Black and White Tegu at C2E2 2020

C2E2 2021 is coming up quickly. After a pandemic delay caused it to be postponed for eight months, it can't come soon enough, even though it starts Friday and runs through the weekend.

C2E2 is full of celebrity guests, artists, authors, other creative folks and more. Usually, there are also a couple exotic animals, too. Such was the case with my buddy the tegu.

A tegu is a lizard, native to Central and South America. The black and white tegu I am holding i highly intelligent and can be housebroken (although there might be some state rgulations regarding keeping them as pets). It lives 15-20 years in the wild and probably longer in captivity. It is docile, especially in adulthood.

These situations always present a dilemma for me. I am always up for interacting with an exotic animal. Aside from the risk of urination, there is nothing to fear. I just don't know about so many people handling the animals. The ones at C2E2 are always brought in by reputable sources and the funds raised go to their care.

My tegu buddy here seemed to enjoy his time at C2E2. He didn't squirm or try to escape anyone's grasp. Instead, he warmed up quickly to all.

Hopefully this year, I'll see new animals, but I'll find out Friday when C2E2 returns. Go to C2E2.com for all the info and scheduling.

Black and White Tegu and me in Chicago, IL-March 2021.

Snakey at Days of the Dead 2018

Days of the Dead Indianapolis runs Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 7. As DotD approaches, I am looking back on fun times over the years covering it.

When I saw Snakey at Days last year, I was a bit apprehensive about holding him. I am not particularly afraid of snakes and (in all seriousness) I am reasonably sure the handlers would have the situation under control at all times. In other words, the odds were pretty good that Snakey wouldn't bite me or constrict around my neck. I felt pretty sure that I would not be in danger.

What I feared was a repeat of the last time I held an animal at DotD. Several years ago, Cuzz Gekas and I were at DotD Indy and saw a vendor with an alligator. For the same reasons I felt safe around Snakey, I felt completely okay with holding Otis the Alligator.

Cuzz and I held Otis as the photographer took our picture. Then it happened. Otis started relieving his bladder. Cuzz wisely extricated himself of the situation. I wasn't as smart or as quick. Otis proceeded to soak my shorts with a lot of his liquid body waste.

To their credit, th handlers acted as quickly as they could. They also refunded the small fee for the picture, but that didn't make me feel much better as I stood in urine-soaked shorts.

Fortunately, our hotel was close and I opted to return there for a quick shower and change of clothes. As a side note, I threw out those shorts, rather than attempt to wash them there or (worse) take them home for washing.

With the Otis memory looming large, I boldly approached Snakey under the supervision of his handlers. They handed Snakey to me and took the picture. Snakey started moving fairly quickly and I did request the handlers take over quickly. Honestly, I wasn't afraid he would hurt me. I was more afraid that he would fall and hurt himself or others. He was quite a big snake. All ended well though/

Although one good animal experience won't eliminate the bad memory of an alligator urinating on me, it did help. I also felt good that several youngsters saw me hold the snake and felt good enough about it to take a turn with Snakey.

I want to thank JGsReptileRoadShow.com for taking steps to restore my faith in animal attractions. The folks at JG's were actually very professionala nd fun. They took extra time with youngsters and also with those who were interested but scared.

I don't know if Days will have any animal vendors this year. If they do, I am sure I will try again and hopefully it will go well. Either way, I will report right back here.

Snakey and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2018.