It has been a year since the The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians at ZSL London Zoo opened, replacing the older and more dated Reptile House that was closer to the zoo’s entrance. As someone that visits London Zoo on a regular basis, I thought I would provide my thoughts on the new development and what it means for visitors, conservationists and the animals themselves. The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians showcases 33 species, including endangered and unique species like the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus), Ethiopian mountain adder (Bitis parviocula), and Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis). I’m not going to focus on all of the species, but just some of the highlights as I do not want to spoil everything for you. We should probably also talk about the Old Reptile House briefly and how it fits into this new development.

The old Reptile House at London Zoo is in my opinion one of the most iconic and historically rich buildings in the zoo. The building itself was designed by Dr Joan Beauchamp Procter, Curator of Reptiles, with the architect Sir Edward Guy Dawber. It was officially opened in 1927, replacing two earlier reptile facilities on the site of the old Ape House. The structure quickly became a centrepiece of the zoo, both for its unique design and its important role in herpetological research and display. Architecturally, the building was notable for its neoclassical style, with an imposing façade featuring columns and decorative stonework. Inside, it was designed with glass-fronted enclosures and a radiant heating system to maintain suitable temperatures for tropical species – an innovative concept at the time. Even if you have never been, you may be able to picture it thanks to this scene from 2001 film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, where Harry discovers that he can talk to snakes.

When it opened, the Reptile House was considered state-of-the-art. It housed an impressive and diverse collection of reptiles and amphibians, from snakes and lizards to turtles and crocodilians. The facility also served an educational purpose, helping to shift public perception of reptiles from fearsome curiosities to fascinating creatures worthy of study and conservation. Over the decades, the Reptile House became home to many significant specimens, and ZSL played a major role in scientific research and breeding programs, including efforts to conserve endangered reptile species. It helped solidify the zoo’s reputation as a leading institution for zoological innovation. I can remember that my first visit to London Zoo in the late 90s was specifically to see the Reptile House, given my fascination of herpetofauna since a young child. You can read more about the history of this building here.

Now that the history lesson is over, let’s get back to what we came here for! The mountain chicken (Leptodactylus fallax), despite its misleading name, is actually a large, critically endangered species of frog native to the Caribbean islands of Dominica and Montserrat. Once a common delicacy (hence the name) it has suffered catastrophic population declines due to a combination of overhunting and the devastating spread of chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease that has decimated amphibian populations worldwide. One of the largest frogs in the world, the mountain chicken can reach up to 20 cm in length and is a voracious predator, feeding on insects, small vertebrates, and even other frogs. As visitors enter the Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians, you are welcomed to an exhibit where can observe this rare amphibian up close, while learning about the urgent conservation efforts in place to save it from extinction, including captive breeding programs and habitat restoration initiatives. The frogs on display are only the second time I have seen them, with the first being at Rotterdam Zoo in 2014.

The Mangshan viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis) is a rare and visually striking snake native to the misty, forested mountains of southern China’s Hunan and Guangdong provinces. With its mossy green, black, and cream colouration, it is a master of camouflage, blending seamlessly into the leaf litter and forest floor. This large, heavy-bodied viper can grow up to 2 metres in length and is known for its ambush hunting tactics, lying motionless for hours as it waits for unsuspecting prey. Uniquely among vipers, it is thought to use its white-tipped tail as a lure, mimicking the movements of a grub to attract curious animals. The Mangshan viper is classified as endangered, facing threats from illegal collection for the exotic pet trade and habitat loss. This elusive and rarely-seen snake is housed in a carefully controlled forest habitat that mirrors its native environment, offering visitors an up-close look at one of the most enigmatic and impressive vipers in the world. This is probably the species I was most excited to see for the first time, and thankfully despite their excellent camouflage, the snakes have cooperated on most of my visits.

The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is perhaps the largest amphibian in the world, capable of growing up to 1.8 metres in length. Native to the cool, fast-flowing rivers and streams of central and southern China, this elusive, fully aquatic species breathes primarily through its loose, wrinkled skin and relies on a keen sense of touch and vibration to hunt at night. Sadly, it is now critically endangered, having suffered catastrophic declines from habitat destruction, pollution, and especially poaching for the luxury food and traditional medicine markets. Many wild populations have vanished, and the species now survives mostly in captivity or isolated pockets. The team at ZSL London Zoo have been working with this species for some time now, and the communities in China trying to help conserve this impressive amphibian.

The Turquoise dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi) is a dazzlingly vibrant species endemic to a tiny region of Tanzania’s Kimboza Forest. Males are especially striking, displaying an iridescent blue coloration with a bright orange belly, while females and juveniles are typically green or bronze. Measuring only about 8 centimetres in length, this arboreal gecko lives exclusively on the smooth bark of Pandanus screw palms, relying on this specific microhabitat for shelter, breeding, and foraging. Tragically, its brilliant appearance has made it a target for the illegal pet trade, and its limited range is under severe threat from deforestation and habitat degradation listed as critically endangered. As well as being housed within the exhibit, there is also a huge model of this species at the entrance to welcome you into Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians.

The Lake Titicaca water frog (Telmatobius culeus) is a unique and endangered amphibian found only in Lake Titicaca, a high-altitude freshwater lake straddling the border between Bolivia and Peru. Lake Titicaca is known for being the world’s highest elevation lake, at 3812 metres above sea level. Nicknamed the “scrotum frog” due to its heavily wrinkled, loose skin, this adaptation allows it to absorb oxygen efficiently in the lake’s oxygen-poor waters, often enabling it to live almost entirely submerged. Once abundant, their numbers have plummeted due to pollution, habitat degradation, and overharvesting for traditional medicines. The Zoo’s exhibit provides a rare opportunity to see this remarkable species up close, housed in an aquatic enclosure designed to replicate the cold, high-altitude environment of Lake Titicaca. Their presence in the zoo is part of a broader effort to raise awareness and support conservation initiatives aimed at saving this bizarre and beautiful amphibian from extinction. They have become more widespread in collections in recent years, although I first saw them at Zoo Knoxville in 2022.

The Chinese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) is a semi-aquatic, slow-moving lizard native to the cool, humid forests of southern China and northern Vietnam. Named for its crocodile-like appearance, it has a long, muscular tail and rugged, keeled scales running along its back, giving it a prehistoric look. This elusive reptile spends much of its time basking quietly on branches overhanging streams, diving into the water when disturbed. Unlike many reptiles, it is known for its relatively docile behaviour and even shows signs of parental care, a rarity among lizards. The species is currently listed as endangered, threatened by habitat destruction, deforestation, and illegal collection for the pet trade. The Chinese crocodile lizard is showcased in a lush, forested enclosure with flowing water, simulating its natural environment and emphasising the importance of conserving one of East Asia’s most unique and endangered reptiles – even if they do spend most of the time lounging around.

The Lake Oku clawed frog (Xenopus longipes) is a small, aquatic amphibian found exclusively in Lake Oku, a volcanic crater lake nestled high in the mountains of northwestern Cameroon. As a member of the Xenopus genus, it is fully aquatic, spending its entire life in the lake’s cool, oxygen-rich waters. Measuring just a few centimetres long, it is characterised by its flattened body, lack of tongue and eyelids, and the three distinctive claws on each hind foot used for tearing apart prey. This species is critically endangered, threatened by its extremely limited range and the potential introduction of non-native species or disease, such as chytrid fungus. ZSL London Zoo were the first to breed this species in captivity and their presence offers visitors a rare glimpse into the life of this delicate and little-known species while supporting global amphibian conservation and research.

The big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is a remarkable and unusual species native to the fast-flowing streams and rivers of Southeast Asia, particularly in China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. As its name suggests, the big-headed turtle has an exceptionally large head in proportion to its body, with a strong, hooked beak designed for catching prey such as crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish. Its large head, however, cannot retract fully into its shell, unlike many other turtles, making it a distinctive and vulnerable species. This semi-aquatic turtle is known for its strong swimming abilities and preference for rocky, fast-moving waters. Classified as critically endangered, the big-headed turtle faces numerous threats from habitat destruction, illegal collection for the pet trade, and overexploitation for traditional medicine. ZSL London Zoo has been successful in breeding this species, so hopefully the outlook for these turtles is bright.

The Luristan newt (Neurergus kaiseri) is a vividly patterned amphibian endemic to the Zagros Mountains of western Iran. With its striking black body adorned with irregular white blotches and vivid orange markings on its limbs and tail, it’s considered one of the most visually stunning newts in the world. This species inhabits a very restricted range of rocky streams and pools, and its entire global population is confined to a few valleys, making it exceptionally vulnerable to threats. Habitat degradation, water pollution, and illegal collection for the exotic pet trade have pushed the Kaiser’s spotted newt to vulnerable. This was a species that was a highlight to me of the Old Reptile House, so it is great to see that they made the move over to the new one!

The blue-tail monitor (Varanus macraei) is a stunning species of monitor lizard native to the remote island of Halmahera in Indonesia. This medium-sized lizard is renowned for its striking appearance, with vibrant blue or turquoise coloration on its tail, contrasting against a dark body, and occasional yellow or orange highlights on its limbs. Primarily arboreal, is adept at climbing trees in its tropical rainforest habitat, where it preys on small vertebrates, insects, and eggs. Despite its allure, it is a rare and elusive species, often difficult to spot in the wild due to its cryptic nature. As a result, it is classified as endangered, with habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade being significant threats to its survival. ZSL London have a tropical enclosure that mirrors its natural habitat, contributing to the ongoing efforts and if you’re lucky enough, you may be able to spot this vibrant reptile.

If you know anything about me, hopefully it is that I really love midwife toads! Thankfully, ZSL have me covered. The Majorcan midwife toad (Alytes muletensis) is a small, endangered amphibian native to the island of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain. This toad is one of six species named for their remarkable reproductive behaviour, after mating, the male carries the fertilised eggs on his hind legs until they hatch into tadpoles, a characteristic that gives it its “midwife” moniker. The toad’s natural habitat consists of rocky, dry areas with shallow water sources, but it has become increasingly rare due to habitat destruction, climate change, and the introduction of non-native species. Once thought to be extinct in the wild, concerted conservation efforts have helped increase its population, though it remains endangered. Visitors can see tadpoles of this species at The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians, which I hope also helps them to fall in love with this species as much as I have.

There are a lot of the same elements as the Old Reptile House in The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians, including the same animals but just in bigger and more complex enclosures. As visitors enter The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians, they are greeted with some rearing tanks with species such as the Sardinian brook salamander (Euproctus platycephalus), which is an element taken from the former building. However, a new addition is an ‘office’ of a amphibian conservationist, with a number of books with creative titles. The corridor then leads up to the ring of enclosures that house the animals I have featured above. There are others too, such as the mossy frog (Theloderma corticale) which are a lot harder to spot than you’d think, a king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) and Philippine crocodile enclosure at the opposite end to the Chinese giant salamander. There is amble space to wander around the exhibits, with a range of up-to-date signage and additional information regarding all of the species housed within the collection.

Most of the organisms within The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians were already housed at London Zoo, but may not have been on public display previously. Beyond showcasing these remarkable creatures, the exhibit serves as a hub for conservation and education. It highlights the challenges faced by reptiles and amphibians, including habitat destruction, climate change, and emerging infectious diseases. Interactive displays and educational programs aim to inspire visitors to participate in conservation efforts and appreciate the vital roles these animals play in ecosystems. For most, this collection may the only chance they get to see these animals and so it provides and important connection for visitors with some of the lesser known endangered species. The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians not only offers an engaging experience but also emphasises the importance of global conservation initiatives led by ZSL. Don’t forget to visit the Attenborough Komodo Dragon House and Giants of the Galapagos to see the other reptiles that ZSL London Zoo houses!

If you liked this post and enjoy reading this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon where you will also gain access to exclusive content.