In 2017, I pivoted in my focus in animal art. My most common subjects up to that point had been mostly birds and native fauna in Florida. After a lengthy discussion with a mentor, he made note of a portrait I’d done of my bearded dragon, Gimli. He told me that not a lot of reptiles are represented in art, and that they are something of an underdog. He went on to say that sometimes you need to find a niche as an artist. After that talk, I would go on to focus more on the lizards, turtles, and snakes seen in my work today.
Why Reptiles?
You could say I found my underdog, in terms of a niche. Reptiles, especially snakes, have been maligned for various reasons. They aren’t what most people see as cute and cuddly, although I’ve seen lizards that seem to enjoy cuddling up to their respective humans. They also aren’t as expressive as mammals or birds, and can be hard to read. Myths, sometimes religion, and general ignorance have all lead to reptiles being feared or outright hated. Being framed as evil spirits or unfeeling, ruthless killing machines is a poor approximation of the truth. The truth is a bit more complicated.
Undeserved Reputation
Everything I’ve either read or experienced personally as a pet owner has proven that reptiles are more complex beings than most people realize. Some lizards are incredibly social and thrive in large groups, while solitary snakes show enough intelligence to solve food puzzles. There is also evidence to suggest some aquatic turtles actually vocalize to eggs still in the nest, and even lead hatchlings to flooded forests where they can safely grow to adulthood. Chameleons and anole lizards use color to communicate mood and intention to each other.
Snapping turtles aren’t vicious, but will bite whatever they perceive as a threat. Snakes don’t chase people, but will charge if they’re cornered and have no choice. The last thing a venomous snake wants to do is bite a human. Venom aids them in immobilizing and digesting prey, and when they use it on something they can’t eat, they must wait for the gland to recharge the venom supply. So they go that much longer without eating. This is their last resort. Usually, these snakes have a prior warning before striking, like rattling a tail, hissing loudly, upright posture, etc.
Green iguanas, now prevalent in south Florida, aren’t the terrible vilified creatures they’ve been made out to be. Yes, they can bite, tail whip, and scratch. Yes, they poop tons, and eat gardens. Are they monsters? No, they’re just surviving in a place they never intended to be. The debate of how to handle those and other invasive animals is a topic for another post. However, I’ve personally worked with green iguanas, and I can tell you they simply want good food, water, and sometimes a little interaction from humans. Granted, those I worked with were previously pets. Some of them wanted little to do with me unless I had the feeding trays, while others warmed up to me. A few had calmer personalities and would definitely approach me for interaction, and even let me remove shedding skin. I still miss that sometimes.
Alligators are all over Florida, even in heavily populated areas. Any body of water can have an alligator in it. Most gators want absolutely nothing to do with people. The few times I saw a large gator up close, it immediately submerged to get out of sight. It’s the smaller juveniles that get fed by people because they’re still cute that end up more bold. I’ve seen it happen, and it usually always ends with the gator being reported for being “aggressive” when it approaches someone after gaining some size. A gator of this nature is seen as a nuisance, and usually trapped and killed. The sad thing is that most people native to Florida know not to feed them, or walk their dogs near the water’s edge. However, with large influx of out of state people moving here, it’s a steep learning curve. Sometimes, even when you tell these people, they still think it’s fine to behave this way around an apex predator. Then after an incident, the gators are labeled as monsters. I have thoughts and opinions about the people, but I’ll stop my rant before it begins.
It all comes down to respect and how you behave around lizards, snakes, or any animal really. When you respect their space and behave in a less threatening manner, generally I find things go smoother. It’s when actively trying to approach or even kill the more dangerous of these animals that people are actually injured.
Fascination and Love
My interest in reptiles started early in life. I grew up in the Florida Keys where we had tons of lizards and snakes. I used to always catch the Brown Anoles around my house, and occasionally a snake or two would slither through the yard. As I grew older and moved to central Florida, I noticed a much wider array of reptiles living around me. Sometimes, I’d just sit in our front yard and watch the interactions between anoles, and observed dominance displays, fights, mating rituals, and more. I saw all types of turtles in the neighborhood creek, and juvenile alligators. It started with reading field guides, and has graduated to reading more detailed books on reptile intelligence and behavior. All shapes, sizes, colors, and ecology, there’s a lot that has earned my fascination.
On a more personal level, I have also loved them deeply as extended parts of my family. I currently have two aquatic turtles, one box turtle, and two ball pythons. All of them are loved. I’ve had lizards in the past, some of which have sadly passed but left their mark on me forever. The most notable among them was a bearded dragon. You couldn’t ask for a better medium sized lizard to care for, and they have a lot of personality. They communicate their wants and dislikes surprisingly well. I’d never put a lizard on a leash before Gimli, but he wore his with style. He was also very tolerant of put putting it on him. Though there were a few times he protested. There were so many moments we just hung out together without any pretense. I enjoyed giving him the freedom to sit on the couch and people watch out the windows, while I got to just sit and read a book nearby. He’d also fall asleep on my chest when watching TV until dark, and do the customary beardie wiggle to get comfy before zonking out. Those moments I had with him will be in my heart forever.
He was incredibly expressive with his eyes and mannerisms. While lizards don’t possess facial muscles to smile or frown, their eyes can tell you a lot about what they might be feeling. Getting the side eye from a bearded dragon can feel as if you are being judged by a wit not completely unlike a cat’s. Sometimes they seem to be disapproving something you did, other times it’s just them lazily noticing you happen to be in the room. Context definitely helps to read this.
Color can also indicate how a lizard might be feeling, or even change during basking. When I’d take him out in the sun, Gimli’s scales would take on a beautiful, almost neon orange. Over the time I had him, I couldn’t help but notice the artistry of the many types of scales a bearded dragon actually has. All the spiny, rough ones on his back and sides, and the smooth soft scales covering his ventral surface. There was beauty in every one of his scales,and I still miss him.
My Muse
Gimli, on more than one occasion, had been my muse. His portrait had appealed to my mentor at the time, and it was him whose photos inspired many other pieces. Not only Gimli, but many other dragons have inspired my work in pet memorials, portraits, and other things I’ve made. There are a multitude of bearded dragon owners who adore this species and who have contributed to my business. Not only did Gimli inspire my venture into reptile art, but he also helped me build a growing brand and style. I will forever love bearded dragons because of him, and I hope to continue my journey with his memory in mind. Missed, loved, and never forgotten.
Sources:
Amazonian Turtle Mothers “Talk” To Their Offspring
Art of Angela DeRiso 
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