Why do you feel it's among the worst? It's quite small and one could easily name several better but I think for the size of the space, it's cute. It's just a shame there's not more diversity.
It's cramped inside, and the Chinese alligators in the central pool have one of the smallest exhibits I've ever seen for crocodilians. The terraniums along the walls are tiny and average at best, and I've been to zoos with huge collections that make Cincinnati's reptile house appear outdated.
I liked the look of the inside that I saw from photos but I didn't know chinese alligators were in the centre. I expected turtles or something and I agree that it is way too small.
It is hard to imagine that when this building opened in 1875 there were primates inside, and in fact reptiles didn't arrive until 1951. In the 1960's there was a board vote to demolish the Reptile House, but it survived and to this day still maintains a reptile collection. There have been rumors for years now that the zoo has plans to convert the structure to something else (perhaps not even involving animals) but so far those plans have not come to fruition.
It is hard to imagine that when this building opened in 1875 there were primates inside, and in fact reptiles didn't arrive until 1951. In the 1960's there was a board vote to demolish the Reptile House, but it survived and to this day still maintains a reptile collection. There have been rumors for years now that the zoo has plans to convert the structure to something else (perhaps not even involving animals) but so far those plans have not come to fruition.
