Reptile Gardens facts for kids
Aerial view of the Sky Dome
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| Date opened | June 3, 1937 |
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| Location | Rapid City, South Dakota, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°59′25″N 103°16′18″W / 43.9903599°N 103.2716882°W |
| Annual visitors | 250,000–300,000 (2012) |
Reptile Gardens is a special zoo in South Dakota, United States. It's located near Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, and it's all about reptiles! The park welcomes visitors from early March until the end of November every year. It has even been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest reptile zoo.
Contents
History of Reptile Gardens
Reptile Gardens was started by a young man named Earl Brockelsby. He loved reptiles! The zoo first opened its doors on June 3, 1937. Earl picked a spot on a hill, hoping cars would stop there. He got a loan of $400 to dig a pit. In this pit, he placed different local animals, mostly snakes, that he had caught.
With the money he earned, Earl built a stone building. It had two pits: one for snakes that were venomous (meaning they could bite and inject poison) and another for non-venomous ones.
Growth and Challenges
The 1940s were a bit tough for Reptile Gardens while Earl Brockelsby was away serving in the Army. But after World War II, more people started visiting the Black Hills area. In the 1950s, Earl expanded the zoo. He bought a dozen Nile crocodiles and a very old giant tortoise named Methuselah.
In 1950, Earl hired Earl Chace, who used to work at the Bronx Zoo. Chace became the curator, which is like a manager for the animals. He worked there until 1968.
New Location and Rebuilding
Reptile Gardens moved to its current location in 1965. Sadly, on August 22, 1976, a fire broke out. It destroyed the Sky Dome, which was a big indoor area, and most of the animals inside died. But the dome was rebuilt in 1977.
After Earl Brockelsby passed away in 1993, his family continued to run the zoo. In 2014, Guinness World Records officially named Reptile Gardens the world's largest reptile zoo. This was confirmed again in 2018.
Exploring the Park and Its Exhibits
In 2012, about 250,000 to 300,000 people visited Reptile Gardens.
The Sky Dome
The Sky Dome is a special indoor jungle area. It first opened in 1965. It's named for the large dome-shaped skylight in its ceiling. When it was first built, it was the biggest plastic dome made with a special design.
After the fire in 1976, the Sky Dome was rebuilt. The only thing left from the original dome was the skeleton of a Ponderosa Pine tree. This tree now stands in the Safari Room. The new Sky Dome opened in 1977.
Other Exciting Exhibits
Reptile Gardens has many different areas to explore. Some of these include:
- Prairie Dog Town
- Snake Program
- Bird Program
- Alligator/Crocodile Show
- Bald Eagle Exhibit
- Safari Room
- Komodo Dragon
- Tortuga Falls Meditative Garden
- Living Wall
- Giant Tortoise Yard
There was also an area called the Bewitched Village. It had farm animals like cows, pigs, and ducks, set up like an old Wild West ghost town.
Amazing Animals at the Zoo
During the summer, Reptile Gardens puts on fun and educational animal shows. These include a bird program, an alligator and crocodile show, and a snake program. During these shows, the animal keepers teach visitors about safety, interesting facts, and how they help protect these animals.
Methuselah the Giant Tortoise
Methuselah was a very large Galápagos tortoise who weighed about 227 kilograms (500 pounds). He lived at Reptile Gardens from December 1954 until he passed away on July 9, 2011. He was born in the Galápagos Islands in 1881.
Earl Brockelsby bought Methuselah from an animal dealer and brought him to South Dakota by train. Methuselah became a very popular animal and the zoo's mascot. Sometimes, children were even allowed to ride on his shell! When he died, he was 130 years old. Reptile Gardens estimates that Methuselah met as many as 12 million visitors during his 56 years at the park.
On July 10, 2012, Reptile Gardens opened a new playground called Methuselah's Playground. It even has a bronze statue of the famous tortoise.
Helping Animals and Nature
Reptile Gardens helps different groups that work to protect the environment. One of these is the Charles Darwin Center in the Galapagos Islands.
Awards and Recognition
Reptile Gardens has won many awards over the years. Some of these include:
- USA Today Readers Choice Award, Best Attraction in South Dakota - 2017
- Heritage Award, Prairie Family Business Assn. - 2017
- SBA Family-Owned Business of the Year for South Dakota - 2010
- Prairie Family Business Assn. Family Business of the Year – 2009
- Tom Didier Excellence in Family Business Award – 2008
- USA Today Top 10 Roadside Attractions In The Country – 2001
- South Dakota Governors Service Award for Outstanding Commitment to Hospitality and Education in the Visitor Industry – 2003-2011
- Midwest Travel Writers Association Gemmy Award – 1995
- George S. Mickelson Award for Great Service to South Dakota Visitors - 1994
- AAA GEM Designation Attraction
Earl Brockelsby, the founder, received the Ben Black Elk Award in 1982 for his great work in promoting tourism in South Dakota. His son, John Brockelsby, who is the Public Relations Director, received the same award in 2015.
See also
- The Reptile Zoo
