We are closed for the season. Thank you all for your support and love this year. See you on February 28, 2026!
Bird's Eye View from Reptile Gardens, Volume 2
I hope everyone survived the winter - and I hope winter is done for all of us in general. We are now in our spring season here at Reptile Gardens and we opened our doors on March 4th! If you are interested in seeing our new additions to the lower ring of our Dome and check out the spring bird and snake programs, along with all the other exhibits and the tropical flowers, now is the time to come.
Here We Go Again and Again and Again! A stupid snake story rears its ugly head one more time.
Categories: Snakes, Reptile Gardens News
Birds Eye View from Reptile Gardens
Tags: Gardening advice, Venomous Snakes
Hello all animal and plant lovers/nerds!
All of the staff and animals here at Reptile Gardens are just now settling down for, what appears to be, a chilly winter season. Everything is starting to shift gears from our busy fall schedule to an all ready chock full winter list of chores and updates!
Soaking up some sun in the dome.Antivenin vs Antivenom
Tags: Snake Bites
In conversation with friends and Guests it occurred to me recently that the average person knows virtually nothing about antivenoms. Not that most people should, it really doesn't impact their lives. However, I have also found most people are quite fascinated when I tell them about this unique medicine.
Bird Brains: Training Birds and Birds of Prey
Categories: General
Have you ever had someone call you a bird brain? Usually that means that they are saying you're not too smart. Yet, sometimes we use an owl as a symbol for being wise. Mixed signals, right? I think this is a pretty good example of exactly how little we know about what birds are thinking.
Unfortunately, birds can't tell us what they are thinking, so we can't be 100% certain about how they feel and what they want. However, that does make working with animals more fun. Gotta love a challenge! Instead of listening to them tell us what they think, we have to learn to pick up on their subtle hints.
Do They Mate For Life?
Categories: General, Flowers and Gardens
The REAL "Story of an Eagle"
Categories: General
HOW BIG IS BIG? Facts from the World's Largest Reptile Zoo about Giant Reptiles and Snakes. — PART 2
As I mentioned in the first part of this post last week, our reward sign exists mostly to make a point that most reptile zoos fail to mention: not how big reptiles really get, but how big they really don't get.
HOW BIG IS BIG? Facts from the World's Largest Reptile Zoo about Giant Snakes and Reptiles. — Part 1
We have a sign on the grounds—which can also be seen on our website—that lists various reptiles and how much we would pay for really large specimens. We've had many thousands of questions over the years about this sign. One of the reasons we've had so many questions about how large reptiles (especially giant snakes) can get is because their size may be the single most misunderstood thing about these already very misunderstood animals.
Western Diamondback RattlesnakeReptile Gardens Wins TripAdvisor's 2015 Certificate of Excellence Award
Categories: Reptile Gardens News
Reptile Gardens Opening Day
Categories: General, Reptile Gardens News
Reptile Gardens in the Winter
Categories: General
Flower photography tips
Categories: General
A Black Hills fall vacation may be just what you need
Categories: General
Reptile Gardens is Open in 2014
Categories: General
Searching for a unique holiday gift? Search no farther than Reptile Gardens!
Categories: General
The summer season has come to an end; however, Reptile Gardens is open through the month of November from 9 am — 3 pm daily. And as an added bonus, all items in the gift shop are 20% off! Escape the cold bite of the chilly air and visit the Sky Dome where it is always warm and tropical. Not interested in seeing our reptile friends and botanical gardens? No problem, visit the gift shop for free!
Conservation is For the Birds — No, Really
Categories: General
The Rich History of New Guinea Tribal Artifacts
Categories: General
Orchids — Nature's Eye Candy
Categories: General
Gator Watch in Akron, Ohio!
Categories: General
Tags: Birds of Prey, Snakes
Ally Claar, age 11, will be competing with the best of the best soapbox racers in her Reptile Gardens inspired entry, the Ally-Gator. Ally qualified to go to the All-American with her race time in the Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby in June.
