Address: 22715 U.S. 2, Monroe, WA 98272

Friday Night Feeding: Common Questions and Answers

• At what times does the Friday Night Feeding event start and end?

  • This event starts on Fridays at 5:30 pm and ends at 8 pm.

• At what times do you do the feedings?

  • The feeding start times are 5:45 pm, and 6:45 pm.

• If we purchase admission tickets before 5 pm on Friday will this get us into the feeding?

  • No. You will have to pay the additional fee to get into the feeding event. The best way to do it is to just wait until the feeding to pay so you only pay one time.

• Which animals are you going to feed at each time?

  • Each week will be different. There is no set schedule we will be following. We feed a mix of snakes, lizards, turtles and crocodilians.

• At what time should we come?

  • You can come whenever you would like. The latest you will be able to enter will be at 7:30 pm, but most of the feeding will be done by this time.

• How long can we stay?

  • Currently there is no timed entry so you can stay from whenever you arrive (5:30 pm or later) until 8 pm.

• Why do you close the exhibits from 5 to 5:30 pm?

  • This gives us the time we need to prepare everything needed for the feeding event.  

• What can we touch during the Friday Night Feeding?

  • We don’t do snake or alligator touching during our Friday Night Feeding, but you will be able to touch our tortoises in our Tortoise Petting Area.

• Is there a formal tour during the feeding?

  • There is a tour, but it is very informal. We will do our best to answer any questions you may have. 

• Do you feed your animals live rats and mice?

  • No. All of our animals get fed frozen-thawed rodents and fish. It is of course much easier for us to feed this way, but it is also more humane for the rats, mice and fish and safer for our animals. Most reptiles are ambush predators and do no enjoy the chase or hunt as a lion or wolf in the wild would enjoy. Most reptiles are very good at finding a good place to camp out (along the trail of a potential prey type for example) and sometimes will wait weeks on end before prey gets within range.

• How do you heat up the rats, mice and fish?

  • We use a food warmer. Microwaves do not work well for this purpose. We have tried in the past and it never works out as intended.

• Where do you buy your rats and mice from?

  • A company called Rodent Pro based out of Indiana (RodentPro.com).

• Are you limiting the number of people in the Friday Night Feeding?

  • We are only limiting the number of people to the fire code building capacity which is just under 130 people. We have never reached our fire code for a Friday Night Feeding yet. 

• Are we going to be able to see each animal eat?

  • You will have to pick and choose what you want to watch eat. We will do our best to spread out the feedings so that even if we do have a large crowd each person will have a good view of at least some animals eating. This means that you will have to prioritize which animals you want to see eat.