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From our smallest spider to the half-ton North American Bison in our Great Plains Exhibit, Essex Countyโs Turtle Back Zoo offers a look at more than 100 different species of native and exotic animals from five continents. Get up close and personal with our animals at our Essex Farm Petting Zoo, and donโt forget to take a tranquil ride through South Mountain Reservation on our miniature train. Come back often as we constantly are adding new and exciting natural habitat exhibits for our animals. Whether you spend a day or an afternoon, Turtle Back Zoo is a special place where children and their families can learn about animals and gain appreciation for nature. I invite you to Experience Essex and Turtle Back Zoo.
Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Essex County Executive
About The zoo
For over 60 years, we have been inviting people to explore animals and habitats from around the world at their local zoo.
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Happy Saturday everyone! I am weighing in before March of the Penguin Madness starts on Sunday. Though not at my top weight (Iโve peaked at 13.89 lbs. during molting season before), I think Iโve got what it takes to stand up to the flippered competition.
How many fish do you think I eat per day to keep my crown as biggest male in the colony? Comment below with your guesses and donโt forget to vote ZILLA on Sunday and Monday on stories @penguins_international. This isnโt an eating competition, so I need your votes to move on to the next round!
oxox, Zilla
๐ฌ Animal Keeper Ava
Mar 15

Happy National Butterfly Day! ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ
Last year, your membership purchases supported the Zoo`s innovative conservation program, Turtle Back Blooms. This initiative provided vital support for AZAโs Monarch SAFE program and the Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) in their mission to protect pollinators.
Learn more about Turtle Back Blooms and the global impact of your membership at the link in our bio!
Mar 14

Well waddle you know! ๐ง Our penguin Zilla is a contender for @penguins_international March of the Penguin Madness!
You might remember Zilla from last monthโs nesting season post where, as the biggest male penguin in our group of 29, he made the biggest nest with rocks and strips of firehose.
Learn more about Zilla and see how he measures up against the competition at Link in Bio.
First Round of Voting begins this Sunday, March 16 & Monday, March 17!
#MOTPM2025 #voteforpenguins
Mar 12

Are you ready to spring forward? Zoo hours change to 10am โ 4pm daily starting this Saturday, March 8th. And a reminder that all clocks adjust at 2 AM on Sunday, March 9th! Our sleep schedules may be impacted by this, but some of our animals will enjoy their rest no matter the circumstances. Did you know that animals like our spotted hyenas and American alligator are primarily nocturnal? This means that they can be awake during the day, but they will often be more active at night. Most types of cats are nocturnal as well, but cheetahs are primarily diurnal like humans.
Mar 7

๐ **Members-Only Event: Meet The Keepers!** ๐
Join us on **Saturday, April 5, from 5PM to 7PM** for an exclusive experience! Get to know our incredible keepers, learn about their daily work, and meet the amazing animals in their care. ๐ฆ๐พ
๐๏ธ **This event is FREE for members!** RSVP: link in bio!
Not a member yet? Nowโs the perfect time to join at the link in our bio!
Mar 3

๐ฐ Bet on a wild night for a great cause! Join us for Wild Card Casino Night TOMORROW, Saturday, March 1st, from 8 :15PM to 11PM at @mallatshorthills!
๐๏ธ Tickets available at the doorโdonโt miss your chance to win BIG prizes while supporting wildlife conservation!
๐ Get your tickets now: www.wildcardnj.com
All proceeds benefit Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. Must be 21+ to attend. Letโs make it a roaring good time! ๐ฆโ ๏ธโฅ๏ธโฃ๏ธโฆ๏ธ
Feb 28

๐ข๐ Join Zoo Team Go and Make a Difference! ๐ฆ๐ฆ
Zoo Team Go brings volunteers together to support conservation, assist with projects around the Zoo, and clean up local parks! ๐๏ธ๐พ
โจ Perfect for businesses & organizations looking to boost team engagement and community impactโweโve managed groups from 30 to 200 volunteers!
Get involved today and be a part of something wildly amazing! ๐ฆ๐
๐ Learn more: link in our bio!
Feb 25

๐ฒ Wild Card Casino Night ๐ฒ
๐ฅ Saturday, March 1 | 8:15 PM - 11:00 PM ๐ฅ
๐ @mallatshorthills
Feeling lucky? ๐ Join us for a thrilling night of blackjack, poker, roulette, and more at Wild Card Casino Night! Test your skills, take some risks, and win big prizes! ๐๐ฐ
๐ Prizes up for grabs:
๐ต Gift cards
๐พ Luxury gift baskets
๐๏ธ Event tickets
๐ And so much more!
Don`t miss out on the excitementโdress sharp, bring your poker face, and letโs play! โ ๏ธโฅ๏ธโฃ๏ธโฆ๏ธ Purchase tickets NOW ๐ www.wildcardnj.com
Feb 24

๐ฒ Wild Card Casino Night โ Saturday, March 1 ๐ฒ
Make it a night to remember with these exclusive offers!
๐น The Retreat at @hiltonshorthills โ Enjoy fun drink specials & appetizers before the main event. Show this post for 10% off your tab! Stay the night for a relaxing retreat. www.wildcardnj.com/hilton
๐ฝ๏ธ @eatalynewjersey at @mallatshorthills โ Savor an elegant dining experience with an ร la carte menu or the $29 Taste of Eataly selection, perfectly paired with the exclusive Turtle-Tini cocktail (March 1 only!). www.wildcardnj.com/eataly
๐๏ธ Donโt miss outโgrab your Wild Card Casino Night tickets now! www.wildcardnj.com
Feb 20
