The Lizard Guys exotic live animal reptile birthday party preschools New Jersey NJ New York NY

"Enzo"

Originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, Enzo Cristantiello is both a clown & comedian. Being a teen in the 80's he developed an appreciation of silly music, silly hair & silly jokes. With a degree in accounting and a very short stint in that field, he thought "This is bogus, Dude"! While wearing a suit and sitting behind a desk, he realized there was more he wanted than 9 to 5. An opportunity to join a team called "The Lizard Guys" was exactly what he needed in order to do what he was born to do.....to entertain (& clean animal cages)!

Now, why would you want Enzo to educate your children about reptiles & amphibians? Because he's good at it (& having two kids of his own gives him that first-hand insight that kicks it up a notch)! Graduating fourth in his class, teaching is the easy part but it's his ability to entertain & capture the interest of his audience that sets his presentations apart from the other organizations. Like the rest of The Lizard Guys, Enzo's presentations are TOTALLY unscripted. Because he's a natural entertainer with a secure handle on the knowledge of the animals, his improvisation takes on a reptilian flavor that only The Lizard Guys can serve.

.....If you still question his sense of humor, just look at those suspenders!

"Jungle Jon"

Jungle Jon Czerwienski is one of those people who is just easy to like. Being a child at heart, he effortlessly connects with both children & adults to deliver a performance both memorable and educational. Despite his young appearance, Jon has over 12 years experience handling & keeping reptiles & amphibians and has been on The Lizard Guys team since its inception. As a lifelong resident of Bayonne, New Jersey and growing up in a neighborhood surrounded by people, he has the kind of social skills needed to entertain various groups from special needs to senior citizens. Aside from presenting for The Lizard Guys full time, he also teaches part time in the Jersey City school system.

Jungle Jon, sometimes called the "King of the after-school programs" is the kind of guy that children will want to see week after week. The Lizard Guys feel that the first prerequisite is a little thing called personality and that's where Jon excels. Whether he's draped with a Python, Boa or Cornsnake...dancing with a scorpion, millipede or tarantula, Jungle Jon "brings it" with the kind of enthusiastic delivery a child can relate to.

So who's the best Lizard Guy? Each is just as entertaining as the next (but we'll let Jungle Jon keep thinking he is!).

"Jenny"

As the wife of "Silly Billy", the mother of twins and 13 years experience in child care, you can say that Jenny Harkowsky has the kind of skills needed to be one of The Lizard Guys. Jenny & Silly Billy met in 1991 & instantly connected. Along with many common interests they developed a love & amazement for reptiles & amphibians. While living in a confined apartment, they realized they needed an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Jenny & Billy and their two children now find themselves very much at home surrounded by acres of woods and wildlife.

It's a common misconception that "this is great for my son, but it's going to frighten my daughter" and Jenny is proof that lizards, snakes, turtles, frogs & bugs aren't only for the boys. As one of The Lizard Guys she has the knowledge of the animals, and her experience as a teacher & parent gives her the tools needed to get that knowledge to the children. The interest in animals is alive in children and adults alike, and Jenny's presentations are just as alive.

We live in a time of environmental conservation and awareness & Jenny and The Lizard Guys help spread that awareness in a fun, interactive & educational presentation.

"Silly Billy"

Who is this guy and WHAT IS UP WITH THAT HAIR??

Born & raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, "Silly" Billy Harkowsky had interests in both music & art with an unquenchable thirst for life science. Believe it or not, he was the nerd with the pocket protector who spent his summer vacation before 3rd grade reading a set of "Childcraft" encyclopedias. So, "What happened?" you ask.....

Graduating with the business/accounting award & on the verge of entering the same field as his high school buddy Enzo (yes, the one with the suspenders!), he had a last minute "career " change.......a glorious position in retail management. Being as stubborn as his hair is long, he decided to follow his heart instead of his head by surrounding himself with people. In the early 90's he happened upon "Seymor", an unwanted Red-eared slider turtle that Billy almost ran over & who changed his life (which Billy still has). After 8 years in retail he jumped at the chance to meet new people & to boldly go where no one has gone before.... The Lizard Guys.

As a full time presenter for The Lizard Guys, a husband to Jenny & a father of twins he's living his dream. Whether Billy is entertaining your child's birthday party, scout meeting, library or summer camp, his philosophy is the same: make it as fun for the audience as it is for him, period.