BILL BOESENBERG NJ CROCODILE HUNTER

Bill's fascination with animals, especially dinosaurs and reptiles proceeds from the age of 2. His commitment to the protection and welfare of all animals has always been part of his life's work. His knowledge is extensive and is often called upon by many agencies. Bill’s experience is impressive: he has repaired countless turtle shells that were struck by cars, hatched endangered turtle eggs, mended broken legged frogs, nursed 100 lb pythons, pulled lost alligators out of people’s pools, performed surgery on injured and dead mother snakes and turtles to rescue the eggs for hatch and release, answered dozens of calls from local police for snake identification and capture, caught loose monitor lizards on the turnpike, rescued injured venomous snakes, and he and his wife, Diane, have opened their home to become a haven for hundreds of orphaned reptiles. His studies of reptiles have taken him to places such as California, Florida and West Virginia. He studied crocodiles in Venezuela, South America. And of course he continues his work in New Jersey where he resides.

He also studied and worked with many non-reptilian/amphibian animals such as Bottle-nosed Dolphins in Florida. He assisted in emergency surgeries of many species of Raptor Trust rescued birds including Hawks, Owls, and Falcons; Song Birds and Water Fowl for 8 years. He has a diverse experience with all manner of fish, insects, and invertebrates of all types and descriptions. He raised native NJ mammals such as Virginia Opossum, Cottontail, Grey Squirrel, Raccoon and Woodchuck; and rehabilitated adult and baby Big and Little Brown Bats; he’s cared for Cotton-top tamarins,(monkeys), Suricate Meerkats, (mongoose), Fenec Foxes, Dwarf Opossums, Ferrets, and Tenrec; and he’s raised Parrots, Macaws, Cockatiels, Love Birds, Parakeets, Tarantulas, Centipedes, Madagascar Hissing Roaches and Scorpions!!

Bill's interview with Clifton Cable prior to his appearance at the Science Festival.

Professional Credentials Founded Snakes-N-Scales and Turtle Tales, LLC in 1995, now the largest Animal Outreach Educational Organization in NJ. Snakes-N-Scales comprises a collection of over 400 reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates, one of the largest in the surrounding states of NJ, NY, PA and CT. Self taught Herpetologist. Studied in Florida, California, W. Virginia, Venezuela and New Jersey. First Licensed New Jersey State Reptile Rehabilitator. Founder/Director of the New Jersey Herpetological Rescue Society. Current Herpetological Consultant for Popcorn Park Zoo, Tenafly Nature Center,   Schiff Nature Preserve,  Camden Discovery Aquarium  and passed consultant for the Bergen County Zoo, Turtleback Zoo, Trailside Nature and Science Center, Weiss Ecology Center, and the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife. Volunteer consultant for Poison Control Hotline, for snake identification in the management of snake bites. Author reptiles and amphibian section “Wildlife in Education: A Guide for the Care and Use of Program Animals” NWRA pub. 2004 Author children’s picture book,” I Am Snake: A Story of Self-Discovery” pub. 2005 Regular guest on New Jersey News 12, TV program, "The Pet Stop." Featured on the TV shows, "Wild About Animals", "The Consumer Guide Show", "Clifton Cable TV", and Fox News Magazine". Zoo keeper, health technician and natural history teacher for the Newark Museum for 13 years. Exotic animal specialist technician for the Plainfield Animal Hospital for 8 years. Senior Store Manger In Charge of Animal Care for NJ Pets, East Hanover, South Orange and Verona for 4 years. Herpetological and Dinosaur/Paleontological book reviewer for American Association for the Advancement of Science. Paleontologist, discoverer of outcrop, "Carnosaur Creek" and a Daspletosaurus vertebrae in Montana.

THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE!! Bill is a 27-year experienced, recognized expert in the field of reptile care (herpetology), who decided to make his life’s goal the education of people about these misunderstood creatures. His credentials are unmatched in NJ. Bill's expertise and good natured humor appeal to all who surround him. His programs are informative, educational and fun. When you hire a member of Snakes-N-Scales you receive the benefits of Bill’s expertise since all employees are specially trained and qualified. All are experienced teachers; all have a wide experience with children and an excellent command of animal handling and showmanship. Everyone at Snakes-N-Scales is dedicated to making our visit a fantastic experience, full of insight, knowledge, discovery and wonder. Thanks to these dedicated people, Snakes-n-Scales and Turtle Tales has succeed in speaking to over 100,000 people per year. Whichever program you choose will be an adventurous exploration into the animal world providing experiences that will last a lifetime.