Hello Everyone, I am back with another species. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, SC. It was part of a road trip that would have also included the South Carolina Aquarium and Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site (which has a zoo), but unfortunately, I had to cut my trip short due for personal reasons. Nevertheless, I was able to get a day out of Riverbanks.
I am going to do something a little different this time; rather than just list out species, I will also be posting a review of sorts, noting my thoughts and observations for the zoo as a whole as well as the individual exhibits.
I understand that @SusScrofa previously compiled a list from earlier this year, which you can find here -> Riverbanks Zoo species list (January 2023) [Riverbanks Zoo and Garden]. However, the list does not include the Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center, as it was still undergoing renovations at the time. Also, some changes have occurred since, but the list overall remains mostly the same.
This list and review is based on my visit on 05/22/2023. As with my other lists, it includes all animals signed and/or observed on public display and excludes off-show/ambassador-only animals. I also compiled a list on iNaturalist which you can find here -> Riverbanks Zoo and Garden Species List.
With that said, let's get started.
Overview
Overall, I would consider Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to be a mid-tier facility. It's got some parts it does really well, such as the Aquarium and Reptile Complex, Bird House, Sea Lion Landing, and gardens, but also some really weak parts, like the Conservation Outpost and the Grottoes near the zoo entrance. Other parts of the zoo are just average. In a way, it reminds me of Zoo Tampa, with there being a mix of exhibits that look and feel modern and exhibits that are woefully outdated. It also reminded me a bit of Zoo Atlanta with its maze-like path layout and wood-and-wire aviaries scattered throughtout the zoo. Atlanta is a far superior zoo, thought I would rank Riverbanks above Tampa.
Sea Lion Landing
Notes - This exhibit opened in 2016, and is one of the better exhibits in the zoo. This is the first exhibit you see as you walk in. Modeled after a fishing wharf, it houses a single male Sea Lion and a single Harbor seal. The exhibit provides ample above-and-underwater viewing, and has an indoor section.
Notes - These exhibits are located right at the front of the zoo, to the right as you enter. These are among the weaker exhibits in the zoo. The river otter exhibit, which is fairly new, has ample space but is otherwise forgettable. The rest of the grottoes are very outdated and in some cases, feel too small. There are additional exhibits in the corners of the Lion and Baboon habitats, separated by a moat and fence. The baboons were given access to theirs, but the one in the lion enclosure remains unused and inaccessible to the lions. All animals listed occupy separate exhibits.
Notes - This exhibit building recently opened back in March after a lengthy renovation that completely overhauled the building. This is one of the best exhibits in the zoo; the various exhibits are all well planted and landscaped, are large for their residents, and feature some interesting mixes. The aquarium section is also pretty solid.
The building is divided into distinct sections. Do note that a few animals were not on display, but still signed, due to delays in acquiring specimens (this is noted on the signs). I will note these where appropriate. Also, I observed some animals that were not signed anywhere. I will note these as well for those I could identify. I might have missed a few species in this process.
Notes - Another indoor exhibit and another one of Riverbanks highlights. While it doesn't have many displays, what it does do it does very well; the aviaries are very well designed and roomy, and the building itself is well-themed.
Notes - This is another solid area of the zoo; the Koala and Komodo Dragon exhibits are decent. The parakeet aviary looks nice; I did not actually enter, but confirmed what species were present (it's an upcharge attraction). This area also has an exhibit for Siamangs, and that exhibit is strictly average.
Notes - This section covers the africa habitats in the southeast part of the zoo along the main loop. All of the exhibits are are laid out along a single path with the exception of the Babirusas. Overall, this section is alright, save for the Gorilla exhibit, which is one of the better gorilla exhibits I have seen; it's large and well-planted, though it could benefit from more climbing structures. The rest of the exhibits range from solid to average, though the White Rhino exhibit was underwhelming.
Notes - Yeesh. This might be the worst part of the zoo. The exhibits are all indoors, and feel way too small and cramped, not to mention that they are all essentially minature grottoes. They do have enrichment and skylights, but overall, this is still a poor area of the zoo. Some species will appear multiple times due to being housed in multiple exhibits.
Notes - This is a walkthrough exhibit for wallabies near the Gorilla base camp. Kangaroos were also present in a separate exhibit. Unlike the parakeet exhibit, this is NOT an upcharge attraction.
Notes - I didn't venture too far into this area. It seems like parts of it are upcharge. I noted everything I saw, but let me know if I missed anything.
Notes - These are standalone exhibits scattered throughout the zoo that are not really attached to any other exhibit complex. This includes an alligator exhibit and 4 pairs of wood-and-wire aviaries. To be honest, I am not a fan of wood-and-wire avairies as they are hard to take pictures through, especially on a sunny day. They're also not really interesting and feel like something that belongs in a lower tier facility. The alligator exhibit is pretty good, and can be viewed from the Tusker resturant above. It only had a single individual on my visit.
Alligator Exhibit (Next to the Tusker restuarant)
Total Species Count - 212 Species
I am going to do something a little different this time; rather than just list out species, I will also be posting a review of sorts, noting my thoughts and observations for the zoo as a whole as well as the individual exhibits.
I understand that @SusScrofa previously compiled a list from earlier this year, which you can find here -> Riverbanks Zoo species list (January 2023) [Riverbanks Zoo and Garden]. However, the list does not include the Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center, as it was still undergoing renovations at the time. Also, some changes have occurred since, but the list overall remains mostly the same.
This list and review is based on my visit on 05/22/2023. As with my other lists, it includes all animals signed and/or observed on public display and excludes off-show/ambassador-only animals. I also compiled a list on iNaturalist which you can find here -> Riverbanks Zoo and Garden Species List.
With that said, let's get started.
Overview
Overall, I would consider Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to be a mid-tier facility. It's got some parts it does really well, such as the Aquarium and Reptile Complex, Bird House, Sea Lion Landing, and gardens, but also some really weak parts, like the Conservation Outpost and the Grottoes near the zoo entrance. Other parts of the zoo are just average. In a way, it reminds me of Zoo Tampa, with there being a mix of exhibits that look and feel modern and exhibits that are woefully outdated. It also reminded me a bit of Zoo Atlanta with its maze-like path layout and wood-and-wire aviaries scattered throughtout the zoo. Atlanta is a far superior zoo, thought I would rank Riverbanks above Tampa.
Sea Lion Landing
Notes - This exhibit opened in 2016, and is one of the better exhibits in the zoo. This is the first exhibit you see as you walk in. Modeled after a fishing wharf, it houses a single male Sea Lion and a single Harbor seal. The exhibit provides ample above-and-underwater viewing, and has an indoor section.
- California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)
- Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)
Notes - These exhibits are located right at the front of the zoo, to the right as you enter. These are among the weaker exhibits in the zoo. The river otter exhibit, which is fairly new, has ample space but is otherwise forgettable. The rest of the grottoes are very outdated and in some cases, feel too small. There are additional exhibits in the corners of the Lion and Baboon habitats, separated by a moat and fence. The baboons were given access to theirs, but the one in the lion enclosure remains unused and inaccessible to the lions. All animals listed occupy separate exhibits.
- Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)
- Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)
- Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas)
- North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
- Southern Lion (Panthera leo melanochaita)
Notes - This exhibit building recently opened back in March after a lengthy renovation that completely overhauled the building. This is one of the best exhibits in the zoo; the various exhibits are all well planted and landscaped, are large for their residents, and feature some interesting mixes. The aquarium section is also pretty solid.
The building is divided into distinct sections. Do note that a few animals were not on display, but still signed, due to delays in acquiring specimens (this is noted on the signs). I will note these where appropriate. Also, I observed some animals that were not signed anywhere. I will note these as well for those I could identify. I might have missed a few species in this process.
Outdoor Exhibits
- Burmese Black Mountain Tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei)
- Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)
- Western Santa Cruz Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis niger porteri) (Signed as Galapagos Tortoise, Chelonoidis porteri; in 2 exhibits behind the building).
First Room - Temperate Forests
- Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
- Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)
- Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)
- Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
- Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
- Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis)
- Northern Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus)
- Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
First Room - Tropical Forest
The Birdhouse- Black Tree Monitor (Varanus beccarii)
- Green Tree Monitor (Varanus prasinus)
- Bates's Tree Boa (Corallus batesii) (Signed as Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boa)
- (South American) Bushmaster (Lachesis muta)
- Blue Tree Monitor (Varanus macraei)
- Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii)
- Southern Green Python (Morelia viridis)
- Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
- Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus henkeli)?
- Yellow-headed Day Gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri)?
- Indian Domino Cockroach (Therea petiveriana)?
- Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa)?
- Unsigned Day Gecko (Phelsuma sp.)?
- Assorted Corals
- There are other tanks here, but I could not ID their inhabitants.
- Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
- Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii)
- Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha)
- White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
- (Juvenile) Western Santa Cruz Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis niger porteri) (Signed as Galapagos Tortoise, Chelonoidis porteri)
- Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi)
- Eyed Dabb Lizard (Uromastyx ocellata)
- Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus)
- Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)
- Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber)
- Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
- Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
- Common Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides)
- Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)
- Common Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater)
- Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum)
- Black-headed Python (Aspidites melanocephalus)
- Spiny-tailed Monitor (Varanus acanthurus)
- Aruba Island Rattlesnake (Crotalus unicolor)
- Mang Mountain Pitviper (Protobothrops mangshanensis)
- Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)
- Western Green Mamba (Dendroaspis viridis)
- Boelen's python (Simalia boeleni)
- Rhinoceros Viper (Bitis nasicornis)
- Wagner's Viper (Montivipera wagneri) (Signed as Ocellated Mountain Viper)
- Nose-horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes)
- Yellow-headed Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates leucomelas)
- King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)
- Bell's Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata)
- Dyeing Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) (Signed as Dendrobates azureus)
- False tomato frog (Dyscophus guineti)
- Panamanian Golden Frog (Atelopus zeteki)
- Vietnamese Mossy Frog (Theloderma corticale)
- Northern Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) (Signed, but not yet on display)
- Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly (Cassiopea andromeda) (Signed, but not yet on display)
- Slate Pencil Urchin (Eucidaris tribuloides) (Signed, but not yet on display)
- Chocolate Chip Sea Star (Protoreaster nodosus) (Signed, but not yet on display)
- French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru) (Unsigned)
- Cherubfish (Centropyge argi)? (Unsigned)
- Highhat (Pareques acuminatus)? (Unsigned)
- Atlantic Spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber)
- Green Moray (Gymnothorax funebris)
- Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Grey Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus)
- Longspine Squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus)
- Lookdown (Selene vomer)
- Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus)
- Yellow Stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis)
- Bignose Unicornfish (Naso vlamingii)
- Blue-and-yellow Fusilier (Caesio teres)
- Blueface Angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon)
- Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum)
- Diamondfish (Monodactylus argenteus) (Signed as Mono)
- Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) (Unsigned)
- Fivebar Flagtail (Kuhlia mugil)
- Laced Moray (Gymnothorax favagineus)
- Lagoon Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) (Unsigned)
- Orangeblotch Surgeonfish (Acanthurus olivaceus)
- Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum) (Unsigned)
- Pacific Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma velifer)
- Redtooth Triggerfish (Odonus niger)
- Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula)
- Round Batfish (Platax orbicularis)
- Sailfin Snapper (Symphorichthys spilurus)
- Scribbled Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus duboulayi)
- Sixband Angelfish (Pomacanthus sexstriatus)
- Spotfin Hogfish (Bodianus pulchellus) (Unsigned)
- Stripey (Microcanthus strigatus)
- Threadfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga) (Unsigned)
- White-spotted Bambooshark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)
- Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
- Barred Hamlet (Hypoplectrus puella)
- Black Hamlet (Hypoplectrus nigricans) (Unsigned)
- Brown Chromis (Azurina multilineata)
- Indigo Hamlet (Hypoplectrus indigo)
- Lantern Bass (Serranus baldwini)
- Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) (Unsigned)
- Forceps Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) (Signed as Longnose Butterflyfish)
- Frogspawn Coral (Fimbriaphyllia divisa)
- Goldring Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus strigosus) (Signed as Kole Tang)
- Percula Anemonefish (Amphiprion percula) (Unsigned)
- Whisker Coral (Duncanopsammia axifuga)
- Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) (Unsigned)
- Bicolor Angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) (Unsigned)
- Blue-green Chromis (Chromis viridis)
- Pajama Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
- Squarespot Anthias (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia)
- Threadfin anthias (Nemanthias carberryi)
- Three-spot Dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus) (Unsigned)
- Common Lionfish (Pterois volitans)
- Splendid Farden Eel (Gorgasia preclara)
- Spotted Garden Eel (Heteroconger hassi)
- Threadfin Cardinalfish (Zoramia leptacanthus)
- Bubble-tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor)
- Ocellaris Anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
- Sargassumfish (Histrio histrio)
- Slender Filefish (Monacanthus tuckeri)
- Blackbar Chromis (Pycnochromis retrofasciatus)
- Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus)
- Palette Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) (Unsigned)
- Small Giant Clam (Tridacna maxima)
- Yellow Coralgoby (Gobiodon okinawae)
- Wolf Eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) (Signed, but not yet on display)
- Unspecified Sea Anenome (Actiniaria) (Signed, but not yet on display)
- Bigbelly Seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) (Signed, but not yet on display)
- European Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) (Signed, but not yet on display)
- Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) (Signed, but not yet on display)
- Cortez Angelfish (Pomacanthus zonipectus)
- Horn Shark (Heterodontus francisci)
- Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata)
- Swellshark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum)
- Common Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita)
Notes - Another indoor exhibit and another one of Riverbanks highlights. While it doesn't have many displays, what it does do it does very well; the aviaries are very well designed and roomy, and the building itself is well-themed.
Outdoor Habitats
Koala Knockabout- American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
- Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides)
- Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua)
- King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus)
- Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome)
- Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus)
- Asian Fairy-bluebird (Irena puella)
- Blue-crowned Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus courtoisi)
- Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus)
- Green Broadbill (Calyptomena viridis)
- Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
- Victoria Crowned-Pigeon (Goura victoria)
- White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)
- Asian Fairy-bluebird (Irena puella)
- Chestnut-backed Thrush (Geokichla dohertyi)
- Cotton Pygmy-Goose (Nettapus coromandelianus)
- Green-naped Pheasant Pigeon (Otidiphaps nobilis nobilis)
- Scarlet-faced Liocichla (Liocichla ripponi)
- Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
- White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)
- Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi)
- Black-naped Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus melanospilus)
- Green Broadbill (Calyptomena viridis)
- African Green Pigeon (Treron calvus)
- Golden-breasted Starling (Lamprotornis regius)
- Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat (Cossypha niveicapilla)
- Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis)
- Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
- Red-capped Cardinal (Paroaria gularis)
- Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias)
- Turquoise Tanager (Tangara mexicana)
- Venezuelan Troupial (Icterus icterus)
Notes - This is another solid area of the zoo; the Koala and Komodo Dragon exhibits are decent. The parakeet aviary looks nice; I did not actually enter, but confirmed what species were present (it's an upcharge attraction). This area also has an exhibit for Siamangs, and that exhibit is strictly average.
- Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus)
- Queensland Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus adustus)
- Southern Green Python (Morelia viridis) (Off-exhibit here, but also on display at the ARC)
- Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
- Coconut Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
- Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus)
Notes - This section covers the africa habitats in the southeast part of the zoo along the main loop. All of the exhibits are are laid out along a single path with the exception of the Babirusas. Overall, this section is alright, save for the Gorilla exhibit, which is one of the better gorilla exhibits I have seen; it's large and well-planted, though it could benefit from more climbing structures. The rest of the exhibits range from solid to average, though the White Rhino exhibit was underwhelming.
- Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)
- Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
- Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) (Unsure of subspecies, could not find signage. The main viewing is largely dominated by the upcharge feeding deck)
- African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata)
- Sulawesi Babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis)
- Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
- Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum)
- Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
- Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) (Off exhibit)
Notes - Yeesh. This might be the worst part of the zoo. The exhibits are all indoors, and feel way too small and cramped, not to mention that they are all essentially minature grottoes. They do have enrichment and skylights, but overall, this is still a poor area of the zoo. Some species will appear multiple times due to being housed in multiple exhibits.
- White-faced Saki (Pithecia pithecia)
- Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
- Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
- Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni)
- Prehensile-tailed Porcupine (Coendou prehensilis)
- Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes)
- White-faced Saki (Pithecia pithecia)
- Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni)
- Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
- Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta)
- Common Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus)
- Red Ruffed Lemur (Varecia rubra)
Notes - This is a walkthrough exhibit for wallabies near the Gorilla base camp. Kangaroos were also present in a separate exhibit. Unlike the parakeet exhibit, this is NOT an upcharge attraction.
- Red-necked Wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus)
- Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus)
Notes - I didn't venture too far into this area. It seems like parts of it are upcharge. I noted everything I saw, but let me know if I missed anything.
- Domestic Goat (Capra hircus hircus)
- Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)
- Llama (Lama glama)
Notes - These are standalone exhibits scattered throughout the zoo that are not really attached to any other exhibit complex. This includes an alligator exhibit and 4 pairs of wood-and-wire aviaries. To be honest, I am not a fan of wood-and-wire avairies as they are hard to take pictures through, especially on a sunny day. They're also not really interesting and feel like something that belongs in a lower tier facility. The alligator exhibit is pretty good, and can be viewed from the Tusker resturant above. It only had a single individual on my visit.
Alligator Exhibit (Next to the Tusker restuarant)
- American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
- Blue-crowned Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus courtoisi)
- Chestnut-backed Thrush (Geokichla dohertyi)
- Edwards's Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) (Signed as Vietnamese Pheasant
- Asian Fairy-bluebird (Irena puella)
- Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus)
- Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
- Temminck's Tragopan (Tragopan temminckii)
- White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)
- King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
- Venezuelan Troupial (Icterus icterus)
- Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti)
- Bruce's Green-Pigeon (Treron waalia)
- Northern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus)
- Red-crested Turaco (Tauraco erythrolophus)
- Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo)
- Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis)
- Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
- Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
- Pied Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula bicolor)
- Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)
- Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus)
- Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
- Fish - 62
- Birds - 49
- Reptiles - 48
- Mammals - 29
- Amphibians - 6
- Mollusks - 3
- Insects - 2
