Radical Reptiles (Cool Summer Nights)
Schedule
Sat Jul 11 2026 at 06:00 pm to 10:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, United States, Arizona 85743 | Tucson, AZ
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All things reptilian are in the spotlight tonight! Learn about the our Tortoise Adoption Program and meet some of the tortoises available for adoption! Plus, hear from notorious Herpetologist Craig Ivanyi! ⛈️ Tonight's Schedule:
Hands-on Activities and Education:
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Back by popular demand, a meet and greet with monsoon storm chasers! Members of the Official Tucson Storm Chasers Group will be joining us to discuss storm forecasting and photography techniques for capturing Monsoon scenes. You can also see prints of their amazing storm photos over the years!
Presentations in the Warden Oasis Theater:
8:00 p.m. Behind the Mask: Inside the Reptile Mind
The face of a reptile is often unreadable—still, silent, and mask‑like. But behind that stillness lies ancient intelligence. In Behind the Mask: Inside the Reptile Mind we will explore how reptiles perceive, decide, communicate, and recognize one another, revealing a world of thought and experience we are only beginning to understand. Presented by Craig Ivanyi, who has devoted more than four decades to the Desert Museum, serving in numerous leadership roles, including nearly 15 years as Executive Director. After retiring from that position, he refocused his work on research, driven by a long-standing passion for animal wellbeing and behavior—especially reptiles. Today, as a Project Coordinator, Craig leads multiple initiatives advancing our understanding of the needs of reptiles in human care.
Live Music on the Ironwood Patio:
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Slither and glide to the Hip Hop, and Dance/Electronic sounds of Halsero, a Tucson-based Beatmaker you won't want to miss!
Throughout the Night:
Look for Museum Docents around grounds interpreting live animals, celestial desert skies, fluorescent minerals, bats, kissing bugs, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and more!
6:00 - 9:30 p.m. Stingray Touch Exhibit
Admission: $2 Members / $4 Non-Members
Visitors are able to create their own moments with these captivating creatures at the Stingray Touch experience. The pool features cow nose stingrays that guests can interact with. Be touched by a ray!
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Packrat Playhouse
This indoor play space allows children to discover the desert through the eyes of a packrat! Packrat Playhouse may reach capacity. 30-minute reserved play times are available at the Packrat Playhouse entrance.
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Art Exhibits
Make sure to check out 'Desert Dreams: Miniature Masterpieces' by the Arizona Pastel Artists Association in the Ironwood Gallery and 'Baldwin in the Baldwin'!
Signature Drink — Snake in the Grass: Vodka, Creme de menthe, lemonade, splash of lime
🌙 ABOUT COOL SUMMER NIGHTS:
Open till 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays June–August! Cool Summer Nights is included with Museum Admission.
The Desert Museum is lovely during the day, but it’s even cooler after dark! Join us every Saturday night throughout the summer to beat the heat while learning something neat! The desert comes alive at night as nocturnal animals awake: Bats perform aerial acrobatics in pursuit of dinner, otters splash around in their pond, and scorpions glow green under black light. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a refreshing drink and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, or participate in special nightly activities.
Learn more: https://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/events_saturday_csn
Consider joining our membership program. A lot of bang for your buck! Learn more: http://www.desertmuseum.org/members/
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Where is it happening?
2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, United States, Arizona 85743Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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