An Upclose and Personal Visit with the Giraffes and Zebras

Seeing exotic animals at the zoo is always fun, but have you ever fed and petted them? At Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, you can get close enough to some of the animals to actually touch them. It's a great place to take visitors to Texas, and a favorite of my mom, Gail, especially when she brings one of her grandchildren with her (thanks, Mom, for the awesome photos!).

This 1500 acre parcel of land hosts 1100 animals of 60 species, most of which roam freely around the compound.  Zebras, ostriches, giraffes, deer, and wildebeests and others slobber all over your car, looking for the bags of food you can purchase at the ticket counter.  If you don't want to mess up your own car, take a tour with a knowledgeable guide in an open-air jeep, van or safari bus.  The trek takes 2-3 hours, including a stop at the midway point offering souvenirs and lunch or a snack.

Children can pet several animals and birds at the newly renovated Children's Animal Center.  There is Vinnie the Boer goat, Jack the Moluccan Cockatoo, Einstein the emu and a couple of maned wolf pups, Mac and Marli, all waiting to visit with you.

Fossil Rim isn't just for kids.  The private tours for up to 10 people are recommended for adults only. These tours include a special lunch the Safari Camp Pavilion, as well as special viewing areas along the wildlife drive. Adults can also participate in a feeding tour, tagging along with the center's staff on the morning feeding rounds.

Before heading down to Glen Rose (a little more than 1 hour drive from Dallas or Fort Worth), check out their website (www.fossilrim.org) for information on hours and admission prices.  Admission is based on age as well as the day of the week of your planned visit (hint - Tuesday and Wednesdays are less expensive). The website has helpful tips and suggestions for your visit.