When it was built nearly 100 years ago, the Reptile House at London Zoo was a cutting edge design - famously featuring in the first Harry Potter film when the boy wizard discovers he can speak to snakes.
But now the much-loved building with its reptile sculptures at the entrance, is being repurposed, and a new state-of-the-art enclosure will open at the Regent's Park attraction this Easter.
The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians will house some of the planet’s most fascinating yet threatened species – including one of the world’s largest frogs, jewel-coloured geckos, and turtles with heads so big they cannot fit in their shells.
The custom-built attraction has been meticulously designed to meet the needs of its inhabitants – with each of the 33 species having individual requirements for temperature, humidity, water quality, and lighting.
It features 11 different climate-controlled zones, more than 50 aquatic systems, and carefully planted habitats to provide shade, egg laying sites, basking locations, and camouflage areas.
Visitors will be greeted by a wall-climbing gecko statue and see specialist breeding and animal care areas up close, with the ‘behind-the-scenes’ bought to the fore.
This includes coming nose to nose with the world’s largest and most threatened frogs – the critically endangered mountain chicken frogs, which were once widespread across the Caribbean until a killer fungus was introduced to their habitat.
A mass mortality event in the early 2000s was discovered by a team, including a ZSL scientist, to have been caused by chytrid fungus, which wiped out more than 90 per cent of their population.
In 2009, ZSL conservationists airlifted the last few mountain chicken frogs to safety in a last-ditch attempt to save them from extinction. A special unit was built and a breeding programme for the animals was established, which will be on show to visitors.
The attraction also includes a new 30,000 litre pool for the Zoo’s 1.9 metre-long Philippine crocodile. Elsewhere the army of mossy frogs will test the eyes as they demonstrate their camouflage skills in their leafy home, in contrast to the turquoise gecko, who stands out from the crowd with its electric-blue skin.
Mangshan vipers, and a striking King Cobra have tree trunks to coil around and leaves to shelter beneath, while the big-headed turtles will be keeping an eye on it all – because as their name suggests, their shells cannot fit their supersized skulls.
A shadowy underwater home is hoped to provide the perfect love nest for the Zoo’s pair of Critically Endangered Chinese giant salamanders – the world’s largest amphibians.
Built in 1926 the Zoo's Reptile House was designed by Dr Joan Beauchamp Procter, Curator of Reptiles, with architect Sir Edward Guy Dawber. Featuring special glass, low lighting, and differentiated heating to provide hot spots for the reptiles, at the time it was hailed as one of the most sophisticated buildings of its type in the world.
In 2001, film makers shot a scene for Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone when a Burmese Python 'speaks' to Daniel Radcliffe.
A London Zoo spokesperson said they are working on plans for the old reptile house, which will be given a new purpose.
Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians opens over Easter weekend. To find out more and book tickets visit www.londonzoo.org
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