LEVY COUNTY, Fla. — The Two Tails Ranch in Levy County is home to many exotic animals, but they specialize in elephants.

What You Need To Know

  • The Two Tails Ranch in Levy County focuses on caring for elephants

  • It has many other exotic animals, too, including a Grant's zebra and a red-footed tortoise

  • On private, guided tours, visitors learn about and can interact with elephants 

  • Reservations are required

The ranch was founded in 1984 by Theodore Svertesky and Patricia Zerbini, and used to board both Asian and African Elephants needing temporary or permanent housing. It’s the only privately owned elephant facility of its kind.

Before the ranch began specializing in elephants, Zerbini’s grandfather worked with primates, and her father worked with big cats.

Since it’s opening, over 250 elephants stayed on the property for a variety of reasons — from medical needs, retirement and even in some emergencies after hurricanes destroyed several zoos and exhibits.

In 2008, Zerbini began educational programs for private sectors and professionals to learn about elephants.

In private guided tours, visitors will learn and interact with elephants like nowhere else.

The ranch also houses a Grant's Zebra, African spurred tortoise, red-footed tortoises, an ostrich, emu, camel and a family of ring-tailed lemurs.

The ranch offers tours every day but on Thursdays. Reservations are required. For more information, head to allaboutelephants.com.