Skunk Ape Research Center
Skunk Ape Research Center
Skunk Ape Research Center
4
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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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.
Popular mentions
4.0
225 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
59
Average
24
Poor
10
Terrible
17
jane
New York149 contributions
Apr 2022
If you happen to be passing by on your way through Big Cypress, definitely stop by if for no other reason than to pose for a selfie with the skunk apes and giant panther out front. Large assortment of skunk ape souvenirs in the shop. The "research center" was a separate room in back which required an admission charge to see snakes and I'm not sure what else, as we did not enter.
Written May 15, 2022
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.
Mario B
Königstein im Taunus, Germany93 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
The only decent part of it is the shop, with finny gadgets includong on the theme of skunk ape. For 6 dollar you can access the back side ith a couple of reptilian and snake: too little, too warm, full of flies and… more disappiinting, virtually nothing und n the skunk ape. Yes two footpront casts and a poster summarizing key facts and a littke history. Don‘t waste you tome.
Written August 17, 2023
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.
Nancy D
2 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
2 hour pole boat river tour with Ralph! Experience the quiet beauty of the Preserve. Ralph was an amazing guide who pointed out plants I would have never noticed on my own, explained ecosystems, and the history of the Preserve. This was worth the $!!! Do it!!
Written August 10, 2020
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.
Rene D
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Family
My two boys and I recently visited the Skunk Ape Research Center and it was amazing! We were attended by very smart, professional, and passionate woman name, Sonia, whom we could tell that loved her job! She was very knowledgeable of all. The animals knew so much history of the land, the animals and the people who has lived for many generations in that particular area. We love to see the second biggest snake in captivity and the beautiful turtle. We also enjoyed to see the alligators, which were very amazing and powerful to see them closer than usual! What a great educational place to take your family! Skunk Ape Research Facility. Thank you so much for a wonderful time. We are definitely planning to come back! 😃
Written July 3, 2023
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.
Route One and Beyond
Key West, FL156 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Stop in check out the animal exhibit and meet Goldie! A 24 foot long, 400 pound Reticulated Python.
She’s in the running for the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest captive snake.
In addition to Goldie there are gators, turtles, and several other pythons.
I recommend booking a pole boat tour while your there. You won’t regret it!
She’s in the running for the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest captive snake.
In addition to Goldie there are gators, turtles, and several other pythons.
I recommend booking a pole boat tour while your there. You won’t regret it!
Written April 26, 2022
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.
Passenger237572
4 contributions
Feb 2020
It was different. A little road side store with a little reptile room in back. Did have the largest python I've ever saw. Also very large alligator in the outside pond. Worth the stop.
Written February 16, 2020
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.
dalessiopietro
Murray, UT614 contributions
Feb 2020
My son and I enjoyed our time at Skunk Ape Headquarters. Everyone was friendly, welcoming and forthcoming with information and answers to our questions. A great little reprieve with enough items and critters of interest for all ages. We were in awe of the snakes. We enjoyed seeing the baby alligators and the snapper turtle. Definitely a must-do when passing through the area. The awesome gift shop also was stocked with one of a kind items.
Written February 21, 2020
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.
kkiddkid
texas90 contributions
Dec 2011
My husband has been fascinated by the Skunk Ape/Big Foot since he was a kid so he was really excited to go see this as we passed through Miami. Ochopee is about 60 miles outside the city - and about 59 too far to go. This was such a disappointment. The "Skunk Ape Headquarters" is a store where cheap tourist trinkets can be bought. There are lots of alligator heads, a giant fake gorilla, keychains, candy etc... The one thing that is notably missing is much of anything to do with the Skunk Ape! There are 8X10 photos and old newspaper clippings thumbtacked and yellowing on the walls. There are a few books that Mr. Shealy has written and you can buy a DVD. The store is dirty and disorganized. It is possible there is more about the skunk ape and I just couldn't find it. Either way, if your draw is a certain thing, your busines should be set up to focus on that thing. Why not have at least one section with educational, informative displays - books/DVDs/etc (yours and other experts in the community)? Instead of strengthening the case for the Skunk Ape - I am more inclined to dismiss it as a carnival side show after this experience.
The second piece to this attraction is just as odd. For $5 you go back to see "the animals". Of course, you (again) think this must be where the Skunk Ape information is. WRONG. You walk through a swinging door into an open air garage area filled with multiple cages holding snakes, a large turtle, a baby alligator, a scorpian and several colorful birds. The area was dirty with cobwebs, half torn posters and general junk sitting all over including on top of the animal cages. My initial response was utter sadness that these animals would spend their entire lives here. Another man was in back and took us through. He let my son hold the baby alligator (mouth was taped), and showed us the color changing ability of the scorpian. He spent considerable time taking the birds out and letting us hold them, having them talk to us and feeding them from his mouth (yes, you read that right). This man and Dave Shealy were both very nice and I hate having to write this review. I really, REALLY wanted this to be great!! I cannot begin to understand what these birds from South and Central America have to do with the Skunk Ape of the Florida Everglades!
The second piece to this attraction is just as odd. For $5 you go back to see "the animals". Of course, you (again) think this must be where the Skunk Ape information is. WRONG. You walk through a swinging door into an open air garage area filled with multiple cages holding snakes, a large turtle, a baby alligator, a scorpian and several colorful birds. The area was dirty with cobwebs, half torn posters and general junk sitting all over including on top of the animal cages. My initial response was utter sadness that these animals would spend their entire lives here. Another man was in back and took us through. He let my son hold the baby alligator (mouth was taped), and showed us the color changing ability of the scorpian. He spent considerable time taking the birds out and letting us hold them, having them talk to us and feeding them from his mouth (yes, you read that right). This man and Dave Shealy were both very nice and I hate having to write this review. I really, REALLY wanted this to be great!! I cannot begin to understand what these birds from South and Central America have to do with the Skunk Ape of the Florida Everglades!
Written January 1, 2012
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.
familyvaccations
uk2 contributions
Aug 2011
The place when we got there it was sweltering and smelt of stagnant water. As we walked in there was a sign saying ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!!( seriously not a joke)The snakes were enormous for the cages and were basically held in by chicken wire , they could easily escape. They looked as though they wanted to eat us! The turtles were in dirty water and looked terrible. The massive alligator was cooped up in another tiny cage and there were flies everywhere.Because of all the dirt and water there were mosquitoes everywhere and we all got bitten to death. After 5 minutes we jumped in the car and drove off as fast as the speed limit would allow,( VISIT AT YOUR PERIL!!!!)
Written August 4, 2011
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.
mlbostic
9 contributions
The man who takes care of the animals was very nice and knowledgable, however the actual owners of this place became rude and nasty when I inquired whether they would take less for one of the gator knives they had for sale...after his tirade he told my friends and I to get out and not to come back. I would bypass this place its nothing special and I would suggest a few lessons in courtesy especially for a place that wants to make money from tourists...
Written January 24, 2013
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.
Are there public restrooms? Also, as of Jan 2022, are they requiring masks?
Written January 30, 2022
Is it open on Sunday and what is the cost?
Written January 1, 2015
I believe they are open 7 days a week and the admission to the animal area, interesting birds and reptiles, is a minimal $5.00. We were treated so well and found the information about and the experience with the animals so fascinating that we made an additional donation to the center. There is at least one other activity associated with the center that is different from the rides you get elsewhere in the everglades and I believe they call it a "pole boat ride," which is a ride similar to the gondolas you see in Venice, Italy. We did not do that but will next time. I suggest you verify my memory about the times and costs. Their phone number is 239-695-2275.
Written January 2, 2015
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