Animals are displayed both indoors and outdoors. Many of the animals are kept not in cages but huge encloses surrounded by a deep moat or cold barrier. Visitors to the Zoo can take an automobile or tram, right into the very heart of the Zoo without disturbance to the animals. In all Zoos, the predator and prey are kept apart for safety reasons. Some animals such as the Leopard and Mountain Lion which can jump great distances are kept in cages for the well being of visitors to the Zoo.

All food that is given to animals in the Zoo comes from the Zoo's kitchen. Highly trained staffs prepare well-balanced and nutritious meals for the Zoo's inhabitants. Visitors to the zoo are not allowed to feed the animals, except at certain parts of the Zoo where pre prepared food is obtainable to feed the animals.

All major zoos have full-time vets to examine and treat injured or sick animals. Some smaller Zoos, however, have part-time vets to treat their animals. Many Zoos around the world have an in-house animal hospital.

Zoos obtain their animals from dealers who have connections with other Zoos or wild animal hunters. Some Zoos even exchange animals between themselves.