ZooMobile Program
Looking for info about Virtual ZooMobile Programs?
EARTH Ltd and Southwick’s Zoo are now offering virtual presentations! Click here to learn more.
What is the ZooMobile Program?
This exciting educational program involves an EARTH Limited at Southwick’s Zoo educator and some of our animal ambassador traveling to a school, library or other facility to present a unique and informative program. Presentations cover a range of topics about animal ecology, behavior, and conservation. See “Presentation Descriptions & Pricing” below for more information.
All of our ZooMobile programs are designed to meet current state core science standards in Massachusetts, and Rhode Island as well as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
What animals may be seen during a ZooMobile?
The animals are chosen on the morning of the presentation based on a variety of factors.
There is a wide variety of animals we may bring on a ZooMobile program. The animals chosen depend on the number of participants that will be attending and the topic of the program. The list of animals we might possibly bring include: Bearded dragon, geckos, tarantula, corn snake, sand boa, ball python, rainbow boa, multiple species of water and land turtles and tortoises, blue tongue skink, American alligator, cane toad, tegu, frogs, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, frilled lizard, macaw, chinchilla, domestic ferrets, three-banded armadillo, lesser hedgehog tenrec, African hedgehog, striped skunk, African crested porcupine, brush-tailed bettong, red kangaroo.
Any decision to allow the people who attend the program to touch an animal is made by the presenter on the day of the program. This may change at any time for the health or safety of the animals or program attendees.
ZooMobile Guidelines
Selecting Your Date & Time
- ZooMobiles must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance
- We do not want to interfere with your students’ usual routines, so please try to schedule the presentation at a time that does not conflict with loading/unloading buses and /or moving between classes
- The maximum number of presentations we can do in one day are: three 40-45 minute presentations OR four 20-30 minute presentations. There will need to be a break between programs that is 5-30 minutes long. We cannot do multiple programs with more than 30 minutes between them for the welfare of the animals.
Location Requirements
- Please note that we do not book birthday parties or events at private residences due to concerns regarding space and safety for our animals
- We prefer to present our ZooMobile programs indoors. Outdoor spaces will be considered on a case-by-case basis when the outside temperature is within acceptable parameters for the welfare of the animals. We do not do outdoor presentations from June through August. Please note that outdoor spaces have a very limited animal selection.
- Our animals can be stressed or scared by loud noises, so we ask that you arrange a room that is conducive to a quiet atmosphere, such as a classroom, library, activity room, or small auditorium.
- Please notify us if the room in which we will be presenting does not have air conditioning during the summer so that we can plan on bringing animals that are not temperature-sensitive.
- Once we are situated, we cannot move from one room to another; this is especially important to keep in mind if you are scheduling multiple presentations on the same day.
Presentation Descriptions and Pricing
The ideal number of people is listed under the descriptions, but we may be able to accommodate a few more depending on the circumstances. The maximum number of people we can have at a program is 200. We are happy to do a second program at a reduced fee to accommodate larger groups.
Click the program titles below to expand for more information.
Auditorium Style: Introduction to Animal Ecology
- 45 minute program
- Up to 200 people
- $750 for 1 ($500 each additional program – Max 3 programs /day)
Our most popular program! This program includes an animal handler and a presenter who will provide a general introduction to the subject of animal ecology. We will explore topics such as traits used to classify different animals into groups like birds, reptiles, and mammals; types of interactions between animal groups; how animals interact with their environment; and much more.
Aligns with MA STE standards for PreK to High School (LS1, LS2, LS4, ESS2); RI Grade Span Expectations in Science, Life Science Domain K-12; and Next Generation Science Standards K-HS (LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4, ESS2, ESS3).
Toddler Program (18 months – 36 months): Sense-ational
- 20 -25 minute program
- 25-30 participants
- $500 for 2/20 minute programs ($250 each additional – Max 4/20 minute programs per day)
Which animal smells with its tongue? Which animal tastes with its feet? Which animal hears with its legs? This program explores the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell) and their importance for survival. We also highlight animals that sense their environments in extraordinary ways that are much different from how people typically sense the world around them.
PreK-K Program: We Like to Move It, Move It
- 30 minute program
- 25 – 30 participants
- $600 for 2/30 minute programs ($250 each additional – Max 4 programs/day)
Which animals can fly? Which animals can swim? How do animals without legs get around? Why do animals need to move? From crawling bugs to slithering snakes to hopping kangaroos, this program explores the various modes of animal locomotion whether on land, in the water, or in the air. We also discuss reasons why animals would need to move from one location to another.
Aligns with MA STE standards PreK-LS1-1, PreK-LS2-1, PreK-LS2-2, K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, 1-LS1-1; RI Grade Span Expectations (K-2) in Science LS1-1, LS1-4, LS4-8; and Next Generation Science Standards K-LS1-1 (LS1.A, LS1.C), K-ESS2-2 (ESS2.E), K-ESS3-1 (ESS3.A).
Classroom (Grades 1-12): Remarkable Reptiles
- 45 minute program
- 25 – 30 participants
- $650 for 1/45 minute presentation ($250 each additional – max of 3 programs/day)
- These programs can be adapted for the age of the participants. Specific subtopics such as Endangered Species or Rainforest animals can be considered if requested at the time the ZooMobile is booked.
Scales, scutes, and shells, oh my! This program explores the traits that classify animals as reptiles and discusses characteristics of various types of reptiles. Learn whether reptiles are slimy, how snakes smell with their tongues, how long tortoises can live, and much more about these fascinating creatures!
Aligns with MA STE standards 3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-2, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1; RI Grade Span Expectations (3-4, 5-6) in Science LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-4, LS3-8; and Next Generation Science Standards 3-LS1-1 (LS1.B), 3-LS2-1 (LS2.D), 3-LS3-1 (LS3.A, LS3.B), 3-LS4-2 (LS4.B), 3-LS4-3 (LS4.C, LS4.D), 4-LS1-1 (LS1.A, LS1.D).
Classroom (Grades 1-12): Amazing Adaptations
- 45 minute program
- 25 – 30 participants
- $650 for 1/45 minute presentation ($250 each additional – max of 3 programs/day)
- These programs can be adapted for the age of the participants. Specific subtopics such as Endangered Species or Rainforest animals can be considered if requested at the time the ZooMobile is booked.
How do animals survive in the extreme heat or cold? How do animals avoid being eaten? What do pangolins, hedgehogs, and three-banded armadillos all have in common? Learn the answers to these questions and more during this program that is all about adaptations. We discuss how specialized behavioral, physiological, and physical traits allow animals to survive in their environments.
Aligns with MA STE standards 3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-2, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1; RI Grade Span Expectations (3-4, 5-6) in Science LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-4, LS3-7, LS3-8; and Next Generation Science Standards 3-LS1-1 (LS1.B), 3-LS2-1 (LS2.D), 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2 (LS3.A, LS3.B), 3-LS4-2 (LS4.B), 3-LS4-3 (LS4.C, LS4.D), 4-LS1-1 (LS1.A, LS1.D).
Beyond the Classroom: Animal Assisted Therapy
- 45 minute program
- 25 – 30 participants
- $500 for 1 presentation ($250 each additional – Max of 3 programs/ day)
This program is designed for people, such as those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, whose needs exceed the traditional educational format. It offers individual encounters with specially selected animals that can be viewed up close and touched. This program is sensory friendly and well suited for groups with special needs.
Community Programs
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Are you interested in us coming to your community event or location? Contact us at education@southwickszoo.com
Travel Fees
Travel Fees
- Less than 20 miles from Southwick’s zoo – no fee
- 21 – 34 miles away from zoo – $50
- 35 – 54 miles away from zoo – $75
- 55 – 70 miles away from zoo – $100
- Greater than 70 miles – contact us for fee
To submit a ZooMobile Inquiry, send an email to education@southwickszoo.com with your requested date and contact information and we will send you a ZooMobile request form to fill out.
Submitted an inquiry but still have questions? Email education@southwickszoo.com.
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Located at Southwick’s Zoo
2 Southwick’s Street
Mendon, MA 01756
1-800-258-9182
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