The Chat … with son of Reptile Man, Isaac Petersen

Isaac Peterson

Monroe

Snohomish County’s well-known Reptile Man, Scott Petersen, is passing some of his duties on to his son, Isaac Petersen, 27. Father and son will take turns presenting their reptile show at the Evergreen State Fair beginning this week. To learn more, you can stop by the Reptile Zoo, 22715 U.S. 2, on the east side of Monroe.

What creatures will you bring to the fair for your show?

We will be bringing an African tortoise, iguana, alligator, rattlesnake, cobra, python and a few other surprises.

Do you ever have nervous moments when you handle snakes?

Every once in a while I get a little nervous when we get a new snake that I am not familiar with and it surprises me with a fast strike or jerk of its body.

How do most kids respond to your reptile show?

Most kids are excited with a little bit of fear when we bring each animal out, especially the more dangerous looking snakes.

When you were a kid, did you like watching your dad do his reptile show?

I always enjoyed watching the shows when he was performing for larger groups and watching the reactions of the people to the various animals as they were brought out.

What is your favorite creature at your Reptile Zoo?

A rock iguana named Rocky. He started doing shows with me when I started about 11 years ago.

What is your favorite part of the fair?

The farm animals that you are able to see and touch.

If you could share a meal with anyone from history, who would it be?

Benjamin Franklin, because he was a smart guy and had a good sense of humor.

What has been your proudest moment?

Finishing business school at Brigham Young University.

What about you would people be shocked to know?

In the past year and a half I traveled to Guatemala nine times. My wife is from Guatemala and I visited her during our engagement.

What was the best year of your life so far?

2015. I got married three months ago. Life is good.