Some of the more popular animals include Asian elephants, Humboldt penguins, Amur tigers, a Komodo dragon and the only Giant Pacific octopus exhibit in Central New York.

In 1998, the zoo initiated a capital campaign to fund its education classrooms as well as the Amur tiger and Diversity of Birds exhibits.

Antiquities cave is an exhibit that simulates a submarine voyage through time from life's earliest days in the ocean to creatures living on land.

Fish species include tomato clownfish, longhorn cowfish, banded archerfish, giant Pacific octopus, starfish and anemones.

Reptiles species include Gila monsters, northern caiman lizards, yellow-spotted Amazon river turtles, and massasaugas.

The Nocturnal Animals area is on a reverse light cycle to allow visitors to see animals that are active at night, including Hoffmann's two-toed sloths, Fennec foxes, southern tamanduas, North American river otters, Damaraland mole-rats, Mohol bushbabies and a North Island brown kiwi.

Nearby exhibits feature Pied crows, Red-billed blue magpie, Turkey vulture, Barred owl, a Eurasian eagle-owl, Red-tailed hawks, and several other species of raptors.

The Domestic Animal Barn and yard are home to several endangered Heritage breeds of livestock including San Clemente Island goats, Black Welsh Mountain sheep and Barred Holland chickens, as well as a Guinea Hog, miniature Mediterranean donkey, two Alpacas and Barn owls.

Primate Park, which opened in 2010, is an outdoor exhibit with mesh walls, rope swings, large rocks and a waterfall feature.

Siamangs, eastern black-and-white colobuses and common patas monkeys take turns in the outdoor space on a rotating basis in warm weather.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo participates in SSPs for many threatened and endangered species including Amur tiger, Asian elephant, Amur leopard, snow leopard, red panda, black and white ruffed lemur, Humboldt penguin, red wolf, Turkmenian markhor and white-lipped deer, among others.

Fish and Wildlife Service, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and SUNY College to help protect a tiny local snail, called Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail (COAS).

[13] They also serve as experts regarding the husbandry, veterinary care, conservation needs/challenges, research priorities, ethical considerations, and other issues pertaining to their taxa.

Zoo to You This is a traveling education program that visits schools, libraries, community centers, senior centers/facilities, hospitals, etc., with professional zoo educators presenting classes featuring animal biofacts and ambassador animals including lizards, snakes, birds, turtles and a North American porcupine, among others.

Classes are designed for specific age groups and include crafts, snack, biofact (skulls, fur, feathers, etc.)