Reptile Realm Exhibit
In Woodland Park Zoo’s Reptile Realm exhibit, guests are transported to the islands of Oceania to learn about the unique lizards and amphibians that call these jungles home. Featuring 6 different animal habitats, over 700 square feet of terrarium space and 10+ species on display. From the vibrant Quince Monitor to the stunning Sailfin Lizard, guests can study the animals up close and learn how each manages to survive against the harsh realities of their environment and human impact.
Developed in close collaboration with Herpetologists and animal behavioral staff at Woodland Park Zoo, we developed groundbreaking technological solutions to support the highest standard of animal welfare, scientific research and energy efficiency.
I lead a small team to design and build the habitat interiors, artificial perching, life support systems, animal exclusions, staff/operator interfaces, back of house holding, and the installation of an interpretive graphics buildout.
Paradise by Design
Necessitated by an adapting collection plan and unusual size, modular components and a focus on keeper access became the hallmarks to our success.
We developed habitat layouts in strong partnership with animal management, through concept sketches and scale models. To mimic sun-lit basking spots I developed energy-efficient heat/UV arrays which could be tuned to match the specific needs of each species. These were refined on our custom testing rig and custom shrouds were created to prevent animals from burning themselves on the hot fixtures.
Trees 2.0
To support natural perching and climbing behaviors, we created lightweight, flexible, artificial trees which could be carved off-site. The proper durometer for the polymer “bark” was determined by studying the claws of arboreal animals. The base of each tree was designed to swivel in place and easily detach so that the trees can be adjusted and swapped for maximum adjustability.
Working with horticulture experts, we designed planting pockets and a specialized micro bark texture to promote plant growth. Irrigation lines were designed to be easily adjustable and naturalized to look like vines. Providing an authentic, living canopy for our artificial trees.
Just Add Water
The marquee species in the collection is the stunning Philippine Sailfin Lizard, who’s unusual care requirements include a 24 inch deep pool for diving and swimming.
Budgetary limitations prevented us from creating an underwater viewpoint or from sinking the pond below grade. So I designed a naturalistic terraced creek and stone formation, complete with a waterfall. Based on equipment spec’d by the zoo’s Life Support Operators, I designed the water filtration and circulation system. My team and I then sculpted and painted artificial stonework to complete the water feature. The texture of the shotcrete was designed to mimic sandstone found in the lizard’s native habitat. The color was chosen to contrast the green of the foliage and to match a gorgeous natural sandstone boulder, which we placed next to the entrance to link the animal and guest spaces.
Every Last Detail
Finishing the build meant considering every last detail. To support operators and animal care staff, I designed wayfinding and equipment signage for back of house interfaces. For environmental monitoring systems, we created modular humidity and temperature probes that were naturalized to mimic vines. To keep arboreal animals away from complex lighting and HVAC scaffolding, we created a quick-release exclusion mesh. To support AI-driven biological studies, we installed cameras in each habitat. In the guest space, we created frames, mounting points and custom details for interpretive graphics.
