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| - Living in York Region my entire life I have never seen a place quite like Reptilia, a Zoo...for reptiles only?!?!? I have seriously driven past this place, Rutherford just east of Jane, 1000 times since it opened years ago and nary a visit have I made inside it's doors.
Following the lead of my Richmond Hill amigo Alex M, I must say that I agree with how amazing this spot is. Imagine, a full on reptile zoo only minutes from your home. However if there is ever an earth quake and this place spills it's reptile guts into Vaughan, I am getting the EF outta here.
I poked my head in today and after asking a bunch of questions about their exhibits and animals a staff member offered to take me through for a quick peak. Almost as soon as we walked through the entrance gates a LOUD throaty growl shook the walls and scared the SHIT outta me... I think I literally peed a little in my CM-underroos. Laugh if you want but after just watchin Jurassic Park in 3D this weekend I am on high alert.
The growl ended up not being from a rogue T-rex as my overactive self conscious had me believe, but a very captive American Alligator. Weighing in at 500lbs and 12 feet when it growled again as I walked by, I fully emptied my bowels into my Levi's and moved on.
Things didn't get better from there - I mean they did, b/c the exhibits are wicked sweet - but after not so long we moved into the snake exhibit where I learned that all snakes still have their fangs and full venom sack intact... awweeeessseoommmmmeeee :-/
Moving along....
It did take a about 10-15 minutes to walk all the way through the zoo (then again I was power walking and didn't have kids with me to slow me down). But all the exhibits are amazing and the reptiles are so close you can "almost" touch them.
If you would like to bring your own scaly friend home, the front 1/2 of this building serves as a pet store for turtles, lizards, snakes and other reptiles for your home. They have literally everything from terrariums and decore, animals, books, food, the works.
Casually creeped out, but thinking it's kinda awesome to have this place so close to home
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