This seems like a good forum to post this for those who are associated with zoos and herpetariums, or who have an interest in their reptile collections. I think it was Rob Carmichael who posted here a couple of years ago that he had visited the Oklahoma City Zoo and was impressed by their reptile collection. For some years the Zoo has been planning a new herpetarium, but I had a most interesting conversation last night with a Zoo employee who says that has changed. The Zoo opened a new exhibit called Oklahoma Trails last year which features animals native to (past or present) the state. One feature is a truly marvelous reptile exhibit with natural habitat and 40-50 native snakes, turtles, tortoises, lizards, etc., all in one huge enclosure. Beside the water are cottonmouths and water snakes; on the rocky ledges are atrox and horridus; at ground level, copperheads, with bull snakes, rat snakes, etc. mingled in. As you may know, Oklahoma has large ranges for four rattlers (atrox, horridus, prairie rattlers and massassaguas) so this is probably the best snake exhibit I have ever seen.

My informant told me thay are moving to that theme Zoo-qwide, with exhibits to mix and mingle animals from global regions. (The Oklahoma Trails exhibit also includes hooved animals, a pair of gizzly bears, etc.) Next on the development plan is the Asia exhibit, for elephants and such . . . and Asia reptiles. I would assume it will include the very nice O. hannah the Zoo recently added (though iof course not in with prey snakes) and other Asian reptiles. From there i would assume they will locallize African and latin American species in adjoining exhibits. On one hand I am a little disappointed that they have cancelled the plans for a new central herpetarium, but I kind of like the regional mix and mingle strategy. I'd be interested in the views of zoo and herp exhibit folks, as well as those who visit those facilities.

By the way, the OKC Zoo has made some top-ten lists in recent years and really has a very impressive facility and collection in all species, with one of the best natural habitat primate and large cat exhibits anywhere. If you come this way, stop by!

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