So, you’re vacationing in Rapid City and you are wondering what to do?
One attraction you may or may not have heard of is Reptile Gardens. As the name implies it is home to many different kinds of reptiles, more species and subspecies of reptiles than any other zoo or park in the world.
If you have driven out to Mount Rushmore from Rapid City then you have already seen Reptile Gardens, it was the big glass dome off to your right on highway 16. Reptile Gardens is one of my favorite attractions because I love creepy crawly things, but I know some of you don’t’ but not to worry, Reptile Gardens also houses a large number of exotic and domestic birds. Let’s face it though, you want to see some scales right?
Reptile Gardens has some of the coolest reptiles I have ever seen. The king of that jungle is none other than MANIAC!!! He is one of the largest crocs in captivity. He is a Saltwater Croc measuring almost six-teen feet long and weighing over 1250 pounds. Now you might be thinking oh if you’ve seen one croc you’ve seen them all and that might not be very exciting, but let me tell you something, in my travels I have been to many large zoos, aquariums and reptile parks and NOTHING comes close to Maniac.
I was given the treat of witnessing a feeding one day which is when I captured the video below and it is mind boggling how fast that bad boy is. You can see for yourself in the video, I in now way altered the speed of the footage and you can see him rocket out of the water toward his dinner. I was on the safe side of the Plexiglas watching the demonstration so I wasn’t really worried. I have seen feedings before and knew roughly what to expect, but when that beast shot out of the water I about had a heart attack. I realized that if I were in the wrong place (on the other side of the Plexiglas) and he really wanted too he could kill me before I got out a scream.
That isn’t to say Maniac is the only crocodilian to see, Reptile Gardens is home to nineteen different species of crocodilians and all of them are something to see. It is almost frightening to see them all with that look on their faces almost like they are smiling at you…with very big teeth.
Another big attraction at Reptile Gardens is Methuselah and his giant tortoise companions and yes, the pun is intended. So just how big is Methuselah? Big enough that if you wanted to you could saddle him up and ride him around, but being that he is over 125 years old he probably wouldn’t enjoy that very much. He and his friends just like to hang out and eat watermelon.
Want to peak at something a little deadlier, then maybe it is the snakes you are looking for. Reptile Gardens is home to thirty- seven different species of non venomous snakes including a giant albino python and 112 venomous ones. My personal favorite is the Russian Cobra. All of the snakes were impressive and very deadly, but the Russian Cobra is extremely venomous and as I found out not at all afraid to strike the glass trying to get you.
Most of the other snakes were content to lay there or slither around in there cages while I filmed them, but that guy as you can see in the tape, reared up, spread out his hood and struck at the glass multiple times. What you might not be able to see on the tape are the trails of venom dripping down the glass where he struck. That combined with the size of him makes me glad he couldn’t get at me. Sure he was no where near the size of the boas, pythons or anacondas, but he was big enough to bight me and that’s all that matters.
Aside from being home to various other types of creatures such as frogs and lizards, Reptile Gardens also has a very special resident. He is the nine year old 150 pound 8 foot long Komodo Dragon. He is one of only about 50 in the U.S. and though he is small in comparison to Maniac, he is big enough to make you realize that if he wanted to eat you, you would want to run. The dragons primarily eat rodents, fish, snakes, wild goats and pigs but lets be honest, they will eat any thing that isn’t faster than they are.
Komodo Dragons are NOT venomous; however their saliva does contain potent bacteria which WILL cause a gangrenous infection if left untreated. Not only that but their mouths contain large vicious teeth which can easily tear off one of your limbs or bring down a water buffalo.
Komodos are one of the most intelligent reptiles in the world. Their intelligence is often compared to that of a dog, but something tells me you wouldn’t want one at the foot of your bed. They are certainly amazing to look at…from a safe place.
Reptile Gardens also has many different spiders and as I mentioned before, domestic and exotic birds. The birds fly around freely in the summer so you can truly appreciate their beauty, but that isn’t all. Reptile Gardens will also surround you with over 40,000 flowers to give the true indoor jungle experience.
And after you are done looking at all the creepy crawlies and finish being awe stricken by the three unique shows that take place at Reptile Gardens you can be sure you will never forget your experience, but if you want to pick up a souvenir any way, Reptile Gardens also has a large gift shop. Now if you are anything like me you probably rolled your eyes after you read the words gift shop, but let me make it very clear, this isn’t a depot for cheap crap. The gift shop at Reptile Gardens carries a variety of unique items that are truly spectacular. I have purchased more than one Christmas present there. So you want something even more authentic to complete your jungle experience? Then take a look at the area of the gift shop known as Jungle Outpost.
The Jungle Outpost sells a collection of pieces from exotic locations all around the world. Incase you are wondering how knowledgeable the staff is about what is sold in the Jungle Outpost, the lady that was helping me there was directly responsible for bringing most of the items back from the jungle villages they came from.
Reptile Gardens opened its doors in South Dakota in 1937 and was founded by Earl Brockelsby and is still owned and operated by his family.
For some one on a limited budget Reptile Gardens is a great value. At $12.50 for adults $11.00 for seniors, $7.50 for kids and children under four admitted free, it is an affordable day of fun for the whole family. It is one of those rare attractions were you feel that you really got your money’s worth when you are done and it wasn’t a tourist trap. I highly recommend you check it out. For any other info feel free to visit Reptile Gardens’ Website.
