Ken Earnest has began working with Reptile Gardens in 1991. Throughout his life, he has been responsible for the care of a large and varied collection of reptiles from Tuatara
(Sphenodon Punctatus) to Gharial
(Gavialis Gangeticus) for over fifty years, and has a particular interest in captive propagation of
crocodilians.
He has had successful reproduction of the following forms of crocodilians:
- Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) - first captive breeding in the western hemisphere
- Cuban Crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) - first captive breeding in the United States
- Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) - probably first captive breeding outside of India
- Australian Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) - probably the first captive breeding in the western hemishpere
- Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)
- American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)
- Morlet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreleti)
- Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)
- Brown Caiman (Caiman c. fuscus)
- Yacare Caiman (Caiman c. yacare)
- American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Ken has established longevity records in excess of thirty years with
Crocodylus niloticus and
Crocodylus rhombifer.
Terry has been interested in reptiles since the 3rd grade. He spent the majority of his youth running through the fields and streams of his home in Colorado chasing
snakes of all types.
As a child, when he wasn't out exploring for snakes, he spent his time reading reptile books. He would check out every reptile book his local library had, over and over again. He spent so much time enjoying his beloved books, the librarians often knew him by name!
As a young man, Terry managed a pet store in Colorado for 5 years, and eventually developed one of the largest collections of reptiles in the state at the time.
In 1997, Terry moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, to work as an Alligator Wrestler at Reptile Gardens, quickly becoming a permanent fixture of the reptile department.
After his predecessor and original mentor, Don Middaugh, moved away to manage a zoo collection in Maryland, Terry took on the responsibilities as Curator of Reptiles at Reptile Gardens, and continued his work under the guidance of Head Curator Ken Earnest, a world renowned reptile keeper.
Terry says,
"Having learned from two of the worlds most experienced dangerous reptile curators, my interests have grown in that direction. I have a primary interest in Venomous Snakes and Crocodilians. However, all areas of herpetology interest me."
Ask a Keeper!
Have a Question about Reptiles? Email Terry!
