Serpent Safari, Reptile zoo at Gurnee Mills Mall in Illinois, United States
Serpent Safari was a reptile zoo located within Gurnee Mills Mall in Illinois that featured snakes and other reptilian species. The facility housed rare specimens and allowed visitors to interact with the animals under professional guidance.
The zoo opened in 1998 as the first reptile facility of its kind established within a shopping mall in the United States. This marked a turning point in how reptiles were made accessible to the public.
The facility contributed to reptile education through guided tours, television appearances on PBS, Discovery Channel, and educational programs for school groups.
The location is situated inside a shopping mall, which makes it convenient to combine the visit with other activities. Visitors should be aware that the space is typically climate-controlled indoors with limited outdoor areas.
The collection included an albino alligator and an alligator snapping turtle estimated to be around 150 years old. These animals were particularly rare and attracted many visitors who wanted to see such extraordinary specimens.
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