2340 Massey Lane, Holts Summit, Missouri 65043 USA
About Us
The Central States Serpentarium is located three miles north of Jefferson City, Missouri, at the northern end of the Ozark Plateau on the bluffs of the Missouri River. Its origin dates back to 1980, when Bill & Gwen Becker received part of Curtis Anderson's collection in San Diego upon his death (from the bite of an albino monacled cobra).
As a boy, Bill kept many snakes and lizards native to Missouri. He was inspired by Herpetologist Paul Anderson, author of The Reptiles of Missouri--published after Paul's death in 1962. Bill had the opportunity to work with and observe Paul's reptiles in his home. In the 1990's, Becker Quality Reptiles was started in Columbia, Missouri.
By 2000, the Becker collection had become so large that they wanted to share it with other herpetologists, herpetoculturists, and members of the general public who found themselves interested in reptiles.
The Serpentarium is a dual geodesic dome complex, with a walkout sublevel (basement) and a useable area of approximately 7000 square feet. The domes are rated at an insulative factor of R-50 and the sidewalls are from eight to 12 inches thick with a minimum R factor of 35. A system four inch diameter pipes inside of the riser walls and attached to the foundations support the dome ceilings with twelve inch steel "I" beams bearing the floor load. The living and office dome floors are finished in tongue and groove bamboo, which is a quickly renewable and resilient wood. We also have constructed an indoor refrigerated hibernaculum for species requiring brumation. The Serpentarium was constructed by Curator Bill Becker and his three sons, Shaun, Justin, and Todd, along with friends and co-workers. Today, the Serpentarium holds over 250 animals representing over 50 species. The Serpentarium has donated and sold reptiles to zoos and institutions worldwide, along with hundreds of satisfied customers.
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