The Reptile Zoo

The Reptile Zoo
Jay Brewer, the founder, at the zoo with an American alligator in 2018
Map
33°41′24″N 117°57′12″W / 33.689946°N 117.953338°W / 33.689946; -117.953338
Date openedJuly 10, 2009[1]
LocationFountain Valley, California, United States
Floor space13,000 square feet (1,200 m2)[1]
No. of animalsOver 600[2]
No. of speciesOver 100[1]
OwnerJay Brewer
Websitewww.prehistoric-inc.square.site

The Reptile Zoo is an indoor zoo focusing on reptiles in Fountain Valley, California. Fish, amphibians, and arachnids are also on display. It contains the pet store Prehistoric Pets, which sells items targeted towards reptile owners. Almost 200,000 people have visited the zoo since its founding.

People are allowed to hold specific animals while supervised, and children can have birthday parties at the zoo.[3] For an additional price, one can also feed tortoises with lettuce.

The zoo has also attracted a fair amount of controversy, with the reptiles housed there often being noted as being in poor condition. There have been multiple reports of inadequate enclosures, a lack of appropriate food and enrichment, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, and sick animals not receiving improper or no veterinary care. Of particular note is Twinkie, the 20-foot albino reticulated python, a fan favorite at the zoo who died prematurely from an untreated upper respiratory infection, and multiple alligators that show significant skeletal malformations from metabolic bone disease.

History

Prehistoric Pets originally opened in 1988 under the name Pet Country, which sold both traditional and exotic pets. As more people visited the store, the focus shifted to education about exotic reptiles. Pet Country then closed and Prehistoric Pets opened in 1992.[3]

The company then created Jurassic Parties in 1995, which allowed for more learning about reptiles via interactive events. Jay Brewer, and ex-fisherman and the founder of the store, decided to build an indoor zoo next to the shop to attract visitors. After being founded on July 10, 2009, people started visiting the shop just to see the reptiles at the zoo.

The store expanded to its current 13,000 square feet (1,200 m2) in two expansions during 2000 and 2018.

The site currently has about 20 staff members, including Brewer and his three daughters.[1]

Animals

The zoo contains the following species, which include:[1][3][4]

The zoo was home to Twinkie, the world's largest albino snake in captivity, according Guinness World Records,[5] who passed away in 2014 at 11 years old. At 23 feet (7.0 m) long and 370 pounds (170 kg), she had also appeared on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien.[6] Frank, a monitor lizard from the show Jessie, also used to live at the zoo, along with a two-headed Texas rat snake.[4]

Animals from the zoo come from many different places. Some were born at the zoo, while others are rescued from the wild or from private collections.[1]

The zoo additionally contains a 2,000 US gallons (7,600 L) indoor pond housing fish and turtles.[1]

Brewer in 2018

Jay Brewer, the founder of the zoo, and his daughter Juliette, have a prominent following on social media, with 2.1 million followers on Instagram and over 20 million followers on TikTok. On the latter, the zoo itself has 12 million followers. They have also collaborated with celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Kevin Hart, and Diplo.[2]

The zoo will be featured on The Roku Channel's upcoming reality show Reptile Royalty, a six-episode miniseries which follows the daily goings-on of the menagerie. It will be executive produced by Shawn Witt, Tim Cohen-Laurie, Mark Efman, Richard J. Green, and Kelvin Parker for Leftfield Pictures.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Visit Us - The Reptile Zoo". Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Szabo, Matt (February 4, 2023). "The Reptile Zoo in Fountain Valley lands reality TV series". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Prehistoric Pets: A Reptile Zoo and Store". California Through My Lens. January 14, 2013. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "A Field Trip to The Reptile Zoo in Fountain Valley". SoCal Field Trips. March 23, 2015. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Largest albino snake in captivity". Guinness World Records. December 7, 2012. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  6. ^ Virata, John (August 14, 2014). "Twinkie The World's Largest Albino Reticulated Python Dies". Reptiles. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "Roku Expands Unscripted Adventure Slate to Include Trio of New Series: "Fight to Survive," "Reptile Royalty," and "UFO Cowboys"; Akbar Gbajabiamila Set to Host "Fight to Survive"". The Roku Channel. January 25, 2023. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.