Okay guys, which zoo in the UK has the best reptile collection, in your opinions? For me, it's a close-run thing between London and Cotswold, with Chester and West Midland Safari Park close behind. Give us your thoughts....
I would say London, then Bristol. Chester's reptile department keep too many things off-show. I found the same policy at Cotswold when I went in 2006. I haven't seen the reptile collection at West Midlands.
I think one of London, Chester or West Midlands for me. London has a very traditional house and some great species in there. Chester has a very extensive collection, including some fabulous rareities West Midlands has quite a few wow species such as King Cobra and Nile Crocodile
All of the major reptile collections in the UK are based in the largest zoos - London, Chester, Bristol (not sure about Cotswold or West Midlands as I've not seen them). The former two are unfortunately based in big old buildings with boring viv after viv. I would however also add Paignton's collection as being of interest, particularly with all the recent changes and Jersey (historically the most interesting; possibly declined in recent times). Surprisingly Edinburgh's collection was atrocious (not sure whether this has changed). Blackpool, Twycross, Marwell, Aspinall's parks and Banham's collections (apart from a couple of species) are rather bland due to an obvious lack of herp interest. Interesting small collections include Manchester Museum (very nice exhibits), Thrigby Hall and Stapeley Water Gardens (several species I've not seen before). Which leads me to ask - why is it that you can often see a better range of species in the local and online reptile shops? Why is there no specialist collection (virtually every other 'zoo' country has at least one)? As a herp keeper (admittedly of only two snakes) I do find the lack of attention towards herp displays in this country surprising.
I vote for the ZSL (but I've never been to West Midlands). It's very strong on venomous snakes and has representatives from all the main groups. Actually it's getting harder to compare as zoos are spreading their herps around now. ZSL has some toads in the Moonlight World, with green iguanas upstairs and I presume they still have a few species in BUGS (I didn't get round there when I visited last week) plus the big monitor in Gorilla Kingdom and the Komodo dragon house of course. Chester is even worse. Pig-nosed turtles in the Elephant House, three species of monitors in RotRA (with snakes too) and arrow poison frogs with the jaguars! Plus their Komodos, the sand lizard colony and the little 'shed' for the Mallorcan midwife toads. I nearly forgot the Pipa toads in the aquarium and the vipers with the okapis. You could fill another reptile house with that little lot, without counting the species that aren't on show. I like Bristol's collection which is well housed and displayed, but it doesn't have such a big range of species. Cotswold most have a mention for really big anacondas, reticulated pythons and Morelet's crocodiles - all three of which are breeding. Of course they have a nice range of smaller species too. Finally, although it's been years since I was there, you must not forget Jersey's reptile collection, which really has contributed to reptile conservation. Alan
I really like London's, not just the collection, but the way it's displayed. The building seems to have a lot of class and history, but the enclosures themselves are in no way antiquated. Only wish they still had the chinese alligators- but I guess there's the phillipines crocs instead now. I think there is always a lot of active animals too at ZSL, they get fed part way through the day, usually just about the time I reach the house. The last couple of times I've got there to find that the dead mice have just been put out, and the snakes suddenly all spring to life. Highlight last time was a big black and white cobra, I think it was something like Malayan Cobra? EDIT: Was probably monocled,
This topic depends on so many different things as to how you define the best,but if you just want a gut feeling would have to say London,Bristol,Chester,Cotswold Wildlife and Manchester Museum,with West Midlands,Stapely and Thrigby Hall pussing the last couple close.Now if you want to include private collections this would change completly as Heythrop would be in my top 5 and at least 2 others pushing the rest very close.
I've always thought ZSL had the largest and most comprehensive Reptile Collection in the largest reptile house in the UK. Reptile collections I've seen at several other zoos I've been to in recent years are good (Bristol & Cotswold in particular) but make me think ZSL is still at the forefront.
Pertinax I agree with you. I would sday that London Zoo is by far the best public reptile collection in the UK. My cousin went to London a week or so ago, but he complained that there were too many frogs and not enough reptiles. I just wish there was more variety on show in British zoos. Everyone seems to show anacondas, common boas, green iguanas, sanzinias and monitors. I get a bit bored after a while.
Are we talking 'best' as in range of species, no. of unusual species, breeding record or display? I would suggest ZSL would probably fit into some of the categories (not the latter), as would some of the other collections mentioned. Maybe the fact is that not one collection stands out from the crowd for all the reasons.
4 species of crocodilians,2 species of Rattlesnakes,2 species of Cobra,Copperheads,at least 6 species of Constrictors,Gila Monster,at least 8 species of Lizards and about6 species of tortoises and turtles if you want to see for your self they have an open day on the 21 september this year cost £8.
I've also seen Naja naja siamensis listed, but I don't know if that's the same animal, I assume it's a taxonomy debate.
The classification of cobras is complicated. Technically Naja naja siamensis is the animal now called Naja siamensis, but I've just looked on the Reptile Database which says older references for Naja naja siamensis actually refer to Naja naja kaouthina, now known as Naja kaouthina. Apparently Naja naja no longer has subspecies.
It was nice to see Marwells collection expand last year with its new reptile barn but thier reptile keeping skills are terrible, just look at thier annual stocktake! Isnt West Midlands home to Mark O Sheas collection?
Marwell is not a loan with that but just looking at the stock list doesn`t tell you if the stock was a customs rescue that was already in a bad way and sent there to see if they could be saved. As for West Midlands Safari Park yes it is the home of Mark O`Sheas reptile collection which is the main reason that its so good without his stock it would be nowhere near as good.
As has already been mentioned, I guess it depends what your view of 'best' is. Are we talking diversity of species, breeding results, in-situ involvement, display technique? ZSL certainly has the most diverse public display and the ever increasing number of amphibian exhibits has to be seen as a good thing in light of the conservation crisis faced by that group of animals. My personal favourite is undoubtedly Chester both in terms of the species on display and the amount of work they do off show. Although I can understand the dissapointment if a percentage of the stock is not viewable, many of the species they are working with are rare or poorly studied so all credit to them for making the decision to try and breed them away from the public. My feelings are that most visitors will be more than happy if they can see a selection of species that includes venomous and large constricting snakes, large active lizards and brightly coloured frogs and in that respect Chester certainly delivers. Even for the herp enthusiast there's a lot to see - tuatara, caimen lizard, komodos, mallorcan midwife toads, heloderms, rhino vipers, phillipine crocs - many of which cant be seen anywhere else in the UK. Im in two minds about the increasing trend to distribute herps all over the zoo as part of a 'biome' approach. I can see why visitors may like it as it adds extra interest to other areas and avoids the monotony of tank after tank after tank of seemingly lifeless lizards and no-shows. Done well it can also illustrate an animals 'place' innature if you get what I mean. I also like Bristols collection, particularly the style of their reptile house with the sloping pathways and planted borders. Paignton is another fave although ive yet to visit the new croc house. Durrell is an obvious choice,they do great work their with some incredible species. Im a big fan of Manchester Museum as well, especially with their involvement with neotropical frogs. Cotswolds renovated house is looking better than it has in a fair old while and Marwell are definately on the up. West Midlands and Colchester are worth a mention too. Have to say im not a fan of Heythrop. Yes they've got a fair selection of species but there's nothing particularly out of the ordinary and as far as housing goes i'd have to say that its distinctly average. When I last went, they had a large monitor lizard in a viv that could barely turn around and several highly incompatible species sharing very cramped vivaria. They did say that new developments were planned however so hopefully things have now improved. I'm sure that many other collections have got reasonable collections or exhibits but as has been mentioned, there does seem to be an increasing 'sameness' from one place to the next. I think herps get a pretty rough deal in most collections with standards for some being really quite shocking. A real shame as both amphibs and reptiles are in dire need of effective ex situ conservation, and, with a bit of thought, can make outstanding, popular exhibits.
