======Reptile House======
=====Location Information=====
  * **Type:** [[Muggle]] Zoo Exhibit
  * **Location:** An unnamed zoo in [[Surrey]], [[England]]
  * **Owner/Residents:** The unnamed zoo management. Its inhabitants are various [[reptiles]], most notably a large [[Boa Constrictor]].
  * **Key Features:** A cool, dark building with lit, glass-fronted enclosures designed to mimic the [[reptiles]]' natural habitats.
=====Description and History=====
The [[Reptile House]] is a building at the zoo which the [[Dursley]] family visited for [[Dudley Dursley]]'s eleventh birthday in the summer of 1991. The interior is described as cool and dark, with the only light coming from the large, glass-fronted displays that line the walls. These enclosures house a variety of [[lizards]] and [[snakes]].
The most prominent enclosure held a large [[Boa Constrictor]], which was noted on its sign to have been bred in captivity. It was described as being long enough to crush the car the [[Dursley]]s drove and was a "dull, muddy brown" color. This is the only known history of the location, as its sole appearance is during this single event.
=====Role in the Story=====
The [[Reptile House]] is the site of the first significant, public display of [[Harry Potter]]'s uncontrolled [[magic]] and his first known use of [[Parseltongue]].
During the visit, [[Dudley Dursley]] and his friend [[Piers Polkiss]] grew bored when the [[Boa Constrictor]] remained asleep. After they moved on, [[Harry Potter]] began speaking to the snake, apologizing for his cousin's behaviour. To his surprise, the snake responded by raising its head and winking. This was the first instance of Harry communicating with a snake, though he did not understand the significance of this ability at the time.
When Dudley saw the snake was active, he shoved Harry violently to the floor to get a better look. In a flash of anger, Harry unknowingly caused the thick glass of the enclosure to vanish completely. The [[Boa Constrictor]] uncoiled itself and slithered out onto the floor, causing panic throughout the [[Reptile House]]. As it passed Harry, the snake seemed to say, "//Brazil, here I come... Thanksss, amigo.//" before heading for the exit. The incident resulted in [[Harry Potter]] being locked in his [[cupboard under the stairs]] for the longest punishment he had ever received, which directly preceded the arrival of his first [[Hogwarts]] acceptance letter. This event foreshadowed his connection to [[snakes]] and his status as a [[Parselmouth]], a crucial element in //[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]//.
=====Known Areas Within=====
  * **[[Boa Constrictor]] Enclosure:** The most significant area within the [[Reptile House]]. It was a large, glass-fronted habitat containing a [[Boa Constrictor]] bred in the zoo. The glass of this enclosure was magically vanished by [[Harry Potter]], allowing the inhabitant to escape.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation of //[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]//, the scenes at the [[Reptile House]] were filmed at the London Zoo in Regent's Park. (film)
  * The film changes the snake from a [[Boa Constrictor]] to a Burmese Python. (film)
  * J.K. Rowling confirmed on her website that the snake from the [[Reptile House]] was not [[Nagini]]. She stated that the snake successfully made its way back to [[Brazil]]. (J.K. Rowling interview)