01:00 AM EST on Saturday, February 28, 2004

Reptile collection on a large scale

Providence has a new zoo -- sort of.

Regal Reptiles is a novel combination of pet shop and exhibition space for hundreds of reptiles and invertebrates, including alligators up to 8 feet long and tortoises as large as 65 pounds. The grand opening of the new 13,000-square-foot space is this weekend.

Shawn Fay says that his 100-species menagerie is the largest exhibition of reptiles in New England, and one of the largest on the East Coast. The main attraction is the alligator pond, where alligators lurk just beneath the water's surface.

Regal Reptiles, located at 425 Washington St., on the west side of Route 95, is open, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children age 12 and under. For information, call (401) 277-9000 or visit www.regalreptiles.com.

Rather be camping?

Recreational vehicles ranging from high-line motorhomes to folding campers will be on display this weekend at the 11th annual Rhode Island RV & Camping Show at the Rhode Island Convention Center 1 Sabin St., Providence.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. today, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow. Admission is $8, $6 for ages 12 to 17 and free for ages 11 and under.

For more information, call (800) 332-3976 or visit www.macevents.com; the Web site also includes discount coupons.

Monster trucks are jammin'

Monster-sized hot-rod trucks will be doing demolition derbies, races, and four-way wars at the Monster Jam truck show this weekend at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in downtown Providence.

Events are scheduled for today at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for children age 12 and under.

For information, call the Dunkin' Donuts Center, 1 LaSalle Square, Providence, at (401) 331-6700.

Fashion for humans -- dogs, too

New spring fashions from Talbots and haut couture for dogs are both in store for those attending a fashion show today at a private estate on Newport's Bellevue Avenue -- all to benefit arts and music enrichment programs in Aquidneck Island schools.

Guests can sip champagne and nibble hors d'oeuvres while admiring the fashions, or smiling at the "Parade of Pooches,'' an echo of Newport's extravagant Gilded Age parties for dogs, monkeys and other creatures. All this takes place at 4 p.m. at Bellevue House at 304 Bellevue Ave.

Tickets are $40 single, $60 for a pair. The event is sponsored by Benefactors of the Arts and the Newport Art Museum.

For tickets, call (401) 847-0514.