What Zoos have you visited?

[SCReptiles]

Would like to see what Zoos or “Zoological” parks everyone has visited and what they think about them. As for me:



Chattanooga Nature Center. Chattanooga, TN

OK, I love it, but perhaps I am a bit partial since I am the director of herpetology. We have 11 species of snakes, including both venomous species that at found in Chattanooga. We are part of the red wolf recover program and always have two or three on site, as well as several other animals native to this area.



Tennessee Aquarium. Chattanooga, TN

Mostly fish, few reptiles. A few years ago they had and awesome venomous display, but it’s been replaced by Jellyfish these days.



Rome Nature Center. Rome, GA

I love this one as well. I don’t work there, but I did supply several of the pit vipers they have on display. They also have several reptile species, including alligators, that are native to GA.



Chattanooga Zoo. Chattanooga, TN

Very small low budget zoo. They do well for the money and space they have to work with. Till last couple years, did not even have reptiles, but have a nice little set up now. No venomous at all. They have an awesome set up for Chimps.



Animal Adventures. Bristol, VA

Owned and operated by friends of mine. Several snakes, mostly hots. I supplied a few of the pit vipers, but they have a far more vast collection of Cobras. They also have a 7 foot + water monitor and a pair of adult cougars.



Rainforest Adventures. Pigeon Forge, TN

The best collection of snakes I have ever seen! An example of almost every venomous snake on the planet. Also some crocs, and a few turtles. Very nice place.



Alligator Adventures. Myrtle Beach, SC

If you are into crocs, this is a must see. Nice collection of snakes, including some very rare rattlers and a huge king cobra. The star of the show is the monster crocodile housed in the center. He is the largest crocodile in the world! 20 feet +..he is a must see.



Snakes alive. Cherokee, NC

I have not been in several years, but it’s an awesome display for the money. They once housed a burm that was 26 feet. They still have the skin on the wall.



AHP Exotics. Loganville, GA

A retail pet store just west of Atlanta, however, Bill Albright, has set up a nice snake and reptile display. Several awesome cobras, and the second largest rattlesnake I have ever seen.



George Van Horn serpitorium. South, FL (Sorry I can’t remember the city)

Nice collection of venomous snakes, including the largest rattlesnake I have ever seen. It’s a hybrid between a canebrake and an Eastern Diamond. George does public venom extractions a few times thru the day.



Knoxville Zoo. Knoxville, TN

Average zoo. I have not been in years, but nothing there sticks in my memory.



Seattle Zoo (woodland) Seattle, WA

Pretty nice place. Had a 20 foot retic that had a head bigger then my hands put together.



Atlanta Zoo. Atlanta, GA

OK, but nothing super. Was very disappointed on their pythons. I have bigger ones in my basement. They do have a pair of Komodo Dragons, I think this was the first time I saw them in person.



Memphis Zoo. Memphis, TN

Awesome snake display. Huge retic, around 18 feet. Awesome rattlesnake display.



Audubon Zoo. New Orleans, LA

18 different species of rattlesnake and the nicest southern copperhead I have ever seen.



Audubon Aquarium. New Orleans, LA

Awesome shark set up. Also have about a 14 foot anaconda, was the only snake I saw, but the sharks are worth the money.



Insti-gater. New Orleans (area), LA

An Alligator farm about an hour north of New Orleans, LA. Good solid information on alligator farming and recovery, but no spectacular gaters on site.



Gaterland. Orlando, FL

Awesome display. Much better then Disney World. Saw a 15 foot American Croc there. Far as I know, that is the biggest in the world.



Planning to visit before 2005:

Nashville Zoo. Nashville, TN

Birmingham Zoo. Birmingham, AL