The Reptile Discovery Center image

The Reptile Discovery Center

Tourist attraction Research institute Exhibit

One of the Top rateds in Volusia County


Address

2710 Big John Dr, DeLand, FL 32724

Website

www.reptilediscoverycenter.com

Contact

(386) 740-9143

Rating on Google Maps

4.90 (154 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 10 AM to 1 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: snakes (25) venom (24) extraction (17) venomous (12) great (11) show (8) trail (7) time (7) cool (7) reptiles (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Elizabeth H. 9 months ago on Google • 13 reviews
    This place is AMAZING! They offer an interactive experience with snakes (if you want) and the venom extraction is so interesting! Great explanation of each venomous snake, the process, and the different uses of the venom. The discovery trail is well kept and has a lot to see up close. A wonderful time for kids and adults.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael R. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is so great. Now I'm not gonna lie, but it it's a small place. However the collection they have is extremely impressive. All of their snakes are amazing and are well taken care of. We saw snakes that I have only seen on tv but ones that I have always wanted to see. The main attraction is the venom extraction. We saw them work with a coral snake, copperhead, cotton mouth and a cobra today. I cannot tell you how impressed I was watching them work with those creatures. Before the show they had some snakes for everyone to hold and touch which was a great experience for my boys. There is a nature trail here that we unfortunately did not get to today, but will in the future. Besides snakes, they have turtles, geckos, lizards and alligators. Do yourself a favor and check this place out. Also a special thank you to both Carl and Mara (sorry if I butchered your name!), for taking the time to answer all of my kids questions. It really meant a lot to him and to us!! It was great talking to you!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Torsten D. 1 month ago on Google • 119 reviews New
    They have some enclosures outside, mostly tortoises and 2 gators. Inside are a variety of venomous snakes on display. It is attached to a venom extracting facility and offers an educational show in regards to that.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nefritara 2 years ago on Google
    Really cool place to visit if you love reptiles. There's lots of snakes and has a nice outdoor trail with reptiles to look at around the walk. Place is clean and I was very impressed to see how healthy every single animal was!! That's awesome to see and I really appreciate the care they put in this place. The place isn't big, but you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend! 8 Stars
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danielle F. 1 year ago on Google
    This place was amazing. We went with a homeschool class and got a discount. This place is clean and has room out back for events with large classes. The venom extraction show was so informative and great for learning. It was definitely entertaining! We would come back to see all the animals and show. The employees were so nice and helpful as well.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J S. 1 month ago on Google • 42 reviews New
    We didn’t make it in time to see the venom extraction but this pace was great regardless. A lot of variety of snakes that zoos don’t have. Their little trail area was great too. The people here are very nice as well
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jay N. 2 years ago on Google
    We had a ton of fun here today! I really love how interactive the extraction portion is. We got to handle a couple of the snakes. The discovery walk was really neat too! I enjoyed it a lot!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Zaza S. 11 months ago on Google
    This place was great! I learned so much about snakes and anti-venom! They took the time to answer a bunch of questions for us! The owners are obviously very knowledgeable about snakes. They rescue turtles here too! We had so much fun! 🤩✨ Would definitely recommend! Thank you so much! ❤️
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pat S. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is amazing. Being able to watch live extractions and learn about how science and medicine are using it is wonderful. The staff are all very kind and seem very happy to share information and answer questions.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maria E. 1 year ago on Google • 18 reviews
    I saw this place on a YouTube video and decided to tour with my mom. We had a great time! What a wonderful place! Very educational and the set up was amazing! It's a serpentarium with an outside area to observe turtles and alligators as well. They have designated times when they extract venom. We observed at 11:30am on a Saturday; it wasn't crowded and we got a good seat to watch Carl Barden extract venom from roughly 6 or 7 snakes. They also brought out a corn snake and a boa that we were able to hold or touch, depending on comfortability. After the venom extraction, Carl comes out to answer questions and meet the observers. He and his wife are super nice and are providing an important service.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kristen N. 11 months ago on Google • 17 reviews
    So cool! They do important work! Watching them milk venomous snakes to send to a lab for anti venom was the coolest, most informative , exhilarating display I’ve seen in any kind of zoo/museum/discovery Center. 10 out of 10, definitely recommend!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joshua S. 1 month ago on Google • 7 reviews New
    Amazing! Carl, Mara, & Max were extremely knowledgeable/informative & very personable with each visitor attending. I am very impressed with this facility, & it’s clear this team has a strong, devoted passion for what they contribute, & how they go about doing so. Before & after their venom extraction showing, there are multiple venomous species of reptiles ranging from vipers, elapids, colubrids, & even helodermatidae to safely observe. I was finally able to observe a personal favorite, the Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus) at their facility. They also offer nonvenomous species to observe, such as the impressive yellowtail cribo, & many tortoises! I will return in hopes of seeing their taipan next time, & I will continue to send my tours their way to help further educate individuals about snakes, the vital role they play in our ecosystem, & how their venom is used in modern day medicine. Thank you!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Leavy P. 1 year ago on Google
    Place was cool a f. They have live shows. Walked around the Forrest and saw some dinosaurs. They have all kinds of poisoning going on over here and some big fellas too. I'd watch my step and be careful around here for sure.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shim C. 2 years ago on Google
    The amount of venom the Dr extracts from the snakes is mindblowing. Never seen anything like this ever. Kids of all ages will love this place but try real hard to make it for the venom shows. Also don't forget the nature trail in the back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 carlos m. 1 year ago on Google
    Very very nice staff, awesome exhibits, and the venom extraction was great!! First place I've ever seen a Gaboon Viper, Black Mamba, Green Mamba, Boomslang, and Taipan all within a few feet! Great!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daniel N. 1 year ago on Google
    Took the family out here today, and was blown away by how cool it is. They have many venomous snakes from around the world on full display. The main attraction is the venomous snake milking show. They do it twice a day, and should be the main plan for your visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karan H. 1 year ago on Google
    My Two year old loved it. Short trail with turtles and alligators. Indoor exhibits with alot of venomous Snake from around the world and a Venom extraction show is worth the stay.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Devon von L. 2 years ago on Google
    Must visit!! This place is kind of a hole in the wall, but it's absolutely amazing. The collection of reptiles they have is fascinating and the venom extraction show is the icing on the cake. Make sure to check the hours for the venom extraction and go then!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 HH H. 2 years ago on Google
    This was so worth it. Surprisingly very well stocked with a wide variety of herps and venomous snakes. This experience was entertaining, eye-opening, and interactive. I really can’t stop thinking about how cool it was!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amadio T. 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome place to see upclose venomous reptiles, more than you can imagine. They are in beautiful exhibits with very detailed information, very visible the discovery Walk is loaded with plenty of animals and marked with signage as to what is inside The owner is very accessible and friendly. Check the web site for the milking of the venomous snakes it's worth the trip
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dan L. 1 month ago on Google • 21 reviews New
    I brought my 10- and 7-year old sons - they loved getting to hold the snakes and watch the venom extraction process. Carl and Mara (who ran the exhibit) are as knowledgeable as I could imagine. Such a great experience, with incredible information about snakes and wildlife. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about reptiles and even those who would like to be less fearful of snakes.

  • 5/5 cordy b. 1 month ago on Google • 12 reviews New
    Very fun for the family. Awesome staff that's very knowledgeable! Dont miss the venom extraction!!

  • 5/5 robert s. 2 months ago on Google • 8 reviews New
    Very informative and the staff is very knowledgeable. Watching the venom milking was cool to watch

  • 5/5 Nichole C. 1 month ago on Google • 5 reviews New
    Super cool! So many venomous snakes! The venom extraction show was so neat! Really worth it to stay and see it. Recommend not missing.

  • 5/5 Yolanda S. 1 month ago on Google • 1 review New
    This is a great place. Clearly they care about their animals. The displays of live animals were interesting. We got to handle a couple of lovely snakes. But the best part is the venom extraction demonstration. Fascinating and unusual and a bit horrifying -- the snakes not necessarily delighted by the process. Questions afterwards clearly and respectfully answered. Recommend to everyone.

  • 5/5 Susan C. 1 month ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    We had an excellent time. Many different snakes to see. The outdoor exhibits were well maintained and the tortoises were a joy. The venom extraction was fantastic and the staff very informative.

  • 5/5 Veronica V. 1 month ago on Google • 1 review New
    Great afternoon at the Reptile Discovery Centre. Lots of signs to let you know which of the many venomous snake you're looking at. Fun nature trail to see animals outside. Go when you can watch the fascinating venom extraction presentation. Staff went out of their way to be helpful.


Call (386) 740-9143 Open on Google Maps

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Tourist attractions nearby

Blue Spring State Park image
1
Blue Spring State Park
State park
Park featuring a cool-water spring on the St. Johns River that's popular for swimming & kayaking.
4.80 (14.8K reviews)
De León Springs State Park image
2
De León Springs State Park
State park
Once home to the native Mayaca, later a winter resort, and now a state park for swimming & canoeing.
4.70 (5K reviews)
Canaveral National Seashore image
3
Canaveral National Seashore
Nature preserve
Picturesque, secluded park by the ocean with swimming, fishing, wildlife-watching & other features.
4.80 (3.4K reviews)
Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park image
4
Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park
Park
A 6-acre beach park bordered by river & ocean with a boardwalk, sports courts, playground & fishing.
4.60 (1.9K reviews)
Bulow Creek State Park image
5
Bulow Creek State Park
State park
Serene, almost 5,600-acre park with ancient oaks, submerged areas, historic ruins & trails.
4.60 (1.4K reviews)
Last updated:
()