Children's Zoo - Otters, Gators and Goats

A stop on Oakland Zoo: Savanna to California Trail, a free self-guided tour.

Welcome to the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children's Zoo, three acres that opened in 2005 as part zoo, part playground and part museum. Start at the river otter pool, where you may see otters diving, wrestling and rolling. North American river otters close their ears and nostrils underwater and use their whiskers to find fish in murky water.

Around the loop, you may see American alligators, lemurs, tortoises, fruit bats and rabbits, plus a House of Bugs and a Reptile and Amphibian Room. At the petting yard, kids can meet goats and sheep up close.

The zoo built this area for young visitors to learn how animals are cared for through play and exploration. Climbing structures and hands-on stations make it a good place to slow down while the grown-ups rest.

Getting here: Follow the path west out of the rainforest past the Rainforest Aviary to the otter pool inside the Children's Zoo.

Did you know?: A river otter can hold its breath for up to about eight minutes.

Photo op: Kneel by the otter pool glass to catch an otter swimming past at eye level.

For kids: At the petting yard, brush a goat gently in the direction its hair grows.

Nearby: Restrooms and an elevator are inside the Children's Zoo; wash hands after the petting yard.

More on Wikipedia: North American river otter · American alligator

Children's Zoo - Otters, Gators and Goats

Stops on this tour