The Company

Riverside Reptiles is passionate about giving quality educational programs about reptiles, amphibians, and other fascinating creatures of the animal world.  With over a decade of experience, we look forward to sharing our knowledge with you.

We specialize in giving adults and children "hands on" learning experiences.  All those at the show will have opportunities to touch or look eye to eye with many captivating critters while learning the natural history of these diverse animals.

 
Who we serve

Riverside Reptiles is available for schools, libraries, recreation, daycare programs, scout troop meetings, birthday parties, and other organizations and gatherings.  We travel all over Connecticut and surrounding areas.

Who is Brian Kleinman?

My name is Brian Kleinman and I am a true Naturalist.  I grew up in Barkhamsted, Connecticut.  I spent my childhood days in the woods behind my house exploring Tunxis State Forest.  My family can recall me always bringing home snakes, frogs, toads, turtles, and various other critters.  I would often gather a collection of small animals and give presentations in my garage to the neighborhood kids.

As a child, I attended Roaring Brook Nature Centers (RBNC) summer camp program.  I flourished in this environment, so much so, that when I was too old to be a camper, I became a camp counselor.  I volunteered my time at RBNC after school and on weekends, and then in the summer, I taught children all that had been taught to me.

When it came time to choose a field of study, there was no question in my mind.  Biology! In my years at Franklin Pierce College, I continued my quest for knowledge with a trip to Georgia to study Loggerhead Sea Turtles, a three month stint in Florida (where I spent a majority of my time in the Everglades), and a two week stay in Costa Rica where I studied tropical ecology by living in the rainforest.

After graduating from college, I continued with the summer programs at RBNC and was fortunate enough to fill the Animal Curator position at the Science Center of Connecticut (SCOC) in 1999 (now the Children's Museum).  For two and a half years I built habitats, fed, and cared for the animals.  I taught the children that came in and out of the SCOC all about the animals that resided there. 

I was so inspired by this role that I decided to branch out and start my own live animal education program, Riverside Reptiles.  With the help of my wife Sara, I visit schools, libraries, day cares, camps, and even birthday parties to teach children about the misunderstood creatures of the animal world ~ reptiles and amphibians. 

I continue to travel to different parts of the world expanding my knowledge of Earth's great biodiversity.  I spend much of my free time outdoors observing our native species.  If I am not outside or on one of my adventures, you will be sure to find me reading about animals or caring for my diverse collection of critters.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brian Kleinman
Owner/Operator
Riverside Reptiles