Exotarium Oberhof - Aqua and Terra Zoo
“Cute!” The children can’t get over it and would like to linger in the entrance area of the Exotarium Oberhof. Yes, they really are cute, these Mongolian gerbils that inhabit the first terrarium in the largest reptile zoo in central Germany. But even before the question of whether you are actually in a reptile zoo arises, a whole world of exotic, cold-blooded animals opens up in front of the family.
And just a few steps further on, the first goosebump moment is perfect: you find yourself among palm-sized tarantulas and representatives of the largest giant snake species in the world . The reticulated python is over six metres long and sometimes swallows pigs. “Cool”, the children marvel.
The mother flinches when one of the giant tarantulas moves and the woman finally realises that everything here is real. But after the initial shock, her fascination with the beauty of the animals – with their colours and patterns – sets in. “Still, it’s good that everything here is behind glass,” she says with a laugh.
The family will have several more experiences like this on their tour – there are still a few surprises waiting for themon the 650 square metres:
Deadly poisonous snakes with the longest venomous fangs in the animal kingdom, cockroaches that make hissing noises, scorpions and giant lizards several metres long are only seen on television, if at all .
But the reptile world at Exotarium Oberhof has even more to offer than shocking and dangerous superlatives . Sociable bearded dragons, which have developed their own way of communicating, amaze visitors, as do camouflage artists, which are difficult to spot even from a distance of 30 centimetres.
Clumsy chameleons make guests smile and some people find a tortoise eating “cuter” than half a dozen gerbils.
Exotarium Oberhof
Crawinkler Strasse 1
98559 Oberhof
Telefon: 036842 21404
Mail: info@exotarium-oberhof.de
Internet: www.exotarium-oberhof.de
Distance from our hotel in Oberhof: approx. 350 metres
Exotarium & Aquarium
But that’s not all: after the rollercoaster of emotions experienced with the reptiles, spiders and insects, the last part of the tour offers visitors the opportunity to relax – with a literally “colourful” range of freshwater fish.
It is not only the animals themselves that are a feast for the eyes, but also the particularly elaborately designed aquariums. “Class instead of mass” is the motto here. The highlight at the end is the 20,000 litre Amazon basin, which is home to arowanas and stingrays , among others. Here you can settle down and linger – either watching the film made especially for the reptile zoo on a screen or relaxing with the sometimes huge fish.
