With more than 60 species, the LAIR calls itself a home for some really stunning and also endangered animals. Some species have come and gone since it’s original opening, many still reside within LAIR with the introduction of a few new species. The whole complex is split into 4 major sections: The Lair building, The Arroyo Lagarto, The Desert Lair building, and Crocodile Swamp with an added extension. With multiple signage, most with both English and Spanish language, they make it easy for both adults and children to learn small bites of information which can be easily remembered. Although many exhibits around the zoo seem to dive in more with more information on their signage, it does feel like a breath of fresh air to see their unique style of displaying facts for visitors to interpret and digest. Currently some signs may only display the name and picture of the animal or animals in their exhibit, could be due to their new arrival into their new home. Some heavy hitters that draw in the crowds from my multiple visits throughout the years appear to be Chinese Giant Salamander, Gray’s Monitor, Boelen’s Python, Fly River Turtle, California Desert Tortoise, San Esteban Island Chuckwalla, California Kingsnake, Red Diamond Rattlesnake, Gila Monsters, False Gharial, and now the new Indian Gharial. Although most species present aren’t endangered, the select few whom are truly are a joy to see and make the LAIR unique. There are a couple of complaints I have with the facility. For starters, there seems to be a frequency when certain exhibits are closed due to renovation or no available specimens of the species which is supposed to be at home. One example is the original Gray’s Monitor exhibit that has been vacant for quite a while without any other similar specie that can occupy the space therefore making it a bit of an eyesore. Another complain that may seem more a personal gripe would be better lighting. At times I feel like certain exhibits make their stars shine due how their lit, no pun intended. While others fall into the category of dull lighting that won’t bring out their vibrant colors. In regards to amenities, there are benches throughout the LAIR which allow you to take in the complex or at least allow parents to rest after their kids eagerly explore the exhibits. AC is currently available in the main LAIR building, please prepare yourself for the desert like weather of the Desert Lair building which can get hotter during summer. There is definitely a possibility some species may not all be listed with some residing in the Care and Conservation area, the small terrariums appear to frequently change with either replenishing the exhibits or some being sent out to other zoos.
The only new renovation would be an older zoo exhibit that was refurbished to house Indian Gharials right outside the Desert Lair building. Personally is of my favorite exhibits that’s new and very pleasing to see the crocodilians sharing their home with turtles and cichlids. It is a fitting addition to the LAIR and can one day have baby gharials introduced as part for the SSP once they mature. In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting pictures of the LAIR on the media page here on Zoochat. Please give me any feedback or comments, make any corrections needed. Below I have outlined the species that make their home at the LAIR.
The Lair: 37+ species
Boelen’s Python
Giant Day Gecko
Iranian Harlequin Newt
Tiger Salamander
Mexican Giant Horned Lizard
Green Tree Python
Temple Viper
Green Vine Snake
Chinese Giant Salamander
Mangrove Viper
Vampire Crab
Armenian Viper
Rowley’s Palm Viper
Rough-Scaled Python
Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake
Ethiopian Mountain Adder
Magnificent Tree Frog
Boyd’s Forest Dragon
Gray’s Monitor
Mangshan Pitviper
Cape Cobra
Gaboon Viper
Bushmaster
Merten’s Water Monitor
Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle
Fly River Turtle
Australian Lungfish
West African Green Mamba
Mexican Beaded Lizard
Philippine Water Monitor
Australian Rainbowfish
Archerfish
Giant One-Horned Chamelion
European Long-Nosed Viper
Madagascar Radiated Tortoise
Madagascar Spider Tortoise
Spotted Chuckwalla
Arroyo Lagarto: 6 species
Spiny Lizard
Desert Iguana
Cape Rock Lizard
Santa Catalina Side-Blotched Lizard
California Desert Tortoise
San Esteban Island Chuckwalla
The Desert Lair: 19 species
California Kingsnake
San Diego Gopher Snake
Southern Pacific Rattlesnake
Desert Rosy Boa
Southwest Speckled Rattlesnake
Baja California Ratsnake
Sidewinder
Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake
Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake
Desert Hairy Scorpion
Saharan Horned Viper
Rock Rattlesnake
Sonoran Tarantula
Sonoran Giant Centipede
Sunburst Diving Beetle
Toe-Biter Beetle
Gila Monster
Sonoran Toad
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crocodile Swamp(extended): 5 species
False Gharial
Indian Gharial
Painted River Terrapin
Fly River Turtle
African Cichlids
If you are an enthusiast for reptiles, amphibians,or invertebrates, you will find something or a few that you will be quite pleased to see. A good tip would be to visit the LAIR as soon as the zoo opens, it’s probably the most heavily populated areas right next to the Rainforest of the Americas and as well as the Africa section. The reptile staff have always been pretty welcoming and knowledgeable which adds to the experience.
The only new renovation would be an older zoo exhibit that was refurbished to house Indian Gharials right outside the Desert Lair building. Personally is of my favorite exhibits that’s new and very pleasing to see the crocodilians sharing their home with turtles and cichlids. It is a fitting addition to the LAIR and can one day have baby gharials introduced as part for the SSP once they mature. In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting pictures of the LAIR on the media page here on Zoochat. Please give me any feedback or comments, make any corrections needed. Below I have outlined the species that make their home at the LAIR.
The Lair: 37+ species
Boelen’s Python
Giant Day Gecko
Iranian Harlequin Newt
Tiger Salamander
Mexican Giant Horned Lizard
Green Tree Python
Temple Viper
Green Vine Snake
Chinese Giant Salamander
Mangrove Viper
Vampire Crab
Armenian Viper
Rowley’s Palm Viper
Rough-Scaled Python
Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake
Ethiopian Mountain Adder
Magnificent Tree Frog
Boyd’s Forest Dragon
Gray’s Monitor
Mangshan Pitviper
Cape Cobra
Gaboon Viper
Bushmaster
Merten’s Water Monitor
Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle
Fly River Turtle
Australian Lungfish
West African Green Mamba
Mexican Beaded Lizard
Philippine Water Monitor
Australian Rainbowfish
Archerfish
Giant One-Horned Chamelion
European Long-Nosed Viper
Madagascar Radiated Tortoise
Madagascar Spider Tortoise
Spotted Chuckwalla
Arroyo Lagarto: 6 species
Spiny Lizard
Desert Iguana
Cape Rock Lizard
Santa Catalina Side-Blotched Lizard
California Desert Tortoise
San Esteban Island Chuckwalla
The Desert Lair: 19 species
California Kingsnake
San Diego Gopher Snake
Southern Pacific Rattlesnake
Desert Rosy Boa
Southwest Speckled Rattlesnake
Baja California Ratsnake
Sidewinder
Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake
Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake
Desert Hairy Scorpion
Saharan Horned Viper
Rock Rattlesnake
Sonoran Tarantula
Sonoran Giant Centipede
Sunburst Diving Beetle
Toe-Biter Beetle
Gila Monster
Sonoran Toad
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crocodile Swamp(extended): 5 species
False Gharial
Indian Gharial
Painted River Terrapin
Fly River Turtle
African Cichlids
If you are an enthusiast for reptiles, amphibians,or invertebrates, you will find something or a few that you will be quite pleased to see. A good tip would be to visit the LAIR as soon as the zoo opens, it’s probably the most heavily populated areas right next to the Rainforest of the Americas and as well as the Africa section. The reptile staff have always been pretty welcoming and knowledgeable which adds to the experience.
I’m glad you enjoyed it and if it’s been a long time since you’ve been to the LAIR, definitely visit it next time if you can and go early as soon as the zoo opens. Attendance seems to spike right around 12 PM to 2 PM most days. I’ll be posting more reviews of the different sections of the LA Zoo over the next weeks!