Reticulated Python, Reptile House

The Zoo receives over a hundred Reticulated Pythons every year from the public, authorities and pest removal companies. The Reticulated Python is one of the commonest snakes in Singapore and has adapted to living in urban areas. Most of the snakes are released back into nature reserves after health checks.

Singapore's reptile house is great; one of few reptile houses I visited again and again during my visit; usually I'll walk one round and then leave for the outdoor exhibits again.

Does the zoo have a lot of wild snakes turning up on zoo grounds, including the venomous wild species such as King Cobra (of which I remember the zoo having a very large specimen)?

Yes there's lots of wild snakes within the zoo grounds. Most common ones are reticulated pythons, black spitting cobras, oriental whip snakes, paradise tree snakes and bronzebacks. Occasionally the beautiful but highly venomous Malayan blue coral is spotted.

The reticulated pythons have become a nuisance and menace, preying on the zoo's animals (largest victim I know of being an Australian pelican).

The King cobras in Singapore don't seem to tolerate disturbed or built-up areas so they're not seen on zoo grounds.