Field Museum’s ‘Reptiles Alive’ Exhibition Seeks to Showcase the World of Reptiles

The Field Museum’s Reptiles Alive! exhibition is a global journey through the world of reptiles, featuring 20 live species from diverse habitats. This family-friendly exhibit showcases reptiles on loan from Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, an AZA-accredited zoo in Pennsylvania, including a massive 14-foot reticulated python and a charismatic Cuban rock iguana.

The exhibition aims to educate visitors about the fascinating world of reptiles, dispelling fears and promoting appreciation. Associate Curator of Herpetology and Reptiles Alive! content developer, Sara Ruane, notes that “when you learn more about an animal, it becomes a lot less scary. You don’t necessarily have to love them to appreciate that they’re extremely cool.” The exhibit also features mechanical interactives and models demonstrating how reptiles move, find food, and escape predators.

The exhibition also tells a story of conservation, highlighting the impact of human activities on reptile habitats. A video projection takes visitors on a journey through forest preserves outside Chicago, showcasing Ruane’s search for snakes and turtles to collect DNA and inform conservation management programs.

The exhibition goes beyond live animals, featuring dozens of species represented by specimens and life-like models. These exhibits provide insight into the 300-million-year history of reptiles, highlighting their remarkable adaptations and evolutionary traits. A standout example is the spider-tailed horned viper, the only specimen of its kind in the western hemisphere. Native to Iran, this viper boasts a unique spider-shaped lure on its tail that deceives avian prey and has long fascinated scientists.

Reptiles Alive! is a ticketed exhibition, running from June 20, 2025, to April 5, 2026, at the Field Museum in Chicago. Additional information is available at FieldMuseum.org.