We thought it was a bit of a long shot because it was already 4 o'clock. If the zoo closed at 5 we would have little time to explore. But as it turns out, they have spectacular summer hours. They don't close until 8pm! So we had plenty of time to check out all the amazing reptiles they housed.
The first thing you feel upon entering the Serpentarium is the heat. Reptiles like to be warm so the place was a bit smothering in it's warmth. We walked in, payed our entrance fees and then began to be amazed. The variety of snakes and other reptiles that lived in this place was incredible! A green ANACONDA! She had a nice look at Ronan and then Pocho promptly picked him up and moved away from her enclosure. Pocho's not one to trust a bit of solid plastic when it's trying to contain a gigantic monster of a snake! There was also a beautiful 21-foot long reticulated python, several beautiful boas and many spectacular vipers, cobras and rattlesnakes. Even living it Arizona and visiting the Desert Museum numerous times I have never seen a western diamondback rattlesnake as huge as the albino one they had at the Serpentarium.
Proud mother and step-mother that I am though, the best part of this trip was watching how amazed the boys were. Ronan kept roaring at all of the alligators and large snakes as if they were dinosaurs and Jonas was fascinated! Francis too was amazed and transfixed by the collection of tarantulas (I know....not reptiles) that were on display. They all (except Pocho) touched a nice little rosy boa that I held.
This will be a place we visit many times I'm sure. Although, perhaps not with daddy as it seemed to make him more nervous than amazed. It's a chance to safely come face-to-face with relaxed and spectacular monsters!
*Sorry about the clarity of the photo...It was taken from Pocho's phone as we forgot our camera.
