I have no idea, but I agree that it looks smaller. From what I heard is that the zoo is indeed having less individual exhibits than before, but that is because the new reptile house will have larger exhbits.
I have no idea, but I agree that it looks smaller. From what I heard is that the zoo is indeed having less individual exhibits than before, but that is because the new reptile house will have larger exhbits.
From the plan it also seems to have very little "back of house" space to support breeding and reserve holding, which are typical hallmarks of the truly good collections of herps (ala Detroit's Amphibiville, MOLA at Ft. Worth, Columbus, Dallas etc.). Also, the middle section of the main building appears to have a large number of relatively small (standard) exhibit "boxes."
I'm not expecting this to be a mind-blowing advancement of herpetological display--but after nearly a decade of no reptiles at all in LA, I am looking forward to seeing it.
The building under construction seen in the above photo is definitely smaller than the original reptile house. But from studying the layout, this is the smaller Southwest Desert building which will consist solely of species native to the American southwest. And I believe much of that will be simulated desert mixed-species habitats. Probably about the right size for its purpose; several desert species of snakes, lizards, tortoise and toads found in our local deserts. Much of which would include a good number of Rattlers the zoo has off-exhibit and away temporarily at other zoos. Not to mention a few scorpions and tarantulas as well.
From the plan it also seems to have very little "back of house" space to support breeding and reserve holding, which are typical hallmarks of the truly good collections of herps (ala Detroit's Amphibiville, MOLA at Ft. Worth, Columbus, Dallas etc.). Also, the middle section of the main building appears to have a large number of relatively small (standard) exhibit "boxes."
I'm not expecting this to be a mind-blowing advancement of herpetological display--but after nearly a decade of no reptiles at all in LA, I am looking forward to seeing it.
That middle section probably will consist of some of the considerably smaller specimens; insects, amphibians, and geckos maybe? I expect anything from tiny ants to Pythons and Anacondas for it is a Reptile, Amphibian and Insect display.
They have never claimed that this modified project (no longer the original structure that would have adjoined the new Rainforest) was going to be compared to some of the recent mega structures seen elsewhere, but I wouldn't be to quick to judge how state-of-the-art advanced it will be. A lot of planning has gone into this project, including several last minute architectural additions requested by the curator staff to the designers at Portico, at additional costs. And yes, much has gone into breeding conditions in those plans reduakari.
That middle section probably will consist of some of the considerably smaller specimens; insects, amphibians, and geckos maybe? I expect anything from tiny ants to Pythons and Anacondas for it is a Reptile, Amphibian and Insect display.
They have never claimed that this modified project (no longer the original structure that would have adjoined the new Rainforest) was going to be compared to some of the recent mega structures seen elsewhere, but I wouldn't be to quick to judge how state-of-the-art advanced it will be. A lot of planning has gone into this project, including several last minute architectural additions requested by the curator staff to the designers at Portico, at additional costs. And yes, much has gone into breeding conditions in those plans reduakari.
I hope it will be a great exhibit--the design firm involved has done very good work elsewhere, including what to me looks like the best exhibit yet at the LA Zoo (Monkeys of China). It's nice to see that the focus is clearly on the exhibits, not on making a big architectural "statement" like the first proposed design that was thankfully scrapped. However, from what can be gleaned from the one drawing of the project posted here (thanks!), it seems that there is only going to be a modest area available "behind the scenes" for reptile propagation and conservation. The old LA Reptile House, like the newer ones in Ft. Worth and the "classic" ones in St. Louis, Bronx, Dallas, Columbus etc, had/have huge back of house spaces for maintaining breeding groups etc.
