In 1970, the Philadelphia Zoo commissioned the artist Dexter Jones to create a statue of the Hadrosaurus foulkii, under a Philadelphia city ordinance that required one percent of all capital improvements to be spent on art. The piece, entitled "Haddy" is made out of bronze and stands at 50" by 42" by 18", not including the base and is 1/3 the size of an actual standing Hadrosaurus with the artist's signature on the tail. "Haddy" was installed in the Zoo in 1971 and welcomes guests to the current Retile and Amphibian House which opened a year later in 1972. The Hadrosaurus foulkii was originally named in honor of its discoverer, William Parker Foulke, who also happened to be one of the founders of the Philadelphia Zoo during the 1800s and would probably have been delighted to know that it would eventually house a tribute to his dinosaur.
The Philadelphia Zoo is very proud of the amazing animals in the Reptile and Amphibian House and is excited to share the wonders inside (including some smaller cousins of the dinosaurs) with their visitors:
"The Reptile and Amphibian House at the Philadelphia Zoo is a state-of-the-art facility exhibiting more than 100 species of reptiles and amphibians such as king cobras, anacondas, rattlesnakes, giant tortoises, alligators, poisonous dart frogs, and more! Step, slither, and slide through 47 naturalistic exhibits like the King Cobra’s Temple with its 15-foot, hand-carved sculpture. Plan your trip right, and you just might experience a thunderstorm in the Everglades. As the thunder rolls and lightning flashes, it actually rains inside the alligator and crocodile exhibits. Watch the storm roll through and learn about its importance in the lives of wildlife in the Everglades. In warmer months, the oldest residents at the Zoo - our Galapagos and Aldabra tortoises – can be found in an outdoor yard. Walk along Tortoise Trail to get close to these 500-pound inhabitants as you stand eye to eye, just inches away."
If you are looking for the dinosaur experience in Greater Philadelphia, then definitely don't miss a stop at the Philadelphia Zoo. See one of the legacies that William Parker Foulke left behind in Philadelphia and meet a fantastic representation of his amazing Hadrosaurus foulkii. Then head in to discover living and breathing reptiles resembling some of their powerful dinosaur cousins.
More photos from Daily Vacation's VISIT.
See where we were on Day 1 of DINO WEEK.
Follow on INSTAGRAM to see where we are going!
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