Exterior exhibits for invertebrate/amphibian/reptile species?

[Urs]

Inspired by photos posted in this thread, I started wondering whether it would be possible to house the above mentioned groups in open, outside exhibits such as this or this, rather than herpetariums as is the tradition, in a temperate climate in Europe. What would be the pros and cons of such exhibits?

Some pros:
-vitamin D from direct exposure to sun
-more varied diet

Some cons:
-hibernation (autumn -spring)

Bonus question: How would you 'contain' smaller invertebrates while ensuring they can be observed by the visitors, and that the exhibits are aesthetically pleasing? I have been toying with a terraria-like solution that combines glass and a fine mesh for ventilation (inspired by terrariums for amphibian/reptile pets).

 

[Haliaeetus]

I've seen some enclosures for European reptiles in several French zoos and museums, the animals are interesting to see, but only in the warm months.
They are mostly Tortoises/Turtles, more rarely Snakes and large Lizards (I remember mainly the Ecomusée de la Gaude near Nice, that displayed them in the 90's).
I support largely these exhibits, as they allow to discover discreet species of our fauna ; but the Snakes and Lizards can be difficult to see, that can be frustrating.

There are several crocodile / alligator outdoor ponds in French zoos : Sigean, Le Pal and formerly Lyon and Cap Ferrat.
And outdoor enclosures for exotic Turtles in many zoos, where they are displayed in summer : Beauval, Jardin des Plantes, etc...

I haven't seen any truly outdoor exhibit for amphibians or invertebrates in France (except the bee hives / insect hotels a spider exhibit in Réunion island - with a tropical climate -).
There's (was?) a greenhouse for European butterflies in the Parc floral de Paris.

 

[iluvwhales]

Dallas Zoo, Busch Gardens Tampa, and probably other (warm-weather) places in the U.S. exhibit Nile crocodiles outdoors. ZooTampa exhibits all their three crocodilian species outdoors, and I wouldn't be surprised to see other (warm-weather places) do that. It would be thrilling to see a cool-weather zoo exhibit crocodilians outdoors and brumate them as nature intended, although that would obviously be difficult to manage, and I would personally be worried about visitors trying to wake them by, say, throwing things into the water. Nevertheless, it would be a great educational point for visitors.

As for exhibiting smaller species, I would create faux rock or log formations and put terrariums inside there.

 

[pangolin12]

New forest reptile centre have all of their species outdoors, it is very interesting to try and find them in their very natural habitats.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Dallas Zoo, Busch Gardens Tampa, and probably other (warm-weather) places in the U.S. exhibit Nile crocodiles outdoors. ZooTampa exhibits all their three crocodilian species outdoors, and I wouldn't be surprised to see other (warm-weather places) do that. It would be thrilling to see a cool-weather zoo exhibit crocodilians outdoors and brumate them as nature intended, although that would obviously be difficult to manage, and I would personally be worried about visitors trying to wake them by, say, throwing things into the water. Nevertheless, it would be a great educational point for visitors.

As for exhibiting smaller species, I would create faux rock or log formations and put terrariums inside there.

In many old American cartoons, there are comical scenes about outside pools for crocodiles / alligators, that surprised me as an European (when I went to zoos I saw these animals in indoor exhibits).
Are (were?) these exhibits formerly common in America ?

 

[15399]

It would be thrilling to see a cool-weather zoo exhibit crocodilians outdoors and brumate them as nature intended

I do know of some coldweather zoos keeping alligators or crocodiles outdoors, but I'm not aware of any keeping them out in the winter. While they may be designed to brumate, that doesn't mean that they capable of withstanding winter in snowy regions.