The Reptile Zoo

Many different species of reptiles. More than I expected for this place. Reptiles looked happy and had good size enclosures. You can pet the turtles. They had reptiles like snakes you can pet on the hour.

I work with disabled teens and have taken several of them to the reptile zoo over the last few years. Today when I checked my email there was a groupon for the reptile zoo. I tried to purchase it but kept getting an error code. Upon arriving I asked the front counter lady if she knew if it was a common issue. She replied with «call groupon, that’s not our problem». Despite having to pay more than I expected we went in. They used to let you hold snakes at any time, now there are only certain times when they’ll allow it. When it was time to hold a snake (my client was SO excited) we stood back and waited for the crowd to get smaller. He has autism and wasn’t comfortable around all the people. As the crowd grew smaller we inched closer and I mentioned that my client would like to hold a snake. The man facilitating the activity promptly returned the snake to its cage and took off without any explanation. Needless to say we left disappointed. I don’t know that I will be bringing anymore clients there.

Our family loves this place! Really neat animals to see and hold. My kids learn a lot about reptiles while they’re here. A lot of extremist freaks give it a bad review because how dare people love and take care of these animals. I’ve never seen the animals in a dirty or unfit living environment. The employees seem to really enjoy what they’re doing and love the animals.

Frankly, I am a little surprised by all the poor reviews of this place. We drove up here today, my daughter loves snakes and we needed a little adventure, this place is awesome. I didn’t sense any ‘animal cruelty’ issues as some people stated and yes, the place smells like reptiles, what did you expect? We were the only people there for about two hours which made it feel very private. We saw some sweet snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, and alligators. Every display I saw looked clean and well maintained, the animals were definitely being well taken care of. The only issue I had, and the reason I rated it 4 stars instead of 5, was the ladies bathroom was awful. It was not clean at all and it smelled horrifying. Other then that we will definitely be back, this is probably going to be a once a year trek for us.

So much fun! Me and my cousin went to see the reptiles and spiders.
Positive:
Cheap price 16 $ for two adults. You are able to touch turtles and hold snakes. About 5 min drive from the monroe walmart. Friendly staff. A variety of reptiles and arachnids. Open til 6pm which is nice for later visits. Hold a featured creature every hour on the hour. Also no appointment needed (like some animal sanctuaries or zoos)
Negative:
Small zoo. Outside building looks plain and slightly run down. Smell inside is slightly overwhelming at first. Temperatures inside is warm (I understand its for the safety of the creatures). Business is slow (when we first arrived I thought it was closed because only one car in parking lot)
I would come again!

Want to see a cruel place? Come here! Lots and lots of reptiles compacted into a tiny establishment!!!

The most beautiful zoo I’ve been to. Now I’m not talking abut the location or the interior I’m talking about their animals, I will always regret that I missed the moving of their white alligator. I will never forgive myself for that. However they have a place where you can hold a snake or even have one around your neck. Their tortoises were pretty scary mostly be user there was no top to the enclosure. (That’s actually a good this you can feel the shell) and my daughter was almost scared to death when the big gator smashed his head against the walls where her head was. I gave this a 4 star cuz they really need to redecorate. (Dark jungle green with woody blue and Browns) also put vibes and more tropical plants! This stuff really gets the money. Really worth the money!

Very cool! Must see attraction and affordable! One of the works (chad) was very informative and answered all our questions. The iguanas and the albino alligator where my favorite!

We have driven past the Reptile Zoo on numerous occasions, but finally got to go when we had youngsters on vacation. The entrance is a bit confusing as the two rooms are separated by the cashier/​gift shop. The snakes and alligators are to the left and lizards, turtles, arachnids, bugs and insects are to the right. It was a hot summer day when we visited and since there is no airconditioning or fans, it does get extremely hot inside. We were just in time for the 3pm snake handling so we asked one of the zookeepers where to go. she directed us to sit anywhere by the entrance so we did. The seats started to fill up and when it was time to hold the snakes, everyone not participating was asked to get up and stand by the door. This was understandable, if only she was less rude about it. The seem to have no system as they randomly passed the snakes to guests. Those who were there first were the last ones to hold. They should also time each handling as some took much longer than the others. I guess parents would not mind the wait if it was not so hot inside. Other than that, the zoo is definitely great for children.

This is one of our 9-​year-​old grand daughter’s favorite places to go — she’s been here 3 or 4 times and loves it. It’s relatively inexpensive and the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. The place isn’t huge and has a rather unique aroma, especially in the summer when it’s hot… but what do you expect with a building full of reptiles? A surprisingly large collection IMHO and the snake handling for the kids is awesome. You can wander around at your own pace and when you are finished, some pretty decent eats at the BBQ bus near the parking lot entrance.

I have owned snakes to chameleons to dragons throughout my whole life. I know the difference between a content and thriving animal, and a bored and depressed one. These poor cold blooded creatures are miserable. Their ‘cages’ do not even remotely resemble their natural habitat. And the energy from each little soul is one if a long going sadness. There is no room for the larger guys, no room to freely move around. It is what it says, «a zoo». The air is muggy, and the monitor in the front was repeatedly rubbing his face against the glass. A sign of stress. They could at least have some fresh air. With all the land in Monroe, it is very possible to re-​vamp this zoo into an outdoor sanctuary. Where they could freely roam and move to a small indoor enclosure with a heat lamp and such inside. I get that they are doing renovations at the time, but I don’t agree with the tanks and white walls. (Which are covered in Scratch’s and more signs of stress). I certainly am glad I accidentally walked through the wrong door and didn’t pay. I am also very thankful to not have been born into this world to be closed in a glass cage to be looked at my entire life. I will not be back.

This place is awesome. My husband took me to see this zoo for my birthday in February. They have a very nice collection, and they all look healthy and happy. The enclosures were all very clean, and there was good info provided about each animal. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, and treated me with respect when I asked questions about my own reptiles, even tho my knowledge is only just above layman. You know how sometimes «experts» treat you like you’re stupid if you don’t know as much as they do? These guys don’t, and I appreciate it.
I have called twice since we visited, for advice on my own animals, and they were very eager to help me. I rescued a red-​tail boa who has mouth rot and severe dehydration, and they gave me great advice. They were much more helpful than the vet, who gave him a shot said to just wait and see. Señor Mustachio, aka Frito Bandito is doing very well.
Thanks for making such a place available, and doing it so well. Good luck to you guys.

First time I’ve been here! Brought my 7 year old son with me and my wife! Such a great variety of reptiles, spiders, bugs! The big alligator was right at the front for us to view perfectly.
We came on a very warm day and though it was muggy inside the place the constant fans going helped! Was quite busy but there was plenty of room to see everything. The employees are very knowledgeable and good with kids questions. Unfortunately the BBQ joint in the same parking lot was closed, would have been a great day to have BBQ, but I’m not reviewing them lol.
Overall the place is a little run down but absolutely doesn’t hold back from the variety and awesomeness of the creatures they possess. Kids and myself had a great time learning and visually seeing these awesome reptiles, spiders, bugs, turtles… Will definitely recommend and make yearly trips here to see the changes, which they are currently working on moving the Albino Alligator to a bigger encasement! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the monitor lizards and the black mamba snake! The anaconda was quite impressive!

From the curb it’s not too impressive but once you’re taking in all of the animals who seem well taken care of, it’s a real treat! Both my daughters were completely fascinated the whole 2 hours we were there and never even complained about the required heat. Holding snakes, touching turtles, and watching alligators swim. what’s not to love?
Great staff too, we’ll definitely go back!

Went to pick up some bbq at Old School Barbecue in the same parking lot. It was a gorgeous day where my daughter and I were out to have some fun and adventures. I’ve known about the Reptile Zoo off of Highway 2 just outside of Monroe all my life, but never once had the opportunity to experience it.
No time like the present and with a 1 year old who shows early love for critters of all kinds. I must say, countless people must pass by this place and dont even think how many great animals are collected here. Walking in, the place has that warm pungent element of a zoo. 8 bucks for admission (less for kids) and you are free to roam with the reptiles. Snakes, alligators, lizards, turtles, insects, and spiders… All shapes, colors, and sizes. All pretty active. Pet the turtles, hold the snakes, experience feedings, there is a lot of interactive opportunity da boot.
For a person who loves the creepy crawlies, it was an awesome side trip for our daddy daughter day and worth the admission. I will be sure to make it an occasional trip for us if she keeps having fun with them the way she was doing today in her ripe age…

Another great visit! Our daughter had a great time checking out all the reptiles. It was a fun way to spend a windy Saturday!

Everyone was Really nice and knowledgeable of the reptiles and Extras! The girl on duty was So nice and patience with my daughter we will DEFINITELY be going back soon… yes it smelled — like Lizards lol kinda what I would hope for :-P every home was very clean and well maintained.

Both parents and kids had a great time. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely worth checking out. Dress down as the building temperature is very warm to accommodate the animals.

Really enjoyed this place and the fee was so small…$ 8.00. You could spend as much time in there. The staff was knowledgable and friendly. I loved looking at everything. You can pet the turtles on their shell and hold really big snakes. I held one and was totally freaked inside but put up a brave front. They have an alligator too… The day seems to be when they are all alert. When I went, a lot were resting or sleeping.

Nice owner
Make sure you ask for help and hold reptiles and watch a feeding
Great experience for the kids

The Reptile Zoo is a private collection of both rescued and imported reptiles. The cost is $ 8/​adults and $ 6.50/children. If your passing through Sultan, their Chamber of Commerce has $ 2 coupons FYI.
Paige’s favorite activity is the hourly snake handling. She is also a big fan of the ‘Top 10 Deadliest Snakes’. Basically, they have the top 10 deadliest snakes in the world and their tanks are labeled accordingly.
Overall a fun place to stop for kids and adults. We would give it 5 stars, but would be bigger fans if the animals were all rescues rather than a private collection for display.

I visited the Reptile Zoo with my spouse and 6– and 7-​year-​old kids today. We first visited this place 5.5 years ago, then again about 3.5 years ago. I purchased a Groupon deal that got us into the Reptile Zoo for $ 22, and with an additional discount through Groupon, we actually paid $ 18.70. Standard admission is $ 8 for adults and $ 6.50 for children the ages of my kids.
Since our last visit, my thoughts regarding zoos and wild animals being kept in captivity have changed. I currently have mixed feelings about places like this and don’t really support the notion of putting animals on display for humans to look at for entertainment. For the most part, the animal habitats were spacious and clean. There were definitely exceptions. For example, the water in one of the tortoise habitats was absolutely filthy, as was the water in the albino alligator habitat. Apparently, the owners are trying to raise money to give the albino alligator a new habitat. And as other Unilocalers have reported, the place smells really badly.
I also think that a small reptile zoo has no business keeping enormous alligators. This place is most definitely NOT a sanctuary. I don’t know where they acquire their animals from, and I do not know if they participate in breeding. There was a snapping turtle in a rather small enclosure, and a soft-​shell turtle in another habitat that really wanted out.
There were a lot of interesting animals to observe, with useful information about their natural habitats and diets, and how they defend themselves against predators. My kids thought it was really cool, and they had the opportunity to handle a snake at the end of our visit.

I came here a long long time ago and it has since expanded. I think that it is a little pricey for what you get. I would rather shell out a few more $$ and go to the zoo where it seems they care a little more about the animals.
Now don’t get me wrong, the girl that was working on Saturday seemed to know her stuff about the snakes etc but I can’t help but feel really bad for the animals. The tortoises are huge and don’t seem like they have enough room.
The albino gator didn’t move even once when we were there and seriously just gave off a depressed vibe.
The odor is very pungent but that is to be expected when you have ton of animals in a hot, enclosed climate.
The building in all seems super run down and kind of gross.
My 4.5 year old son liked this place a lot because he loves snakes so all in all I guess that is what matters the most.
Update: I am bumping the review up a star. The owner took the time to message me and explain somethings. They really do care which means a lot.