Published April 16. 2015 12:00AM
Supporters and staff at the Lehigh Valley Zoo recently welcomed visitors to the new Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Center.
The new facility houses some 50 amphibians and reptiles in environments appropriate to their natural habitat, whether it be a dry desert or lush wetlands.
The RAD Center will exhibit a collection of snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodilians, frogs and salamanders.
Zoo guests met with representatives from the zoo, FrogWatch USA, Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Turtle Survival Alliance and Pennsylvania Camping during the April 11 event.
Exhibit partners include: Lehigh County, ESSA Bank, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, Keystone Savings Foundation and the fish and boat commission.
The RAD Center features 16 exhibits, each representing the natural habitats of a species.
Included are the rainforest, desert, stream bottom, cave and local temperate habitats found along the Kittatinny Ridge.
Several "species of concern" are represented in the displays with the approval of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, including spotted turtles, the northern copperhead and timber rattlesnakes.
Lehigh Valley Zoo is open every day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND Carter Kiefer, 19 months, from South Whitehall, thinks the alligator statue is pretty neat. He was visiting with his grandparents David and Melissa Kiefer.
