A new and improved Reptile House at the Toledo Zoo will reopen to the public on Friday, May 22, following a major restoration and expansion effort that left the building closed for over a year.
The renovation, which began Jan. 1, 2025, included major infrastructure upgrades such as a new roof, updated plumbing and electrical systems, a new atrium to serve as an event space, and other updates to help modernize the historic building. It also included a significant expansion of the animal exhibits inside the Reptile House that provide the animals with more space and improves sightlines for guests.
The Reptile House was first constructed in the 1930s out of locally salvaged brick, timber from the Wabash Railroad Roundhouse and stone from Ohio and Erie Canal locks and piers, and is considered one of the zoo’s most iconic structures.
“The Reptile House has long been a cornerstone of the Toledo Zoo experience,” said Shayla Moriarty, chief operating officer and executive vice president at the Toledo Zoo, in a statement. “This transformation honors the history and legacy of this iconic space while introducing dynamic new experiences that bring guests closer than ever to some of the world’s most fascinating reptiles and amphibians.”
Visitors to the new Reptile House will also notice new species on exhibit, including crocodile monitors and perenti monitors, as well as a larger habitat and training area for the zoo’s saltwater crocodile, Baru.
The Toledo Zoo will mark the grand reopening with special events and activities throughout the day including giveaways, live entertainment, animal demonstrations, crafts and more.
For more information about the renovation and grand reopening, visit toledozoo.org/exhibits/reptile-house.