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Herping locations in Florida

Matt-D Aug 11, 2007 12:24 PM

Hi everyone, myself and a friend of mine are heading down to Florida September 2nd for a big herping trip (we're from southern Ontario, Canada). I'm wondering if anyone can provide me with a few good locations to go to find reptiles? My top most wanted animals to see are american crocodiles, gopher tortoises, diamondback terrapins, anything venomous and I would love to see a manatee! Also, if anyone has any good reccomendations of zoos or otehr animal related places (petstore even), that would also be appreciated. We're definitely visiting St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Our plan is to only observe tehse animals in the wild of course, we won't be harvesting anything.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

Replies (3)

HappyHillbilly Aug 12, 2007 01:24 AM

I used to live in the Orlando area but have been gone too long and things (buildings/houses) have grown up to fast, in too many places, for me to give you any field herping site recommendations.

If you get out near Disney World there's a small serpentarium that's decent. Reptile World Serpentarium, in St. Cloud, FL. It's basically a private collection of mostly venomous snakes. The owner, Mr. Van Horn, extracts venom for researchers, etc..., and does 2 short shows a day.

Keep in mind that it's nothing extravagant, but it's decent. I went there for the first time last week and it was worth the 45 minute drive & $6 entry fee to me. I got a chance to talk to the owner after one of his shows and we had a great conversation on relocating rattlesnakes.

He's got 2 Eastern Diamondback/Canebrake crosses that I thought were absoultely gorgeous. He's also got several other U.S. native rattlers, cobras, gaboon, and a few more. About 30 or so snakes in total on display, with a few gators, iguanas, water turtles.

Your best bet for seeing most of the things you want to see in captivity might be further south, in south FL (Miami, etc...) The Miami Serpentarium (Bill Haast) used to be nice but I've not heard anything about it in years.

Here's a pic of one of the cobras at Reptile World Serpentarium showing off behind my son's back.

Here's a pic of the Eastern Diamondback/Canebrake crosses.

Have fun!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Matt-D Aug 13, 2007 04:57 PM

Hey, thanks for this info. I'm hoping more to see the animals I listed in the wild and not in captivity, but I'll write down the name of the snake place you suggested.

Matt

HappyHillbilly Aug 13, 2007 05:28 PM

You're more than welcome for the info. I wish I had a few in-the-field leads for ya, but at least you've got an "as a last resort" now. Ha!

Hope ya'll have a good time!

HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

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