On my recent trip out west I had the pleasure to visit this facility that didn't disappoint and exceeded my expectations.
@Arizona Docent did a great job summing up the facility but I can add a few more updated details.
As stated there are close to 500 African spur thighs on property, most on display, as well as mariginated, Greek and Russian tortoises (around 100 combined) and over 200 red eared sliders. All these were former pets and, according to the guide, have them coming in daily. They only have one galopagos currently as well as 5 or 6 Aldabras and some massive spur thighs (one with wheels to help mobility) in a mix pen that visitors can interact with.
Past the large tortoises is a small Mammal collection the includes raccoon, kinkajous, ASCO and capybara. The last one you can pay extra for an interaction.
The, next sections are a hodge podge of different reptile species including the aforementioned sliders, chuckwalla, beaded lizard, bearded dragons and gator snapper.
Moving on, the next enclosure was the main reason I visited. What looked like a decent primate enclosure actually held 1.6 black caiman. PHS holds 8 out of 12 black caiman known to exist in the states and are currently trying to breed them
The next area has rows of enclosures for larger lizards and crocodilians. Species include Cuban, rhino, lewsi hybrid, green and spiny tailed iguanas, a huge water monitor Phillipine, morelets, African dwarf, freshwater crocodiles and both dwarf caiman species.
The venomous/classroom had one of the most impressive hot collections I have seen. I will compile a list and post at later date but highlights include habu, boomslang, stiletto, pygmy mulga, colettes and nearly a half dozen spitters. They also had recent hatchlings of yacare, broad snout and morelets on display in this room
After exiting you go through the main crocodilian area. As stated above 21 (possibly 22) species are on display between this area and the area with the large lizards. The are currently DNA testing a nile croc they have to see if it's a true nile or west African. The remaining 2 species will be coming as permits were approved for their import. Not only do they have a comprehensive croc collection they have multiple individuals of each species including the 8 black caiman and 7 tomistomas. A highlight for me was representives of the two mentioned species I had not seen since they were at Silver Springs in Florida.....16 years ago. The female tomistoma is reportedly 80 years old
As mentioned, the last room is a mix of snakes, lizards, inverts and amphibians. Again I'll compile a list but highlights were 21' retic, two cribo species, Bimini boa, Timor monitor and several Australian skins.
I spent a good 2.5 hours here and the tour guide (because I couldn't contain my excitement or enthusiasm) took me back through after the regular tour.
As stated by
@Arizona Docent I can't recommend this place enough. I even squeezed it between a morning and evening visit to WWZ which I don't recommend if you haven't visited both (still took me 5 hours at WWZ and I rushed having visited prior)
