Life in the Reptile Zoo

My curiosity was piqued as I approached Monroe Station, a large red building 35 miles north of Seattle, home to The Reptile Zoo in Monroe, Washington. I wondered if my perspective regarding reptiles and their relationship with humans might be altered as I entered the building.

After noting a large number of enclosures, I got to work striking up conversations with snakes, iguanas, and turtles. I sensed an increased interest in my presence as I made my way around the room offering energy healing to those desiring it.

I found myself drawn to Pete and Repete, a captivating two-headed turtle. They inform me they are here “to be seen.” As separate souls, they’ve experienced many lives in hiding as prey animals. “Showing themselves” in such a public way is precisely what they chose to experience in this life. I questioned if they also chose this particular time, as many believe we are in a period of a higher consciousness of love and acceptance for humans and animals.

Pete and Repete confide they find people to be the curiosity, the anomaly. When I ask them to elaborate, their response is that humans are “stressed and no fun.” They feel they “hit the jackpot” at The Reptile Zoo with its opportunities to study people and learn about us through our thoughts. They confide they don’t allow our energy to stick to them and have a “slippery coat” that repels it.

With more probing, I learn that one of the turtles is more cerebral and the other more powerful. The zoologist acknowledges one head operates three legs while the other head relies on the remaining front leg to work in tandem to carry out their daily activities. I envision the single leg being the navigator commanding its three power sources.

Pete and Repete love to exercise and say their “sport” is chasing the fish around the aquarium to the chagrin of the staff. They confess they also fight over food.

They describe their relationship as a partnership and one of best friends. In previous incarnations, Pete and Repete say they’ve felt love and a special closeness for each other. They share they are independent thinkers and each head has its own brain allowing for stimulating conversations. Deeper conversations take place in the quiet of the night and are often focused on observations and perceptions of their day.

I ask if there is anything they want or need? I see an image of a small, lightweight ball similar to a cat safari ball. Is there anything else I query? “Yes, make it two,” they reply.

The placard reads “Pete and Repete are identical twins that failed to separate completely. Most Red-Eared Slider Turtles don’t live very long, but can have long lives if given the proper care…” I laugh hearing their voices in unison say, “Que sera sera!”

Behind me, an urgent, yet small, voice cries out: “Wait! Over here, I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.” At “preschool level” are three 10” Uromastyx lizards or spiny tail lizards with their triangular heads, bulky bodies, and spiky tails.

Who are you I ask? She says she is Ed. The other lizards appear lifeless basking under the intense heat lamps. This tan, textured female informs me with no uncertainty they are “sticks in the mud,” while she has a “good attitude and is the life of the party.” Ed strikes various poses as I snap pictures of her. She is very charming and pleased to earn my admiration.

I feel the energy in the room fluctuating with changing noise levels and sense the effect it is having on the animals. I thank the reptiles who told me their job is to “work with energy to maintain consistency.”

In a large tank in front of me is a 17-foot, lethargic-looking, albino alligator. He responds immediately to the energy I send him and turns to study me. Basker looks into my eyes and then says he is pleased to meet me in a very courtly manner. I’m convinced he is smiling!

Basker is 14 years old and is uncommon for any zoo. His chances of survival in the wild are quite low due to his lack of pigmentation and camouflage. Albino alligators can live up to 80 years in captivity and weigh between 500-800 pounds.

Basker assures me he’s “sweet” and reveals he didn’t see his current path being part of his life. He acknowledges he had “forgotten his plan” upon arriving on the rarth. His freedom from captivity comes by traveling to other dimensions in the dream state. He tells me he has “big dreams and big travels.”

Basker conveys his gratitude for being acknowledged and expresses some of the caretakers also see him. He confides Chad, the zoologist, is his most important relationship, and they share a heart connection and energy exchange. He asks Chad to keep talking to him and help heal him.

Basker confides he created a physical ailment in his body because of his desire to leave, but things are different now. Chad confirms Basker had an eye problem that stumped multiple specialists. He stopped eating for six months! The staff was very concerned they would lose him.

Chad relays that he climbs into the alligator enclosure regularly, cleaning it, feeding him, talking to Basker, and helping in any way he can. I believe this is the connection Basker spoke of and the reason he’s here today.

Basker brightens, exclaiming he’s moving to a larger enclosure next door near an alligator he communicates with. Soon he will have what we all long for; something to look forward to, and a friend to share his life with.

Feeling my work is done, I say goodbye and turn to leave; Basker expresses his appreciation declaring “you did a good thing!”

You’re welcome, Basker! Thank you all for sharing your lives and insights with me.