Reptile Ramble--Close up and Personal

I have written here many times about Reptile Ramble, the educational show we present at Tohono Chul Park in the warm weather. The program is helmed by two professional scientists who are assisted by two or three docents each week, and sometimes I'm lucky enough to be one of the docents.

The aim of the Ramble is to demystify snakes for our audience, and demonstrate why no one ever need fear them. At the same time, we introduce our visitors to many of their local neighbors, including lizards, amphibians, turtles, and four to six live snakes, usually including rattlesnakes. Last week I was one of the assistants, and was fortunate to demonstrate my favorite snake, Leo the common kingsnake. A visitor took a video of my presentation, though it was so windy the sound is very bad. Still and all, this is a good idea of what Reptile Ramble is like, on the docent's side.