Come meet tiny heroes with big noses and even bigger jobs!

Sacramento Zoo is one of the only places in the U.S. where you can get the rare opportunity to meet a true HeroRAT! During this tour, you will venture to the HeroRAT habitat, make enrichment for one of our rats, and learn how we care for our clever little heroes. Afterwards, we’ll head to our amphitheater area where you’ll learn how APOPO trains these talented rats to use their incredible sense of smell to help people and protect wildlife. Get your camera ready and capture some fun photos of you feeding your new furry friend. 

• Select days at 10:45am
• $65 per person zoo member
• $86 per person non-members

Reservation Requirements: 

• Online reservations need to be made at least 24 hours in advance.
• For additional days or times please contact the Education Department at 916-808-8441 or by email.

Notes to Sacramento Zoo members:

• Members must sign in to receive member discounts. Discounts are reflected after you click "Add to Cart".
• Tours will be discounted by the cost of zoo admission only for the number of individuals that would be covered by your membership level.

Age Restrictions: 

• For ages 8 and older, 1:1 parent child ratio.
• All attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a paid adult. There must be at least one adult per one child.

Tour Information:

• Duration: 45 - 60 minutes.
• Capacity: up to 4 participants. If you have more than four in your party, please call 916-808-8441 to get in contact with a tour specialist who can help accommodate your group.
• Arrival time: Please arrive on time, as the tour will begin promptly at 10:45pm. Late arrivals may not be able to join the tour. 
• Animal participation is not guaranteed. Animals have free choice to participate or not participate in any encounter. The animals also have free choice to leave the encounter at anytime.
• Visit the Behind-the-Scenes Tours page for tour descriptions, schedule, and cancellation policies.

Health and Safety: 

• Closed-toed shoes are required for safety and comfort.
• We will be entering a small, enclosed indoor area behind the Hero Rat habitat. The door will be closed and locked while we are inside and you will be in close proximity to other people. If you are uncomfortable with this, please let us know in the special note section of the registration.
• Eating and drinking (except water) is not permitted during the tour. 
• Illness: If you are ill, experiencing symptoms of COVID or have been exposed to someone with COVID in the last two weeks, we ask that you reschedule your tour. This is for the safety or our animals. 

Please be sure to print, fill out and bring the Release of Liability Form with you on the day of your tour. You can also fill it out when you check in at membership. 

Most of the HeroRAT Tour is ADA-accessible. Please contact us with any specific questions and we will be happy to help as we can.