Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone ever been? I went this weekend while being in the city. I was very excited to be able to visit their BRB and was hoping to get inspiration for the cage I plan to build for my own boa as he grows (he's just a juvie in a 29 gallon right now).

But when I finally reached the upper level of the "Rainforest" they had there, everything was not how I expected it. The cage sizes were all appropriate, however the species housed together were pretty bad. I found an adult BRB in an enclosure with 2-3 fully grown emerald tree boas, and several huge toads (smooth-sided I believe). They toads and the rainbow seemed to be all crammed together competing for warmth or (probably) a sort of hiding spot within the 'naturalistic' display.

There were also a group of at least 4 other large snakes, including a dumeril's and mixed madagasgar ground and tree boas. At least the blood python was housed singly though. All of the snakes there looked very well-fed, on the verge (or possibly having gone into) being overweight. I guess they prefer to have a large multitude of snakes rather than a few properly housed ones.

I guess why I'm so upset over this is because I would expect a place like a well-known zoo to know better and do better than this. Any self-respecting reptile keeper would avoid such a situation as these mixing species and even individuals in some cases. They're "trying to teach the future generation about animals" and are not taking optimal care of the ones they have. I'm sure that it occurs everywhere, but does anything think there's something I can/should do?
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Danne
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1.0 BRB "Monroe"
1.1 Leos "Bowser & Peach"
0.3 cats "Beast, Smokey & Thelma"
0.4.2 fish

Danne...Not sure why you think its a bad idea to house animals together in exhibits? Normally, it is easier to monitior critters when they are one to a cage but its certainly possible to maintain them together. Many if not most zoos house reptiles in mixed species exhibits and have no problems with it. Of course one has to make sure that the exhibit is adaquate for them all and that you stay aware of how they all are doing. If this is the case there is no reason why they cannnot be shown together, it just makes maintaining them a little more labor intensive.

Peter
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Peter and Sara
Beouf River Reptiles

The Bronx Zoo does the same thing with it's reptile collection housed in a bldg. that's seen better days.
Remember the zoo depends on "attractions" to bring in customers, donations, etc., and reptiles don't have that kind of draw power.

Mike