Reindeer Farm adds reptile exhibit

BUTTE — The Williams Reindeer Farm recently added a unique attraction to the historic property, the Reptile Coop.

“It's exciting," Williams Reindeer Farm owner Denise Hardy said.

Hardy explained that the Reptile Coop got its namesake because it’s occupying a former chicken coop from the days of the original Matanuska-Susitna Colony Project. The Reindeer Farm was founded by Hardy’s father Tom Williams in the 1980s on the same dairy farm he grew up on in the 1950s. Tom’s father Leonard Williams purchased the farm in 1955 from Paul Nelson, one of the original settlers who made their way to the Mat-Su from the Lower 48 in the 1930s. Hardy said the wooden structure has had numerous uses over the years, and now they’re paying homage to its origins as the Nelson family chicken coop.

“... and now it’s the Reptile Coop,” Hardy said.

The Reptile Coop features a wide variety of reptiles such as snakes, lizards and a turtle named Bowser. There’s more than reptiles in the exhibit. It also features other exotic animals such as hissing cockroaches, a tarantula, a frog and even hedgehogs.

Hardy noted that many of the reptiles are rescues. She said they’ve been collecting reptiles and other animals for the exhibit for the last year, and they’ve been setting up the area since January.

“It feels great,” Hardy said.

Those interested in visiting the Reptile Coop have full access with regular admission to the Reindeer Farm, a family farm that’s been evolving beyond reindeer for many years now.

“It's been fun to share these animals with people," Hardy said.

Hardy said that admission helps their general upkeep efforts taking care of a plethora of animals across the farm including moose, alpacas, highland cattle, chickens, turkeys, horses, miniature donkeys, pigs, rabbits and yaks. She noted that they’re the only facility in Alaska featuring a reptile exhibit that she knows of.

“On our farm, we like helping people create experiences. By interacting with them, they develop a kind of special connection with the animals. We wanted to extend that to reptiles,” Hardy said.

The 2024 summer season is now in effect at the Reindeer Farm, which includes the newly added Reptile Coop.

There are numerous tour options available in addition to a variety of other activities such as monthly Story Time sessions and summer camp programs.

The Reindeer Farm also offers specials such as free admission for moms on Mother’s Day and free admission for dads on Father’s Day.

For more information, call 907-745-4000 or visit reindeerfarm.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com