Am I still smiling? I think I'm still smiling. Editor Sarah here. I'm about to tell you about one of my favorite Chattanooga experiences: Wild Encounters at the Chattanooga Zoo.

The name may sound like something crazy or unplanned, but it’s actually the opposite — a well-organized, one-of-a-kind experience. The Zoo offers 30-minute encounters with red pandas, meerkats, prehensile-tailed porcupines, Komodo dragons, and giant anteaters.

I was lucky enough to meet (and feed) some of the stars, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Red panda

Encounters: $250 per person
My experience: The first animal I got to interact with was Avi the red panda, and he did not disappoint. I got to feed him some cut-up grapes right from the palm of my hand. As if that wasn't exciting enough, I also got to pet his back. He was calm, sweet, and absolutely adorable. I'll be thinking about that face for a long time.

Getting grabbed by Primrose was like getting a warm hug. | Photo by Jake Cash

Prehensile-tailed porcupine

Encounters: $95 per person
My experience: I never thought I could get attached to a porcupine... but it happened. Primrose stole my heart — and the food right out of my hand. I got to feed her almonds and her absolute favorite: cut-up coconut. She grabbed my hand each time I offered her a piece, and honestly, we’re bonded for life now. So if you meet Primrose, please tell her I said hi.

For just a little while, I was the most popular person in the room. | Photo by Jake Cash

Meerkats

Encounters: $90 per person
My experience: Spending time with the meerkat mob was one of the cutest things I’ve ever experienced. The Zoo has five meerkats: a mother and her four grown babies (who are all bigger than she is). I got to feed them mealworms — and here’s a pro tip: keep them coming. Those little guys are quick, competitive, and always hungry.

The Zoo also offers two more encounters — with a Komodo dragon + giant anteater — for $150 per person. Reservations must be made online at least two weeks in advance, and 10% of the sale supports conservation partners that are protecting that species.

You can't tell from the photo, but this giraffe had one of the longest tongues I've ever seen. | Photo by Jake Cash

Before heading out, I met George the giraffe. Photos don’t do justice to just how massive giraffes are. Feeding him lettuce was unforgettable — mostly because he took it from me with his long tongue. You can feed the giraffes between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday for $5 per person.