Cape Fear Serpentarium

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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles415 reviews
Excellent
232
Very good
122
Average
35
Poor
13
Terrible
13

Jennifer Z
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2017 • Family
After watching “Stand ups” on Netflix, we couldn’t wait to check this place out. Upon arrival, we found out the wife shot the owner. They have taken down all of his propaganda. The snakes were the liveliest I have ever seen snakes. They seemed well cared for. I was surprised he cages opened from the bottom up. We were told a snake could dart out at 40 miles an hour. Worth seeing
Written January 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

harveyj22
Ghent, WV21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ADSCLT
Charlotte, NC24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ann W J
Wilmington, NC1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Family
Horrible experience today 6/13/15. The attendant opened the door on a crocodile enclosure and the crocodile got out. Our 18 mo old grandson was trampled from the people running away from the croc. Another lady was knocked down and knees all banged up. The attendant's excuse was that the door to the enclosure broke when he opened it. I am in disbelief that the museum (1) did not announce that they were opening the croc cage and (2) that the museum stayed open after stating that the door broke. NEVER again will we attend or recommend this so-called museum
Written June 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bronwyn3
North Carolina Coast, NC103 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Family
Expensive for the small amount of exhibits. Cash only without a debit machine and no warning when I called to confirm the admission fee and hours before I left the house. I had to walk to the closest debit machine (recc'd by the museum staff), which was in an e-cig storefront, which I REFUSED to support by using their ATM. I kept looking. NOT fun with 3 kids in tow. We finally made it into the "museum" to find a VERY small space filled with small enclosures. Unfortunately, we also arrived during feeding time. NOT A TREAT!! They have a flimsy folding screen that separates the feeding demonstration from the "crowd". The "expert" lifts the glass enclosure window from the bottom and props it open and proceeds to feed the poisonous snake. If the snake is a non-venomous constrictor, they do not use the screen. They simply have the crowd "get close so you can see" (the staffer made sure my children could see), grabs a dead,liquid-soaked rabbit from a pail, juices leak all over the carpet, and then proceeds to feed the huge constrictor. I was floored! #1- No barrier (the huge snake hit the GROUND!); #2- My kids were close and SCREAMED, running trying to get back to me. #3 - The fluids all over the floor where my kids were just sitting, watching the snake before the feeding demo...GROSS!!! I doubt those rugs are ever cleaned. #4- This is personal, but we JUST lost our rabbit 2 days prior...my kids were definitely disturbed by that particular feeding for DAYS (and they are usually game for anything). I realize the staff is all about shock-and-awe, but I would have loved a warning, as it wasn't a simple mouse but a possible house pet. :( Definitely NOT going back!
Written September 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rebecca L
Raleigh, NC5 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2016 • Couples
This serpentarium is set up like a circus freak show. 20-foot pythons and 5-foot monitor lizards have the absolute minimum amount of space. A 25-pound snapping turtle is hovering in a 5-foot by 2.5-foot fish tank without even a rock to perch on. How does this equate to educating people about animals if they only see them in inhumane environments? This could be a great educational opportunity, but unfortunately it's just depressing.
Written December 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cape Fear Serpentarium has 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. The largest and most rare venomous snake collection in the country...an indoor reptile park with live exhibits of the world's rarest and deadliest snakes, crocodiles, dragons, lizards and more. The actual "living space" for most of the reptiles is not viewed by the public, and there are several of each species of reptile so that the same animal is not on exhibit every day, making it safer and healthier for the animals. Thank you.
Written August 10, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

hereinthemeantime
New York28 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
We went on 12-31-14 and as soon as we walked in we were greeted by a grumpy volunteer at the desk. After we purchased our tickets we proceeded into the museum. It is very dark inside which is understandable. Most of the living spaces for these creatures are far to small for their size. It was just sad! The living spaces were clean but we noticed several of the cages not secure. I honestly thought that it would be larger then what it is, for $8 each person it was just not worth it. On the way out they have a small little display area and I paid $4 for a tiny bouncy ball, once again dealing with the same grumpy dude!!! I'm sorry that we took our friends here. Won't go back!
Written January 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joshua T
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2016 • Family
The political propaganda and the disgusting way the establishment was kept made us want to leave. The employees were horribly rude and acted annoyed that our kids asked questions. I am a veteran and did not appreciate all the anti military stickers on the employee vehicles and the huge mural that was anti government and full of conspiracy theories on the wall. Maybe this was why we were treated the way we were because I had a military shirt on. The animals were neat, but it was hard to pay attention to them with the disgusting smell, dust caked everywhere, carpet peeling up, etc.
Written June 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

njbag
Chapel Hill, NC1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2015 • Family
While there were indeed many interesting snakes, the place was, overall, depressing and unsettling. First, the displays were like something out of the 1960s - diarama-like habitats and barely any room for the snakes and crocodiles to move around. As an animal-lover, my daughter was near tears because of the conditions. Second, the poster in the entryway was bizarre - "global warming" as a government scam; Morgellons disease - hardly seems related to snakes! Last, the place only took cash and the person at the desk barely acknowledged us. Think carefully before setting foot here!
Written January 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Who g
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016
this was one of the most horrible experiences I've ever had regarding animals. the poor things were kept in cages so small they looked like they could barely breath. as I walked around, there were no happy faces. not on the animals, or even the people walking around. even the guy who was running it was horrible. I would not recommend going here at all.
Written January 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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