No—our lions are obligate carnivores and receive a full meat-based diet tailored to their nutritional needs. Items like lettuce, herbs, or scents are used purely for sensory enrichment.
While our parrots are housed safely, they are given opportunities for wing flapping, climbing, and movement through perches and play structures. We also offer them the chance to come out of their enclosures to engage directly with our keepers. Sometimes they enthusiastically participate—and sometimes they choose to stay in their housing. That’s perfectly okay! Respecting choice is a key part of our animal care philosophy, and we always prioritize the comfort and autonomy of each individual bird.
At Lion Habitat Ranch, every animal’s diet is species-specific and carefully tailored to their nutritional needs. All diets are approved by our attending veterinarian to ensure optimal health and well-being.
- Lions: Their food portions are customized based on each individual’s specific requirements, ensuring they receive the appropriate nutrients to thrive.
- Birds and Tortoises: Each species has a diet designed to match their natural feeding habits, providing a balanced mix of essential nutrients.
We take great care in providing balanced, veterinarian-approved meals that support the health of all our animal residents!
Our team works closely with our veterinarian to evaluate each species’ natural behaviors, preferences, and safety needs. Enrichment is rotated regularly and adjusted based on seasonal factors, health, and individual personalities.
Parrots are highly intelligent and social. We provide foraging toys, mirrors, musical stimuli, and training sessions to challenge their minds and encourage vocalization and interaction.
Tortoises may be slow, but they’re inquisitive! We offer varied terrain, edible enrichment like leafy greens, and objects to climb or push. These activities support physical health and natural foraging.
We ensure temperature control for our animals throughout the year, providing them with safe spaces for various weather conditions:
- Lions: Their denboxes are equipped with heat in the winter and swamp coolers in the summer to keep them comfortable.
- Parrots: Their denboxes have heat in colder months, and for the more temperature-sensitive birds, heat lamps are available outside their enclosures. Misters help keep all birds cool during the summer.
- Tortoises: In warm weather, they burrow to stay cool and enjoy mud wallows to regulate temperature. Their denboxes have heat in the winter to ensure they stay warm.
- Ostriches & Emus: These birds have denboxes to escape inclement weather and misters in the summer to help them stay cool.
- Shaded Areas: Every animal habitat has shaded spots, which shift throughout the day as the sun moves.
These measures help keep all of our animal’s comfortable no matter the season! Let us know if you have more questions about how we care for them.
Lion Habitat Ranch operates with permits from Clark County, licensing through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and accreditation from the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). These credentials reflect our commitment to the highest standards of animal care and welfare. We take great pride in providing the best possible environment for our animal family.
These curious birds be a bit picky! Some individuals prefer food-based enrichment like ice, mealworms, or other tasty treats, while others enjoy playing with browse, hanging objects, or exploring varied substrates. We tailor enrichment to each bird’s preferences to encourage pecking, foraging, and natural behaviors—always keeping their comfort and curiosity in mind.
Enrichment refers to activities and items that stimulate animals mentally and physically, encouraging natural behaviors and reducing stress. It’s a vital part of animal welfare, helping our animal family stay curious, active, and engaged.
We rotate items like scents, physical toys designed for large animals, cardboard structures, and novel objects to encourage exploration, play, and natural hunting instincts. Our keepers also like to get a little silly and creative—don’t be surprised if you see them running around with pool noodles and streamers or kicking balls to spark our lions’ curiosity and engagement! These playful interactions help stimulate natural behaviors and build trust, all while keeping things fun for both animals and staff
Our animal family receives expert care from our dedicated veterinarian, ensuring their health and well-being throughout the year. Regular check-ups and preventive care further support their overall wellness. Alongside medical attention, our animal care staff provides daily monitoring, enrichment, and hands-on care to keep them happy and thriving.
That’s called the flehmen response! It’s a natural behavior where lions analyze scents using a specialized organ in the roof of their mouth. It’s a great sign they’re engaged and curious.
