Notable collections of live specimens
Ratings are my own, and are highly prejudiced! I welcome information and comments about these sites as well as ones I have not visited.
American International Rattlesnake Museum
Bob Myers, Curator
202 San Felipe NW, Old Town, Albq, NM 87104
Tel 505-242-6569
****Four stars
This animal conservation museum uses artifacts, memorabilia and the world's largest collection of different live rattlesnake species on public display to reveal the hundreds of ways that rattlesnakes and other "less desirable" animals have influenced our lives. Species from North, Central and South America are presented in beautifully recreated habitats. Myths are explored, phobias cured and mysteries revealed at this must-see SW museum. $2 adults, $1 under 16. This is one of my favorite places to visit when I'm in Albuquerque - go say hi to "Moe" the mojave rattler C. scutulatus. He's the one with the little brass tag on his cage saying that I send money every year to support him. Bob tells me he's growing like crazy this year.
Rio Grande Zoological Park
903 10th Street SW, Albq, NM 87102
Tel 505-764-6200
***Three stars
Home to more than 1,100 wild animals from throughout the world; spacious naturalistic exhibits, lush landscaping and a wonderful bandshell for evening concerts. Adults $4.25, children $2.25, seniors $2.25. Open year round. The reptile house is extensive, and they post their feeding times so it's possible to catch the spectacle, or avoid it, depending on your proclivities. Notable in this collection are the Aruba Island rattlesnakes, which the zoo has had good luck breeding. On my last visit in October '94, they were mating.
Balboa Park
San Diego, Ca.
(619)234-3153
***Three Stars
Laurence Klauber was the consulting curator of reptiles at the San Diego Zoo for many
years, and their collection gained an enormous reputation.
ParisAnne and I visited the zoo in April of 1996 (for pictures, click on the link above).
I, of course, made a beeline to the Klauber - Shaw reptile house.
I had mixed reactions. On the one hand, the animals were in excellent condition (the San Diego
Zoo generally excels in care and health maintenance of the animals). Some of the
rattlesnakes there are in excess of 20 years old, and appear to be in robust health. The
color of all the specimens was excellent (the emerald boas and the green mamba, for example,
were both brightly colored, whereas in other zoos, I have seen both species lose their
green coloration, probably because of a diet that differs from their wild diet).
On the other hand, labeling of the enclosures was poor, and what was there was
confusing. One cage had several different species of rattlesnakes together, with a
sign saying simply "rattlesnakes." Other areas had interesting information about venom
and injection systems, but with nothing linking the information to the snakes in the
exhibit. A pair of xanthic (yellow color morph) individuals of C. durissus terrificus
were nicely displayed, but with no explanation of their color, probably leading viewers
to believe that this is their normal coloration in the wild.
Southwest Live Rattlesnake Exhibit
Goldfield Ghost Town, Apache Junction, AZ
No rating
Per the Desert Serpents Reptiles homepage, this is an exhibit that currently contains many specimens of native Southwestern rattlesnakes. The curator is Tom Marcelino, president of the Venomous Snake Society, who plans to expand the exhibit to include South American rattlesnakes, as well as other North American varieties. I haven't been there, but according to my sources, Tom is struggling with a shoestring budget and a tiny building, and will likely be limited to native Arizona species for the foreseeable future.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Tucson, Az.
**Two stars
Several specimens displayed without much panache.
The desert ecosystem is well represented, but I didn't find the exhibits worth what
I recall as being a rather steep admission price.
Thanks to Bill Savary for correcting me about the name of the museum, and his
discussion of the museum, which can be found on the "Ask Nick" page
