Reptile Man slithers into Sandpoint
Scott "The Reptile Man" Peterson shows off the gripping ability of a many-colored brush anole at City Beach on July 25.
Photo by ERIC WELCH
Peterson places a bearded dragon lizard on the shoulder of a young spectator.
Peterson holds a boa constrictor before the audience.
Peterson gently causes an American alligator to pass out in front of the crowd.
Peterson shows spectators "Shelly," an African spurred tortoise.
Peterson holds up a harmless milk snake for the audience.
Peterson shows spectators "Sheila," a venomous Gila monster lizard.
SANDPOINT — On Thursday evening, Scott “The Reptile Man” Peterson stopped by City Beach — and brought some cold-blooded friends with him.
“This is my favorite lizard, Sheila the Gila,” said Peterson as he introduced a venomous Gila Monster lizard to a crowd of close to a hundred people at the park. “When they bite you, you won't die, but you'll be crying for two days,” he added, holding the animal in his hand. “They say this is the most painful animal bite on Earth.”
Peterson left his job as a high school biology teacher to found the Reptile Zoo in Monroe, Wash., in 1996. Since then, he has hosted hundreds of species at the facility and presented animals at schools and other venues across the Northwest.
For his first visit to Sandpoint in eight years, Peterson brought snakes, lizards, and an African spurred tortoise.
“If you have painted fingernails, don’t put painted nails in front of a tortoise’s face,” warned Peterson as he brought out the reptile. “They might think they’re strawberries.”
As the zookeeper held up “Lucy,” the young American alligator suddenly became nervous and relieved itself over the front row of spectators.
“Alligator pee doesn't smell, and there are no germs in it. You can drink it and it won't hurt you,” Peterson reassured the crowd. “She can't hold it — they don't have a bladder. It just comes out every couple of minutes.”
After bringing out “Betty” the Boa constrictor, Peterson ended his presentation and allowed onlookers to come up and handle the animals.
Peterson’s visit to Sandpoint was sponsored and organized by Sandpoint Parks and Recreation and the East Bonner County Library District.
Peterson places a bearded dragon lizard on the shoulder of a young spectator.
Peterson holds a boa constrictor before the audience.
Peterson gently causes an American alligator to pass out in front of the crowd.
Peterson shows spectators "Shelly," an African spurred tortoise.
Peterson holds up a harmless milk snake for the audience.
Peterson shows spectators "Sheila," a venomous Gila monster lizard.