School and zoo
School class tours
Which snake is the longest in the world? And which is the most venomous?
Why does a zebra shark have spots instead of stripes?
How long can a sea turtle hold its breath?
Do your students often ask such questions and would you love to get all the answers at once? Then you’ve come to the right place! Book a tour for your class at the Haus des Meeres! We offer both a Highlight Tour and a Grasping Nature experience in English for students starting from the 1st grade on up.
Important key data for all school tours
Price:
The guided tours themselves are free of charge (zoo entrance fees apply, for every 10 paying schoolchildren the entrance fee for one accompanying person is free).
Number:
Groups larger than 25 will be split into two tours.
When and where:
Mon–Fri (except for holidays, public holidays and bridge days), Grasping Nature does not take place on Wednesdays.
Duration:
50 minutes
Important!
After the tour, feel free to check out the other areas of the zoo.
Please note that the students must be in groups led by teachers/chaperones during the entire visit to the zoo! A visit to the exhibition areas is only permitted if they are supervised by adults.
Highlight tours
On one of our highlight tours, you and your students will traverse the Haus des Meeres to marvel at and learn about some of our most beloved residents, both in the sea and on land. Whether it’s their impressive size, stunning colouration, intriguing way of life or their unique abilities, each of these animals will fascinate your students. We can safely say that the majestic sharks, countless colourful coral reef fish, and our incredible pythons are not to be missed!
Grasping nature
Are your students interested in biological specimens, such as shark teeth, shark eggs, turtle shells, snakeskins and more? Then you can exclusively "grasp nature" with us! During this interactive lecture on the 10th floor, your students will get to know different groups of animals based on their morphology and have the opportunity to touch the individual specimens (no live animals).
Downloadable worksheets:
Below we have prepared worksheets which you can download and print before your visit. As you explore the Haus des Meeres together, your pupils can fill out the worksheets to gain a deeper understanding of our animals.
Worksheet for lower grade levels
Worksheet for middle and upper grade levels
Please note that your pupils must remain in view of a responsible adult during the entire visit to our zoo. They are not allowed to wander through the exhibits of the Haus des Meeres without an adult supervising them.
Digital guide at Haus des Meeres
Try our Haus des Meeres web app “GuideMe”: Want to plan your visit in advance or are you looking for a specific animal while you're here? Then use our free web app. It serves as a virtual navigation aid, displays live information and feeding times, provides you with exciting facts about the animals, and can be used as an interactive visitor map.
How it works:
- Connect to the “HDM Guest” Wi-Fi network.
- Scan the QR code or open the following link: https://guideme.haus-des-meeres.at/en/home
Unfortunately, no guided tours can be offered for kindergarten groups right now, but our aquariums and terrariums are described in such a way that you can have a fascinating and fun time at the Haus des Meeres without a guide. You can also embark on an exciting adventure with our treasure map! Simply print out the Haus des Meeres treasure map (suitable for kindergarten groups or families) and start your journey on the 9th floor. Just take the lift in the new stairwell (ground floor to the right of the ticket desk). The children can figure out the answers at each station, but if they need help, our guides are happy answer their questions – just ask!