San Rafael seniors take an exotic journey with a reptile tour

By Helen S. Umberger Last updated Dec 28, 2021

An albino purple ice tegu lizard sits on top of Alex Jacobs of Old-School Exotics and Reptiles as he presents several different reptiles at Drake Terrace Senior Living in San Rafael on Tuesday August 17, 2021 (Alan Dep / Journal independent sailor)
Resident Katie Taggert strokes a Saharan uromastyx lizard held by Alex Jacobs of Old-School Exotics and Reptiles at Drake Terrace Senior Living in San Rafael on Tuesday August 17, 2021 (Alan Dep / Marin Independent Journal)
Alex Jacobs of Old-School Exotics and Reptiles holds Guav the Iguana during a presentation for residents of Drake Terrace Senior Living in San Rafael on Tuesday August 17, 2021 (Alan Dep / Marin Independent Journal)
Alex Jacobs of Old-School Exotics and Reptiles holds Guav the Iguana during a presentation for residents of Drake Terrace Senior Living in San Rafael on Tuesday August 17, 2021 (Alan Dep / Marin Independent Journal)
Guav the Iguana gets petted during a presentation by Alex Jacobs of Old-School Exotics and Reptiles to the residents of Drake Terrace Senior Living in San Rafael on Tuesday August 17, 2021 (Alan Dep / Marin Independent Journal)
Alex Jacobs of Old-School Exotics and Reptiles holds a Saharan uromastyx lizard during a presentation for residents of Drake Terrace Senior Living in San Rafael on Tuesday August 17, 2021 (Alan Dep / Marin Independent Journal)
Alex Jacobs of Old-School Exotics and Reptiles holds Guav the Iguana during a presentation for residents of Drake Terrace Senior Living in San Rafael on Tuesday August 17, 2021 (Alan Dep / Marin Independent Journal)
An albino purple ice tegu lizard sits on top of Alex Jacobs of Old-School Exotics and Reptiles as he presents several different reptiles at Drake Terrace Senior Living in San Rafael on Tuesday August 17, 2021. The event is in one of the “Taste, Travel, Explore” series presentations at Drake Terrace. (Alan Dep / Marin Independent Journal)

Residents of Drake Terrace in Terra Linda took a trip to the wild side this week with an intimate look at exotic reptiles from Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Tuesday’s presentation was part of the “Taste, Travel, Explore” series, a program designed to bring culture and cuisine from around the world closer to home.

“This presentation gives our residents a chance to connect and learn more about reptiles they would not have come into contact with otherwise,” said Ricardo Romero, general manager of the senior citizen complex. “In addition, we know that a human-animal bond positively contributes to healthy aging.”

The reptile tour was part of a session focused on Guatemala. Italy and Ireland were also on the route. The focus of the series shifts to the Philippines.