Boys will be boys. So when I tell you that Isaac is into lizards, it should be no surprise.
Remember that dead lizard? I do.
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| Annie the Anaconda |
I don't know when it started. He might have liked them before he liked dinosaurs. He could have been born with a love of reptiles. He is a boy after all.
Isaac recently got a chance to get up close and personal with some reptiles at our last HMNS visit. The live animal exhibit, provided by the
Ultimate Reptile Shop, allowed Isaac to pet a green anaconda and a tortoise. He was pretty interested in the huge fuzzy spiders as well. I was interested in the scorpion with five white babies on its back. Bleck.
Much of Isaac's enthusiasm comes from reading books about lizards. The current one we checked out from the library is called "Lizards: Weird and Wonderful" by Margery Facklam. He's learned about all sorts of lizards. Gila monsters and chuckwallas, skinks and anoles. He has even given some of them dinosaur names. There's the
Triceratops chameleon and the
Ankylosaurus lizard.
We are lucky to live where it's hot and humid and just chock full of wildlife...You're jealous, just say it. This kind of weather makes for plenty of bugs, sure. But that makes for plenty of lizards. We often times catch the anoles
drinking water off our sprouting plants and finding some shade near our front door. Last night we found a gecko (Isaac's favorite lizard) in our house. And here's where I'll fill you in our the crazy idea we've been scheming in our heads. Having a pet lizard. Thrilling, I know. We still have to decide whether we'll buy one or try to catch one. I'm for buying one because I'm sure I'm going to have to buy some "food" for it, so we might as well just pick one up from the store while we are there. Plus, I don't want to be the fool outside in the heat trying to catch a tricky little lizard. I'll keep you updated.
Things Isaac may want to be when he grows up: paleontologist, herpetologist. I'm okay with that list.
But let's stick with the live ones. Way less creepy...I think.
Boys and their toys. Who knows what wheels turn when they contemplate the scales, eyes and colors of reptiles. For reptiles are like men: seemingly tough and impenetrable on the outside with interlocked scales and "armor", but sensitive and vulnerable to those who misunderstand them. Its a healthy and nurturing pastime to study animals with your kids and draw the relations between animals and man (humans).
ReplyDeletei.z. and jones are like 2 peas in a pod when it comes to the reptile fascination!!! i should look for more reptile books at the library, i usually just look for dinosaurs (which i'm pretty sure we've had them ALL)! jones also is very fascinated with bugs and insects, spiders, and anything creepy and crawly.
ReplyDeletei like cameron's comparison of man and reptile. :) cute.
and btw, jones LOVED this post and all the pictures included. he "wants" that last snake (wrapped around i.z.'s neck) "for his birthday".
ReplyDelete