Reptiland News from Reptiland

The 2014 book Reptiland: How a Boyhood Dream became a Modern Zoo is an enjoyable, brisk read about a specialized zoological collection. The book is small in size and only 130 pages in length (not 148 as it says on Amazon) although at least 25 of those pages are taken up with black-and-white photos. Clyde Peeling gives a first-hand account of what he deemed a "roadside zoo" and for at least a couple of decades it seems as if Reptiland barely survived. However, Peeling is particularly proud of the 1986 AZA accreditation and the facility has maintained its accreditation ever since. Now more than 50 years old and with an expensive new Komodo Dragon exhibit added in 2013 (along with an expanded entrance) Reptiland appears to have weathered its financial storms and will likely be around for at least another 50 years. I appreciate reading about the more obscure zoos of the world and I'd recommend this book for any zoo enthusiast's library.

Here is the Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.ca/Reptiland-Boy...UTF8&qid=1488060086&sr=8-1&keywords=reptiland
 
2022 News:

On February 24th, the zoo announced that they are trying to breed orange-eyed tree frogs for the first time in the facility's history.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

On March 22nd, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (0.1) sidewinder rattlesnake ZooAmerica in Pennsylvania. The zoo also announced that it transferred a (0.1) western diamondback rattlesnake to ZooAmerica.

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On April 6th, the zoo announced that (0.0.4) wood turtles are now on exhibit.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

On June 11th, it was reported that on March 17th, a whistleblower and former employee named Nate Barnes brought forward allegations that the zoo has practiced religious discrimination against employees, made a preformative committee that focused on diversity and inclusion at the zoo while not affecting any decisions, ignored concerns about animal care, kept certain animals in lackluster conditions, and the lack of a human resources department.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland: A prized zoo meets wave of employee allegations

On June 18th, the zoo announced they have built 2 new pavilion structures on-site.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

On June 21st, the zoo announced that (0.0.7) yellow-footed tortoises are now on exhibit in the rhino iguana exhibit.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

On August 1st, the zoo announced that (0.0.4) Pueblan milk snakes hatched 2 weeks prior.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

On August 19th, the zoo announced that they have acquired (3.0) king quails which are now on exhibit in the aviary.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

On August 20th, the zoo announced that they are expanding the parking lot for the facility.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland
 
On April 20th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) Aldabra giant tortoise named Henry passed away on April 19th due to complications with his reproductive system.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

On May 5th, it was reported that the zoo acquired a (0.0.1) American alligator named Thanos on May 3rd after it was found in a clump of solids (after being believed to have been flushed down a toilet) in a wastewater treatment plant in Pennsylvania on April 28th.

Baby alligator found at Pa. sewage treatment plant is eating, doing well at Reptiland
Clyde Peeling's Reptiland
 
On July 25th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) cockatiel named Chicky hatched and is now an ambassador animal.

We would like everyone to meet... - Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

On August 18th, the zoo announced that (0.0.12) Pueblan milksnakes hatched.

Did you know? Reptiland’s most successful breeders are our Pueblan milk snakes. The keepers are currently raising 12 babies and more eggs still need to... | By Clyde Peeling's Reptiland | Facebook

On September 4th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) veiled chameleon hatched.

Look at the little guy go! At only a few months old, this baby veiled chameleon is an eating champion. According to the keepers, he’s an endless pit.... | By Clyde Peeling's Reptiland | Facebook

On September 7th, it was mentioned that the zoo acquired a (1.0) Komodo dragon named Kenny from Zoo Miami in Florida.*

*Information given by @PercideRolo in the Cylde Peeling's Reptiland: Review and Species List thread.
 
On September 23rd, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.3) Nile crocodiles from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida which are now on exhibit. The crocs are replacing (0.0.2) Nile crocodiles which were transferred to St. Augustine.

We would like to officially welcome Reptiland’s newest residents, three baby Nile crocodiles! Hatched at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park... | By Clyde Peeling's Reptiland | Facebook

On September 25th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2+) cockatiels named Birdie and Unnamed hatched on August 11th and September 17th respectively.

Behold! It’s a cockatiel... - Clyde Peeling's Reptiland
 
On September 23rd, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.3) Nile crocodiles from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida which are now on exhibit. The crocs are replacing (0.0.2) Nile crocodiles which were transferred to St. Augustine.

We would like to officially welcome Reptiland’s newest residents, three baby Nile crocodiles! Hatched at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park... | By Clyde Peeling's Reptiland | Facebook
the facebook post says that Reptiland transferred 2 Saltwater Crocodiles to St. Augustine not 2 Niles, but It was Miles that they got from St.Aug.
 
On April 26th, the zoo announced that an electric blue day gecko hatched, which is a first for the facility.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

On May 29th, the zoo announced that an African bullfrog named Flubber hatched.

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

On June 14th, the zoo announced that 2+? emerald swifts hatched.

Emerald Swifts | Don’t let their size fool you. Our baby emerald swifts are ferocious predators. Book your trip to visit our exotic reptiles here⬇... | By Clyde Peeling's ReptilandFacebook
 
On February 5th, 2025, it was reported that the USDA cited the facility for two incidents, one of which occurred between October 31st and November 9th in which guests accidentally stepped on and killed multiple budgerigars inside the walk-through aviary. The zoo has since closed the aviary for renovations, replicating what the Bronx Zoo recently did with their budgerigar walk-through aviary.

The other incident was the failure to report a button quail's feather loss on its head and back to the zoo's vet for multiple weeks. The zoo responded by saying at the time the Zoological Manager thought it was a behavioral problem and didn't need intervention and they have since talked to the manager about the issue.

Reptiland cited for birds being crushed and killed
 
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