Reptile Man slithers into library, much to the delight of children

There may be no better venue than La Conner Swinomish Library for Scott Petersen, the famed Reptile Man from Monroe, to stage his popular live animal demonstrations.

For one thing, the local library's solar panels work just fine and provide an ideal comfort zone for Petersen's collection of cold-blooded critters.

And then there's the interactive vibe that defines the two-year-old learning resource center.

"We are not a quiet library," insists its director, Jean Markert, whose assessment was confirmed loud and clear by the enthusiastic response to Petersen's 45-minute show there July 17.

A large crowd of children, parents and grandparents came for Petersen's unique and entertaining program, one that he has taken throughout the Puget Sound region since the mid-1990s.

Right off the bat, they got an unscripted moment when an alligator suddenly relieved itself while handled by Petersen.

The former high school biology teacher, who studied zoology in college, was unfazed.

"We have some free Gatorade today," Petersen quipped in his trademark calm, soothing voice.

Alligators never stop growing and can weigh up to 1,000 pounds, he explained.

As he introduced his audience to an array of reptiles, Petersen shared lesser-known facts about each of them while interjecting strategically timed vocabulary lessons.

"Can you say 'ecosystem?'" he asked.

Once the school-age children had repeated the term, Petersen explained its meaning.

"When animals and plants are connected," he said, "you have an ecosystem."

Petersen then immediately brought out a 10-foot-long cobra, which drew oohs and aahs from an impressed corps of youth packed in the library's conference room.

"If you leave a snake alone," Petersen reminded the students, "they'll leave you alone."

Still, many couldn't resist getting to know the Reptile Man's snakes up close and personal.

Betty the boa constrictor was a definite favorite.

"Who wants to get squeezed by a boa constrictor?" Petersen asked.

All the kids raised their hands. But it was Emmitt Voorhees who shouted "Me!" the loudest

It didn't take long for Betty to wrap herself around Emmitt's waist. As he described the traits of boa constrictors, Petersen deftly coaxed Betty into releasing her hold on the La Conner Elementary School student, whose dad, Peter Voorhees, captured the drama with his phone camera.

It was evident throughout why Petersen's show is consistently ranked the best school assembly performance in the Pacific Northwest. His snakes are surgically de-venomized, meaning there is no serious risk of injury to anyone attending the program.

In fact, Petersen is an advocate for reptiles of all kinds. He raises his animals from newborns or eggs, none being wild born.

Still, his young fans find the shows wildly fun. Again, and again.

"The kids are having a blast," Markert said as she circled the library.

They can't wait until Petersen makes his return to La Conner.