Can you swim like a fish? Slither like a snake? Swing like a siamang? Students will explore animal movement as they hop, crawl and wiggle their way through story, song and activities.

SC Early Learning Standards: AL-5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4; ELA-1.2, 3.6; M-1.5; PD-1.1, 2.2

1 critter… 2 critter… 3 critter… 4. Students will practice counting and number skills while learning about animals at the Zoo and in the wild!

SC Early Learning Standards: AL-5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4; ELA 1.2, 3.6, 6.1, 6.3; M 1.4, 1.5; PD 2.2

Young learners will identify colors and explore the many shades found at the Zoo through songs and activities.

SC Early Learning Standards: AL-5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4; ELA 1.2, 3.6, 6.1, 6.3; M 1.4, 1.5, 3.4; PD 2.2

Bring your curiosity for six-legged creatures. Classes explore insect life cycles and search for superhero bugs in this interactive class.

SC Science Standards: K.L.2A.1, K.L.2A.3, 1.E.3A.1

Have a crazy day at the Critter Café as students learn about what animals eat.

SC Science Standards: K.L.2A.3, K.L.2A.6, 1.S.1A.1

From egg to bird, seed to flower and cub to bear, living things change as they grow. Experience the journey of life as students learn about the growth and development of plants and animals. **Plant or animal emphasis available.

SC Science Standards: 1.L.5A.2, 2.L.5A.1, 2.L.5A.3

Whether it has fins, fur or feathers, you can tell a lot about a critter by its appearance. Students will discover how animals are categorized by their characteristics in this fun class.

SC Science Standards: 2.L.5A.1, 2.L.5A.2, 2.L.5A.3, 3.L.5A.2

Animals and plants depend on their adaptations to survive. Students will distinguish inherited from acquired adaptations as we learn how animals and plants survive in some of the world’s harshest places. **Plant or animal emphasis available.

SC Science Standards: 2.L.5A.2, 2.L.5B.2, 2.L.5B.3, 3.L.5A.1,3.L.5B.2, 4.L.5A.4, 4.L.5B.1, 4.L.5B.3

From the ocean to mountains, wetlands to desert, Earth is covered in beautiful and unique places that living things call home. Students will see what makes each home unique and how plants and animals function within these intriguing places.

SC Science Standards: 4.L.5B.3, 5.L.4A.1, 5.L.4A.2, 5.L.4B.1, 5.L.4B.2, 5.L.4B.3

Travel from the Carolina mountains to the sea in this interactive class. Students will explore South Carolina’s five distinct regions, each with its own ecosystem and wildlife.

SC Science Standards: 3.L.5A.1, 3.L.5A.2, 3.L.5B.1, 3.E.4B.2, 4.L.5B.3, 5.L.4A.1, 5.E.3B.2, 5.E.3B.4

Try your hand at forensic science to observe and categorize evidence about animals. Interactive scientific skill stations and animal encounters can help you provide wild justice.

SC Science Standards: 6.L.4B.1*, 6.L.4B.2, 6.L.4B.5, 7.L.3A.2* 7.EC.5A.3, 8.5.1A.1

(*) Denotes partial completion of standard.

How do plants survive in the desert or tundra? How does a plant grow up? Students will find out all of this while learning how eating plants helps you stay healthy!

SC Science Standards: K.L.2A.1, K.L.2A.6, N-K.1.2, 1.L.5A.1, 1.L.5A.2*, 1.L.5B.1*, 1.l.5B.2*, N-1.1.2, N-2.5.1, 3.L.5.B.2, N-3.8.1*, 4.L.5A.1*, 4.L.5A.2, 4.L.5B.2., N-4.8.1*, 5.L.4B.1, N-5.4.1*

(*) Denotes partial completion of standard.

Riverbanks loves the uniqueness of each species we care for and their ability to survive and thrive in their natural environments. Students uncover what abilities are learned and inherited through this exploration of physical and behavioral adaptations.

SC Science Standards: K.L.2A.1, K.L.2A.3, 1.S.1A.1, 2.L.5A.2, 2.L.5B.2, 2.L.5B.3, 3.L.5A.1, 3.L.5B.2, 4.L.5A.4, 4.L.5B.1, 4.L.5B.3

From the birds of the forest to the fish in the sea, living things need energy to live and grow. Students discover the importance of each and every animal to its ecosystem as we uncover the complexities of food webs in a variety of environments.

SC Science Standards: 3.L.5A.1, 3.L.5A.2, 4.L.5B.3, 5.L.4A.1, 5.L.4B.1, 5.L.4B.2, 5.L.4B.3

Students will learn what species have made ‘the list’ and celebrate the species that have made it off. Find out what Riverbanks is doing to conserve habitats and species to prevent their status as endangered or extinct.

SC Science Standards: 6.L.4B.1*, 6.L.4B.2, 6.L.4B.3, 1.EC.5A.1, 7.EC.5A.3, 7.EC.5B.4, 8.E.6B.1, 8.E.6B.2, H.B.5.1, H.B.5.3, H.B.5.4, H.B.6A.2, H.B.6D.1*

(*) Denotes partial completion of standard.

You normally learn about animals in biology or life science, but animals cross science disciplines! Discover animals through the lens of chemistry and physics in this interactive assembly.

SC Science Standards: 6.P.3A.1, 6.P.3A.2, 6.P.3A.5, 8.P.2A.5, 8.P.3A.3, 8.P.3A.4, H.P.2A.6, H.P.2B.3, H.P.3C.2, H.P.3D.2

Just as children imagine shapes in the clouds, so have various cultures seen animals among the stars. Discover the stories and natural behaviors behind some of the most famous animal constellations. Participants will explore biofacts, learn through hands-on activities and meet some of Riverbanks’ animal ambassadors.

Grab your umbrella! This tropical program will explore the diversity that exists in one of the most stunning places in the world: The Amazon Rainforest! We will journey through each layer of the rainforest, learning about some of the species that call the Amazon “home.” From the heaviest snake in the world, to an electrifying fish, the Amazon Rainforest is sure to amaze!

Discover the incredible wildlife that exists in our own backyard! South Carolina is full of amazing habitats and species that inhabit them. Together we will learn about our “state animals,” species that are under protection and how Riverbanks is working to conserve our local flora and fauna.

Australia is home to some of the most unique and fascinating animals found in the world! Join us as we uncover this spectacular region. From animals that can leap 25 feet in one jump to those that eat only poisonous plants. Australian animals and their amazing characteristics are sure to delight!

Dive deep into uncharted territory as we explore the oceans of our world. Shorelines, coral reefs and even the deep sea are home to some incredible yet rarely seen creatures. While we explore the ocean habitats, we will also discuss the ocean animals that live at Riverbanks Zoo!

Africa is home to some of the most iconic animals known to humans. Travel through jungles, deserts, and grasslands to fully appreciate all that it has to offer! Learn about African animals that live in the wild—and those that live at Riverbanks Zoo.

Explore the farthest reaches of our planet as we travel from pole to pole! The animals of the Arctic and Antarctic can exist in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Discover the secrets of polar survival, for both animals and human explorers alike!

Some of the rarest species on Earth live in Asia. Together we will take a peek at the amazing fauna that exists, from colorful birds to stealthy reptiles. Join us to uncover the secrets of Asia and all the beauty it holds.

Join us as we walk down the Zoo’s memory lane. Together we will learn how the Riverbanks began, how it has changed and what it looks like now!