Get to Know Big Al, the Giant Lizard Winning Hearts at South Dakota’s Only Reptile Zoo
If you love animals with big personalities, you’re going to adore Big Al. This massive black throat monitor lizard just moved into Reptile Adventure Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota—and a video of him exploring his new home has the internet completely charmed. From peeking into other reptiles’ enclosures to standing on his hind legs, Big Al is proving that lizards can be just as lovable as any furry friend.
Reptile Adventure Zoo announced Big Al’s arrival in a Facebook post that called the addition “BIG NEWS” and described his “powerful, prehistoric presence” as the kind that makes the species “so captivating.”
Big Al the black throat monitor lizard makes himself right at home
The video shared by the zoo shows just how much personality Big Al brings to his new digs. In the clip, a zookeeper wearing gloves gently pets Big Al on the back before picking him up.
“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.
Once carried into a larger space filled with tanks, Big Al wastes no time making himself at home—walking around the zoo, standing up on his hind legs and pressing his hands against the glass of other reptile enclosures to peek inside. That curiosity prompted a quick intervention from the zookeeper, who grabbed him saying, “Lets not give that guy PTSD. You’re really scary to other lizards.”
What makes black throat monitor lizards so fascinating
Black throat monitor lizards are large reptiles native to East Africa, especially Tanzania. They 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. These impressive creatures typically live in dry habitats like savannas, grasslands and open plains, and they are mostly ground-dwelling, using burrows or termite mounds for shelter.
They are carnivorous and opportunistic feeders, eating 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. Their lifespan in the wild is typically around 10 to 12 years.
Reptile Adventure Zoo offers a family-friendly experience
Big Al joins an already impressive collection at Reptile Adventure Zoo, which celebrated its grand opening in December 2025 in a space that was formerly a DMV. Owner Andrew Adam described the collection to Dakota News Now: “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.”
Adam emphasized the zoo’s broad appeal: “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.”
Beyond the exhibits, the facility hosts a reptile expo once a year, operates a pet store where visitors can buy and adopt animals and supplies, and has a birthday party room for smaller events. Adam also founded the Sioux Falls Herpetological Society 15 years ago. “Bout 15 to 30 people meet once a month,” he said. The zoo also runs a rescue program for people rehoming animals.
The zoo features live presentations every 30 minutes with hands-on reptile interactions and educational talks. Most families spend about 45 minutes exploring, and visitors of all ages are welcome. The zoo recommends booking visits online at reptileadventurezoo.com to reserve a spot and skip the ticket line.
As for Big Al, the zoo’s Facebook post summed it up perfectly: “Seeing him in person hits different, his size and presence are absolutely jaw-dropping.”
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