Rattlesnake Museum & Gift Shop

The Rattlesnake Museum & Gift Shop is a for-profit business in Old Town Albuquerque; it is not a non profit. The word “museum” in a business name is not regulated in the United States. The business is a small collection of snakes (including ones not are not rattlesnakes), tarantulas, a scorpion, and a few other assorted reptiles and amphibians. The business is a self-guided walk-through after entering through the gift shop. There is not a hand-out on the different animals or an audio recording option. The animals are labeled with what species they are. I think a small sign with information about each of the animals would be quite helpful. The aquariums seem much too small for the snakes. Many of them wouldn’t be able to stretch out even half way, much less fully stretch out. I hope the snakes are let out each day to move around and stretch, but I don’t know if that would be logistically possible. Cute things about the business include the fact there are two tortoises that get free roam of the premises and the fact customers get a Certificate of Bravery for visiting. It’s also in Old Town so shopping and activities are close.

It is precisely what it sounds like a small, excellent, focused gift shop with a solid, diverse display of of distinct reptiles 🐊. It's worth the money, worth the trip. The exhibits are well cared for (better than other places) Pets are welcome if you keep them in control. We brought our Adventure Cat 🐯, Loki, in his backpack 🎒.

10/17/23 Went to the most excellent Rattlesnake Museum today and it's always a joy to go here. As a resident of Albuquerque I try to visit local shops like this at least four times a year ask how business is doing and ALWAYS visit the snakies!! Great place to visit whether your a local or not. Pictures are of two beautiful rattlers (crotalus horridus and crotalus ???).