Changes to Prehistoric Pets in Fountain Valley

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This link pretty much explains it The Reptile Zoo - Coming Soon

Prehistoric Pets is transforming itself into a full fledged reptile zoo. This is what many consider a "local landmark". It's in Fountain Valley CA, off the 405 at Brookhurst. Since 2000 it's pretty much been a zoo, but it's always been free and relying on donations. Starting July 10th it will be $4.00 for kids 4-10 and $6.00 for adults... they'll also have an AP; $20 for kids and $24.00 for adults. They didn't want to charge, but given the economy they needed the money to maintain the reptiles and the store. The cool thing is that the ticket purchase can be applied to things in the store like feeding the turtles or taking a picture with an exotic reptile. Also the owner decided that since they will be charging he wanted to expand the exhibits. They built a new exhibit for their 300lb pythons. They're curently working on another exhibit for an alligator (which requires a special permit) and a photo location.

A friend emailed me about it a while back and yesterday I went down to look around. I've been to a few birthday parties that used their Jurrasic Party service (they come to your house with cool reptiles). I'd also seen their displays at the OC Fair. My son even had a presentation at his school. However I hadn't been to the actual store in a couple years (since my daughter's 3rd BDay). I spoke briefly with the owner. In the time I was gone they've upgraded a lot of the exhibits with custom rock work. They are continuing to upgrade everything. The tarantulas and scorpions now have their own display instead of a countertop display. There are a few reptiles in temporary exhibits, but they hope to have everything completed soon. As I said they are now adding additional exhibits and reworking older ones. They also want to do daily shows. They will still host birthday parties, and it will still be a pet store. The "admission charge" will only apply if you wish to venture past the counter (so you can still walk in and pay $3.00 to feed the turtles in the pond.) Again, that admission can then be applied to things in the store. I wish them the absolute best, the owner is a great guy. He really didn't want to charge but needed th funds to keep the zoo going. Since he's charging he wants to add a lot more. He's a kid at heart who always loved the reptile house. His philosophy is something I have always agreed with; educate kids so they can enjoy reptiles instead of being afraid of them. As I said, so much more then your average pet store. My family will likely be going there a lot. For any kid that loves a zoo reptile house... or any adult who turns into a kid when they're in a reptile house... this place is definately for you.

I encourage all of you to go out and see the store as they continue to add additional exhibits. The completion date is set for July 10th, at which point they will begin charging admission.

[pixie chick]

My son loves going there & we try to take him a couple of times a year. I don't think we'd buy the AP, but if you can apply admission to the turtle feeding, I think that's totally worth it.

So, will they still make you leave the reptile area where they do the birthday party show if you've paid admission?

[Rio_san7]

Originally Posted by techskip

This link pretty much explains it The Reptile Zoo - Coming Soon

I encourage all of you to go out and see the store as they continue to add additional exhibits. The completion date is set for July 10th, at which point they will begin charging admission.

Definitely we should take advantage of this.

Thanks for the detailed information.

[techskip]

Originally Posted by pixie chick

So, will they still make you leave the reptile area where they do the birthday party show if you've paid admission?

From what was described they will have general presentations (not sure on more then one show or times). They weren't sure how they were going to do the birthday party shows (a selling point of the birthday party package). The birthday party shows may become private shows in the birthday room, wasn't sure at the time. My wife and I were asking the same thing because our daughter (turning 4) wants her party there.

Something else to note; due to the construction of the photo location and the alligator exhibit the presentation area has been reduced. The entire store is currently under various states of construction and they are trying to figure out what they would like to go where. The python exhibit is where they used to have gift shop stuff. The gift shop has moved to a new location along with tarantulas and scorpions. It is still a pet store, but it will also be a zoo. So you can look at the various reptiles, and if you like one you might be able to buy it. They are putting a lot of work into this, which is why I decided to post something about it. The owner had the best of intentions in mind, and really did not want to charge for this but the donations weren't covering it. Currently they have a flyer with the same information posted on the website I linked. At the bottom of the flyer is a coupon for $2 off your first admission.

For me this store is a special experience. The LA Zoo had a horrible reptile house (I believe they are building a new one now but am not sure). Santa Ana Zoo only has a couple snakes and an iguana. San Diego has extremely nice facilities but it's a drive to get there. Prehistoric Pets will not carry venomous snakes... (technically scorpions and tarantulas are venomous but they won't carry the seriously dangerous ones) so if you are looking for a cobra you will be disappointed. But if you like huge pythons, monitor lizards, giant tortoises, and rare and tropical reptiles then this place rocks.

[techskip]

For anyone wondering the Myspace site has construction photos. of the Alligator exhibit.

[DisneyIPresume]

I saw their Orange County Fair exhibit last year with DIP Jr. I've been meaning to take him there ever since. Maybe I'll do this soon. Looks like he'd have fun!

[seenoevil]

Nice info! I totally zoned out and thought I was reading something on my reptile forum. Oh, wait. I'm on MiceChat! lol

[techskip]

Tinkmomma and I took the kids to Prehistoric Pets on Sunday, and snapped a few pictures. I also talked to the employees and I am happy to report that they are going to have a booth again this year at the OC Fair. The Owner has a very strong belief in the value of education, and he felt the booth last year did a lot of good. Anyhow here are a couple pics...


When you first walk in there is a giant pond full of turtles, large fish, and catfish. For a little over $3 they give you some large pinchers and a tray full of worms to feed them. I ended up getting 2 dishes, then combining them into one so I could hold it while they fed the turtles. At first it was a challenge to teach the kids how to pick up the worms using the pinchers. Obviously they had a blast.














A lot of the turtles like to relax on the island in the center of the pond. Sometimes the Chinese Water Monitor is on there as well. He wasn't out today. If the turtles are hungry then they will take a swim and come right up to you on the side. If they aren't hungry, or aren't fast enough, the fish get a meal! We fed some turtles, and a lot of fish! I was worried how the kids would feel about feeding live worms to turtles... but everything worked out great!

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Turtles and Fish fed it was time to explore the store. On your left as you enter is an enclosure for medium size tortoises. We really didn't have a "plan" so right after the kids fed the pond critters they went over pointing at tortoises.




If you ask nicely sometimes they will let you feed the tortoises as well. At the time they had already been fed and were settling in for an afternoon nap. Right behind the tortoises is a wall of reptiles so we simply turned around.

Baby seems to love the snakes! I'm not sure if it is the movement or what but she loves to watch them glide across the glass. Baby also loves to point... Tinkmomma tried to get a picture but she was so fast!


This is our oldest in front of the baby bearded dragons. He wants one so bad but they're too expensive (and we feel he's too young). When he's older we'll talk about it.


As I said it is an entire wall of exhibits. The kids would be on their tip-toes one moment and on their knees the next. Tink and I just stood back and enjoyed the curiosity of the kids.


This is my son in front of the new 300lb python exhibit. Both snakes were relaxing in the water at the time. These snakes are huge!

At this point my daughter started getting tired, so I split off from the group and took her to calm her down. We decided to see the tarantulas.




She then went up to the counter and proudly pointed out the skink! She was so proud that she knew what it was.


You'll notice I "blanked" the labels. The labels on the tanks describe what is in there, and the price. The prices may change, so I didn't want to post that! Here is a shot of the rock work on one of the exhibit walls

[techskip]

One of the most interesting things about this store is that you never know what might be out of its cage (supervised of course). This is one of the larger iguanas relaxing on the wood pile.


As I said we didn't have a "plan" so the kids then went to the other side of the pond to look at the large tortoises


Finally it was time to head in back to see the larger monitors and some of the snakes. Tinkmomma had already taken the other 3 back there... but they decided to go again.

My son LOVES large lizards. I didn't get the exact name but these are both monitors.


Baby was on the corner of the same exhibit pointing out both her brother and the monitor.


This is one of the older exhibits (wood/glass/mesh). The monitor decided to "put on a show". The baby kept giggling and jumping watching the monitor climb up!


Kids in front of another lizard/snake exhibit.

[techskip]

I didn't get any more pictures of it, but we went back to the pond and the kids convinced me to buy some more food (single serving this time). It's amazing how quickly they go through it if it is just a single serving. While they were talking I asked about a picture with a snake.


Usually they will take a picture with there camera, and add a boarder etc. (not sure how much). Unfortunately there camera wasn't working so for $6 I got a picture of 3 very excited kids and 1 big snake. I actually took 2, this was the best one.

All said and done we were about to leave when my daughter reminded me I hadn't taken her to see the tarantulas. I'd taken the younger one, but not the older two.



So for about $20 we spent a couple hours in Prehistoric Pets and made a lot of memories. Tinkmomma and I are planning on getting passes when it converts to a zoo. It's strange to say that we went to a "pet store" for a family outing... but this isn't your average pet store! I did get a couple photos of the construction but they didn't come out too good. The myspace page from the link has better construction photos.

My wife and I both want to say thank you to the employees of Prehistoric Pets. We had a lot of fun, and the kids had an absolute blast. The kids are already asking when we are going to go again.

[techskip]

Since the "big changeover" is tomorrow I decided to take the kids after work today. What I didn't expect was for my Mom and my cousin to meet me at work. My cousin is visiting from Colorado, loves reptiles, and has never been to the place so off we went. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera.

The photo booth is nearly done. It has a large bench as well as various places to sit... the background is a very large rock wall... and it will definately make some nice souvenirs.

The gator and snapping turtle exhibit is also coming along, a bit slower, but looking nice. After talking to everyone there they hope to have the gator in place within the next couple months... it won't be at opening like they had initially hoped. The rockwork facade for most of the exhibits is done. They also modified the larger of the two party rooms, splitting it in half. From the layout it appears this will be the new presentation area.

For those familiar with the store they have walled off the far right back "corner" that led into the large reptile exhibits in the back. This is directly after Disel's exhibit... so you can still see him and some of the other big guys... Dino's pond and the large tortoises would also be within view without a need to pay. The gate should be installed tomorrow, and they are supposedly having some opening day things going on... Unfortunately I have to work otherwise I would take the kids down and see whats going on.

All in all it is shaping up to be a change for the better. Tinkmomma and I hope to get passes. Our daughter really wants her 4th BDay to be there.

[pixie chick]

Oooh! We might have to go down there this weekend. I can't wait to see all the changes they've made! We used to go there a lot more often when we lived in OC and Pixie Kid still asks to go there whenever we're in the area.