Cheers Tim. I’m a Patron Fellow so the timings are 10-12 for our session, followed by in-depth talks from 1-3.
ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter amur leopard
- Start date
-
- Tags
- london zoo news
- Status
Cheers Tim. I’m a Patron Fellow so the timings are 10-12 for our session, followed by in-depth talks from 1-3.
I can’t make the preview, however it would be good to find out the reasons for the old house’s closure and future plans for it, should this arise from the planned talks of course.
Thanks and good to hear.
Not sure if I’ll get there too, but will try and find out future plans if I do.
The old house closed due to age and the facilities not being fit for purpose.
Does anyone have a list of the species that will be on display in the new reptile and amphibian building?
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
No such list is public just yet, but the best we have is the 2023 stocklist, with most of the reptiles and amphibians on that list likely going on display in the new House. The Komodo Dragons and Galapagos Tortoises (and most likely the Congo Caecilians as well) will remain in their enclosures elsewhere in the zoo (the Mindinao Water Monitor will also be receiving a new enclosure elsewhere, near the Komodos, I believe), and there have been new arrivals since that list was released (I only know of Mountain Chickens, but there are certainly many more), but this list probably gives you the best idea of roughly what will be held. I wouldn't be too surprised if the Emerald Tree Boa aren't present in the new house either, seeing as they also have an enclosure elsewhere in the zoo in Tiny Giants, but likewise, seeing as the zoo holds 4 of them and that they were present in the original Reptile House, I wouldn't be surprised if they are present.
I know the old giant tortoise area was rumoured to be ear marked for the bird department, but I wonder if the new water monitor enclosure will repurpose their old indoor enclosure? (With the outside area still being used for birds)
Has anyone heard anything regarding the old giant tortoise area in recent times?
Has anyone heard anything regarding the old giant tortoise area in recent times?
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
I believe it is more likely that the water monitors will inhabit the smaller enclosure at the opposite end of the house (near the Outback and Mappins, within the same building as the Komodos), as there is it is empty, has been signposted as a site for future development for some time, has a water source and is of a similar size to the one in the original Reptile House.
Last edited:
equidae
Well-Known Member
Ostriches out with the giraffes this morning, but only three of them out (2f, 1m). They were a little skittish, and seem more comfortable around Nuru than the other two, unsurprising given that one of Maggie/Molly (I can’t distinguish between them) still seems curious about them and was following them around a bit.
Also occurred to me just how much Nuru’s grown - she’s practically the height of the other two now!
Also occurred to me just how much Nuru’s grown - she’s practically the height of the other two now!
Information on the Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians:
Opens Easter Weekend and features 33 species:
London Zoo retires its famous reptile house as frogs and snakes get new home
It features 11 different climate-controlled zones, more than 50 aquatic systems, and carefully planted habitats to provide shade, egg laying sites, basking locations, and camouflage areas.
Species mentioned:
Mangshan vipers
King Cobra
Big-headed turtles
Chinese giant salamanders
Philippine crocodile
Panther chameleon
Mossy frog
Opens Easter Weekend and features 33 species:
London Zoo retires its famous reptile house as frogs and snakes get new home
It features 11 different climate-controlled zones, more than 50 aquatic systems, and carefully planted habitats to provide shade, egg laying sites, basking locations, and camouflage areas.
Species mentioned:
Mangshan vipers
King Cobra
Big-headed turtles
Chinese giant salamanders
Philippine crocodile
Panther chameleon
Mossy frog
There is an official ZSL article at
Unveiling the Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians | London Zoo
Unveiling the Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians | London Zoo
Jambi
Well-Known Member
I've been looking forward to this announcement, I'll arrange a visit to London in 2025 (too many other things planned to fit it into this year), and that will be my first visit since I was a teenager in 2008.
There is an article about the upcoming Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians from the BIAZA website. The actual text does not offer anything new, being the exact same wording as in the official ZSL announcement.
The one thing that is new is that the main headline picture is of one of the Laos warty newts that arrived in 2023, so I assume they will be one of the new species on show in the house. I do not think they were one of the animals mentioned in the earlier provisional species list.
The article can be seen here:
Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians at London Zoo | Biaza
The one thing that is new is that the main headline picture is of one of the Laos warty newts that arrived in 2023, so I assume they will be one of the new species on show in the house. I do not think they were one of the animals mentioned in the earlier provisional species list.
The article can be seen here:
Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians at London Zoo | Biaza
Green_mamba
Well-Known Member
How does the number of species in the new reptile house compare to in the old one?
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
I don't have a species list anymore, but recall making one in October 2021 to reveal a total of just over 40 species, so the new house is marginally smaller in terms of species numbers. In terms of the rarity of those species, however, I suspect it will be a slight upgrade, with some lovely new additions and, so far as I know, no major rarities removed. Hopefully the Round Island Skink, the biggest rarity from the original house that is yet to have been announced, will be onshow once again...
- Status