A review of Reptiles Alive! at the Field Museum

On Sunday, I had the joy of seeing Reptiles Alive! at the Field Museum.

Unlike most exhibits at the Field, Reptiles Alive! does contain living specimen along with its taxidermy. While the taxidermy allowed for up close inspection of reptiles posed curiously and, often, demonstrably, the living reptiles offer a direct connection and a delight that just cannot happen otherwise.

However, this wasn't the only fabulous thing about Reptiles Alive!. I honestly learned a lot about what makes a reptile. For instance, I learned that some snakes give birth to live young whereas I had assumed all repitles lay eggs. I also learned some about the differences between snakes and legless lizards (which I didn't know existed). Reptiles Alive! thus challenged some notions I had about these creatures and I'm grateful for it.

Of course, for me, the highlight was the African dwarf crocodile and the alligator hatchling. Now, the African dwarf crocodile was hilariously "hiding" under a log (which the label explained they often do during the day as they are nocturnal). The hatchling was simply gorgeous and while I fully understand that alligators aren't pets, it didn't stop me from wanting to pet it.

On that note, the one thing I felt that was missing from this exhibit was a guide on which reptiles can be good pets and which ones should absolutely not be. There was one label on Chance the Snapper (the alligator found in the Humboldt Park Lagoon) which did cover how Chance was probably an abandoned pet from someone who didn't know alligators were a terrible idea when it comes to pets, but I thought the exhibit could've done more. I especially think this because I bet a lot of kids seeing the exhibit will get excited about reptiles and will be asking if they can get one as a pet and it'd be good for parents to have a nice reference about which reptiles can be pets and the kind of care they require.

Overall though, I was greatly impressed and I recommend Reptiles Alive! for those looking to learn more about these scaly beings.

(Prompt by me)

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