Cape Fear Serpentarium
Cape Fear Serpentarium, Wilmington: Hours, Address, Cape Fear Serpentarium Reviews: 4.5/5
Cape Fear Serpentarium
Cape Fear Serpentarium
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
The most exotic reptile facility in the country. Live exhibits of the world's rarest and deadliest reptiles all under one roof. Giant constrictors, venomous snakes, crocodiles, lizards, dragons and more... See the world's most exotic, rare and deadliest reptiles from around the world, all viewed in beautifully designed show exhibits that mimic their natural habitats. ...an indoor reptile park with some so rare they are not exhibited anywhere else! Live Feeding Shows. Open year round. Summer/Winter hours and days vary - please call for more info. Discounted admission for age 55+, veteran's, educators and military dependent's and for groups of 10 or more. FREE - Active Military with ID. FREE - children 4 years old and younger.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Contribute
4.5
417 reviews
Excellent
233
Very good
122
Average
35
Poor
13
Terrible
14
Carl H
4 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
ANYONE GETTING AN ANIMAL AND SUPPLIES PLEASE READ.
At first I went to get feeders as they were always in stock and decent. but one day my son saw a bearded dragon he liked and the sign said 40% off.
I told Drew I had 150 and asked if he can do it. He said yes. at the register it was 280. When I asked why he said it was a special BD so not 40% off and it needed a special 60 dollar lamp that is 100 watts. but still he knew 150 was the limit so why? but the BD has rot, the tail was bad, missing a toe and another toe was about the rot off so I felt bad and got it.
5 days into it the screen on the tank broke! the lamp fell through, killed and cooked the BD, almost caught my house on fire as the tank was in flames and broke the tank probably due to the heat.
We also spent over 3 hours giving medicinal soaks to get the rot under control and about 3 layers of shed that was stuck to it. They obviously either don't care for the lizards or know how to.
Also found out that even though it was a silk back it only needed 50 watts not 100 so there was an oversell. I bet he got a bonus on that one.
After arguing with them for 3 days I finaly went to the store with everything. I said forget the BD just give me a new tank. Drew kept arguing that in 10 years this never has happened to it is IMPOSSIBLE for them to have sold me a defective tank that's "BS as anyone will tell you". he would give me a new lid, but they didnt have one in stock, hmm was that just blowing smoke up my butt as well. I was confused as he kept saying pet smart wouldn't replace the animal so nor would they, but I called pet smart and they said they would replace all of it I told him that, but he would still not replace the tank. He just kept contradicting himself and back peddling.
After a while he said fine, I'll give you a new BD. What happened to 3 days of telling me that they wouldn't do that??? So I chose one, but he said I'll have to pay extra. I chose another one, same thing. After more arguments I said just give me one that is free. He did give me a basic one even though I bought a special morph.
I said that it was a 99 dollar lizard so I asked why would you give me a 99 dollar lizard but not just a 60 dollar tank? his answer was that they breed them in store so it's "no money out of their pocket". Yes, that is actually what he said.
So 3 days into it, all I got was a regular BD, a busted tank and 280 dollars out of my pocket, I still need to replace everything else.
Their animals are not taken care off. their prices are high and they are seriously worse then used car dealers.
At first I went to get feeders as they were always in stock and decent. but one day my son saw a bearded dragon he liked and the sign said 40% off.
I told Drew I had 150 and asked if he can do it. He said yes. at the register it was 280. When I asked why he said it was a special BD so not 40% off and it needed a special 60 dollar lamp that is 100 watts. but still he knew 150 was the limit so why? but the BD has rot, the tail was bad, missing a toe and another toe was about the rot off so I felt bad and got it.
5 days into it the screen on the tank broke! the lamp fell through, killed and cooked the BD, almost caught my house on fire as the tank was in flames and broke the tank probably due to the heat.
We also spent over 3 hours giving medicinal soaks to get the rot under control and about 3 layers of shed that was stuck to it. They obviously either don't care for the lizards or know how to.
Also found out that even though it was a silk back it only needed 50 watts not 100 so there was an oversell. I bet he got a bonus on that one.
After arguing with them for 3 days I finaly went to the store with everything. I said forget the BD just give me a new tank. Drew kept arguing that in 10 years this never has happened to it is IMPOSSIBLE for them to have sold me a defective tank that's "BS as anyone will tell you". he would give me a new lid, but they didnt have one in stock, hmm was that just blowing smoke up my butt as well. I was confused as he kept saying pet smart wouldn't replace the animal so nor would they, but I called pet smart and they said they would replace all of it I told him that, but he would still not replace the tank. He just kept contradicting himself and back peddling.
After a while he said fine, I'll give you a new BD. What happened to 3 days of telling me that they wouldn't do that??? So I chose one, but he said I'll have to pay extra. I chose another one, same thing. After more arguments I said just give me one that is free. He did give me a basic one even though I bought a special morph.
I said that it was a 99 dollar lizard so I asked why would you give me a 99 dollar lizard but not just a 60 dollar tank? his answer was that they breed them in store so it's "no money out of their pocket". Yes, that is actually what he said.
So 3 days into it, all I got was a regular BD, a busted tank and 280 dollars out of my pocket, I still need to replace everything else.
Their animals are not taken care off. their prices are high and they are seriously worse then used car dealers.
Written December 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ADSCLT
Charlotte, NC29 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
I’m not a snake lover, but the boys loved it. Tons of reptiles to see and really big ones 😬😮. Fun place to go and priced just right. We enjoyed it
Written July 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Maurice C
Street, MD6 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
Great place, it will be missed. The beat facility of it's type in the US. We would drive a few hours out-of-the-way to visit and have seafood at a little pub nearby.
Written July 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TravelRose2014
Morgantown, WV28 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
One of the main reasons we drove to Wilmington from our beach lodging on oak Island was to see the Serpentarium. Googlemaps got us to the venue - but no, it was not there. Two resident ladies reported that the owner had had a death in the family and had closed the Serpentarium and left the area. Why doesn't anyone know this??? I had two very disappointed grandkids on my hands for the rest of the day.
Written July 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Fran S
Wilmington, NC65 contributions
Sep 2017 • Business
I hate snakes, but this place fascinates me. I love to learn about all the different types of snakes and I scare myself when I look at the fang level - they use a fang rating system to describe how poisonous the snakes are. There was a python that you could take pictures with and the komodo dragon is wonderfully terrifying.
Written June 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RuckinBrit .
64 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
Had a great time there, was sorry to hear of it's recent issues and very recent closure.
The selection and knowledge and care or the animals seemed highly impressive. The feeding time was always a delight to watch.
Will be missed.
The selection and knowledge and care or the animals seemed highly impressive. The feeding time was always a delight to watch.
Will be missed.
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cody R
Noblesville, IN37 contributions
May 2017 • Family
It's been awhile since we visited-but with that said we absolutely loved visiting here. It was a raining day so the beach was not an option for a family of five. There was a busload of kiddos visiting that day from a summer program-completely unsupervised by their group leader. I felt sorry for the Serpentarium staff trying to control them all. My only concern were the murals about chem-trails and some government spread disease-lots of conspiracy theory "stuff" in the main lobby. Before our next visit-I'm going to check to see that stuff is gone.
Written April 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
harveyj22
Ghent, WV23 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
It's really a very small place but it's so magical. My son, husband, and I loved every minute of it. I have some of the most amazing pictures from this place. The snakes are obviously handled a lot because they are very inquisitive and don't shy from people looking in. I was truly amazed!
Written March 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brian C
New Orleans, LA67 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
My wife and I have been here many times, and we always bring the kids. Love this place but sad to hear that due to management and property issues they may have to close their doors. I certainly hope that never happens. Love this place and can’t wait to comeback again!
Written February 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LadyAnn_12
Charlotte, NC43 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
We found this place while walking around downtown. The price was okay, 16.00 for two of us, with a military discount. I hadn't seen so many snakes in one place before. We arrived around the time for live feedings were getting ready to start. I had no idea what was going to take place. Simple curiosity, we saw a snake consume a mouse and a different snake consume a rabbit. I couldn't help thinking the little girl next to me was probably traumatized after she covered her eyes and said " I like bunny rabbits". Parents might want to use caution with very young children viewing the feedings.The guy feeding the snakes gave good information about the snakes aND feeding them. He took them out of th cage too! At one time I was less than 2 ft from one. Too close for comfort! I was impressed!
Written January 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sgjenn
Phoenix, AZ12 contributions
Should anyone be concerned that the owner suddenly closed up? Should anyone be concerned about serpents slithering amok?
ryanmichelledr
97 contributions
The owner died..
Kevin S
1 contribution
Is this place really permanently closed?
RuckinBrit .
64 contributions
Yes, unfortunately
symbadapoet
Wilmington, DE1 contribution
I just watched it.. we're going to NC.. and we are going to visit.. just because of the stand-up.
Juan W
El Paso, TX4 contributions
yes!!
reaelise
Gainesville, FL
👍 had to check this out after seeing Nate show the laugh continues
Working wife
1 contribution
We are so glad you did... We also saw Nate Bargatze's standup and had a laugh. Thank you for your visit and we hope to see you again! And thank you for the great review!
CFS Staff
Nate Bargatze is hilarious! Laughed so hard. I couldn’t help it, I had to see the review.
Laurie D
Anchorage, Alaska, USA3 contributions
yup!!!!!
Shareeta M
Louisville, KY
How did you get to this review? The show The Stand ups on Netflix brought me here Season 1 episode 1 if I’m not mistaken. Nate Barzgate was telling a story about visiting this place. Funny comic definitely.
Scott C
Dallas, TX23 contributions
I am here for the very same reason!
