In his new book, THE LIZARD KING, Bryan Christy tells the true story of America's biggest reptile smuggler, Mike Van Nostrand, and the federal agent who risks his career to stop him. Van Nostrand's company, Strictly Reptiles of Hollywood, Florida, is the world's largest reptile import-export company, selling hundreds of thousands of snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, scorpions and other creepy crawlies to zoos and pet stores each year.
Learn more about the book at: http://thelizardkingbook.com/

Wildlife educator Tom Hudak of Rochester, N.Y. , handles a black phase timber rattlesnake during a news conference at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in Albany, N.Y. , Thursday, March 19, 2009. An undercover investigation into poaching and illegal sales of New York's native turtles, snakes and salamanders has led to charges against 25 people, with more arrests to come, environmental officials said.

Illegal Reptile Trade Rattles New York's Ecosystem. Twenty-three people are charged in what has become the largest illegal wildlife operation in New York State history. Read full article here - includes video.

State puts bite on cold-blooded operation. It took months for undercover state conservation police officers Daniel Sullivan and Richard Thomas to be trusted within the tight-knit world of illegal "herping" — shorthand for poaching of reptiles and amphibians. Read full article here.

Investigation shines light on illegal N.Y. reptile trade. "What they found was alarming," state environmental commissioner Pete Grannis said Thursday, referring to investigators who worked undercover for two years. Read full article here - includes video.

WHAT'S NEW

OPERATION SHELLSHOCK
New York State's largest undercover wildlife operation.
Articles available here.

Todd Kerkman of RNews interviews Tom about which reptiles make the greatest pets (Click Here) and about the recent NYS ban on ownership of certain reptiles (Click Here).

WATCH a short video about Tiny Glover's program - featuring Tom and Tiny!

IN THE NEWS New York State Bans Exotic Animal Ownership. Click Here>

SCHOOL APPEARANCES (New!!)
Tom has been very busy introducing NY area students to some very wild friends. Click here to find out the schools and see some pictures from these awesome events!

MEET THE ANIMALS
of the Scales and Tails family. We have updated our site with great pictures of many of our animal family. Click to meet them!!!

RECENT APPEARANCES
Click here to see pictures from Tom's appearances with America's Junior Miss and Fox & Friends.

DID YOU KNOW?
Jefferson Community College has a zoo keeping program: the "Animal Management A.A.S. Degree Program." Check out their new website.