It’s been four years, so I think it’s safe to admit I watched Tiger King on Netflix during the pandemic. We were all in an uncertain time, and finding something on TV even more bizarre than a global shutdown seemed like an outlet of necessity.

I moved to Florida in 2020 and didn’t quite understand the private zoo culture until I became aware of alligators in random lakes, iguanas living in trees on hotel property and oddly shaped birds in my backyard. These are not the creatures I lived among for two decades in Colorado or on the family farm in Kansas. These animals felt like a distinct part of the Floridian way of life.

And it makes sense other exotic animals would be appealing to the people who live here — not just in city zoos but also in conservation centers and animal sanctuaries. Elephants, tigers, panthers, primates, sloths and snakes can all be found in various wildlife locations across Florida.

My son and I visited Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota County a few weeks ago. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but I guessed it was the kind of thing a 19-year-old boy and his mom could handle together. We arrived shortly before 1 p.m., in time for the bird show, and stayed to see the big cat show at 2 p.m. In between shows, we toured the facility, seeing a wide variety of animals a bit closer than anticipated.

Although the majority of the animals are “double fenced” to make sure tourists leave with all their limbs, you’re still close enough to realize what’s on the other side of the fence could eat you if they felt like it (though, in all fairness, I never felt any sort of heightened concern coming from any of the animals inside the fences).

Brown bears, white tigers and a pacing lion were the highlights. Lemurs, a camel and Sulcata tortoises were some of the surprises. In the exotic bird room, we watched a white parrot swing from the bars around him and chirp “hello” as we enjoyed his skillful display. My son walked through the goat petting area, giving affection to all the furry friends around him.

The big cat show offered air conditioning, a white tiger and a “liger” (lion mated with a tiger). The liger was touted as the only performing female liger in captivity, and according to her trainer and Big Cat Habitat co-owner, she’s the smartest big cat he’s ever had the pleasure of working with. If I took anything away from the display, it was the sheer size of these cats. I remember a similar feeling when a hippopotamus came out of the water a little closer than I expected in Africa — sans fence.

The way I feel about overgrown gators and iguanas is probably the way Southerners feel about free-roaming buffalo and elk herds in Colorado. Our pre-conceived notions about what’s “safe” and what’s “slightly ridiculous” often keeps life interesting.

If you see me at Giraffe Manor in Kenya, you’ll know I just crossed another exotic adventure off my bucket list. Until then, a day at an elephant ranch here in Florida might be close enough for now.

— Carrie Cox, account executive