When it comes to zoo facilities and functionality, animal safety and comfort should always come first. A zoo mat should be durable enough for use in any part of the zoo, but soft enough for even the heaviest and largest of animals to stand or rest on. Zoo flooring should be able to endure all kinds of wear and tear, and while any flooring option would be susceptible to damage in a zoo, rubber zoo mats and runners would be the most ideal option for needs in endurance and resilience.

In different zoos there are a variety of animal habitats—from Antarctic water and ice, to Savannah dry flatlands, or temperate grass and concrete. Despite the wide array of environments, rubber zoo mats are necessary for each of them. A rubber zoo mat is helpful at the entrance or exit door of a wet and icy environment especially as zookeepers come in to feed the animals. In situations like these, rubberized zoo flooring with a corrugated surface aids in providing traction for both zoo staff and the animals. Rubber’s resilient quality makes for is an ideal zoo mat, and corrugated designs help to trap dirt and moisture, aiding in non-slip flooring.

Rubberized zoo mats with drainage holes are another excellent zoo flooring option for these kinds of wet environments. Not only would a rubber zoo mat be durable by design, but zoo mats and runners with perforations would further help to drain liquids in moist areas and increase safety in walking spaces. A perforated zoo mat is also helpful for use where animals are bathed. While this type of mat would inherently allow for drainage, the manageable sizing and weight also allows for simple mobility. It makes cleanup after bathing a fairly easy and straight forward ordeal for the zoo staff. In most cases, a mop would be enough to use on the zoo mat itself, and it can always get hosed down and doused with additional cleaning product if needed.

Ideally, zoo flooring should be easy to clean for the staff, durable for the animals, and comfortable and safe for anyone’s use all over the zoo. In open environments under the sun, zoo flooring must be able to endure all types of weather and should be heavy enough to handle the animals that live in those habitats. Rubberized zoo mats with EPDM contain a degree of UV protection which makes these zoo mats an ideal flooring option in the places where there may be constant exposure to sunlight.

Rubber mats and runners are a perfect flooring option for their sturdiness and elastic quality. A zoo mat is used for anti-slip purposes and should provide comfortable standing or resting places for animals. With this in mind, rubberized zoo mats are great for withstanding the most abrasive of conditions where heavy machinery or large animals might be using them. A rubber zoo mat is durable for safety and industrial use, but they are also pliant, resilient, and fairly insulated. When compared to other types of zoo flooring such as concrete or grass, the rubber zoo mat makes for the best resting space for the animals. Unlike concrete flooring where the surface is hard, cold, and unforgiving on the joints, the insulation and elasticity provided by a rubber zoo mat makes for a warmer, safer, and more comfortable resting place for zoo animals to lie on.

There are also rubber mats that can be used for anti-fatigue purposes. Depending on the thickness and surface pattern of the zoo mat, its resilient quality can also be ideal for public walkways in the zoo or in back areas where zookeepers clean up or work with the animals. For walkways, rubber runners help to provide traction which helps to ensure the safety of visitors and staff alike. In high traffic areas and stairways, PVC zoo flooring with perforations and grooved surfaces can also be a great slip-resistant option because it helps with drainage and is easy on maintenance. Certain PVC runners and mats are designed specifically for trapping dirt and moisture which also helps to develop further slip-resistance. Since a zoo mat of PVC is water resistant, it would also be resistant to storing allergens and developing mold and mildew, which is ideal especially in open spaces involving animal waste.

For all zoo mat and flooring needs, rubber and perforated PVC are the best options for their durability, elasticity, and easy maintenance. In a zoo setting, the perforated zoo mat is the best equipment for wet habitats and bathing areas. A rubber zoo mat helps not only zoo workers, but animals who prefer a softer but still firm place to rest.