Reptilian Rapid City

There are about a dozen tourist traps along HWY 16 between Mt Rushmore and Rapid City. They ranges from Old McDonald's Petting Farm (featuring Scottish Highland if you can believe that) to mazes, Bear Country and other oddities. The only one we really set our sights on was Reptile Gardens.

This was actually even better than anticipated. Run by a family for several decades, the Gardens feature a wide variety of reptiles. We started with a thrilling snake show performed by a young man named Tyler, who posessed both the patience and sheer courage to handle snakes and the good grace to handle a group of short-attention-spanned children. It was really cool although creepy. At the conclusion of the show we made our way to the front, where those who were willing could "pet" the python.




Second up was the Crocodil/Alligator show. This set-up impressed all of us. We arrived to the arena, which seemed to hold about 50 or so alligators, many of whom the boys thought were statutes (they were not but they move slow and sit still). Tyler wrestled and wrangles crocodiles, gators and caymen, all to the joyous cheers of the crowd. The boys loved this show and we were all impressed.




We then toured the giant dome building, which featured an interior rain forest. We encountered bearded dragons who were apparently horny in more than one way (one particularly frisky male catupulted himself to his lady love, who happend to be at my feet), geckos, parrots and to Colby's delight, turtles.

The gardens also included giant tortoises for petting and loving, a beautiful garden, and panning for gemstones. For 2 little boys this was the best place to visit.