The Reptile Zoo permanently closes after 30 years in Monroe, citing poor attendance

The Reptile Zoo in Monroe closed its doors for good on Monday, after 30 years of operating as a family-owned roadside attraction along U.S. Highway 2.

On its final day, The Reptile Zoo was open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with many of the animals being moved to new homes on Tuesday, according to KOMO News.

The zoo had previously warned of its closure in October 2025 due to steep operating costs and inflation, which led to staff layoffs.

“COVID was really difficult for us, but the biggest part now is just inflation,” owner Isaac Peterson said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “I tried this last-ditch effort to raise my prices about a buck during the week, and my revenue fell 25%. So, the last two years have been down 10%. I’ve cut all my expenses. I’ve cut all my staff. We’re down to a skeleton crew.”

Monroe community attempts to revive The Reptile Zoo

After the zoo’s previous closure announcement, the Monroe community showed up, attendance surged, and ticket sales nearly tripled.

“We’ve been really busy, and we’re just going to try one more time to keep the zoo going,” Peterson said in October. “We’re gonna shut down for about four weeks, open back up in mid-November.”

Despite the post-closure announcement rush, attendance and ticket sales dropped back to previous lows, ultimately leading to Monday’s permanent closure.

Roughly 100 of its 130 reptiles will be relocated by the end of February. Many of the reptiles will be transferred locally to homes already equipped to care for the animals.

A new group is expected to take ownership of the location and open a mammal-focused zoo, Peterson confirmed to KOMO News.

The Reptile Zoo was operated by the Peterson family for three decades. Scott Peterson, informally known as “The Reptile Man,” founded it, and Isaac took over in 2012 after being involved since his teenage years.

“The Reptile Man” also provides a traveling reptile show, which will continue and feature animals separate from the current zoo roster. The Petersons offer educational programs at libraries, community events, and schools.

“When I took over in 2012, we separated the businesses,” Isaac explained. “So ‘The Reptile Man,’ my dad, he stayed with that. I took over the reptiles, so we kept them all separate. But also, my sister, right after COVID, started doing shows. But they’re separate businesses. Those businesses are totally viable. They’re doing very well.”

The Reptile Zoo was one of the last reptile facilities in Washington after a 2007 law banned the possession of dangerous animals, including alligators and venomous snakes. The law grandfathered in existing facilities like The Reptile Zoo, allowing it to continue operating.

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.