Toledo Zoo Toledo Zoo and Aquarium news 2025

USZOOfan42

USZOOfan42

Well-Known Member
Today marks the end of an era for the Toledo Zoo. Today, the zoo’s historic reptile house has closed for renovations and will reopen in mid to late 2026. This renovation is expected to bring larger habitats for all of its inhabitants, underwater crocodile viewing, upgrades to the building, more habitats and species, including Perenties and Crocodile Monitors! This is the building’s first major renovation since the 90’s. I plan to upload a review and species list of the building tomorrow. MSN
 
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USZOOfan42 said:
Today marks the end of an era for the Toledo Zoo. Today, the zoo’s historic reptile house has closed for renovations and will reopen in mid to late 2026. This renovation is expected to bring larger habitats for all of its inhabitants, underwater crocodile viewing, upgrades to the building, more habitats and species, including Perenties and Crocodile Monitors! This is the building’s first major renovation since the 90’s. I plan to upload a review and species list of the building tomorrow.
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Not sure I'd call that an "end of an era" because the building itself is remaining in place and eventually reopening, but this is still a major change to it and the whole zoo in general.
 
USZOOfan42 said:
Today marks the end of an era for the Toledo Zoo. Today, the zoo’s historic reptile house has closed for renovations and will reopen in mid to late 2026. This renovation is expected to bring larger habitats for all of its inhabitants, underwater crocodile viewing, upgrades to the building, more habitats and species, including Perenties and Crocodile Monitors! This is the building’s first major renovation since the 90’s. I plan to upload a review and species list of the building tomorrow. MSN
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So the zoo is removing all the old terrariums and artwork that was originally part of the building?
 
USZOOfan42 said:
Seems so, the renderings shows completely new habitats. Some may stay but I’d expect a major remodel.
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Are these the masterplan renderings or different ones I haven’t seen?

Edit: Never mind I found the renderings you were talking about. I can’t say I’m a fan of this, as I hate changing historical buildings like this, but I can definitely see the vision so I’ll wait to judge.
 
This shows a rendering of what the new reptile house expansion and renovation will look like. It appears the new green house will take up the existing outdoor tortoise exhibits, and the zoos raptor barn.

I always liked the idea of the Raptor barn, but the execution was poorly done, hopefully they will open a raptor themed attraction. Not that Toledo needs a fifth bird themed exhibit
 

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Toledo Zoo Guide said:
This shows a rendering of what the new reptile house expansion and renovation will look like. It appears the new green house will take up the existing outdoor tortoise exhibits, and the zoos raptor barn.

I always liked the idea of the Raptor barn, but the execution was poorly done, hopefully they will open a raptor themed attraction. Not that Toledo needs a fifth bird themed exhibit
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Is their giant crocodyle getting an exhibit upgrade? One of the largest crocodyle in US Zoos, yes?
 
PercideRolo said:
Is their giant crocodyle getting an exhibit upgrade? One of the largest crocodyle in US Zoos, yes?
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I talked to a zoo employee a couple of months ago about the master plan and I was told the Reptile House was next on the list of expansions and renovations.

I was told the that Baru (Saltwater Crocodile) would be getting an outdoor exhibit with this renovation. It doesn’t make sense to me according to the renderings and I don’t know if there would be room with the green house they are building. We will see though.
 
Baru is definitely getting an outdoor enclosure with underwater viewing of some form (either indoor or outdoor). He may well be "one" of the biggest crocs in the U.S. but I still give it to Utan.

The large enclosure in the middle of the reptile house will be a floor to ceiling exhibit for croc monitors

The only other thing of note I got from a colleague was quite of few Australian venomous snakes will be added to the collection
 
I’d like to note, there’s already construction outside and a giant hole near the old tortoise yards.
PSO said:
Baru is definitely getting an outdoor enclosure with underwater viewing of some form (either indoor or outdoor). He may well be "one" of the biggest crocs in the U.S. but I still give it to Utan.

The large enclosure in the middle of the reptile house will be a floor to ceiling exhibit for croc monitors

The only other thing of note I got from a colleague was quite of few Australian venomous snakes will be added to the collection
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Utan is from Alligator Adventures right? He’s definitely the biggest. Nice! I expect some reptiles to move from the museum right?
 
PSO said:
Baru is definitely getting an outdoor enclosure with underwater viewing of some form (either indoor or outdoor). He may well be "one" of the biggest crocs in the U.S. but I still give it to Utan.

The large enclosure in the middle of the reptile house will be a floor to ceiling exhibit for croc monitors

The only other thing of note I got from a colleague was quite of few Australian venomous snakes will be added to the collection
Click to expand...
Awesome to hear about new australian species coming, hoping for King Brown, Red-Bellied Black Snake and Tiger Snake! Will definitely plan a visit once the reptile house is open again!

I would also suggest Salty at Fort Worth and Maximo at St. Augustine as contenders for the largest Saltwater Croc in the US.
 
PSO said:
Baru is definitely getting an outdoor enclosure with underwater viewing of some form (either indoor or outdoor). He may well be "one" of the biggest crocs in the U.S. but I still give it to Utan.

The large enclosure in the middle of the reptile house will be a floor to ceiling exhibit for croc monitors

The only other thing of note I got from a colleague was quite of few Australian venomous snakes will be added to the collection
Click to expand...
How would a floor to ceiling exhibit work in that space. As that ceiling is already really tall unless they removed everything from the current exhibit and changed the ceiling. I wonder if they will just keep the current exhibit the way it is and just add the Crocodile Monitors.
 
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