From their website, Reptile Gardens first opened in 1935 as a small facility displaying reptiles. It has grown into the world’s largest reptile zoo in the world. They work with other zoological institutions on various conservation projects.
The zoo also has an extensive botanical garden, which is very well manicured and maintained.
There is also plenty of activities to engage young children including a playground.
There are also plenty of placards promoting good conservation practices posted around the grounds and inside the dome. Most specie’s placards were detailed.
All the employees I encountered were extremely friendly, courteous, and helpful. Top notch service based on my experiences.
The Sky Dome
The Sky Dome is a three story round dome that has two floors of enclosed exhibits and a main area that is open and landscaped to replicate a tropical jungle environment. It has a winding trail that snakes through the first floor and you feel like you are on a jungle trail with lush plants with plenty of running water and waterfalls.
Some species are free-roaming or free-flying inside the main dome area.
Of course, some species, such as the caimans and the turtles, are confined in open enclosures.
I found the atmosphere to be very pleasant. Considering it is a private zoo and the overall size of the zoo, I thought it was impressive. It seemed very well maintained and clean. None of the animals seemed stressed by the people walking through.
The one thing I wish they would have provided is a species list of the possible species that may be rotated within the open dome area. The only species list I found was a very generic list at the entrance and a few signs for the non-free roaming species in enclosures.
Also on the bottom floor are enclosed exhibits that are separated from the open dome exhibit and circle the entire internal dome area. These include numerous snakes, reptiles, invertebrates, and amphibians.
There is a second floor of enclosed exhibits that also ring the entire dome area. On this floor you will find numerous impressive exhibits of reptiles, lizards, and amphibians. Many of which I had never seen in any other facility.
All the enclosed exhibits were well planted, themed and seemed to provide enough space for the specific species they housed.
I really enjoyed my visit there and even though I live in the southeastern United States, I will have to try to make another visit in the future.
Outside Exhibit
Komoda Dragon
Inside The Dome
Free Roaming & Free Flight
According to a sign posted at the first floor entrance, the following animals are free roaming inside the dome:
Caiman
Parrots
Macaws
Finches
Geckos
Toads
Tree Frogs
River Turtles
Box Turtles
Jungle Lizards
Desert Lizards
Basilisk Lizards
Water Dragon
Sailfin Dragon
Blue-Tongued Skink
The following are the species that I observed and identify:
Uromastyx Ornata
Blue-Tonged Skink
Chinese Water Dragon
Green Tree frog
Green Anole
Brown Anole
Blue-Tailed Skink
Philippine Sailfin Lizard
African Gray Parrot
Scarlet Macaw
Blue And Yellow Macaw
Red-Tailed Boa
Caiman Enclosure
Smooth-Fronted Caiman
Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman
Tortoise Enclosure
Ornate Box Turtle
Turtle Enclosures
Florida Softshell Turtle
Murray River Turtle
Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle
First Floor – Outside Ring Of Exhibits
Reptiles
Green Anaconda
American Alligator (juvenile)
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Eyelash Viper
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
Egyptian Saw-scaled Viper
Rubber Boa
Sri Lankan Tree Viper
Tonkin Habu
Shield-Nose Cobra
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Okeetee Corn Snake
Rosy Boa
Slender Hognose Viper
Cape Coral Snake
Speckled Rattlesnake
Chihuahuan Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake
Jumping Viper
Honduran Milksnake
Arizona Mountain Kingsnake
Mata-Mata Turtle
Fly River Turtle
Saltwater Crocodile
Siamese Crocodile
Cuban Crocodile
Nile Crocodile
Johnston’s (Freshwater) Crocodile
Mangshan Pit Viper
Spotted Turtle
Amphibians
Dyeing Poison Dart Frog
Blue Poison Dart Frog
Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog
Amazon Milk Frog
Budgett’s Frog
Red-eyed Tree Frog
Eastern Newt
White’s Tree Frog
African Bullfrog
Vietnamese Mossy Frog
Axolotl
Pacman Frog
Surinam Toad
Invertebrates
African Forest Scorpion
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
Tanzanian Cave Whip Scorpion
Mexican Red-knee Tarantula
Salmon-pink Bird-eating Spider
Black Widow Spider
Chilian Rose-Hair Tarantula
King Baboon Spider
Arizona Bark Scorpion
Second Floor Exhibits
Komodo Dragon (Juvenile)
Gila Monster
Green Tree Python
Knob Tail Gecko
Russell’s Viper
Russian Cobra
Puff Adder
Timor Python
Indian Spectacled Cobra
D’Albert’s Python
Frilled Lizard
Australian Water Dragon
Uracoan Rattlesnake
Shingleback Skink
Rhinoceros Viper
Grand Canyon Rattlesnake
Stimson’s Python
Brazilian Lancehead
Komodo Island Pit Viper
Asian Green Vine Snake
Reticulated Python
Black-tail Rattlesnake
Desert Horned Viper
Canebrake Rattlesnake
Elephant Trunk Snake
Common Cantil
Cottonmouth
Arizona Black Rattlesnake
West African Gaboon Viper
Copperhead
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake
Collett’s Black Snake
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Perentie Monitor
Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake
Blue Tree Monitor
Green Tree Monitor
Black Tree Monitor
Black Mamba
Jameson’s Mamba
Mojave Rattlesnake
Boomslang
Common Brown Snake
Red-bellied Black Snake
Coastal Taipan
Inland Taipan
Rough-scaled Python
Tiger Snake
Death Adder
Papuan Taipan
King Cobra
St Lucian Lancehead
Samar Cobra
Australian Scrub Python
Banded Water Cobra
Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer
Western Hognose Snake
Pale Milk Snake
Bullsnake
Prairie Rattlesnake
East African Green Mamba
West African Green Mamba
Banded Snouted Cobra
Grand Cayman Island Blue Iguana
Madagascar Tree Boa
Black-Headed Bushmaster
Cape Cobra
Woma Python
Black-headed Python
Beaded Lizard
Tentacled Snake
Smooth-Sided Toad
The Gardens - Prairie Dog Town
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
Walk-Through Tortoise Yard
Aldabra Giant Tortoise
A Pool
Koi
Red-Eared Sliders
Aviary
Kookaburra
Himalayan Monal
Bald Eagle
Avian Alley (Species Can Be Rotated From Day To Day)
Yellow-Headed Vulture
Harris Hawk
Bald Eagle
Nanday Conure
Catalina Macaw
King Vulture
Barn Owl
Eurasian Eagle Owl
Lanner Falcon
Turkey Vulture
Peregrine Falcon
African Gray Parrot
Blue And Gold Macaw
Eclectus Parrot
Pigeons
Two Show Arenas
Crocodilian Show
American Alligator (Wrestling)
Saltwater Crocodile
Nile Crocodile
Yacare Caiman
Slender-Snouted Crocodile
Smooth-Fronted Caiman
Snake Show
Yellow-Tailed Cribo
Burmese Python
Mangrove Snake
Cottonmouth
Prairie Rattlesnake
Monocled Cobra
The zoo also has an extensive botanical garden, which is very well manicured and maintained.
There is also plenty of activities to engage young children including a playground.
There are also plenty of placards promoting good conservation practices posted around the grounds and inside the dome. Most specie’s placards were detailed.
All the employees I encountered were extremely friendly, courteous, and helpful. Top notch service based on my experiences.
The Sky Dome
The Sky Dome is a three story round dome that has two floors of enclosed exhibits and a main area that is open and landscaped to replicate a tropical jungle environment. It has a winding trail that snakes through the first floor and you feel like you are on a jungle trail with lush plants with plenty of running water and waterfalls.
Some species are free-roaming or free-flying inside the main dome area.
Of course, some species, such as the caimans and the turtles, are confined in open enclosures.
I found the atmosphere to be very pleasant. Considering it is a private zoo and the overall size of the zoo, I thought it was impressive. It seemed very well maintained and clean. None of the animals seemed stressed by the people walking through.
The one thing I wish they would have provided is a species list of the possible species that may be rotated within the open dome area. The only species list I found was a very generic list at the entrance and a few signs for the non-free roaming species in enclosures.
Also on the bottom floor are enclosed exhibits that are separated from the open dome exhibit and circle the entire internal dome area. These include numerous snakes, reptiles, invertebrates, and amphibians.
There is a second floor of enclosed exhibits that also ring the entire dome area. On this floor you will find numerous impressive exhibits of reptiles, lizards, and amphibians. Many of which I had never seen in any other facility.
All the enclosed exhibits were well planted, themed and seemed to provide enough space for the specific species they housed.
I really enjoyed my visit there and even though I live in the southeastern United States, I will have to try to make another visit in the future.
Outside Exhibit
Komoda Dragon
Inside The Dome
Free Roaming & Free Flight
According to a sign posted at the first floor entrance, the following animals are free roaming inside the dome:
Caiman
Parrots
Macaws
Finches
Geckos
Toads
Tree Frogs
River Turtles
Box Turtles
Jungle Lizards
Desert Lizards
Basilisk Lizards
Water Dragon
Sailfin Dragon
Blue-Tongued Skink
The following are the species that I observed and identify:
Uromastyx Ornata
Blue-Tonged Skink
Chinese Water Dragon
Green Tree frog
Green Anole
Brown Anole
Blue-Tailed Skink
Philippine Sailfin Lizard
African Gray Parrot
Scarlet Macaw
Blue And Yellow Macaw
Red-Tailed Boa
Caiman Enclosure
Smooth-Fronted Caiman
Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman
Tortoise Enclosure
Ornate Box Turtle
Turtle Enclosures
Florida Softshell Turtle
Murray River Turtle
Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle
First Floor – Outside Ring Of Exhibits
Reptiles
Green Anaconda
American Alligator (juvenile)
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Eyelash Viper
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
Egyptian Saw-scaled Viper
Rubber Boa
Sri Lankan Tree Viper
Tonkin Habu
Shield-Nose Cobra
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Okeetee Corn Snake
Rosy Boa
Slender Hognose Viper
Cape Coral Snake
Speckled Rattlesnake
Chihuahuan Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake
Jumping Viper
Honduran Milksnake
Arizona Mountain Kingsnake
Mata-Mata Turtle
Fly River Turtle
Saltwater Crocodile
Siamese Crocodile
Cuban Crocodile
Nile Crocodile
Johnston’s (Freshwater) Crocodile
Mangshan Pit Viper
Spotted Turtle
Amphibians
Dyeing Poison Dart Frog
Blue Poison Dart Frog
Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog
Amazon Milk Frog
Budgett’s Frog
Red-eyed Tree Frog
Eastern Newt
White’s Tree Frog
African Bullfrog
Vietnamese Mossy Frog
Axolotl
Pacman Frog
Surinam Toad
Invertebrates
African Forest Scorpion
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
Tanzanian Cave Whip Scorpion
Mexican Red-knee Tarantula
Salmon-pink Bird-eating Spider
Black Widow Spider
Chilian Rose-Hair Tarantula
King Baboon Spider
Arizona Bark Scorpion
Second Floor Exhibits
Komodo Dragon (Juvenile)
Gila Monster
Green Tree Python
Knob Tail Gecko
Russell’s Viper
Russian Cobra
Puff Adder
Timor Python
Indian Spectacled Cobra
D’Albert’s Python
Frilled Lizard
Australian Water Dragon
Uracoan Rattlesnake
Shingleback Skink
Rhinoceros Viper
Grand Canyon Rattlesnake
Stimson’s Python
Brazilian Lancehead
Komodo Island Pit Viper
Asian Green Vine Snake
Reticulated Python
Black-tail Rattlesnake
Desert Horned Viper
Canebrake Rattlesnake
Elephant Trunk Snake
Common Cantil
Cottonmouth
Arizona Black Rattlesnake
West African Gaboon Viper
Copperhead
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake
Collett’s Black Snake
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Perentie Monitor
Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake
Blue Tree Monitor
Green Tree Monitor
Black Tree Monitor
Black Mamba
Jameson’s Mamba
Mojave Rattlesnake
Boomslang
Common Brown Snake
Red-bellied Black Snake
Coastal Taipan
Inland Taipan
Rough-scaled Python
Tiger Snake
Death Adder
Papuan Taipan
King Cobra
St Lucian Lancehead
Samar Cobra
Australian Scrub Python
Banded Water Cobra
Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer
Western Hognose Snake
Pale Milk Snake
Bullsnake
Prairie Rattlesnake
East African Green Mamba
West African Green Mamba
Banded Snouted Cobra
Grand Cayman Island Blue Iguana
Madagascar Tree Boa
Black-Headed Bushmaster
Cape Cobra
Woma Python
Black-headed Python
Beaded Lizard
Tentacled Snake
Smooth-Sided Toad
The Gardens - Prairie Dog Town
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
Walk-Through Tortoise Yard
Aldabra Giant Tortoise
A Pool
Koi
Red-Eared Sliders
Aviary
Kookaburra
Himalayan Monal
Bald Eagle
Avian Alley (Species Can Be Rotated From Day To Day)
Yellow-Headed Vulture
Harris Hawk
Bald Eagle
Nanday Conure
Catalina Macaw
King Vulture
Barn Owl
Eurasian Eagle Owl
Lanner Falcon
Turkey Vulture
Peregrine Falcon
African Gray Parrot
Blue And Gold Macaw
Eclectus Parrot
Pigeons
Two Show Arenas
Crocodilian Show
American Alligator (Wrestling)
Saltwater Crocodile
Nile Crocodile
Yacare Caiman
Slender-Snouted Crocodile
Smooth-Fronted Caiman
Snake Show
Yellow-Tailed Cribo
Burmese Python
Mangrove Snake
Cottonmouth
Prairie Rattlesnake
Monocled Cobra