Zoologist City Editor Haley here. If you read my 26 favorite things about Chattanooga, you know just how much I love our local red pandas — and thanks to the folks at the Chattanooga Zoo, I was able to actually pet one.

Bucket list item complete.

The zoo offers 30-minute wild encounters to be booked throughout the year where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at some of your favorite animals while feeding them.

Red panda encounter | $250 per person

We've got to start with the big one. I got to meet Avi, the zoo's male panda — who is Pilatus' dad. Avi and I bonded over our love for grapes, which I got to feed him from the palm of my hand. I also got to do a round where I pet his back, and yes, happy tears were shed.

During this encounter, you will also see them eat bamboo + biscuit treats while learning more about their behaviors and natural habitats. Fun fact: Red pandas have a unique sweet receptor and can actually notice when something has been artificially sweetened, an unusual trait for animals.

I feel like Primrose and I are now bonded for life. | Photo by NOOGAtoday

Prehensile-tailed porcupine encounter | $95 per person

This encounter + its star, Primrose, are known to be underrated — in the words of the zoo's Director of Marketing and Communications Jake Cash, "She might be nocturnal, but don't sleep on her."

I hung out with this sweet girl inside her warm enclosure where she loved being fed pieces of corn + apples from a skewer. She quite possibly has the best table manners I've ever seen. Once she had her fill, I got to see her snuggle up on her branch to go back to sleep. Fun fact: These porcupines are known to hang from their tales.

Giant anteaters are the largest of the four species of anteaters. | Photo by NOOGAtoday

Giant anteater encounter | $150

If you've ever wondered just how long an anteater's tongue could be (and the answer is quite long), this is the encounter for you. I got to meet + feed Betsy and Pico, who love competing for each other's food.

You'll end this encounter by treating them to some yogurt, which they went crazy for, and being able to touch their noses if they let you. Fun fact: Giant anteaters don't have teeth + their 2-ft tongue is thin like a spaghetti noodle.

The zoo has two other encounters to choose from, including a chance to meet the meerkats + komodo dragon. Encounters are currently available to book for select dates between Dec. 22 + June 30.

Bonus: A portion of sales from encounters go directly to conservation organizations that focus on protecting that specific species.