Discovering the wilderness of the urban jungle
May 14, 2008
Back in the day, I had a pet turtle named Gabe. My boyfriend bought him for me in Chinatown and when he presented me with the gift, we realized that we had no idea how to feed or care for him. So off I went to the East Bay Vivarium, where you can learn everything you need to know about reptiles.
Fast forward twelve years and I have a toddler to entertain. The above unnamed boyfriend has his own toddler boy and I have no idea whether or not they are aware of the incredible outing that is the Vivarium. No admission required, as it is a retail store, and you can get much much closer to the animals that you can at the zoo.
From boas and pythons to turtles and tortoises, they've got them all. And the animals are almost always eating - some are vegetarian and some... not so much. There is a creepiness to browsing the Vivarium that will likely go unnoticed by your preschooler. After all, she probably thinks that talking to a store employee who is walking around with a rat on his shoulder is a real treat.
Located next to Berkeley's 4th street (on 5th street), going there can be followed by snacks on 4th Street or even ice cream cones at Sketch for those who ate all their lunch.
Other Savvy Picks for Oakland
- Creatures & Critters: Our Urban Jungle
- Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
- Artistic Endeavors: Our Favorite Art Venues
- Room to Run: Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
- Rainy & Quiet Days: Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
- A Sense of History: Our City's Stories
- Tot's Science Fair: Science & Nature Sites
- Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
- The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
- The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
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