individual Waiver Form filled out prior to your visit.

ROPES COURSE WAIVER
PRICES PUBLIC MEMBER
Per Ride $10.00 $8.00
Ropes Course and Zip Line Combo $16.00 $12.80

Hobby Farm

goat (1)

Goats

Learn More
Lamb

Sheep

Learn More
adam-king-bG-iDx4VL84-unsplash (1)

Highland Cow

Learn More

Snacks & Drinks

Whistle Stop

Menu
  • Hand Dipped Ice Cream
  • Sundaes
  • Hot Dogs
  • Snacks

*Open seasonally

Crow

Update

Facts
Diet: Herbivore

Update

Habitat

Update

Threat Range

NA

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Update

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Our Animals
goat (1)
Benny

Male

goat (1)
Brownie

Male

Experience

Gem Company

Information

COMING YOUR WAY SOON!                                        

Pan for your very own gems in our brand new Sluice! Choose from 3 different Gem Bags and then pour them into your screen to reveal your treasures.

Pay Dirt Bag ($8.99) – Comes with 6 ounces of Gemstone Mix
Emerald Strike Bag ($14.99) – Comes with 6 ounces of Gemstones, and 3 ounces of emeralds
Motherlode Bag for ($29.99) – Comes with a little bit of everything including: Gemstone mix, Fossil Mix, Shark Teeth, Arrowheads, and a large piece of Amethyst Druzy.

Stop by to explore and see what treasures you can find.

PRICES PUBLIC MEMBER
Pay Dirt Bag $8.99 $7.19
Emerald Strike Bag $14.99 $11.99
Motherlode Bag $29.99 $23.99

Experience

Budgie Aviary

Information

Get cheek to beak in this interactive exhibit! Located near the waterfall and Hobby Farm, our Budgie Aviary allows you to walk through an exhibit with over 150 colorful Budgies, 4 cockatiels, and 18 white-winged parakeets. You can even purchase a feed stick and have birds feeding right out of your hand! This is one exhibit you won’t want to miss!

COMING YOUR WAY SOON!

Location: At the bottom of the Waterfall near Red’s Hobby Farm

General Guidelines:

  • Strollers are not permitted inside the aviary.
  • The aviary is handicap accessible.
PRICES PUBLIC MEMBER
Per Budgie Feed Stick $3.00 $2.00

Red-footed Tortoise

Chelonoidis carbonarius

Facts
Diet: Frugivore

Wild – Fruit during the wet season and flowers during the dry season. Some soil and fungi
Zoo – Salad mix (greens, fruits, veggies) hard boiled eggs, and fish. Are fed twice a week

Habitat

Tropical, terrestrial. Rainforests and savanna areas. It prefers heavily forested, humid habitats but avoids muddy areas due to low burrowing capacity of these habitats.

Threat Range

Data Deficient

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Throughout the South American mainland and North of Argentina.

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Our Animals
goat (1)
Morty

Male

goat (1)
Ethel

Female

Barn Owl

Tyto alba

Barn Owl
Facts
Diet: Carnivore

Wild – Birds and small mammals (mice, voles, shrews, muskrats, hares and rabbits)
Zoo – Mice and bird of prey diet

Habitat

Rural and Urban. Grasslands, deserts, marshes and agricultural fields. They require cavities for nesting, such as hollow trees, cavities in cliffs and riverbanks, nest boxes, caves, church steeples, barn lofts, and hay stacks.

Threat Range

Least Concern

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Found on every continent except Antarctica

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Our Animals
goat (1)
Tyto

Male (siblings)

goat (1)
Alba

Female (siblings)

Frogs & Friends

Green palm leaf

Blue-legged Mantella

Learn More
Green palm leaf

Eastern Tiger Salamander

Learn More
Green palm leaf

Golden Mantella

Learn More
Green palm leaf

Gray Tree Frog

Learn More
Green palm leaf

Green and Black Poison Frog

Learn More
Green palm leaf

Green Mantella

Learn More

Aquarium

penguin, bird, animal-6905568.jpg

Magellanic Penguin

Learn More
Lake Sturgeon

Lake Sturgeon

Learn More

Peacock Wolf Eel

Learn More

Coastal Birds

Spiny Lobsters

California Coastal Fish

California Moray Eel

Shark

Marine Invertebrates

Domestic Goat

Capra hircus

Facts
Diet: Herbivore

Grass, leaves, and shrubs

Habitat

Desert, savanna, grassland, forest, rainforest, scrub, forest, and mountains. They are a domesticated animal and have been raised in almost all habitats.

Threat Range

NA

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Since the domestication of this species, goats have been spread all over the world by humans. The domestic goat is a decedent of the wild goat which originates from central Asia.

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Our Animals
goat (1)
Dobbie

Male

goat (1)
Stripe

Male

goat (1)
Spot

Male

goat (1)
Snip

Male

goat (1)
Johnny

Male

goat (1)
Melvin

Male

goat (1)
Ringo

Male

goat (1)
Sugar

Female

goat (1)
Saffron

Female

goat (1)
Lacy

Female

goat (1)
Harry

Male

Domestic Sheep

Ovis aries

Lamb
Facts
Diet: Herbivore

Grass, hay, and oats

Habitat

Desert, savanna, grassland, forest, rainforest, scrub forest, and mountains. o They are a domesticated animal and have been raised in almost all habitats.

Threat Range

NA

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Since the domestication of this species, sheep have been spread all over the world by humans. The first domesticated sheep came from the Middle East and Central Asia.

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Our Animals
goat (1)
Benny

Male

goat (1)
Brownie

Male

Highland Cow

Update

Facts
Diet: Herbivore

Update

Habitat

Update

Threat Range

NA

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Update

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Our Animals
goat (1)
Benny

Male

goat (1)
Brownie

Male

Blue-legged Mantella

Mantella expectata

Facts
Diet: Insectivore

Termites, fruit flies, and arthropods.

Habitat

Wetlands, forest.

Threat Range

Endangered

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Southwestern Madagascar

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Our Animals
5 Total

Eastern Tiger Salamander

Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum

Facts
Diet: Carnivore

Worms, snails, insects, and slugs

Habitat

Forests, grasslands, or marshy areas.

Threat Range

Least Concern

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Southeastern Alaska east to the southern part of Labrador, and south throughout all of the United States down to the southern edge of the Mexican Plateau

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Our Animals
goat (1)
Tigger

Male

Golden Mantella

Mantella aurantiaca

Facts
Diet: Insectivore

Termites, fruit flies, and arthropods.

Habitat

Swamps and mossy or grassy mounds of forest debris.

Threat Range

Critically Endangered

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Isolated patches ranging throughout southeastern Madagascar.

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Our Animals
9 Total

Gray Tree Frog

Hyla versicolor

Facts
Diet: Insectivore

Insects including mites, spiders, plant lice, harvestmen, and snails

Habitat

Wooded areas near temporary and permanent waters like swamps, ponds, and lakes.

Threat Range

Least Concern

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

From southern Ontario and Maine, westward to central Texas, and northwest to Manitoba.

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Our Animals
5 Total

Green and Black Poison Frog

Dendrobates auratus

Facts
Diet

Small invertebrates, mainly ants that have high quantities of alkaloids in their tissues. The frogs can sequester those alkaloids in their skin, which is what makes them poisonous.

Habitat

Floor of rain forests, near small streams or pools.

Threat Range

Least Concern

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Central and South America, from Nicaragua and Costa Rica to southeastern Brazil and Bolivia. They were introduced in Hawaii by humans, and have flourished there.

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Our Animals
14 Total

Green Mantella

Mantella viridis

Facts
Diet: Insectivore

Update

Habitat

Update

Threat Range

Critically Endangered

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Update

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Our Animals
goat (1)
9 Total

Magellanic Penguin

Spheniscus magellanicus

Facts
Diet: Piscivore

Wild: Anchovies, Squid, Sprats, & Hagfish
Zoo: Trout, Smelt, Herring, & Capelin

Habitat

Coastline, except during breeding season where they may be found nesting in grassland, amongst bushes, and in cliff faces.

Threat Range

Nearly Threatened

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

Yes

Region

Temperate regions of South America. Found in Argentina, Brazil, Malvinas, Peru, and Uruguay. May venture to a tropical setting for breeding.

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Our Animals
penguin, bird, animal-6905568.jpg
26 Males And Females

Lake Sturgeon

Acipenser fulvescens

Facts
Diet

Insect larvae, worms, crayfish, snails, and other small fishes.

Habitat

Temperate waters. Found only in the Northern Hemisphere in North America.

Threat Range

Least Concern

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

NA

Region

Freshwaters of North America from the Hudson Bay through the Mississippi River drainages to Alabama. It is found along the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River drainage, and in large lakes in New York and Vermont, including Cayuga Lake and Lake Champlain.

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Our Animals
Lake Sturgeon (1)
8 Total

Try to find them all!

Peacock Wolf Eel

Anarrhichthys ocellatus

Facts
Diet: Carnivore

Hard-shelled animals like crabs, sand dollars, clams, snails, and sea urchins.

Habitat

Rock and stone crevices, dens, and caves in shallow water as deep as 740 feet

Threat Range

Not Evaluated

SSP (Species Survival Plan)

No

Region

Northern Baja California north to the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and east and south to the Seas of Okhotsk and Japan.

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Our Animals
Bob