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ABOUT US
Team Member Bios
Michael
Joaney
Kristen
Brendan
Morde
Nicki
Where Are They Now?
Lance
Michael Ralbovsky has taken his lifelong love of reptiles and developed an approach to natural history education that has made Rainforest Reptile Shows, his North Boston-based, educational outreach company, famous throughout New England. Childhood asthma kept Michael out of the furry pet world most of us are used to, and planted him firmly in the realm of scales and claws. He got his first pet snake when he was five years old and he has been learning from his reptilian encounters ever since. Michael is now sharing these educational experiences with as many people as he can!
As the child of an Air Force Serviceman, Michael is widely traveled and never misses a chance to learn about the local slitherers and crawlers. While living in Florida, Michael had many opportunities to interact with the neighborhood alligators, venomous and non venomous snakes, and various other reptiles and amphibians. He can not resist devouring every herpetology publication he sees, and has developed an extensive cache of knowledge that makes his presentations unique and fascinating.
Ralbovsky obtained a BS degree in Biology, but gained his most valuable experience as an animal keeper at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park. While working at the Alligator Farm, Michael also helped in conducting behavioral research studies with Dr. Kent Vliet from the University of Florida.
Michael was promoted through the ranks from keeper to Operations Manager and was one of the few people in the world that could interact with the monstrous-sized Gomek, one of the world largest crocodiles. In all, Michael has worked with and gained an in-depth knowledge of all twenty-three species of Crocodilians, not to mention the 17’9” saltwater crocodile giant at The St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park.
Michael currently lives in Beverly, Massachusetts with his wife and business partner, Joaney M. Gallagher, their five children, and lots and lots of animals! Michael started Rainforest Reptile Shows in 1993 to help promote his love of the natural world and his concern for rainforest preservation. In his continuing effort to discover new ways to spread the word, Michael has worked with national companies like Petco as a consultant on proper reptile care. There are many times when the Massachusetts Environmental Police and other states Conservation Officers call on Michael’s expertise to help capture or remove potentially dangerous animals.
Of course Michael, works with children at all age/ability levels at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Boy/Girl Scouts of America, the Boston Children’s Museum and countless numbers of public, private and home schools, and anywhere people want to learn about Michael’s favorite neighbors.
