Hello Everyone,
Located six miles south of Rapid City, Reptile Gardens has been one of South Dakota’s most popular attractions since it opened back in 1937. Starting with a small display of reptiles, this attraction has grown into the largest reptile zoo in the world according to the 2014 Guinness Book of World Records. It was recertified in 2018. For those not into snakes and lizards, you will find it also offers beautiful botanical gardens, three stage shows, colorful birds, giant tortoises, and more.
THE HISTORY
As a nineteen-year-old, Earl Brocklesby worked as a guide for Hidden City, an early South Dakota attraction. It was deemed by some to be an ancient hidden city but turned out to be sandstone dikes. Yet customers lined up to see it and pay their fifty cents. At the end of his tour, when Brocklesby would take off his hat, tourists were intrigued to find a rattlesnake coiled up on his head. He figured that if one rattlesnake fascinated them that a whole bunch of snakes would really draw their attention.
In the beginning, Brocklesby borrowed $400 from a banker. He dug a pit and constructed a small building made of native stone three miles south of Rapid City. It was located at the top of a long hill. The location was carefully chosen because in the 1930s, cars would overheat as they reached the top of such a hill. The idea was for them to have to stop in Reptile Garden’s parking lot and see the snakes while their radiators cooled.
To stock his attraction, he went out and caught snakes native to South Dakota like the eastern yellow-bellied racer, the pale milk snake, the smooth green snake, several different species of garter snakes, a bull snake, and prairie rattlesnakes. In all, there were about seven or eight species.
To entertain visitors, he would jump into his hand dug pit and play with the snakes. What excited the public most was his handling of the rattlesnakes. The admission charge then was a dime for adults and a nickel for children. On his grand opening, June 3, 1937, he made $3.85. During the next two days, no one visited. On the following two days, he received only 40 cents and 50 cents. By 1941, the business showed a profit and had a staff of fifteen.
He added a second snake pit. According to his son, John, who is now in charge of Reptile Gardens’ public relations, one pit was for venomous snakes and one was for non venomous snakes. Each had a lecturer and they would compete to see who would draw the largest crowd.
World War II slowed things down due to gas rationing and Earl Brocklesby serving in the army. After the war, he brought in his first giant tortoise, an Aldabra who was the first Methuselah. The legendary Methuselah arrived in 1954 while a dozen Nile crocodiles came in 1956.
Methuselah was born in the Galapagos Islands in 1881. He survived until July 9, 2011 when he died at the age of 130. For many years, he was called South Dakota’s oldest resident. He weighed 600 pounds and celebrated his birthday each year by feasting on his favorite food - watermelon.
In 1965, a new highway forced Reptile Gardens to move to its current location. The improved park featured a new three-level Sky Dome. It remains the dominant building at Reptile Gardens and the home of snakes, lizards, frogs, crocodiles, and birds. The structure has become one of South Dakota’s most recognizable landmarks.
In August of 1976, the Sky Dome had a tremendous fire where hundreds of reptiles and birds died. Some of these were irreplaceable. The plastic dome melted and covered everything below, and the heat-weakened aluminum structure collapsed into the Safari Room. A huge old Ponderosa pine skeleton in the room’s center survived and remains the centerpiece of the Safari Room today.
Work was quickly accomplished to rebuild the structure by the end of the following winter. New cactus and exotic plants were brought in by the semi load and new animals obtained. It reopened in the spring of 1977.
While the great Rapid City flood of 1972 caused only minor damage, that was not the case of the flood in June 1977. A major flash flood covered the Garden with three feet of water, hail, and debris. It swept the giant tortoises out of their pen and carried them away. Fortunately, they were all rescued at other places on the property.
Although Earl Brocklesby died in 1993, his family still runs Reptile Gardens. It’s common for members of the family, who are now in management, to have worked at Reptile Gardens since a very young age.
John Brocklesby (aka Johnny B.) started at age eight working in the tortoise yard and by age 14 had a stint in the gator show. He has worked as a tour guide, in admissions, and as sales manager before his present job which deals with all phases of contacts with guests, industry, and journalists.
Joe Maierhauser, Earl’s nephew, grew up in Reptile Gardens. He started out as a maintenance boy at age nine and has held a variety of other positions ranging from the snack bar to Assistant Curator of Reptiles, Curator of Reptiles, Sales Manager, Assistant Manager, and General Manager. He has been president and CEO since 1994.
Tom Lang is General Manager and Vice President. Tom is not related but is like a member of the family. Working at Reptile Gardens since he was age fourteen, he has only missed one summer since 1975.
Jeff Oldham, Earl’s grandson, is the Assistant General Manager. Jeff works under Joe and Tom helping to insure the smooth operation of Reptile Gardens. Jeff was originally hired as a reptile show presenter but transferred to the gift shop in 2000 and is now in his present position.
All team members believe strongly in Earl Brocklesby’s philosophy: you can never offer your guests enough hospitality and your facility can’t be clean enough. That is why Joe and his staff make sure their guests are happy, and the park is well maintained and spotless.
A CLOSE LOOK AT THE SKY DOME
Step into the Safari Room and you’ll find a beautifully landscaped area filled with orchids, bromeliads, caladiums, and other tropical plants from around the globe. Central America, South America, Africa, and China are all represented. You’ll also see sculptures from New Guinea. Birds fly around and free-roaming lizards and frogs add to the atmosphere, reminding visitors of a tropical oasis. You’ll also find different species of turtles and tortoises on this level.
Head for the mezzanine to find more than 200 snakes and lizards. Check out the various caged creatures as you follow a circular path around the room. You’ll find lizards, venomous and non venomous snakes, and frogs.
Some of their species are in the Guinness Book of World Records. They have the only specimen of a Fierce Snake in North America which is also called the Inland Taipan. It has the record for the most toxic venom in the world. Its bite has 110 milligrams of venom with only one milligram needed to cause a human fatality. The snake is found in the remote areas of central Australia.
The king cobra, also known as a Hamadryad, is the longest venomous snake according to Guinness. They are commonly 12 to 15 feet. Reptile Gardens has one that is 13 feet long. The longest on record was in the 1930s at 18-1/2 feet. They are found from Southeast Asia to Indonesia. Reptile Garden’s king cobra came from Malaysia. Its hood makes it look much larger and much meaner than what it really is. The world’s longest snake is the Reticulated Python.
Achieving the record for the fastest land snake, the African Black Mamba can travel 16 to 19 m.p.h. on flat land. It also causes the fastest human fatality with its bite - 2-1/2 minutes.
The Burton’s Legless Snake Lizard is the slimmest lizard according to Guinness. It resides in Australia and New Guinea. It has ear openings, eyelids, and a fleshy tongue which are features snakes don’t have.
Their Gila monster is in Guinness for being the most dangerous lizard in the world. It is found in the Southwestern desert of the United States and is one of two species of lizards in the world who have a clinically significant venom similar to a rattlesnake. There are no records of human fatalities that have resulted from it. This animal is usually very shy.
The Cane or Marine toad has achieved the record for the largest toad in the world. It lives in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. It has been introduced into other areas intentionally or non intentionally and eats everything in its path from baby alligators to bugs.
Many of the exhibits on the Mezzanine level feature fossils, mineral specimens, photos, and woodcarvings. Take time to look at their case of real skeletons with such creatures as a Green Tree python, rattlesnake, and Panama Amazon parrot. For photographers, this level gives you great photo opportunities of the Safari Room below.
They also have casts. One is an exact cast of the largest Archelon Turtle Fossil ever found. Paleontologists discovered the original in the 1970s near Reptile Gardens. It was sold to a Vienna, Austria museum.
The lowest level of the Sky Dome houses Crocodilians (crocodiles, alligators, and caimans) including the famous Maniac, their giant saltwater crocodile. Born in captivity in Australia in 1970, he is 16 feet 2 inches long and weighs 1,350 pounds. He is one of the largest crocodiles in the western hemisphere. Giant crocodiles can live 100 years.
He was obtained in 2004 from an attraction in Sydney, Australia called Wonderland Sydney. The park was due to close and they were looking for a good home for Maniac. It took building a crate the size of a small bedroom to transport him. He was flown from Sydney to Los Angeles to Denver. Since there were no airplanes large enough to fly him to Rapid City, Reptile Gardens transported Maniac by truck the final 400 miles.
Though many species of Crocodilians are now endangered or threatened, this family of large reptiles dates back 84 million years. They replace their teeth throughout life and a single crocodilian can go through 3,000 teeth in a lifetime. The overlapping scales which cover their skins consist of the protein keratin. That’s the same material found in nails, claws, and hooves.
You will also find other creatures on this level such as lizards and bugs. Among the lizards are a Gila monster, beaded lizard, and Komodo dragon. They have four types of frogs: Eastern newt frog, White’s tree frog, Tiger Striped leaf frog, and red-eyed tree frog. The bug section with 13 cases includes a black widow spider and pink toe tarantula.
ALLIGATOR SHOWS
The Alligator Show only runs during the summer months (Memorial Day to Labor Day) so unfortunately we did miss that one. Show times are listed as 10:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m., and 6:15 p.m. though times can change.
It incorporates alligator wrestling and feeding as keepers demonstrate the animals’ power and speed, strength, and agility. After the show, you can pet a baby alligator and ask questions.
BIRD SHOW
The bird show runs in the spring, summer, and fall. Spring starts in early March and runs to Memorial Day while fall goes from Labor Day to November 30. Summer times are 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. During the rest of the year, the shows are 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:25 p.m. Show times are subject to change.
Rather than birds entertaining with tricks, this is more of an informative show lasting 20 to 25 minutes. It features birds from all around the world. If there is sunshine, flight demonstrations take place. During the summer, they display seven to nine birds in their show.
The first bird, keeper Katherine showed was an Atlantic falcon. It has sharp senses, particularly those of vision and taste. It’s a carnivore that eats only birds and has streamline maneuverability.
Next was a rock dove. We learned that dove and pigeon are interchangeable names. Many types of doves are found throughout the world. They come in brown, grey, and white.
Reggie, a blue and gold macaw was up next. Macaws do not have vocal cords but adjust the muscles in their throat to speak. Some copy what is said to them while others talk or whistle. Reggie said hello, his name, peekaboo. He laughed, waved goodbye, and climbed. It was pointed out that macaws live 30 years in the wild and 70 years in captivity.
Some of the parrots paint though Reggie does not. You can get to hold the canvas for a parrot while it paints. If you like the artwork, you can purchase it at the gift shop. Proceeds go to support four wildlife charities: Idea Wild, Galapagos Conservancy, the Black Hills Raptor Center, and the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.
Nova, the barn owl, was the next bird shown. Owls reply on hearing when hunting at night. They have one ear higher and more forward than the other so they can hear twice. They eat four to six mice a day.
The last bird displayed was Lin Lin, a military macaw. She reached out gently and took donations out of peoples’ hands. All proceeds from these donations support the same wildlife charities as the paintings. Those who donated received a bird poster for a $5 donation.
Different shows have different birds. For example, the next show was to have a chicken, grey parrot, king vulture, and a green military macaw.
THE SNAKE SHOW
The snake show, lasting 15 minutes, is an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of snakes with both venomous and non venomous species handled by the keeper. Less than 1/3 of the world’s snakes are venomous with the exception of Australia. In that nation, 65% of the snakes are venomous. In the United States, the figure is 10%.
This show occurs the months Reptile Gardens is open. In the fall and spring, its hours are 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Summer show times are 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:45 p.m. Times may change so it is best to check.
Hunter, who gave the show, introduced the yellow-tailed cribo from South America. He advised that snakes stick out their tongue to smell the environment. Some snakes grab whole prey then swallow.
He then displayed a reticulated yellow python. These come from tropical Asia and are non venomous though there are some venomous python species. They coil around an animal, squeeze it until it’s unable to breathe and the heart can’t beat any longer. This snake was 25 feet long and weighed 300 pounds.
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We saw the mangrove which has a rear fang. It uses venom in its saliva and constriction to kill its prey. This species is not harmful to humans.
The cottonmouth from the Southeastern United States has very long fangs. It strikes rather than bites its prey then waits for the animal to succumb. Its very long fangs point up into the rear of its mouth when not in use.
Finally, we saw a prairie rattlesnake, the only venomous snake in South Dakota. It always rattles before it strikes, but the two actions are not related. The number of rattles doesn’t tell its age. Hunter advised that if you find such a snake, do not move. Freeze.
At the end of the show, visitors are allowed to touch one of the non venomous snakes, take photographs of the animals, and ask the keeper questions. Head immediately after the show for the alligator arena to watch numerous alligators and crocodiles feed. Unfortunately, we missed this as did not hear it announced.
BOTANICAL GARDENS
After seeing the show, feel free to walk around the grounds. You’ll find flowers and foliage from many regions around the world. You’ll note rock gardens, flowering vines, fruit trees, and numerous colorful flower beds. Staff changes the varieties, designs, and layouts annually so visitors never see the same displays two years in a row. They plant more than 40,000 flowers and perennials intermixed with trees and shrubs.
One of the newest attractions is Tortuga Falls, a Japanese-style garden whose highlights are a waterfall and a pond with koi fish and turtles. During the summer, you might even hear the call of their Laughing Kookaburra bird who resides in this area. The bird is known as the world’s biggest kingfisher. However, they more commonly dine on mice, lizards, and snakes. Just outside Tortuga Falls, you’ll find some beautiful purple silica formations.
The Living Wall is near the Sky Dome. Living walls (sometimes called green walls) are self-sufficient vertical gardens that can be attached to the exterior or interior of a building. They get their water and nutrients from within the vertical support instead of the ground since they are rooted to the wall. Reptile Gardens staff replants their Living Wall every year with different kinds of plants to create particular designs and patterns. According to their web site “Our system accommodates flowering perennials, beautiful foliage plants, ground covers and even allows for bushes, shrubs, and small trees!”
OTHER AREAS TO EXPLORE
To honor Methuselah, Reptile Gardens built a children’s playground whose highlight is a life-sized bronze replica of this giant tortoise. It’s estimated that Methuselah touched the lives of over 12 million visitors during the 56 years he lived at the Gardens.
It was quite a process to make this statue. Employees of Prairie Mountain Wildlife Studio, after posing the animal, made detailed molds of all parts of his body. It took 25 separate molds to create the statue. After welding the pieces together, Black Hills Bronze Foundry in Hill City, South Dakota, made wax impressions of the cast to be cast in bronze. A base was then prepared for the bronze. The statue weighs 360 pounds.
Rattlesnake Gulch is the Gardens’ old west ghost town which is open during the summers. Families can walk along a boardwalk then gold pan, gemstone sluice, or go on a black light, 3D Safari. You can also test your draw against Top Gun - Johnny Rio. It’s $1 for six shot attempts. Gemstones cost $6 a bag and $10 for two bags. The Gulch is a great place to hang out while waiting for one of the shows to start.
You can visit Cheyenne, their bald eagle. She became an avian ambassador at Reptile Gardens in 2001 with the permission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. She was found near Grand Island, Nebraska with a severely broken wing. After several surgeries at a raptor veterinarian, the wing could not be saved and had to be amputated. Since she is flightless, she cannot be released and lives at Reptile Gardens.
Bald eagles are found in every state except Hawaii. They became the national symbol in 1782. Their name does not come from lack of hair but from Old English “balde” meaning white.
Take time to visit the Giant Aldabra tortoises. Tank is more sociable while Orville and Samson tend to be shy. Within the past year, three young Aldabra tortoises were added: Hugo, Kenny, and Peabody, all aged 20 or younger. Orville is the oldest at 114 years of age.
Native to the Seychelles Islands, these tortoises, while slow, can travel three or four miles in a day on rugged terrain. Male tortoises are generally much larger than females of the same species. Unlike turtles, they don’t need to live in water or even drink water for great lengths of time since they get most of the water from their food. Their armor protects them from predators. Their life span can be up to 150 years.
Their prairie dog town was the most active one I saw on our entire trip to South Dakota. These sociable little creatures were eating, running around, and drinking. You can observe them from eye level by using their plexiglass underground bubble.
They build a maze of tunnels covering hundreds of acres which includes several family groups called coteries. Their “towns” have built-in drainage in case of heavy rains or floods. They also have small listening chambers just below the surface so prairie dogs can listen for predators’ movements.
CONSERVATION
Reptile Gardens works worldwide with major zoos to promote species survival. They also educate the public about important environmental issues affecting us today. A list of the conservation groups they work with can be seen on their web site.
AWARDS
Reptile Gardens has won multiple awards over the years. In 2017, it was voted the number one attraction in South Dakota in the 2017 USA Today Reader’s Poll. It also won the Heritage Family Business of the Year Award in 2017 given to family businesses more than 75 years old that have successfully transitioned over multiple generations. Reptile Gardens has been under the same family ownership since 1937. It has continuously been awarded the Certificate of Excellence from TripAdviser since 2012 as well as the AAA Gem designation.
SHOP
Visitors will find a large main gift shop. It’s filled with souvenir shirts, Black Hills souvenirs, plush toys, apparel, gemstones, and anything reptile. The favorite purchases are stuffed Maniacs and Methuselahs and T-Shirts according to Jeff Oldham, Assistant General Manager.
The Jungle Outpost features a wide variety of art made by the people of Papua, New Guinea as well as other countries. New Guinea Art provides art and artifacts from this culture.
FOOD AND PASSES
Green Parrot Café is open during summer months. You’ll find burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, shakes, Indian tacos, ice cream, and more. The gift shop has refrigerated sandwiches, snacks, and sodas. During the summer, it is requested that you do not bring outside meals into Reptile Gardens. You can leave the park and return. Just be sure you have a Vacation or a Seasonal Pass.
The two passes allow individuals to visit Reptile Gardens again at a later date after they pay a full admission. Just ask for one at the admissions desk. The free Seasonal Pass is valid until November 30 while a free vacation pass lasts for 10 days. There is no difference in cost and you can return as many times as you like.
DETAILS
Reptile Gardens is located at 8955 US-16, 6 miles south of Rapid City. Its telephone number is (800) 335-0275. It is open daily from March through November. Hours vary as do admission prices depending upon which of the four seasons you visit. Check for the entrance times, prices, and show times on their web site.
Located six miles south of Rapid City, Reptile Gardens has been one of South Dakota’s most popular attractions since it opened back in 1937. Starting with a small display of reptiles, this attraction has grown into the largest reptile zoo in the world according to the 2014 Guinness Book of World Records. It was recertified in 2018. For those not into snakes and lizards, you will find it also offers beautiful botanical gardens, three stage shows, colorful birds, giant tortoises, and more.
THE HISTORY
As a nineteen-year-old, Earl Brocklesby worked as a guide for Hidden City, an early South Dakota attraction. It was deemed by some to be an ancient hidden city but turned out to be sandstone dikes. Yet customers lined up to see it and pay their fifty cents. At the end of his tour, when Brocklesby would take off his hat, tourists were intrigued to find a rattlesnake coiled up on his head. He figured that if one rattlesnake fascinated them that a whole bunch of snakes would really draw their attention.
In the beginning, Brocklesby borrowed $400 from a banker. He dug a pit and constructed a small building made of native stone three miles south of Rapid City. It was located at the top of a long hill. The location was carefully chosen because in the 1930s, cars would overheat as they reached the top of such a hill. The idea was for them to have to stop in Reptile Garden’s parking lot and see the snakes while their radiators cooled.
To stock his attraction, he went out and caught snakes native to South Dakota like the eastern yellow-bellied racer, the pale milk snake, the smooth green snake, several different species of garter snakes, a bull snake, and prairie rattlesnakes. In all, there were about seven or eight species.
To entertain visitors, he would jump into his hand dug pit and play with the snakes. What excited the public most was his handling of the rattlesnakes. The admission charge then was a dime for adults and a nickel for children. On his grand opening, June 3, 1937, he made $3.85. During the next two days, no one visited. On the following two days, he received only 40 cents and 50 cents. By 1941, the business showed a profit and had a staff of fifteen.
He added a second snake pit. According to his son, John, who is now in charge of Reptile Gardens’ public relations, one pit was for venomous snakes and one was for non venomous snakes. Each had a lecturer and they would compete to see who would draw the largest crowd.
World War II slowed things down due to gas rationing and Earl Brocklesby serving in the army. After the war, he brought in his first giant tortoise, an Aldabra who was the first Methuselah. The legendary Methuselah arrived in 1954 while a dozen Nile crocodiles came in 1956.
Methuselah was born in the Galapagos Islands in 1881. He survived until July 9, 2011 when he died at the age of 130. For many years, he was called South Dakota’s oldest resident. He weighed 600 pounds and celebrated his birthday each year by feasting on his favorite food - watermelon.
In 1965, a new highway forced Reptile Gardens to move to its current location. The improved park featured a new three-level Sky Dome. It remains the dominant building at Reptile Gardens and the home of snakes, lizards, frogs, crocodiles, and birds. The structure has become one of South Dakota’s most recognizable landmarks.
In August of 1976, the Sky Dome had a tremendous fire where hundreds of reptiles and birds died. Some of these were irreplaceable. The plastic dome melted and covered everything below, and the heat-weakened aluminum structure collapsed into the Safari Room. A huge old Ponderosa pine skeleton in the room’s center survived and remains the centerpiece of the Safari Room today.
Work was quickly accomplished to rebuild the structure by the end of the following winter. New cactus and exotic plants were brought in by the semi load and new animals obtained. It reopened in the spring of 1977.
While the great Rapid City flood of 1972 caused only minor damage, that was not the case of the flood in June 1977. A major flash flood covered the Garden with three feet of water, hail, and debris. It swept the giant tortoises out of their pen and carried them away. Fortunately, they were all rescued at other places on the property.
Although Earl Brocklesby died in 1993, his family still runs Reptile Gardens. It’s common for members of the family, who are now in management, to have worked at Reptile Gardens since a very young age.
John Brocklesby (aka Johnny B.) started at age eight working in the tortoise yard and by age 14 had a stint in the gator show. He has worked as a tour guide, in admissions, and as sales manager before his present job which deals with all phases of contacts with guests, industry, and journalists.
Joe Maierhauser, Earl’s nephew, grew up in Reptile Gardens. He started out as a maintenance boy at age nine and has held a variety of other positions ranging from the snack bar to Assistant Curator of Reptiles, Curator of Reptiles, Sales Manager, Assistant Manager, and General Manager. He has been president and CEO since 1994.
Tom Lang is General Manager and Vice President. Tom is not related but is like a member of the family. Working at Reptile Gardens since he was age fourteen, he has only missed one summer since 1975.
Jeff Oldham, Earl’s grandson, is the Assistant General Manager. Jeff works under Joe and Tom helping to insure the smooth operation of Reptile Gardens. Jeff was originally hired as a reptile show presenter but transferred to the gift shop in 2000 and is now in his present position.
All team members believe strongly in Earl Brocklesby’s philosophy: you can never offer your guests enough hospitality and your facility can’t be clean enough. That is why Joe and his staff make sure their guests are happy, and the park is well maintained and spotless.
A CLOSE LOOK AT THE SKY DOME
Step into the Safari Room and you’ll find a beautifully landscaped area filled with orchids, bromeliads, caladiums, and other tropical plants from around the globe. Central America, South America, Africa, and China are all represented. You’ll also see sculptures from New Guinea. Birds fly around and free-roaming lizards and frogs add to the atmosphere, reminding visitors of a tropical oasis. You’ll also find different species of turtles and tortoises on this level.
Head for the mezzanine to find more than 200 snakes and lizards. Check out the various caged creatures as you follow a circular path around the room. You’ll find lizards, venomous and non venomous snakes, and frogs.
Some of their species are in the Guinness Book of World Records. They have the only specimen of a Fierce Snake in North America which is also called the Inland Taipan. It has the record for the most toxic venom in the world. Its bite has 110 milligrams of venom with only one milligram needed to cause a human fatality. The snake is found in the remote areas of central Australia.
The king cobra, also known as a Hamadryad, is the longest venomous snake according to Guinness. They are commonly 12 to 15 feet. Reptile Gardens has one that is 13 feet long. The longest on record was in the 1930s at 18-1/2 feet. They are found from Southeast Asia to Indonesia. Reptile Garden’s king cobra came from Malaysia. Its hood makes it look much larger and much meaner than what it really is. The world’s longest snake is the Reticulated Python.
Achieving the record for the fastest land snake, the African Black Mamba can travel 16 to 19 m.p.h. on flat land. It also causes the fastest human fatality with its bite - 2-1/2 minutes.
The Burton’s Legless Snake Lizard is the slimmest lizard according to Guinness. It resides in Australia and New Guinea. It has ear openings, eyelids, and a fleshy tongue which are features snakes don’t have.
Their Gila monster is in Guinness for being the most dangerous lizard in the world. It is found in the Southwestern desert of the United States and is one of two species of lizards in the world who have a clinically significant venom similar to a rattlesnake. There are no records of human fatalities that have resulted from it. This animal is usually very shy.
The Cane or Marine toad has achieved the record for the largest toad in the world. It lives in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. It has been introduced into other areas intentionally or non intentionally and eats everything in its path from baby alligators to bugs.
Many of the exhibits on the Mezzanine level feature fossils, mineral specimens, photos, and woodcarvings. Take time to look at their case of real skeletons with such creatures as a Green Tree python, rattlesnake, and Panama Amazon parrot. For photographers, this level gives you great photo opportunities of the Safari Room below.
They also have casts. One is an exact cast of the largest Archelon Turtle Fossil ever found. Paleontologists discovered the original in the 1970s near Reptile Gardens. It was sold to a Vienna, Austria museum.
The lowest level of the Sky Dome houses Crocodilians (crocodiles, alligators, and caimans) including the famous Maniac, their giant saltwater crocodile. Born in captivity in Australia in 1970, he is 16 feet 2 inches long and weighs 1,350 pounds. He is one of the largest crocodiles in the western hemisphere. Giant crocodiles can live 100 years.
He was obtained in 2004 from an attraction in Sydney, Australia called Wonderland Sydney. The park was due to close and they were looking for a good home for Maniac. It took building a crate the size of a small bedroom to transport him. He was flown from Sydney to Los Angeles to Denver. Since there were no airplanes large enough to fly him to Rapid City, Reptile Gardens transported Maniac by truck the final 400 miles.
Though many species of Crocodilians are now endangered or threatened, this family of large reptiles dates back 84 million years. They replace their teeth throughout life and a single crocodilian can go through 3,000 teeth in a lifetime. The overlapping scales which cover their skins consist of the protein keratin. That’s the same material found in nails, claws, and hooves.
You will also find other creatures on this level such as lizards and bugs. Among the lizards are a Gila monster, beaded lizard, and Komodo dragon. They have four types of frogs: Eastern newt frog, White’s tree frog, Tiger Striped leaf frog, and red-eyed tree frog. The bug section with 13 cases includes a black widow spider and pink toe tarantula.
ALLIGATOR SHOWS
The Alligator Show only runs during the summer months (Memorial Day to Labor Day) so unfortunately we did miss that one. Show times are listed as 10:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m., and 6:15 p.m. though times can change.
It incorporates alligator wrestling and feeding as keepers demonstrate the animals’ power and speed, strength, and agility. After the show, you can pet a baby alligator and ask questions.
BIRD SHOW
The bird show runs in the spring, summer, and fall. Spring starts in early March and runs to Memorial Day while fall goes from Labor Day to November 30. Summer times are 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. During the rest of the year, the shows are 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:25 p.m. Show times are subject to change.
Rather than birds entertaining with tricks, this is more of an informative show lasting 20 to 25 minutes. It features birds from all around the world. If there is sunshine, flight demonstrations take place. During the summer, they display seven to nine birds in their show.
The first bird, keeper Katherine showed was an Atlantic falcon. It has sharp senses, particularly those of vision and taste. It’s a carnivore that eats only birds and has streamline maneuverability.
Next was a rock dove. We learned that dove and pigeon are interchangeable names. Many types of doves are found throughout the world. They come in brown, grey, and white.
Reggie, a blue and gold macaw was up next. Macaws do not have vocal cords but adjust the muscles in their throat to speak. Some copy what is said to them while others talk or whistle. Reggie said hello, his name, peekaboo. He laughed, waved goodbye, and climbed. It was pointed out that macaws live 30 years in the wild and 70 years in captivity.
Some of the parrots paint though Reggie does not. You can get to hold the canvas for a parrot while it paints. If you like the artwork, you can purchase it at the gift shop. Proceeds go to support four wildlife charities: Idea Wild, Galapagos Conservancy, the Black Hills Raptor Center, and the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.
Nova, the barn owl, was the next bird shown. Owls reply on hearing when hunting at night. They have one ear higher and more forward than the other so they can hear twice. They eat four to six mice a day.
The last bird displayed was Lin Lin, a military macaw. She reached out gently and took donations out of peoples’ hands. All proceeds from these donations support the same wildlife charities as the paintings. Those who donated received a bird poster for a $5 donation.
Different shows have different birds. For example, the next show was to have a chicken, grey parrot, king vulture, and a green military macaw.
THE SNAKE SHOW
The snake show, lasting 15 minutes, is an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of snakes with both venomous and non venomous species handled by the keeper. Less than 1/3 of the world’s snakes are venomous with the exception of Australia. In that nation, 65% of the snakes are venomous. In the United States, the figure is 10%.
This show occurs the months Reptile Gardens is open. In the fall and spring, its hours are 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Summer show times are 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:45 p.m. Times may change so it is best to check.
Hunter, who gave the show, introduced the yellow-tailed cribo from South America. He advised that snakes stick out their tongue to smell the environment. Some snakes grab whole prey then swallow.
He then displayed a reticulated yellow python. These come from tropical Asia and are non venomous though there are some venomous python species. They coil around an animal, squeeze it until it’s unable to breathe and the heart can’t beat any longer. This snake was 25 feet long and weighed 300 pounds.
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We saw the mangrove which has a rear fang. It uses venom in its saliva and constriction to kill its prey. This species is not harmful to humans.
The cottonmouth from the Southeastern United States has very long fangs. It strikes rather than bites its prey then waits for the animal to succumb. Its very long fangs point up into the rear of its mouth when not in use.
Finally, we saw a prairie rattlesnake, the only venomous snake in South Dakota. It always rattles before it strikes, but the two actions are not related. The number of rattles doesn’t tell its age. Hunter advised that if you find such a snake, do not move. Freeze.
At the end of the show, visitors are allowed to touch one of the non venomous snakes, take photographs of the animals, and ask the keeper questions. Head immediately after the show for the alligator arena to watch numerous alligators and crocodiles feed. Unfortunately, we missed this as did not hear it announced.
BOTANICAL GARDENS
After seeing the show, feel free to walk around the grounds. You’ll find flowers and foliage from many regions around the world. You’ll note rock gardens, flowering vines, fruit trees, and numerous colorful flower beds. Staff changes the varieties, designs, and layouts annually so visitors never see the same displays two years in a row. They plant more than 40,000 flowers and perennials intermixed with trees and shrubs.
One of the newest attractions is Tortuga Falls, a Japanese-style garden whose highlights are a waterfall and a pond with koi fish and turtles. During the summer, you might even hear the call of their Laughing Kookaburra bird who resides in this area. The bird is known as the world’s biggest kingfisher. However, they more commonly dine on mice, lizards, and snakes. Just outside Tortuga Falls, you’ll find some beautiful purple silica formations.
The Living Wall is near the Sky Dome. Living walls (sometimes called green walls) are self-sufficient vertical gardens that can be attached to the exterior or interior of a building. They get their water and nutrients from within the vertical support instead of the ground since they are rooted to the wall. Reptile Gardens staff replants their Living Wall every year with different kinds of plants to create particular designs and patterns. According to their web site “Our system accommodates flowering perennials, beautiful foliage plants, ground covers and even allows for bushes, shrubs, and small trees!”
OTHER AREAS TO EXPLORE
To honor Methuselah, Reptile Gardens built a children’s playground whose highlight is a life-sized bronze replica of this giant tortoise. It’s estimated that Methuselah touched the lives of over 12 million visitors during the 56 years he lived at the Gardens.
It was quite a process to make this statue. Employees of Prairie Mountain Wildlife Studio, after posing the animal, made detailed molds of all parts of his body. It took 25 separate molds to create the statue. After welding the pieces together, Black Hills Bronze Foundry in Hill City, South Dakota, made wax impressions of the cast to be cast in bronze. A base was then prepared for the bronze. The statue weighs 360 pounds.
Rattlesnake Gulch is the Gardens’ old west ghost town which is open during the summers. Families can walk along a boardwalk then gold pan, gemstone sluice, or go on a black light, 3D Safari. You can also test your draw against Top Gun - Johnny Rio. It’s $1 for six shot attempts. Gemstones cost $6 a bag and $10 for two bags. The Gulch is a great place to hang out while waiting for one of the shows to start.
You can visit Cheyenne, their bald eagle. She became an avian ambassador at Reptile Gardens in 2001 with the permission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. She was found near Grand Island, Nebraska with a severely broken wing. After several surgeries at a raptor veterinarian, the wing could not be saved and had to be amputated. Since she is flightless, she cannot be released and lives at Reptile Gardens.
Bald eagles are found in every state except Hawaii. They became the national symbol in 1782. Their name does not come from lack of hair but from Old English “balde” meaning white.
Take time to visit the Giant Aldabra tortoises. Tank is more sociable while Orville and Samson tend to be shy. Within the past year, three young Aldabra tortoises were added: Hugo, Kenny, and Peabody, all aged 20 or younger. Orville is the oldest at 114 years of age.
Native to the Seychelles Islands, these tortoises, while slow, can travel three or four miles in a day on rugged terrain. Male tortoises are generally much larger than females of the same species. Unlike turtles, they don’t need to live in water or even drink water for great lengths of time since they get most of the water from their food. Their armor protects them from predators. Their life span can be up to 150 years.
Their prairie dog town was the most active one I saw on our entire trip to South Dakota. These sociable little creatures were eating, running around, and drinking. You can observe them from eye level by using their plexiglass underground bubble.
They build a maze of tunnels covering hundreds of acres which includes several family groups called coteries. Their “towns” have built-in drainage in case of heavy rains or floods. They also have small listening chambers just below the surface so prairie dogs can listen for predators’ movements.
CONSERVATION
Reptile Gardens works worldwide with major zoos to promote species survival. They also educate the public about important environmental issues affecting us today. A list of the conservation groups they work with can be seen on their web site.
AWARDS
Reptile Gardens has won multiple awards over the years. In 2017, it was voted the number one attraction in South Dakota in the 2017 USA Today Reader’s Poll. It also won the Heritage Family Business of the Year Award in 2017 given to family businesses more than 75 years old that have successfully transitioned over multiple generations. Reptile Gardens has been under the same family ownership since 1937. It has continuously been awarded the Certificate of Excellence from TripAdviser since 2012 as well as the AAA Gem designation.
SHOP
Visitors will find a large main gift shop. It’s filled with souvenir shirts, Black Hills souvenirs, plush toys, apparel, gemstones, and anything reptile. The favorite purchases are stuffed Maniacs and Methuselahs and T-Shirts according to Jeff Oldham, Assistant General Manager.
The Jungle Outpost features a wide variety of art made by the people of Papua, New Guinea as well as other countries. New Guinea Art provides art and artifacts from this culture.
FOOD AND PASSES
Green Parrot Café is open during summer months. You’ll find burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, shakes, Indian tacos, ice cream, and more. The gift shop has refrigerated sandwiches, snacks, and sodas. During the summer, it is requested that you do not bring outside meals into Reptile Gardens. You can leave the park and return. Just be sure you have a Vacation or a Seasonal Pass.
The two passes allow individuals to visit Reptile Gardens again at a later date after they pay a full admission. Just ask for one at the admissions desk. The free Seasonal Pass is valid until November 30 while a free vacation pass lasts for 10 days. There is no difference in cost and you can return as many times as you like.
DETAILS
Reptile Gardens is located at 8955 US-16, 6 miles south of Rapid City. Its telephone number is (800) 335-0275. It is open daily from March through November. Hours vary as do admission prices depending upon which of the four seasons you visit. Check for the entrance times, prices, and show times on their web site.
Entrance to Reptile Gardens
Sky Dome
Jeff Oldham and Tom Lang
Skeleton of a Rattlesnake
Skeleton of a Panama Amazon Parrot
Cast of the Largest Archelon Turtle Fossil Ever Seen
Reticulated Python
Johnston's Crocodiles (Native to Australia)
Maniac
Siamese Crocodile
Komodo Dragon
Crocidilean Show Area
Showing the Lanner Falcon
The White Dove
Demonstrating Reggie, A Blue and Gold Macaw
Barn Owl Coming in For a Landing
Lin Lin Dropping Donation into the Bucket
One of the Snakes in the Show - an Albino Reticulated Python
Prairie Rattlesnake in the Snake Show
One of the Many Beautiful Gardens
Entrance to Tortuga Falls
One of Tortuga Falls' Residents
The Living Wall
Rattlesnake Gulch - the Gardens' Old West Ghost Town
Petting the Giant Aldabra Tortoise
One of the Adorable Prairie Dogs