Florida Guide > Other Activities
The Reptile Discovery Centre
If you are in the Daytona area and want to visit somewhere slightly different consider going to Reptile Discovery Center which is located just 15 minutes from Daytona Beach. The address for the Center is 2710 Big John Drive (U. S. Hwy 92).
This Center was only opened a few years ago and a visit here is relatively inexpensive. The facility is open Thursday - Sunday 10 a. m. - 5 p. m. adult admission is $8. 50 children 4-17 $5. 50 and seniors $5. 50, children under 3 are free and I feel this is good value.
There is a picnic area here should you want to take your own picnic and all the family will enjoy the gift shop at the end of your visit I know our girls bought several little souvenirs.
There are lots of Reptile and Amphibian species and you can also see turtles, tortoises, lizards, alligators and some of the world’s most dangerous snakes. The Center is not only educational but also has a zoo museum and working farm it really is fascinating.
You need to be aware that only safety glass separates the viewing public from the handlers and some of the world’s most dangerous snakes including a 14 foot Burmese python and 13 foot king cobra! The Sepentarium is home to dozens of the worlds most dangerous and exotic snakes including the python and cobra. I must admit I was not so keen on this part.
There is a Nature trail for you to enjoy where you will also see alligators and tortoises.
Recently there have been several new additions including tail skinks which are one of the largest skinks and come from the Solomon Islands and are most unusual.
A private owner has donated a 6 foot Asian Water Monitor this is a lizard which weighs about 25 pounds but is very tame.
Also recently arrived here are the Florida Pine snake and a Strawberry Dart frog the latter I will be intrigued to see on our next visit.
Because of time pressures the day we visited we did not go to see the Venom Extraction Programme which take place twice a day at 11. 300am and 3. 00pm. We aim to go next time as this seems very interesting. Apparently they collect the snake’s venom by getting it to bite into some object then the venom can be used for research and by pharmaceutical companies.
If you want to do something different in Florida the Reptile Center is well worth a visit.
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