Riverside Reptiles Education Center

06/07/2026

Today is the day! Come on down to Sacred Body Tattoo for our fundraiser flash tattoo event. We have tons of flash for you to choose from (more than pictured below) and our animals are here to say hello! We’re here until 4.

This fundraiser benefits our non-profit, Conservation and Education Reptile Rescue.

06/06/2026

The Common Pillbug (Armadillidium vulgare) is one of the most abundant creatures in my yard. While they’re invertebrates like insects, they aren’t insects at all—they’re actually crustaceans, making them more closely related to crabs and lobsters! Unlike insects, which have six legs, pillbugs have ten. Often called “roly-polies” for their ability to roll into a protective ball, these fascinating animals are now widespread around the world, though they originally came from Europe. They thrive in damp environments and can often be found beneath logs, stones, leaf litter, and, in this case, under my pool filter mat. Pillbugs play an important role in the ecosystem by helping break down decaying organic matter, including wood, fungi, plants, and fallen fruit. These tiny recyclers are nature’s cleanup crew!

06/02/2026

While exploring a local brook with my students, we discovered an incredible Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus) beneath a rock along the water’s edge. After taking a few photos and discussing the species, one student asked if these large spiders are dangerous to humans. I explained that, despite their impressive size, they are generally harmless and not considered medically significant.

To prove my statement, I attempted to gently coax the spider onto my hand, but she had other plans. Instead of climbing aboard, she leapt into the brook and disappeared beneath the surface. The water was only a few inches deep, so we could still watch what happened next.

What we witnessed was amazing! The spider clung to rocks on the bottom of the stream while the fine, water-repellent hairs covering her body trapped a layer of air, creating a shimmering silver aura around her. I was able to capture some fantastic underwater video as she remained submerged for more than three minutes before releasing and scurrying back under her rock.

Moments like these remind me why I love teaching outdoors. Nature always has a way of surprising us.

06/01/2026

An adorable hatchling Eastern Painted Turtle shares a sunny perch with an adult in our Turtle Pond. 🐢 The Eastern Painted Turtle is Connecticut’s most abundant turtle species and one of the most adaptable. These colorful reptiles thrive in a wide variety of wetlands, including ponds, marshes, lakes, and slow-moving streams. Their ability to live in diverse habitats has helped them become a familiar and beloved sight throughout the state. Moments like this offer a glimpse into the next generation of turtles growing up right here in our pond!

05/31/2026

Join us in one week for our **Flash Tattoo Fundraiser** with Sacred Body - A Tattoo Gallery in Enfield, CT. Come get a Riverside Reptiles-inspired tattoo and help support the lifesaving work of Conservation & Education Reptile Rescue.

*More art flash coming soon!*

A portion of the proceeds will go toward rescuing and caring for reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and fish in need.

Not ready for a tattoo? Stop by anyway and say hi - some of our animals will be there!

📍Sacred Body Tattoo | 27 North Main St, Enfield, CT
📅 Sunday, June 7th
⏰ 12 PM – 4 PM
💵 Prices start at $100

Mark your calendars and help us make a difference, one tattoo at a time!

05/30/2026

This Rapids Clubtail Dragonfly (Phanogomphus quadricolor), sporting a dented eye, landed right in front of me while I was exploring a nearby stream the other day. Dragonflies are among nature’s most effective aerial predators, helping keep mosquito and biting fly populations in check. They may be small, but they do a big job for all of us. Have you thanked a dragonfly lately?

05/26/2026

This male Bold Jumper caught his reflection in the camera lens and immediately started showing off his dance moves ❤️. Bold by name, bold by nature.

05/25/2026

A HUGE female American Bullfrog in our turtle pond at RREC! 🐸💚 American Bullfrogs are the largest native frog species in Connecticut - and all of North America. This impressive female can lay up to 5,000 eggs at one time! Even more amazing, it can take a tadpole up to 3 years to transform into a frog. Stop by RREC and see if you can spot her in the Turtle Terrace pond!

05/25/2026

05/24/2026

I found a really cool insect at Riverside Reptiles Education Center that I had to share!

Meet the Pigeon Tremex (Tremex columba), a species of horntail wasp. Like other horntails, it has a short abdominal projection, or “horn,” at the tip of the abdomen. Females also possess a long ovipositor enclosed in a sheath (visible in the photo), which they use to lay eggs in diseased, dying, or freshly cut hardwood trees.

The larvae tunnel through the wood as they feed and develop before eventually pupating. Despite their intimidating appearance, these wasps are completely harmless to humans and cannot sting.