Drill's mini reviews

drill said:
Found out that they have/had Red kite. Forgot to put Ural owl in the list. Possibly they have White-tailed sea eagle.
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Zoo #226 SeaQuest Lynchburg Lynchburg, VA A-
The newest aquarium in the United States, this collection has all the usual aquatic animals like macaws, chickens, wallabies, cavies, and others. Highlights: Bat rays, Grey smoothound sharks, Tammar wallabies and others.
Update from Virginia Safari Park: Arabian oryx and Germain's peacock-pheasant gone. Giant anteater, Southern tamandua, and Von Der Decken's hornbill are new arrivals. Still the only collection I know of here with Scintillating copper pheasants.
 
Zoo #227 Oregon Ridge Nature Center Cockeysville, MD C-
A small collection with the usual native reptiles and amphibians plus insects. Highlights: none.
Zoo #228 Robinson Nature Center Columbia, MD F
A terrible collection with 8 exhibits of reptiles, amphibians, bees, and a touch tank. Highlights: none.
 
drill said:
Zoo #227 Oregon Ridge Nature Center Cockeysville, MD C-
A small collection with the usual native reptiles and amphibians plus insects. Highlights: none.
Zoo #228 Robinson Nature Center Columbia, MD F
A terrible collection with 8 exhibits of reptiles, amphibians, bees, and a touch tank. Highlights: none.
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Zoo #229 Jennette's Pier Nags Head, NC A
Fishing Pier with a few fish tanks. Highlights: number of ducks and grackles.
 
drill said:
Zoo #229 Jennette's Pier Nags Head, NC A
Fishing Pier with a few fish tanks. Highlights: number of ducks and grackles.
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Zoo#230 Roanoke Cashie River Center Windsor, NC C
A small building with local exhibits, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and a Red-eared slider
 
drill said:
Zoo#230 Roanoke Cashie River Center Windsor, NC C
A small building with local exhibits, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and a Red-eared slider
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Zoo #231 Johnson Park Piscataway, NJ C+
Big park with a free zoo in the NYC suburbs. Exhibits ranging from average to below disgusting. A series of cages and enclosures with a big deer habitat behind. Species list in order of exhibit: White-tailed deer, Horse, Llama, Pig, Ring-necked dove and Helmeted guineafowl, Pig, White-tailed deer and some domestic waterfowl, chickens, turkeys, sign for Ring-necked pheasant (none seen), typical roadside zoo monkey exhibit for 3 raccoons with a tiny pool, Unsigned snake (think Corn), Unsigned rodent (looked like a Mink), exhibit (nothing seen), Rabbits, Goats and Fallow deer. Highlights: Groundhog seen across from zoo.
Zoo #232 Wildlife Conservation Center Garfield, NJ B+
Near Passaic, this facility is mainly known for its bats (it recently received a large number of Egyptian fruit bats from Toronto), but also has a diverse collection of invertebrates (mainly tarantulas and scorpions) reptiles (mostly snakes and lizards), a sloth, a pet store cage for a Bennett's wallaby, some fish, a Barn owl, a Kinkajou, Guinea pigs, a Ferret, and a Bengal cat. The bat collection is composed of approx. 40 Egyptian fruit bats, 2 Indian flying-foxes, and a dozen or so Straw-colored fruit bats. Highlights: Blue-striped gartersnake and Mexican spiny-tailed iguana. Future: a basement with expanded exhibits for their American alligator and Cuvier's dwarf caiman.
Zoo #233 SeaQuest Trumbull CT B-
A massive disappointment after the one I visited in Lynchburg. Same layout with same exhibits and many similar animals. Only an Albino Bennett's wallaby, Keel-billed toucan and few others were different. Highlights: Bat ray and Grey smoothhound shark.
Zoo #234 Silverman's Farm Easton CT B
Tiny farm with regular farm and a few exotic
animals (emu, bison, fallow deer) and four separate rabbit exhibits. Only really uncommon animal in this area is a Texas longhorn. Highlights: Texas longhorn and a goat nursing.
Zoo #235 World War One Memorial Park and Zoo North Attleboro MA B
Large wooded park with a playground, free zoo, garden, but no memorial. Zoo has a number of farm animals plus Emu and Fallow deer. Building across from zoo has a few party animals off-display like snakes. Highlights: many chipmunks running around.
Zoo #236 Animals Adventures Family Zoo Bolton, MA B+
A mess of mostly garbage exhibits, indoor and outdoor. Some incredible and others mundane. Chinchillas were born today. Highlights: Pale fox, Ivory-billed aracari, Agile wallaby, Garnett's bushbaby, and others. Future: Outdoor enclosures for their Bennett's wallaby.
Zoo #237 Southwick's Zoo Mendon, MA A-
Also a hodgepodge of exhibits, but nicely kept and much larger ones. Many babies seen ( Vervets, Ring-tailed lemurs, De Brazza's monkey, Vicuna, and others). The Reptile building by the ice cream reopened today. Highlights: Vicuna, Great green macaw, and Wolf's guenon.
Zoo #238 Stone Zoo Stoneham, MA A+
A small zoo with a wonderful collection of rare species. Highlights: Bush dog, Black-necked and Whooping cranes, Markhor and others. Jamaican iguana was off exhibit today.
 
drill said:
Zoo #231 Johnson Park Piscataway, NJ C+
Big park with a free zoo in the NYC suburbs. Exhibits ranging from average to below disgusting. A series of cages and enclosures with a big deer habitat behind. Species list in order of exhibit: White-tailed deer, Horse, Llama, Pig, Ring-necked dove and Helmeted guineafowl, Pig, White-tailed deer and some domestic waterfowl, chickens, turkeys, sign for Ring-necked pheasant (none seen), typical roadside zoo monkey exhibit for 3 raccoons with a tiny pool, Unsigned snake (think Corn), Unsigned rodent (looked like a Mink), exhibit (nothing seen), Rabbits, Goats and Fallow deer. Highlights: Groundhog seen across from zoo.
Zoo #232 Wildlife Conservation Center Garfield, NJ B+
Near Passaic, this facility is mainly known for its bats (it recently received a large number of Egyptian fruit bats from Toronto), but also has a diverse collection of invertebrates (mainly tarantulas and scorpions) reptiles (mostly snakes and lizards), a sloth, a pet store cage for a Bennett's wallaby, some fish, a Barn owl, a Kinkajou, Guinea pigs, a Ferret, and a Bengal cat. The bat collection is composed of approx. 40 Egyptian fruit bats, 2 Indian flying-foxes, and a dozen or so Straw-colored fruit bats. Highlights: Blue-striped gartersnake and Mexican spiny-tailed iguana. Future: a basement with expanded exhibits for their American alligator and Cuvier's dwarf caiman.
Zoo #233 SeaQuest Trumbull CT B-
A massive disappointment after the one I visited in Lynchburg. Same layout with same exhibits and many similar animals. Only an Albino Bennett's wallaby, Keel-billed toucan and few others were different. Highlights: Bat ray and Grey smoothhound shark.
Zoo #234 Silverman's Farm Easton CT B
Tiny farm with regular farm and a few exotic
animals (emu, bison, fallow deer) and four separate rabbit exhibits. Only really uncommon animal in this area is a Texas longhorn. Highlights: Texas longhorn and a goat nursing.
Zoo #235 World War One Memorial Park and Zoo North Attleboro MA B
Large wooded park with a playground, free zoo, garden, but no memorial. Zoo has a number of farm animals plus Emu and Fallow deer. Building across from zoo has a few party animals off-display like snakes. Highlights: many chipmunks running around.
Zoo #236 Animals Adventures Family Zoo Bolton, MA B+
A mess of mostly garbage exhibits, indoor and outdoor. Some incredible and others mundane. Chinchillas were born today. Highlights: Pale fox, Ivory-billed aracari, Agile wallaby, Garnett's bushbaby, and others. Future: Outdoor enclosures for their Bennett's wallaby.
Zoo #237 Southwick's Zoo Mendon, MA A-
Also a hodgepodge of exhibits, but nicely kept and much larger ones. Many babies seen ( Vervets, Ring-tailed lemurs, De Brazza's monkey, Vicuna, and others). The Reptile building by the ice cream reopened today. Highlights: Vicuna, Great green macaw, and Wolf's guenon.
Zoo #238 Stone Zoo Stoneham, MA A+
A small zoo with a wonderful collection of rare species. Highlights: Bush dog, Black-necked and Whooping cranes, Markhor and others. Jamaican iguana was off exhibit today.
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Zoo #239 Capron Park Zoo Attleboro MA B. Nice small zoo with a few rare animals, but pretty ridiculous to go right now when the indoor habitats are closed (except for a tegu.) Highlights: Visayan warty pig and a Sloth bear.
 
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drill said:
Zoo #239 Capron Park Zoo Attleboro MA B. Nice small zoo with a few rare animals, but pretty ridiculous to go right now when the indoor habitats are closed (except for a tegu.) Highlights: Visayan warty pig and a Sloth bear.
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Zoo #240 Franklin Park Zoo Boston MA A-
Despite it being much bigger than Stone Zoo, Franklin was definitely less interesting and enjoyable. However, the astounding bird collection makes going there right now worth it, despite the building closures. There is a lot of empty or ridiculously used space to improve here. I saw exhibits for Welsh Mountain Sheep and White-naped crane here. Both extremely exciting animals for one to see instead of Meerkat and Patagonian cavy (but not much else) Highlights: Hooded crane, Siberian crane, Kea, and Palm cockatoo
Zoo #241 Zoo in Forest Park Springfield MA B
A hard to find, boring zoo with a few nice species, but mostly standard ones. Highlights: Beaver.
Zoo #242 Six Flags Safari Jackson NJ A
One of the most unique collections in the New World, with close views of elephants, bears, lions, tigers, and more. Many babies seen with the Black wildebeest, Addax, Eland, Grant's zebras, and others. Highlights: Black wildebeest, Red lechwe, Sable antelope and others.
Zoo #243 Work Horse Farm Rescues and Exotics Denton MD B+
Located north of Easton, Maryland (translation: nowhere), the owner wants to keep this location very low-key and he doesn't even a website. I wasn't completely sure it was still open, with latest information I found about it was from 2017. Wagon rides through a field and woods with Emu, Donkeys, Zedonk, a Longhorn, Water buffalo, Zebras, Horses, and some camels (petting and feeding allowed), this is followed by a stable with Horses, a camel, Fennec fox, American porcupine, and a Brown-nosed coati. Thirdly, is a paddock with a Wildebeest, Nilgai, Camel, Zedonk, African spurred tortoise, and Prairie dogs . Then there is a walk-through kangaroo wallaby area with Common wallaroo plus joey, Bennett's wallabies, an albino Bennett's wallaby, also some joeys, Red kangaroos with some joeys. Also exhibited there are Red-rumped agouti, African spurred tortoise, Patagonian cavy, Rock hyrax, Capybara, and African crested porcupine. Lastly is a small building housing a Scarlet macaw, I think a Garnett's galago, and a pair of Prehensile-tailed porcupines. There are also many chickens, a cat, and a dog roaming throughout the park.
 
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Smaggledagle said:
Have you been to any establishments in R.I. yet

if so, may I see what you said about them?
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A few days ago I went to one and almost went to two. The first was Beavertail State Park which has a small aquarium, but is closed until next year (though their website says nothing of the sort), I did see an osprey, some gulls, robins, catbirds, and a few sparrow species (a lark and a few other sparrow species I couldn't identify). I almost went to Roger Williams Zoo but the website was down and I couldn't buy tickets
 
drill said:
Zoo #240 Franklin Park Zoo Boston MA A-
Despite it being much bigger than Stone Zoo, Franklin was definitely less interesting and enjoyable. However, the astounding bird collection makes going there right now worth it, despite the building closures. There is a lot of empty or ridiculously used space to improve here. I saw exhibits for Welsh Mountain Sheep and White-naped crane here. Both extremely exciting animals for one to see instead of Meerkat and Patagonian cavy (but not much else) Highlights: Hooded crane, Siberian crane, Kea, and Palm cockatoo
Zoo #241 Zoo in Forest Park Springfield MA B
A hard to find, boring zoo with a few nice species, but mostly standard ones. Highlights: Beaver.
Zoo #242 Six Flags Safari Jackson NJ A
One of the most unique collections in the New World, with close views of elephants, bears, lions, tigers, and more. Many babies seen with the Black wildebeest, Addax, Eland, Grant's zebras, and others. Highlights: Black wildebeest, Red lechwe, Sable antelope and others.
Zoo #243 Work Horse Farm Rescues and Exotics Denton MD B+
Located north of Easton, Maryland (translation: nowhere), the owner wants to keep this location very low-key and he doesn't even a website. I wasn't completely sure it was still open, with latest information I found about it was from 2017. Wagon rides through a field and woods with Emu, Donkeys, Zedonk, a Longhorn, Water buffalo, Zebras, Horses, and some camels (petting and feeding allowed), this is followed by a stable with Horses, a camel, Fennec fox, American porcupine, and a Brown-nosed coati. Thirdly, is a paddock with a Wildebeest, Nilgai, Camel, Zedonk, African spurred tortoise, and Prairie dogs . Then there is a walk-through kangaroo wallaby area with Common wallaroo plus joey, Bennett's wallabies, an albino Bennett's wallaby, also some joeys, Red kangaroos with some joeys. Also exhibited there are Red-rumped agouti, African spurred tortoise, Patagonian cavy, Rock hyrax, Capybara, and African crested porcupine. Lastly is a small building housing a Scarlet macaw, I think a Garnett's galago, and a pair of Prehensile-tailed porcupines. There are also many chickens, a cat, and a dog roaming throughout the park.
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Zoo #244 West Virginia State Wildlife Center French Creek, WV B+
Located in just about the absolute middle of nowhere (South of Morgantown) the West Virginia State Wildlife Center is home to bison and elk, and a one mile walking trail starting from the bison and ending by a coyote. Exhibits are above average to not so good (bears are the worst 3 in a small area). On the whole, the collection was nice but not much to talk about. Species list is on Wikipedia. Opossum is gone and Wolf exhibit is empty because the wolves escaped back in March and were killed. Highlights: Boar, Fisher, wild swallows and chipmunks.
Zoo #245 Critter Country Animal Farm Smithton, PA C+
Located 45 minutes southwest of Pittsburgh, this tiny but packed roadside zoo probably has around 50 species. Typical of its kind, the hoofstock are kept in decent and some in large grassy enclosures while the rest are in tiny cages especially for the primates. Carnivore wing is closed, though one can see a bobcat and a white tiger through the fence. Wolves and leopards supposed also be in there. The entire place took 10 minutes and stank physically and metaphorically. Flies are absolutely everywhere in large numbers and it's muddy. Highlights: Vulturine guineafowl, Addax, Wildebeest, and some sort of lemur (think Common brown)
 
drill said:
Zoo #244 West Virginia State Wildlife Center French Creek, WV B+
Located in just about the absolute middle of nowhere (South of Morgantown) the West Virginia State Wildlife Center is home to bison and elk, and a one mile walking trail starting fr
m the bison and ending by a coyote. Exhibits rabove average to not so good (bears are the worst 3 in a small area). On the whole, the collection was nice but not much to talk about. Species list is on Wikipedia. Opossum is gone and Wolf exhibit is empty because the wolves escaped back in March and were killed. Highlights: Boar, Fisher, wild swallows and chipmunks.
Zoo #245 Critter Country Animal Farm Smithton, PA C+
Located 45 minutes southwest of Pittsburgh, this tiny but packed roadside zoo probably has around 50 species. Typical of its kind, the hoofstock are kept in decent and some in large grassy enclosures while the rest are in tiny cages especially for the primates. Carnivore wing is closed, though one can see a bobcat and a white tiger through the fence. Wolves and leopards supposed also be in there. The entire place took 10 minutes and stank physically and metaphorically. Flies are absolutely everywhere in large numbers and it's muddy. Highlights: Vulturine guineafowl, Addax, Wildebeest, and some sort of lemur (think Common brown)
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Monday
Zoo #246 Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium Pittsburgh, PA A-
A long but rather nice collection with many animals, though the elephant seals were off-display due to a much-needed cleaning. Lions were also off-display and their exhibit is under renovation. Is this the only zoo one needs to take an escalator to get to? Highlights: Stuhlmann's blue monkey, Pearl stingray, Clouded leopard, Ocelot and others.
Zoo #247 Living Treasures Wild Animal Park New Castle, PA A 45 minutes north of Pittsburgh
Many times better than the Living Treasures in Jones Mill, the animals are all in well-kept, good or better enclosures, and all-around thoroughly enjoyable. Many rare animals are kept here plus a really good waterfowl collection. Highlights: Transcaspian urial, Honey badger, Magpie goose, Pink-necked green-pigeon and more.
Zoo #248 Pymatuning Deer Park Jamestown PA hour south of Erie near Ohio border.
A complete misnomer, this zoo is a completely random assortment of every kind of animal divided mainly into three zones and garbage homes. Immediately upon entering are exhibits for some primates, birds, and a big area for Fallow deer. This leads to a bridge going over to the third area crossing over a creek and the second area which is home to various domestic animals and a whooper swan. In the middle of the bridge is a exhibit for some Common marmosets (including a baby). The third and main area holds cougars, bears, singing dogs, Elk, Barbados sheep, and around forty other species. Highlights: Tawny owl, Trumpeter hornbill, Common genet, Mikado pheasant, and others.
 
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drill said:
Monday
Zoo #246 Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium Pittsburgh, PA A-
A long but rather nice collection with many animals, though the elephant seals were off-display due to a much-needed cleaning. Lions were also off-display and their exhibit is under renovation. Is this the only zoo one needs to take an escalator to get to? Highlights: Stuhlmann's blue monkey, Pearl stingray, Clouded leopard, Ocelot and others.
Zoo #247 Living Treasures Wild Animal Park New Castle, PA A 45 minutes north of Pittsburgh
Many times better than the Living Treasures in Jones Mill, the animals are all in well-kept, good or better enclosures, and all-around thoroughly enjoyable. Many rare animals are kept here plus a really good waterfowl collection. Highlights: Transcaspian urial, Honey badger, Magpie goose, Pink-necked green-pigeon and more.
Zoo #248 Pymatuning Deer Park Ja mestown PA hour south of Erie near Ohio border.
A complete misnomer, this zoo is a completely random assortment of every kind of animal divided mainly into three zones and garbage homes. Immediately upon entering are exhibits for some primates, birds, and a big area for Fallow deer. This leads to a bridge going over to the third area crossing over a creek and the second area which is home to various domestic animals and a whooper swan. In the middle of the bridge is a exhibit for some Common marmosets (including a baby). The third and main area holds cougars, bears, singing dogs, Elk, Barbados sheep, and around forty other species. Highlights: Tawny owl, Trumpeter hornbill, Common genet, Mikado pheasant, and others.
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Zoo #249 Keystone Safari 20 minutes north of Living Treasures New Castle A-
Rather nice but small (expansion in progress) zoo and safari (paid separately) home to a variety of interesting species. Safari is too empty but has few rarities Highlights: Southern cassowary, Peter's banded skink, Bat-eared fox, and
Zoo #250 Double Diamond Deer Ranch Clarington, PA A hour and a half northeast of Pittsburgh.
A taxidermy museum, deer corrals, and a Timber rattlesnake. A herd of about 15-30 piebald, albino, and regular White-tailed deer. Highlights: Piebald and Albino White-tailed deer.
Zoo #251 Farmer's Inn Sigel, PA 10 minutes east of Double Diamond Deer Ranch. C+
The essence of a roadside zoo, Farmer's Inn has worse bear exhibits than their wolves which is not bad. Like most of its kind, it is a jumbled up mix of everything rare and ubiquitous on American roads. Highlights: Black-backed jackal. Here is a picture of the star attraction: the black bears.IMG_20200817_182257_3.jpg
Twins born in 2010. They have a few similar sized exhibits.
 

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drill said:
Zoo #249 Keystone Safari 20 minutes north of Living Treasures New Castle A-
Rather nice but small (expansion in progress) zoo and safari (paid separately) home to a variety of interesting species. Safari is too empty but has few rarities Highlights: Southern cassowary, Peter's banded skink, Bat-eared fox, and
Zoo #250 Double Diamond Deer Ranch Clarington, PA A hour and a half northeast of Pittsburgh.
A taxidermy museum, deer corrals, and a Timber rattlesnake. A herd of about 15-30 piebald, albino, and regular White-tailed deer. Highlights: Piebald and Albino White-tailed deer.
Zoo #251 Farmer's Inn Sigel, PA 10 minutes east of Double Diamond Deer Ranch. C+
The essence of a roadside zoo, Farmer's Inn has worse bear exhibits than their wolves which is not bad. Like most of its kind, it is a jumbled up mix of everything rare and ubiquitous on American roads. Highlights: Black-backed jackal. Here is a picture of the star attraction: the black bears.View attachment 452898
Twins born in 2010. They have a few similar sized exhibits.
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Zoo #252 Clyde Peeling's Reptiland B+ 10 minutes south of Williamsport PA. Basically divided between the main area which is just a few outdoor reptile exhibits, a budgie aviary and a building with many reptiles and amphibians and an area for Albino alligator and American alligators. The entire other half is devoted to dinosaurs and Emu. Highlights: Giant waxy monkey frog, Saltwater crocodile, Mexican leaf frog, and others. New wing of Reptile gallery under construction.
 
drill said:
Zoo #252 Clyde Peeling's Reptiland B+ 10 minutes south of Williamsport PA. Basically divided between the main area which is just a few outdoor reptile exhibits, a budgie aviary and a building with many reptiles and amphibians and an area for Albino alligator and American alligators. The entire other half is devoted to dinosaurs and Emu. Highlights: Giant waxy monkey frog, Saltwater crocodile, Mexican leaf frog, and others. New wing of Reptile gallery under construction.
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Zoo #253 Electric City Aquarium Scranton, PA A+
Perhaps the best mall aquarium in the United States (definitely best I've been to), it is full of rare reptiles and amphibians plus a good fish collection. Highlights: Yellow-headed gecko, Northern glass frog, Helmeted basilisk, Morelet's crocodile, Large-spot river stingray, and much more.
Zoo #254 Ross Park Zoo Binghamton, NY A-. Nice little zoo with a decent collection. They reduced admissions because of areas that are closed. Many areas that are fenced off can easily be seen such as wolves, vultures, and petting farm. Only real bad part is the long walk at the beginning and the gigantic red wolf exhibit with few seen. Does anyone know the birds in the rainforest aviary?
Zoo #255 Animal Adventure Park Harpursville, NY B 25 minutes east of Ross Park Zoo
Large, hot park with little shade. The usual random assortment zoo with a mix of rare and dirt common like all the others. Highlights: Guanaco, Palawan binturong, Nyala, Triton cockatoo, and others.
Zoo #256 The Wild Animal Park Chittenango, NY temp. A- Safari not visited. A pleasurable little zoo with straight, easy walking like Keystone Safari. An incredible mammal collection is the main grab here not. Highlights: American badger, Fisher, Tonkean macaque, Javan langur, and others. If anyone knows where the langurs came from (presumably Tanganyika), and more importantly, a species list for the Safari, thanks.
Zoo #257 VIA Aquarium C. Schenectady, NY. Anything but a seaQuest or Sealife aquarium, this one is just straight fish, poison frogs and a reptile show (guy with a snake, Blue-tongued skink, and a Bearded dragon). Only innovation here is Koi touching. Stingray touching and koi touching is allowed if there's enough social distancing. Highlights: Whitetip reef shark.
 
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