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- Dallas, TX
- Reptile Show
- Travels up to 1500 miles
- #- Not stated.
Overview
The most unique live animal show anywhere. A whirlwind ride through at least a dozen different snakes from around the world, masterfully interwoven with high-quality comedy and magic to create an experience that is deeply educational - but the audience has too much fun to notice. Specializing in The Truly Petrified, with a perfect 20-year safety record. Daryl Sprout, the World's Only Prestidigitating Herpetological Humorist, is also Senior Field Herpetologist for Snake Removal, Inc., a nationwide company specializing in snake problems. Seen at science museums, fairs, festivals and corporate events across the country.
22 Reviews
Daryl was amazing at my daughter's 7th birthday. The kids (and the adults) loved the show. We are big fans of edutainment so I love when we can teach the kids something while they're also having the time of their life. I will be recommending snake encounters to everyone I know that books programs at schools or has a snake lover at home.
Children’s Party Entertainment
Response from Snake Encounters:
Thank you Meghan! Amazing event, at the best decorated snake/Halloween party ever, and it was an honor to bring joy and excitement and discovery to it! Indelible memories!
The Snake encounter show was the hit of the party! The interaction with the crowd was fantastic and everyone was talking about how great the show was. It was a great addition to our festival.
Reptile Show, Animal Entertainment
Response from Snake Encounters:
Thanks so much Crystal! Fun crowd, beautiful park, and a well attended event! We would happily return!
We had such a fantastic experience; from the booking to communications, availability and engagement with the kids, Daryl was amazing and so professional. He was educational, hilarious, generous, and I had multiple party goers say it was the best experience they’ve ever had at a birthday party. Thank you, Daryl, for making my son’s birthday extra special, and we vow, with humor and optimism, to do our part in supporting the preservation of these amazing creatures that you devote to sharing with others.
Children’s Party Entertainment
This show was half educational, half entertainment and 100% great. It was fantastic to see how kids don't have any preconceived ideas or fears of snakes (us adults do). There were tricks, jokes, pranks and a lot of information about snakes, you can see how passionate he is about these beautiful animals. My daughter is waiting for her next birthday hoping she can have the same show!
Animal Entertainment, Children’s Party Entertainment, Comedian, Illusionist, Reptile Show
This was the best experience my kiddo had for his birthday. Mr. Darryl is nothing short of amazing, from his jokes to the loads of information he shared with us! We loved him and the show it was so much fun 10/10.
Animal Entertainment, Children’s Party Entertainment, Comedian, Reptile Show
Photos from this event
He was absolutely amazing!! The kids and grown ups loved him! He was funny, educational, and actually got people over their fear of snakes! This is a MUST BOOK for a party or any social event!
Animal Entertainment, Children’s Party Entertainment, Comedian, Magician
What a great show. Enjoyed by all ages. Daryl has a special knack of putting everyone at ease. He is very knowledgeable and clearly loves what he does. He exceeded my expectations. So many different types of snakes too. I'm not exactly fond of snakes but even I felt so comfortable at the end I touched a few. His show is about an hour long and has a perfect balance of information and fun.
Animal Entertainment, Children’s Party Entertainment, Environmentalist, Reptile Show
We had the best time at my sons 7th bday party! Snake encounters was so much more than expected and he had the room laughing and learning at the same time. This will be a lifelong memory for everyone that came
Animal Entertainment, Children’s Party Entertainment, Comedian
I hired Daryl at Snake Encounters to do a reptile show for my son's 6th birthday. I spent 15 - 20 minutes on the phone with Daryl when booking his services to discuss the party and to better understand the show he would put on.
Daryl did a great job explaining to me what to expect and provided advice on what works great for a young child's birthday. Every thing Daryl explained to me occurred during the show so my expectations were 100% met.
Most importantly, Daryl was great with the kids and also with the adults, mixing in a good balance of comedy and also took time to explain details of about the reptiles and provided a great message to everyone the importance of reptiles to our ecosystem.
Great Job Daryl, thank you for helping make my son's birthday a big success!
Comedian, Reptile Show
Darryl was amazing. He was very informative and entertaining. My daughter is now on the crusade to “move all insects to the neighbors” without hurting them. LOL. All the kids who were afraid of snakes touched or held one by the end of the show. Including the parents. I highly recommend the “snake guy” for your next event.
Animal Entertainment, Reptile Show
Response from Snake Encounters:
Really fun party Lee Ann. Thanks so much for making us a part of it. Neon was clearly very happy on your couch.
Photos from this event
We had a group of about 200 5th and 6th grade students in a large room for VBS. They - and the leaders - were all Captivated the entire time! It was a great way to end our "In The Wild" week at First Baptist in Frisco. The jokes were funny, the stories were good, the education was spot on, and the animals were varied and great. The only-only-Only critique I had is that we needed the show to go 45 minutes but it went over an hour. But, like I said before, it was captivating all the way through! Definitely would hire Snake Encounters for another event if the opportunity presents itself!
Animal Entertainment, Reptile Show
Response from Snake Encounters:
Really appreciate the feedback, Sean! And yeah, when the crowd has that much energy I sometimes forget time limits a bit. I could have left a couple of things out and they wouldn't have noticed, but we were on a roll. Thanks for making my show a part of your very impressive VBS!
Photos from this event
Highly remcommend! So great!! Our group loved his show. Ages from 5-70 years all had a wonderful time. My sides hurt from laughing so much!
Animal Entertainment, Children’s Party Entertainment, Comedian, Magician, Reptile Show
Response from Snake Encounters:
Thanks so much Allison! That was SUCH a fun party!
The kids at this birthday party, ranging from 4-9, all ended the show holding a snake in one form or another...those terrified at the beginning, included! (I may have hopped the couch to avoid touching one, but that’s a different story😉)
Thanks so much, Snake Encounter!
Reptile Show
Response from Snake Encounters:
Great kid, fun friends, lovely home, awesome party. Thanks, Lauren!
Darrell did an amazing job entertaining the whole crowd - kids and adults alike! He is funny and engaging, and his collection. Of 'friends' are awesome! We highly recommend his show for anyone looking to make their party the talk of the season!
Animal Entertainment, Children’s Party Entertainment, Comedian, Magician, Reptile Show
Photos from this event
I booked a snake party for my son's birthday. We had about 25 guests - 6 and 7 year olds. Party was a hit!!! So much so that parents were asking for referrals. Thanks for making my son's party SO special!!!!!
Reptile Show, Children’s Party Entertainment
Response from Snake Encounters:
Thanks, Veronica! It was great helping to make your party unforgettable - and it was nice of the Dallas Cowboys to join in! All the best!
Photos from this event
Daryl was professional and very personable. We booked him for a birthday party for my son. Our guests all thought it was awesome! Definitely recommend!
Children’s Party Entertainment, Reptile Show
Response from Snake Encounters:
Thanks so much Carrie! Great crowd, amazing house, fun party - and pics of your decorations and that cake are now part of my treasured collection. You nailed it!
My 5 year old wanted a reptile party and Mr. Sprout did not disappoint! The children as well as the adults were actively engaged! Everyone had a great time!
Animal Entertainment, Children’s Party Entertainment, Reptile Show
Response from Snake Encounters:
Thanks so much Megan! I do lots of parties and my goal of making them an unforgettable experience never wavers, but it's rare that one is so unforgettable for me. The snake on the zipline experiment rocked! Will's a great kid and I was honored to be a part of his big day.
What a great show. We had kids of all ages and they loved the show. Just the right amount of fun, education and animal handling.
They arrived when they were supposed and everything went off without a hitch. It made for some GREAT Facebook photos.
Highly recommended.
Children’s Party Entertainment, Comedian, Environmentalist, Magician, Reptile Show
Response from Snake Encounters:
Thanks so much for the review Stephanie! Great bunch of kids and a very fun show to do.
He was great and kept 150 children ages 4-13 occupied and entertained the entire time! Spell-binding!
Children’s Party Entertainment
My daughter asked for a reptile party and pink tutus. We pulled together an amazing theme and the best part was Snake Encounters. He had my five year old and her friends eating out of his hands. Every parent shared that their kids all want this party and that it was the best party. Thank you. Thank you.
Children’s Party Entertainment, Comedian, Reptile Show
Response from Snake Encounters:
It was my pleasure Jaimie. Great bunch of kids and your daughter is a treasure. Thanks for the review!
Got Darryl for my husband's 50th birthday party. Very professional. Great with the kids, highly entertaining for the adults and more educational than many of the other "educational" reptile shows I've seen. We loved that we could actually hold and enjoy the reptiles after the show. Other shows just don't give you that option. Several of our friends who came in afraid of snakes ended up holding them and loving it. Highly recommended!
Children’s Party Entertainment, Comedian, Magician, Reptile Show
Response from Snake Encounters:
Thanks so much Beth! It was great fun helping to make John's birthday unforgettable. Great setting, great group - and the food was excellent! All the best to you and yours.
We had Mr. Sprout come to our daughter's 7th birthday party themed 'snakes'. He was phenomenal! The kids (and adults!) had an absolute wonderful time! He was funny, entertaining, a great magician, and we absolutely enjoyed having him here! I'd like to convince my daughter to have a snake party every year!! Absolutely the best experience ever!! We loved him and his slithering animals! I'm even a little less fearful of snakes now! :)
Liddy Davis
Reptile Show, Children’s Party Entertainment, Comedian, Magician
Booking Info
Price Range: #- Not stated.
Gig Length: 45 - 90 minutes
About
Born in Greenville, SC, Daryl Sprout has lived in the Dallas area most of his life. Very much into dinosaurs as a kid, his first encounter with a snake was in his great-grandmother's back yard in Jackson, MS. It wrapped around his finger, and by the end of the day, around his heart. By the time he reached sixth grade, his knowledge of the topic was sufficient to generate requests for presentations to classmates. By the time he graduated high school, that had added up to quite a few snake talks.
Meanwhile, Daryl's mom ran the school's theater department (his first bit part was at age six) so he grew up on and around the stage, learning acting, comedy and stagecraft. Dr. Geoffrey Stanford, Director Emeritus of the Dallas Nature Center, asked him to become the reptile guy there. Presentations for that facility led to inquiries from moms wanting the show for their kid's birthday parties - and Snake Encounters was born. At the time he owned and operated a small business called Mailroom Express in Dallas, and party shows began to become a steadily bigger percentage of his time.
A friend's mother who avidly read the ENTIRE newspaper every day, including the classifieds, spotted a two line ad that read, "Field Herpetologist Needed - call 1-800..." She clipped it, glued it to an index card, and mailed it to Daryl, his only correspondence from her ever. He was hired as a Field Herpetologist and began taking Snake Removal calls, removing offending snakes, identifying and diagnosing the underlying causes of the clients' snake problems, and educating them about solution strategies and local species recognition. Today, he holds the position of Senior Field Herpetologist, and when a large commercial (or very large residential) call falls outside the range of a local field rep, he is flown wherever the need arises, which has included cases from coast to coast.
The show continued to grow in popularity as Daryl's reputation for a unique approach, a dry wit and an overall entertaining presentation led to an affiliation with Animal Planet. At first Daryl was providing animals and humorous/educational material for Peter Gros, star of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. They developed a friendship and working relationship that continues today. Later, AP booked Daryl directly providing shows for cable affiliates as a promotional reward for launching their products. At the same gig (Houston Children's Festival) where Daryl met Peter, he also met and befriended local illusionist James Austin Banner, who later created the first stage illusion to be incorporated into the Snake Encounters show. Since then, Daryl has become proficient in both stage and closeup magic, and his comedy/magic/snake show has evolved into an experience that has earned him the title of "The Worlds Only Prestidigitating Herpetological Humorist." Indeed, The Las Vegas Sun said "Sprout may be the only standup comic snake handler in the world."
Science and Nature Museums, fairs and festivals, corporate events and parties of all kinds who were looking for "something different" have all found this extremely unique show to be the perfect fit.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| October 05, 2024 • 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Festival |
| July 13, 2024 • 12:00pm - 12:45pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| May 12, 2024 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Birthday Party |
| June 23, 2023 • 11:00am - 1:00pm | Camp Event |
| June 04, 2023 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| December 11, 2022 • 3:30pm - 4:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| September 10, 2022 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Children’s Birthday Party |
| June 29, 2022 • 10:00am - 10:45am | Nonprofit Event |
| May 22, 2022 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| April 16, 2022 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| April 09, 2022 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| January 15, 2022 • 2:00pm - 2:45pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| October 30, 2021 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | House Party |
| August 15, 2021 • 2:30pm - 3:15pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| May 22, 2021 • 2:30pm - 3:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| September 19, 2020 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| March 21, 2020 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Children's Birthday Party |
| August 24, 2019 • 1:30pm - 2:15pm | Children's Birthday Party |
| June 14, 2019 • 11:00am - 11:45am | Camp Event |
| April 20, 2019 • 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Teen Birthday Party |
| February 09, 2019 • 6:00pm - 6:45pm | Graduation |
| November 18, 2018 • 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Children's Birthday Party |
| October 27, 2018 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Halloween Party |
| October 20, 2018 • 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Nonprofit Event |
| June 16, 2018 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Personal Occasion |
| May 12, 2018 • 8:00pm - 10:00pm | Children's Birthday Party |
| May 08, 2018 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
| March 24, 2018 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Teen's Birthday Party |
| March 24, 2018 • 4:00pm - 4:30pm | Children's Birthday Party |
| January 13, 2018 • 2:00pm - 3:30pm | Children's Birthday Party |
| May 20, 2017 • 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Birthday (Child) |
| November 13, 2016 • 2:00pm - 3:30pm | Birthday (Child) |
| October 22, 2016 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Festival |
| May 10, 2016 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Campus Event |
| February 19, 2016 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | School Assembly |
| December 05, 2015 • 2:00pm - 4:30pm | Birthday (Child) |
| October 10, 2015 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday (Child) |
| July 18, 2015 • 10:30am - 11:30am | Birthday (Child) |
| July 17, 2015 • 10:30am - 11:15am | Nonprofit Event |
| June 12, 2015 • 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Graduation |
| May 24, 2015 • 10:00am - 2:00pm | Birthday (Child) |
| May 03, 2015 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm | Birthday Party |
| April 18, 2015 • 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
| January 31, 2015 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
| October 04, 2014 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Birthday Party |
| July 12, 2014 • 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Birthday Party |
| January 12, 2014 • 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Birthday Party |
Team
| Daryl Sprout | Herpetological Humorist |
Setup Requirements
Performance area must be shaded and at least 70 degrees F.
Testimonials
I have known Daryl Sprout since 1999 and have booked him on numerous occasions to provide animals, little-known facts, props and funny material for live presentations and television spots I have done on behalf of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.
His knowledge of the subject is meticulously accurate, complete with the most offbeat and interesting factoids one is ever likely to encounter. I have been able to consult with him whenever I needed herpetological information, and he has kept me abreast of new developments in that field brilliantly.
His humor is infectious - and completely unique. Simply speaking with him on the phone always seems to be an entertaining, exuberant experience. He clearly knows, to the core of his being, that to impart the crucial message of the value of wildlife and our natural world, it is key that audiences are genuinely engrossed by the delivery. His is always playful, engaging and full of the unexpected.
He has been on and around the stage since age six and his performance is smooth and professional, but a solid background of over 25 years of field experience lends a generous measure of credibility to everything he does. His mastery of snake handling is exceptional, and he clearly cares deeply for the comfort and safety of the animals in his care.
The props, general script and specially selected animals (all Daryl’s ideas) that he provided for a spot I did on Live with Regis and Kelly called “The Snakes of Peter Gros†was hilariously successful, and was nominated for a Relly Award for Best Animal Guest of 2006.
He’s a true team player and a very quick thinker. I recommend him to anyone who wants captivated audiences to experience an unforgettable insight into the importance of our natural world.
– Peter Gros, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom