I love petting zoos. I love them all. However, there is one petting zoo which has set a new standard for petting zoos. It’s called the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch. They have a great variety of animals, ALL of which you can feed and touch.
For $15, you get a giant cup of feed for the donkeys, fallow deer, ostrich, sheep, and goats. You also get three tokens that work in three different spots to feed the chickens, rabbits, and ducks. They give you a cup of nectar to feed the rainbow lorakeets. The lorakeets are a lot of fun. They will sit right on your hand (or arm, or shoulder, or head), and drink the nectar right from the cup while you hold it. Finally, you also get a token redeemable for some sliced squid so you can feed the STINGRAYS. All of the animals are amazing, but the stingrays are worth the price of admission alone. You place a slice of squid between your fingers and put your hand underwater. An obliging stingray will float up to your hand and vacuum it up for you. It’s a really strange sensation, but these guys are sooooo soft and gentle.
All of the staff are extremely friendly, and it’s obvious that they care deeply for all of the animals in their care.
This is literally one of my favorite places on the entire planet. I highly recommend you stop by if you’re anywhere near Phoenix or Tucson.