We are excited to welcome guests back to the Reptile Building at ABQ BioPark Zoo!
The building closed on April 21 for maintenance work to replace the aging shade structure at the Reptile Building entrance, and to refresh the habitat backgrounds of some species housed in the building.
Guests will also be able to finally visit the new home of Wilson—the BioPark’s 53-year-old resident alligator snapping turtle! Wilson’s habitat has been closed since August 2024 for work to construct a more spacious and enriching habitat for her.
The main changes include a pool with double the volume, a more accessible heat and UV basking spot, a dig area outside of the pool, and different ledges and depths within the pool. Behind the scenes, her life support system was also upgraded to help keep her water even cleaner and clearer.
“Wilson came to the BioPark in 2012 from another AZA facility, and she’s become a favorite of guests that visit the Reptile Building,” said Stacey Sekscienski, BioPark amphibian and reptile curator. “While it is normal for this species to sit motionless while it waits for its food, these changes to her habitat will provide more choice for Wilson and encourage additional natural explorative and basking behaviors.”
The changes to Wilson’s habitat also allow for easier access for animal care staff, as the design incorporates safe access to the far side of the pool, and a place to train, feed, and weigh Wilson.
Guests will also notice a new painted mural in her habitat, as well as new signage and twinkling lights outside her habitat representing fireflies. These upgrades will transport guests to the Southeastern U.S. swamp where alligator snapping turtles, currently listed as a threatened species, are found in the wild.
“Alligator snapping turtles are really important apex predators, and they help balance the ecosystems where they live,” said Sekscienski. “We chose a Southeast swamp habitat to be able to showcase the amazing diversity of life in the swamp. When guests visit Wilson’s habitat, they’ll also learn about other species you can find in the swamp with the alligator snapping turtle.”
During your next visit to the BioPark Zoo, be sure to say hi to Wilson! You may even see her using her special luring behavior unique to alligator snapping turtles as she sits motionless with her mouth open wiggling a lure on end of her tongue draw prey.
MEDIA: photos and b-roll.
