Reptilia's Star Attractions:
Nile Crocodile
Induna is an animal you will definitely want to see. The name Induna is a Zulu word used to show respect to a tribal leader. We will surely trust Induna to keep everything and everyone in line when we are absent from the zoo.
Aside from being our right hand, Induna is the largest of his kind on display in Canada. He is 14 feet long and he weighs 1,100lbs. His species is also the deadliest of his kind in the world because they kill and consume more human prey than any other species on earth.
Induna is a Nile crocodile. He and his companion Nandi arrived on a flight from Johannesburg, South Africa via Amsterdam on December 9th, 2006. Peter Watson, the owner and operator of Crocodile Creek crocodile farm near Durban South Africa, delivered both animals safe and sound. They are now getting accustomed to their new surroundings.
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Gaboon Viper
The snake in the photo to the right is a gaboon viper. This species is a heavy bodied, ground dwelling snake with remarkably intricate patterns that make it almost invisible when resting in leaf litter. Gaboon vipers are one of the reptile world's extreme animals. They have the longest fangs of any venomous snake! Fang lengths of up to 5 cm (2 inches) have been reported. These long, lethal fangs, are actually folded inside the snake's mouth when not in use. During a strike, the fangs spring to action from their resting position. Despite these large and potentially lethal weapons gaboon vipers are not out to kill anything other than their prey. Like all venomous snakes, the purpose of their large teeth 
and venom is for feeding rather than defense.
Each fang is like a hypodermic needle attached to the venom ducts. When the snake bites its prey, muscles squeeze the venom glands in the snake's cheeks delivering a lethal dose of venom out the tiny hole in the end of the fang.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Reptilia has acquired three eastern diamondback rattlesnakes ranging in length from 3 feet to 4 1/2 feet. All three animals will be displayed at the new zoo in an exhibit near our large alligator enclosure. The snake in the photo to the left is one of two females.
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are one of the largest species of rattlesnake. These large ambush predators typically lie in wait for their prey. Capture of prey is assisted by a unique sense found only in pit vipers, boas, and pythons. If you look at the face of a rattlesnake you will clearly see a large "pit" between the eye and nostril. Hence, the name pit viper. The pit is sensitive to heat and assists rattlesnakes by guiding their strike toward their warm prey.
King Cobra
Our king cobra has been measured at 4.3m long making him the largest venomous snake anywhere in Canada on display. He is currently on display near our Junior Keeper Zoo. He is relatively docile and enjoys a hearty breakfast every saturday at 11:45am.
The king cobra is the largest species of venomous snake on the planet. This species ranges from India through Southeast Asia to Southern China. They have some of