Reptile House

Often mistaken for a snake, the sheltopusik is actually a large, legless lizard.

The green and black dart frog is one of more than 100 species of poison dart frogs.

One of only a few venomous lizards in the world, the Gila monster uses its venom more as a defense than for subduing the small prey it eats.

The Florida pine snake is one of the largest eastern snakes in North America

At rest during the day, the emerald tree boa drapes in coils across a tree branch.

Map turtles are named for the detailed map-like designs on their shells.

At the sign of danger, the pancake tortoise runs for shelter among the rocks rather than withdrawing into its shell like other tortoises.

The future of this tiny tortoise is jeopardized by habitat destruction and overcollection for the pet trade.

A ground-dwelling snake, it is difficult to spot amongst a blanket of fallen leaves so step carefully!

Once a fish is within reach, the turtle thrusts its head forward, opens its mouth as wide as possible and sucks in the fish like a vacuum.

The largest rattlesnake in the world and largest venomous snake in North America, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake seeks shelter in mammal and gopher tortoise burrows and uprooted trees.

An unwary snake or other predator that tries to eat a poison dart frog will become very sick, paralyzed or even die from the ingestion of an alkaloid-based poison secreted through the frog’s skin.

The Dumeril’s boa’s black and brown coloring enables it to hide among the leaf litter on the forest floor.

Although the corn snake is primarily terrestrial, it can climb trees, rocks, and even buildings, with ease.

A full-grown Chinese alligator is only about half as big as its cousin, the American alligator.

Researchers are studying poison dart frog toxins as a possible source of human medicine.

One of the largest snakes in the world, the Burmese python can grow up to 25 feet long and get as thick as a telephone pole.

The black rat snake is the largest snake in Ohio, reaching lengths up to eight feet.