When you mention reptiles to people, you usually get one of two reactions, either “Cool!” or “Eek!” I am the one that always says “Cool!” Having grown up in the desert, I have always been fascinated by snakes, lizards, tortoises and other heat-loving creatures. That, combined with my love of any animal – be it two-, four- or no-legged, caused me to choose the Phoenix Herpetological Society as My Day at Camp option.
As we pulled into the north Scottsdale neighborhood and onto the dirt driveway, you really don’t know what surprises lay beyond until they open the giant rolling gate. Upon entering, there are enclosures housing tortoises of varying sizes from tiny to mammoth. The morning we visited, there was lots of activity as workers and volunteers hauled giant garbage cans filled with a large variety of fruits and vegetables out of a van. This produce is donated by Whole Foods every other day, and most of it looked still fine for human consumption! In fact I was eyeing the heirloom tomatoes wondering if the reptiles who would be dining on them shortly appreciated their per pound expense!
They will have all this food gone in 20 minutes!
Wendy Cassidy, Marketing Director for the center, met us and led us to the classroom where Reptile Encounters camp had already begun for the day. Camp instructor Patricia Susanto was telling the class of 9-11-year-olds the differences between turtles and tortoises. During each day of the week-long camp they cover a different species.
After a question and answer session pertaining to what they had just learned, we headed outside. There were long folding tables set up and the kids were assigned the task of sorting the fruits and vegetables under the watchful eye of curator Daniel Marchand. He instructed them to remove any packaging and to avoid any fruit with pits. He also told them to discard any rotten produce. After a short time all was sorted into bins and stacked up. Dan then told the kids to grab a bin and follow him.
A "big guy" - Galapagos tortoise.
We went over to the large enclosures at the front of the property and were greeted by hungry tortoises who were running – yes, running – to the kids. The kids proceeded to dump out enormous amounts of food, which Dan told us would be consumed in 20 minutes or so. They have more than 300 African tortoises, along with other species as well! The kids went from enclosure to enclosure feeding all of the tortoises. You can see the tortoises enjoying breakfast on this video. Dan then asked the kids if they wanted to feed the “big guys.” We had seen some huge tortoises already and Catherine asked “You mean these guys aren’t big?” “Not compared to the Galapagos!” Dan replied. He was right! We walked into the backyard of the home and there lazing in the shade were the “big guys.” Some of the children jumped right in, offering food to the giants, others stayed back and watched.
With feeding time winding down, Patricia told the kids it was time to head back to the classroom. Catherine and I brought up the rear peeking into the various cages and enclosures that house a variety of lizards, turtles and even alligators.
Since it was lunchtime I wandered over to the hallway next to the “venom room.” Here rows of tanks with double locks house some of the most poisonous snakes on the planet. Each tank has a card holder with cards bearing the snakes name, species and anti-venom, although serpent curator Nate Deason says that if you received a bite from some of these snakes, chances are there is no anti-venom available in Arizona.
Up close with Gordo the Mexican West Coast rattlesnake.
There is the Boomslang of Africa, the Indo-Chinese Spitting Cobra, a King Cobra (named Elvis), the Eastern Brown Snake (the #2 most venomous) and various rattlesnakes to name a few. There are 230 venomous snakes here of 95 different species, and Nate knows them all. He is the most passionate and knowledgeable snake person that I have ever met, and he refers to the feelings he has for these deadly creatures akin to “cats and dogs, only you can’t cuddle with them.”
At the end of our time at camp, Catherine and I met up with Wendy so that she could walk us out. As we were chatting, a garage door went up on a separate building next to us. Inside was Nate wrestling with a humongous snake. He explained to Wendy that “Green Beans” had used her tub for a restroom and he needed to clean it out, but she wasn’t cooperating. Green Beans is a 120 pound Anaconda who loves the water, so he was having a hard time keeping her out of her beloved tub. While she was out, he asked us if we wanted to pet her. Catherine backed up and shook her head no.
Catherine summons up the courage to pet Green Beans while Nate Deason holds the Anaconda.
I, on the other hand, jumped at the chance. I touched her cool, smooth skin and told Catherine she was missing out. “Try it with just one finger – that is what we tell the kids” Wendy prodded. Reluctantly, Catherine approached Green Beans with one finger of her left hand outstretched and petted her quickly. I told Catherine she could cross “petting an Anaconda” off her bucket list! I don’t think she was amused.
As we were leaving the neighborhood, I was already planning my next visit to this wonderful sanctuary. All visits to the Phoenix Herpetological Society require a pre-scheduled appointment and tours are available. Call 480-513-4377 (HERP) or visit their website for more information. I guarantee that you will say “Cool!” way more than “Eek!”
Enjoying my time with Green Beans.
Another resident of the sanctuary!
Xena is an albino Reticulated Python.
Half a watermelon is a snack for a Galapagos tortoise.