Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, And Alligators

Visitors to Rolling Hills Zoo had the opportunity Saturday to see some of the most dangerous reptiles in the world, up close and personal. The new exhibit REPTILES: The Beautiful and the Deadly opened to the public.

The exhibit features a large display of large and small live venomous snakes and lizards, and also turtles and alligators. Nearly 20 of the world’s most recognized and dangerous reptiles can be seen.

A large crowd filed through the Earl Bane Gallery, inside the museum at the zoo, to experience the exhibit on its opening day. For nearly four months, Rolling Hills has been renovating the gallery and extended space in the Wildlife Museum in preparation for the arrival of this 5,500 square foot exhibit and the living reptiles.

The living animals featured in the exhibition include many of the world’s most recognized reptiles, including vipers, cobras, pythons, alligators, monitors, snapping turtles, and more.

Zoo staff on Saturday had several non-venomous snakes out for the braver visitors to touch and hold.

The exhibit has toured the country at other zoos, science centers, and museums. This is the first time it has been presented in Kansas.

The new reptile exhibit will be accessible seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., until Memorial Day weekend, when public hours expand to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The exhibit is scheduled to close on September 1, 2014.