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New home underway for Zoo Knoxville's amphibians and reptiles

The ARC will be home to 85 amazing species of snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, and more! Many of them are endangered.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Construction has begun on a brand new home for Zoo Knoxville's amphibians and reptiles.

The future Clayton Family Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Campus will be 2.5 acres in the heart of the zoo and home to 85 amazing species of snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, and more.

The zoo posted a sneak peek of some of those amazing animals that will call the ARC home:

Many of those animals are endangered, and 33 species are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plans which works to save animals from extinction.

For the zoo's Director of Communications, Tina Rolen, the new habitat will help save animals from extinction -- part of Zoo Knoxville's international reputation.

"It give us a world-class facility for a world-class program," Rolen said. "The way that we're doing work to save animals from extinction is recognized around the globe, and it's going to give [us] a facility that is fitting of the reputation that we hold internationally for for reptile conservation."

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"For me, this is the most important project that the zoo's ever done. Partly because this is where our legacy is; this is where we have done our most significant conservation work," President & CEO Lisa New said.

At the groundbreaking earlier this year, Zoo Knoxville officials said the $18 million facility is set to open in 2021.

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