Play Date: Inside The Reptile Zoo | @TheReptileZoo #thereptilezoo #photogallery #playdate

Last week, we had a play date at The Reptile Zoo. Once we got inside, the kids all gathered around a pond and wanted to feed the animals. For $3.25, you can choose between worms to feed the animals in the pond or a bag of veggies to feed the tortoises. I let my kids decide, and both chose the animals in the pond. Here's a picture of them picking them up with tongs and the animals swimming up to them.

You can feed lettuce to tortoises at The Reptile Zoo.

Shortly after, we attended an hour presentation in the private Congo Room where Aaron showed us the various animals that live at The Reptile Zoo. He also brought them over one at a time so that we can pet them. Seeing the animals up close was not so scary. I've highlighted a few below.

Cornflake the Corn snake is from North America and originally bread to help with rodents in the corn fields.

We're trying to get our kids to pet Buddy the Ball Python.



The kids were fascinated with Spike the Bearded Dragon.

Check out Sausage the Blue Tongue Skink (Lizard).

Jabba the African Bull Frog felt rubbery.

We met Bob the Burmese Python. They have about 10 of them at the zoo.

Champ the Black & White Tegu from Argentine can be potty trained.

Rocky the African Spur-Thigh Tortoise is 30 years old and weighs about 45 lbs. I was especially amazed looking at its spurs.

Leo the Leopard Gecko can voluntarily detach it's tail.

It was all about the hands-on experience. 

I had to brave this next part because I'm scared of spiders, but I really wanted my kids to try it. After my son watch me do it, it worked! Here's a picture of my son letting Fluffy the Rose Hair Tarantula crawl on him. It wasn't as freaky as I thought it would be. It was a little ticklish. 

Overall, I thought it was a great hands-on and educational experience for both kids and adults. After the presentation, we walked around to see the other reptiles.  You can see more in my photo gallery here.

Disclosure: We received special media admissions and a discounted group rate for our readers for our play date in exchange for sharing a review with our readers. We also paid for the animal food to support the zoo's efforts. All opinions are our own. All images by LetsPlayOC.com. 

WHERE IS THIS PLACE?

The Reptile Zoo
18818 Brookhurst Street
Fountain Valley, CA
(714) 500-0571
http://thereptilezoo.com/

ADMISSIONS

Donation proceeds go to the care and upkeep of The Reptile Zoo and it's inhabitants.

• Adults (12+) $5.00 zoo donation 
• Child (Ages 3-11) $5 
• Toddler (Ages 0-3) FREE
• Six-Month Passport $20
• Annual Passport $40

HOURS

Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas and subject to early closure on other holidays.
Monday - Saturday 11:00 am - 7:30 pm
Sunday 11:00 am - 5:30 pm

JURASSIC PARTIES
You might like that they have party packages.

They offer hands-on and educational events, much like the presentation we had with Aaron, both on-site in The Reptile Zoo and throughout Southern California (schools, private parties, and all types of special events). On-site guests can enjoy a private party area in either the Congo or Amazon Room for food and gifts as well as 30 admissions for guests to enjoy all The Reptile Zoo has to offer.

You can find their party options here.

COMING SOON!
October Special Event: The Reptile Zoo Masquerade and Reptile Appreciation Day.