This Huge Black Throat Monitor Lizard Named Big Al Is Taking Over a South Dakota Reptile Zoo
Reptile Adventure Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, just introduced its most impressive resident yet — and the reptile community is buzzing. The facility recently announced the arrival of Big Al, a black throat monitor (Varanus albigularis), in a social media post that quickly gained traction online. For anyone who has kept or admired monitor lizards, the appeal needs no explanation.
Black Throat Monitor Gets the VIP Acclimation at Reptile Adventure Zoo
Black throat monitors are among the heaviest-bodied lizards in Africa, with adults growing up to about 7 feet long and weighing as much as 60 pounds, according to Oakland Zoo. So when a new one arrives at a facility, the acclimation process matters — and Reptile Adventure Zoo’s staff appear to be handling it with care. A video accompanying the zoo’s announcement shows a gloved zookeeper methodically petting Big Al on the back before attempting to pick him up, a deliberate approach that experienced keepers will recognize.
“This kind of gets him used to getting interacted with before I pick him up as opposed to if I go in there right away and try to pick him up, he might not be as comfortable with that,” the zookeeper explains in the video.
After getting Big Al comfortable with touch, the keeper carries him into a larger space and lets him roam. The video shows Big Al walking around the zoo, standing up on his hind legs and putting his hands on the glass of other reptile cages to get a peek inside. When Big Al gets a bit too curious near another enclosure, the zookeeper grabs him, saying, “Lets not give that guy PTSD. You’re really scary to other lizards.”
What Makes Black Throat Monitors Special
For those wanting the specifics on Big Al’s species, black throat monitors are large reptiles native to East Africa, especially Tanzania, according to Oakland Zoo. They typically live in dry habitats like savannas, grasslands and open plains and are mostly ground-dwelling, using burrows or termite mounds for shelter. They are usually solitary and active during the day, spending much of their time searching for food.
Their diet reflects the opportunistic feeding behavior monitor keepers know well. They are carnivorous, eating a wide variety of prey including insects, eggs, small mammals, birds and other reptiles, as well as carrion. They use their forked tongues to detect scents and help locate food. Physically, they have strong limbs, sharp claws, serrated teeth and powerful tails used for defense, according to Oakland Zoo.
Black throat monitors reproduce by laying eggs, and females can produce large clutches. Their lifespan in the wild is typically around 10 to 12 years, depending on environmental conditions, according to Oakland Zoo. The zoo’s Facebook post noted that “Black Throat Monitors are one of the longest monitor species in the world and can grow up to 7 feet long!”
Reptile Adventure Zoo Is a Full-Service Hub for Herp Enthusiasts
What makes Reptile Adventure Zoo particularly noteworthy is the breadth of what owner Andrew Adam has built under one roof. This isn’t just a display facility — it’s a hub for reptile culture in the region. The zoo celebrated its grand opening in December 2025, occupying a space that was formerly a DMV.
“We do host the reptile expo once a year. This is the shop for that, and then we also have our pet store where you can buy and adopt animals and supplies, and then obviously admission to the zoo experience. Additionally, we have the birthday party room, where you can have different, smaller events, including birthday parties. Then lastly, well, not lastly, we have the herpetological society, the Sioux Falls Herpetological Society. I started that 15 years ago, been meeting pretty strong, and bout 15 to 30 people meet once a month, and then also we do have the rescue as far as people rehoming animals and then adopting too, so all of that in one spot,” said Adam.
Adam’s collection extends well beyond monitors. “We have 13 alligators. We have really big snakes, really small snakes. We have lizards and turtles, and tortoises. We also have the amphibians, as far as frogs, toads, we have a bunch of stuff that people probably haven’t heard about, from caecilians and worm lizards and sirens and all types of stuff that I really think people will enjoy seeing and getting to know,” said Adam, per Dakota News Now.
Visiting Reptile Adventure Zoo and Big Al in Sioux Falls
Reptile Adventure Zoo offers live presentations every 30 minutes, with hands-on reptile interactions and rotating exhibits. Visitors can book ahead at reptileadventurezoo.com.
“It’s just a cool experience, even for the people that aren’t super into reptiles. If you like going to any zoo, aquarium, science center type thing, this is very similar, very kid-friendly, with our sandbox and interactive animal things. Very educational,” said Adam.
For hobbyists, though, the draw runs deeper — a facility that combines a working pet store, a rescue program, an active herpetological society and now a 7-foot black throat Monitor named Big Al.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
