Riverside Reptiles Education Center

Are you looking to get a little. more out of your visit? Check out our REPTILE EXPERIENCES! You can:

~ Feed the TORTOISES
~ Meet a giant RETICULATED PYTHON
~ Be a ZOOKEEPER
~ Have your own PRIVATE ANIMAL ENCOUNTER

REPTILE EXPERIENCES are are the perfect gift for any reptile enthusiasts!

Click on the link for more information.

https://www.riversidereptileseducationcenter.com/reptile-experiences

Here is a European Mantis (Mantis religiosa ), the other introduced mantid species I don't see nearly as often as the Chinese Mantid (Tenodera sinensis). The European Mantis is much smaller, this adult male was only about 3-inches long. Usually they are green, but they also come in lemon flavor.

ONLY TWO SPOTS LEFT!

Support our rescues and have fun doing it! Join us on September 20th at 5:30 PM @ Riverside Reptiles Education Center to create your very own Bonsai Tree.
Reserve your seats now on the CERR website!
https://www.cereptilerescue.com/bonsai-for-reptiles

Attention: LIBRARIES, LAND TRUSTS, AUDUBON SOCIETIES, NATURE CLUBS, etc.

If you're looking for a fun and informative presentation on Connecticut's amphibians & reptiles geared towards adults and older students, then we have the program for you! Our Lecture Series programs focuses on identification and conservation of our native snakes, turtles, and amphibians. Each program consists of a 45-50 minute PowerPoint presentation followed by live animals.

Riverside Reptiles Education Center is open on Labor Day!

Come visit us on Monday, September 2nd to see Connecticut’s only zoo that specializes in reptiles and amphibians. There is over 10,000 square feet of exhibits housing everything from tiny little dart frogs to 15-foot giant Green Anacondas! We now have over 100 species of amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and fish on display.

Our educators will have animals out all day (10 AM – 4 PM) for you to meet and interact with.

We are located at 132 SOUTH RD, ENFIELD, CT (only 3 miles off 91).

For more information, please visit us at:
https://www.riversidereptileseducationcenter.com/

Meet our newest addition to the Bug Cave!

Let’s meet Neobarrettia spinosa! Also known as the Greater Arid-Land Katydid! Let’s meet Neobarrettia spinosa! Also known as the Greater Arid-Land Katydid. The species is form the american southwest and Mexico. Unlike the herbivorous T...

Help support rescued reptiles by making your very own Bonsai Tree! Join us on September 20th at 5:30 PM @ Riverside Reptiles Education Center. BYOB (booze not Bonsai 😉), and snacks (snacks will be available for purchase as well). Go to the CERR website to reserve your spot now!

https://www.cereptilerescue.com/upcoming-events

Our Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroach colony is busting at the seams! If you are interested in few for your own personal collection please let us know. We'll be giving them away to responsible owners TODAY ONLY.

Please send us a message if you're interested.

POP’S the Black-breasted Leaf Turtle is sad that summer is coming to an end! It always goes by so fast! Although we are open year-round, the animals would love to see you before you head back to school. We now have over 100 species of amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and freshwater fish on display!

Riverside Reptiles Education Center is located at 132 SOUTH Rd, ENFIELD CT

LIVE ANIMAL DEMONSTRATIONS on SATURDAY & SUNDAY (we take out animals periodically during the week as well).

10:30 – Tortoise Feeding Demonstration
11:30 – Meet a Snake
1:00 – Meet an Alligator
2:00 – Meet a Lizard

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.riversidereptileseducationcenter.com/

Our first official fundraiser for our 501(c)3 nonprofit!

Help us raise some money for Conservation & Education Reptile Rescue, and have fun at the same time! Space is limited so purchase your tickets now by clicking on the link below.

https://www.cereptilerescue.com/bonsai-for-reptiles

If you really LOVE Riverside Reptiles PLEASE take two-minutes and give us a GOOGLE REVIEW. Just click on the link below! These reviews REALLY HELP small businesses like ours. THANKS!

https://g.page/r/CfeaVrXOg3E2EB0/review

There are ONLY 5 SPOTS LEFT!

Do not procrastinate if you are interested in doing this class for 2024. This class will fill up!

Click here for more information:

https://www.riversidereptileseducationcenter.com/venomoushandlingcourse

Although National Zookeeper Week was last week, we still have some more keepers that we would like to celebrate. So today we would like to would like to recognize Stephen Korzeb! Stephen is a graduate of East Windsor High School and started volunteering at RREC in the Spring of 2022. Stephen is a volunteer Zookeeper on the weekends.

Stephen is truly passionate about all the animals he works with! Stephen’s favorite animals to work with are the big tortoises, Tank the African Spurred, and Leo & Fig the Aldabra’s. Stephen is especially fond of Leo because he follows and listens to Stephen when he is working with him. Stephen also enjoys working with Mushu the Bearded Dragon, because he has a pet Bearded Dragon at home and he enjoys bonding with them.

When Stephen isn't working with animals he loves to play videos games, work on his drawings, and visit Six Flags to go on his favorite ride - The Batman 🦇 Roller Coaster.

THANKS STEPHEN!!!

For National Zookeeper Week we would like to recognize Taylor Hills! Taylor started volunteering at RREC in late 2022. Taylor is a volunteer Zookeeper that has a full time position at Beckett & Associates Veterinary Services doing small and large animal medicine. In August Taylor will be starting classes for a degree in Veterinary Technology, with hopes to going into Zoo/Exotic Animal Medicine.

With a background in veterinary sciences, Taylor fit nicely in with the animal care team. She is no stranger to hard work, and always has a positive attitude no matter how gross or messy the job gets! Taylor's favorite animal to work with is Simon the Rhinoceros Iguana (and we think Simon's favorite human is Taylor). Cairo the Nile Monitor Lizard is another one of Taylor's favorite animals to work with.

When Taylor isn't working with animals she loves to bake, read, hike with coworkers (and volunteer at RREC!).

THANKS TAYLOR!!!

For National Zookeeper Week we would like to recognize Nick Economos! Nick joined the RREC team in late 2023. Nick has a degree in Marine Biology from University of Delaware with a minor in Latin. Before RREC Nick cared for the animals at Sea Quest in Trumbull, CT

Nick’s background in animal care, especially in aquatics helped him adjust well in the RREC animal care regiment. Nick also has his own personal collection of herps at home. Nick’s favorite animal to work with is John, the Black-throated Monitor because he’s exceptionally intelligent. John is only 1.5 years old and he’s already two feet long. Male Black-throated Monitors (like John) can get seven feet and 60 pounds! Nick also enjoys working with Toast the Gopher Tortoise.

When Nick isn’t training lizards and cleaning tortoises, he enjoys trying as many new foods as he can, watching anime, and going to reptile expos with his friends. Nick LOVES talking about our animals and sharing the experiences he’s had with them. If you see Nick at the center, feel free to ask him anything about the animals!

THANKS, NICK!!!

For National Zookeeper Week we would like to recognize Eberly Tirillo! Eberly Joined the RREC team in April of 2022 as a part-time cashier and front-end assistant. At the same time, Eberly attended the University of Connecticut and graduated in 2023 with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Because her passion is working with animals, in late 2023 Eberly joined the Animal Care team for 2-days out of the week.

Eberly fit into Animal Care seamlessly because she is a fast learner, and her patience and knowledge of the animals she cares for is exceptional. Eberly’s favorite animal to work with is Moira the Reeve’s Turtle because she is so sweet, and very silly when she’s expecting to be fed. You can see Moira in the same enclosure with Cairo, the Nile Monitor. Eberly also enjoys working with all the “Bugs” in the Bug Cave. She especially enjoys spending time with the giant Lubber Grasshoppers (who wouldn’t!).

When Eberly isn’t hanging out with the reptiles she enjoys doing puzzles, kayaking, going on Nature hikes, and foraging for edible mushrooms.

THANKS, EBERLY!!!

For National Zookeeper Week, we would like to recognize Nicole Bilodeau! Nicole has been at RREC since we first opened in October of 2020. Before RREC, Nicole worked with birds of prey at Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation and Education (where she still volunteers occasionally), and Glastonbury Audubon where she taught Summer Camp, and helped care for their small collection of native animals.

Nicole's dedication and love for all the animals here at the center is obvious in the way she always makes sure all their needs are met. Nicole's attention to detail in designing naturalistic habitats is unmatched, and many visitors can attest to the atheistic appeal of the animal enclosures here at RREC. The daily routine of zookeeper is sometimes very overwhelming, but Nicole will always make time to talk to, and answer questions from the public.

Nicole’s favorite animals to work with are the salamanders- especially the Eastern Hellbenders! She loves their uniqueness, and she has a special way of always getting them to eat (they can be picky eaters sometimes). Coming in a close second are the tarantulas! Tarantulas can sometimes be a tricky arachnid to care for, but Nicole is always up for the challenge. Her favorite part about caring for tarantulas is feeding time!

Besides Nicole’s animal care knowledge, she is a skilled artist and crafter (you can purchase some of her art and jewelry in our gift store). She’s also proficient in POS systems and can step in a help the front end if needed.

THANKS NICOLE!!!

Tonight at RREC!

Swimming with the green anaconda today at 10:30 AM! Don’t worry if you can’t make it this morning because we will be going live on Facebook around that time as well. 

🐍 Tuesday, July 16th is "World Snake Day"! 🐍

Come celebrate with all of our snakes at RREC! We will be having snake encounters ALL DAY and Brian Kleinman will be swimming with a green anaconda in the Turtle Haven pond at 10:30AM for everyone to watch.

You won't want to misssss out on this snake-tacular celebration!

(Photo from Brian's Anaconda Swim in 2022)

We will be closed on Thursday July 4, 2024. We will resume our normal hours on Friday July 5th.

Have a fun (and safe) Fourth of July!

https://thereminder.com/local-news/riverside-reptiles-education-center-vacationing-in-your-own-background/

Riverside Reptiles Education Center: vacationing in your own background - The Reminder ENFIELD — The Riverside Reptiles Education Center, or RREC, is a zoo that specializes in reptiles and amphibians. The center displays other unique animals such as invertebrates, including spiders, scorpions, millipedes, centipedes and various insects from around the world. They also have a small v...

Are you looking for a fun local activity this summer for all ages? Check out Riverside Reptiles Education Center located at 132 South Rd, in Enfield CT. With over 100 species of amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and unique freshwater fish, RREC has something for everyone! For more information, please visit our website:

www.riversidereptileseducationcenter.com

We are open from Tuesday-Sunday from 10-4.

Come check us out!