STAR-NEWS (Wilmington, N Carolina) 15 July 07 Reptile rapport - Man has knack for snakes, lizards and all things cold-blooded (Linda Bordner)
When kids talk about their summer vacation at the beach, you wouldn't expect snakes to be at the top of the list of memorable experiences. But thanks to one young man, Brunswick Island visitors often do just that.
Throughout his high school years, Matthew Bookout fascinated visitors attending Museum of Coastal Carolina's summer series with his easygoing manner and wisdom concerning all things snakelike. Now in his second year of college, Bookout has grown into a recognized authority on native reptiles, still mesmerizing audiences with his fun-filled presentations.
By word of mouth, people know an evening spent at one of his reptile shows is far from just another words-only lecture. Beforehand, tank after tank of live specimens is hauled into place, and his hands-on approach captivates young and old alike.
Bookout notes children are experts at sensing parent reaction to snakes. "If they see their parents get up and start squirming, especially their dads, then they might get scared, too. But some parents are petrified, and their kid just goes up and grabs it," he says about his touch-tank segment.
At 19, Bookout follows a work ethic that puts many twice his age to shame. At times working up to three jobs simultaneously to pay tuition and support his reptile collection, he also helped N.C. State University find reptiles for a global positioning program to track snake populations.
He's played guitar since 10th grade, and still performs informally with friends in local bands. Claire Grissett, his girlfriend, acknowledges his fine-tuned schedule.
"Matt gets more done in a day than I do in a week," she says.
During the school year he attends Brunswick Community College, returns home to clean cages between classes, then, comes back to get ready for work, currently delivering pizzas. In addition, he prepares and presents the museum's summer reptile sessions.
He also helps out with his family business. His dad, Scott Bookout, has a captain and commercial fishing license for his own boat, so spending a day on the water requires another set of skills.
Young Bookout might set the nets, help with the flounder gigs or simply "go out and reel in fish all day."
His favorite pastime, however, is sharing his respect and enjoyment of reptiles with others. From garden clubs, which enlist him to come teach them what snakes they can expect to find in their flowers, to Boy Scout troops, classrooms and even birthday parties, he gears his shows to each particular audience.
Comparing reptile presentations to sitting in a college lecture, he says keeping to the basics helps hold kids' attention.
"It's like in school, if a teacher uses all scientific terms to prove how much he knows, it gets boring," he says. "For kids, I try to put it on a level they understand."
Of course, the occasional snakebite he allows himself during shows keeps excitement up. "It's like NASCAR," he smiles, "Everybody's waiting to see a crash."
More seriously, he adds, "It's a good way to show bites (of harmless species) aren't that bad."
Interspersed in the fun are important facts, such as telling the difference between venomous and benign snakes. He includes native species to offer perspective on what goes on beyond the beach houses and condos, as well as his more exotic 13-foot Burmese python. He stresses snakes are not "out to get you," that they employ camouflage to avoid human confrontations.
Only 13 when he acquired his first snake, Bookout relates to kids he teaches.
"The thing I like about snakes is that they're like living dinosaurs," he explains. "That's really what first got me interested in them. You can't have a pet dinosaur, so having a snake is as close as you can get."
So how does his girlfriend feel about snakes? "I like them," Grissett says. Going with her parents to a reptile presentation years ago sparked her own interest in snakes.
She finds it ironic that the presenter for that show was Matt's museum predecessor.
For Bookout, knowing a creature that has been around millions of years can adapt to modern environments is awesome.
"Most snakes and reptiles still find a way to find food, breed and scare people all at the same time."
It's no wonder that by summer's end his reptile shows are standing-room only. While he strives to maintain an efficient pizza route, there is one problem. When kids recognize him at the door, they sometimes shout, "The snake man!" begging the aspiring herpetologist to linger, and occasionally sign an autograph.
Man has knack for snakes, lizards and all things cold-blooded