Reptile House Melbourne Zoo Reptiles Snakes Lizards

Reptile House Melbourne Zoo Parkville

Everyone loves to see snakes behind glass cases. There is something sinister about snakes, yet these much maligned creatures are vital to every healthy environment. Look closely and you will see beauty, and here's where the Reptile House at Melbourne Zoo can help you look closely without being in danger in any way.

The Reptile House is a circular roofed exhibit where many reptilian creatures are displayed behind large glass windows. Allowing the visitors to be close to the reptile, the exhibits show each animal's intricate designs and lovely skin patterns. While most are not at all dangerous, there are some deadly snakes on display, which are the only way to meet these fearful creatures.

Meet the Eyelash Viper, native to South America.

The Eyelash Viper gets it's name from the horn like scales that stick up above each eye. Considered dangerous but not deadly, the Eyelash Viper is a beautifully colored snake that lives in the tropical rainforest of South America. Eyelash Vipers can grow to 80 centimeters in length, (2 1/2 feet long), and eat frogs, lizards and small birds. Amazingly beautiful to see, the Reptile House exhibits this wonderful creature excellently so you can easily view this wonderful snake.

Another colorful creature of the Melbourne Zoo Reptile House is the Fijian Crested Iguana.

Image of Fijian Crested iguana. Regarded as an endangered species, the Fijian Crested Iguana is found only on a few of the Fijian Islands. Currently there are only about 4000 to 5000 and an Iguana Sanctuary has been established on Yaduataba Island, a small, uninhabited volcanic island located in the north west of the Fiji Islands. Introduced feral animals, such as goats and rats, not only prey on the Fijian Crested Iguana, they also compete for their food, making these animals highly endangered. Yaduataba Island has been cleared of all feral animals so these native animals can thrive in their natural habitat.

The Fijian Crested Iguana eats mostly leaves, fruit and flowers. They seem to particularly enjoy Hibiscus flowers but do eat small insects from time to time. Beautifully coloured, the display case exhibits these wonderful reptiles as you would see them in the wild forests of the Fijian Islands.

Philippine Sail-Finned Water Dragon

Image of Phillipine Sail-Finned Water Dragon Just next to the fresh water crocodiles is the very cute and cheeky Philippine Sail-Finned Water Dragon. A member of the Komodo Dragon family, Philippine Sail-Finned Water Dragon are found in the Philippines, New Guinea and Northern Australia.

Philippine Sail-Finned Water Dragon can grow to 90 cm or 3 feet long. They can be tamed very easily when handled by humans, making them great pets. Their normal diet consists of fish, frogs, fruits, vegetables and insects. Living along river banks, when frighten they can actually run across the water, using their great speed and large feet. Another unusual feature of the Philippine Sail-Finned Water Dragon is that they have a third eye on top of their head.

This page has displayed just a few of the fabulous reptiles that are housed within the Reptile House. Just outside the house there is a refreshments booth, with hot and cold food and drinks. The Reptile House is a great place to shelter if it starts to rain and the variety of creatures on display is equal to the best anywhere in the world.

Make the Reptile House of Melbourne Zoo a must see exhibit when visiting the oldest zoo in Australia. Come meet Frilled Neck Lizards, Freshwater Crocodiles, Rattle Snakes, deadly Taipan snakes, Iguanas, turtles and tortoises. You can even book a Behind the Scenes encounter with keepers for an additional fee. (Available Wednesdays only.)

Image of Freshwater Crocodiles, Melbourne Zoo.