Our History
Scaled Encounters began with a simple realization:
Some of the world’s most misunderstood animals can become some of its greatest teachers.
Founded in 2026 by active-duty U.S. Navy Chief Mike Foti, Scaled Encounters was built from more than 20 years of experience working with snakes and reptiles, a lifelong passion for wildlife, and nearly two decades of leadership, mentorship, and service in the United States Navy.
Over the years, Mike saw firsthand how fear and misinformation often shape the way people respond to snakes and other reptiles. He also discovered how quickly those perceptions can change when people are given an opportunity to ask questions, learn the facts, and experience these animals in a safe and respectful way.
Fear turned into curiosity. Curiosity turned into understanding. And understanding created respect.
That experience became the foundation for Scaled Encounters. What began as a passion for reptiles grew into a mission centered on education, responsible wildlife stewardship, and helping people safely navigate encounters with animals they may not understand.
Today, as a Master Herpetologist, Mike brings that mission into both educational programs and professional snake and reptile removal.
Through programs for schools, libraries, camps, homeschool groups, community organizations, and public events, Scaled Encounters provides engaging educational experiences designed to break down myths, encourage questions, and give people a greater appreciation for reptiles and their importance in the natural world.
But not every encounter with a reptile happens in a classroom.
Sometimes it happens unexpectedly in a backyard, garage, workplace, or around a home. Scaled Encounters provides professional snake and reptile removal services to help property owners handle those situations safely and responsibly. Our approach focuses on protecting people while treating native wildlife with the respect it deserves.
Whether we are standing in front of a classroom or responding to a snake on someone’s property, the purpose is ultimately the same: replace fear with knowledge and give people the confidence to better understand the wildlife around them.
Scaled Encounters may have been founded in 2026, but the experience behind it was built over decades.
And our mission continues with every encounter: Educate. Respect. Protect. Turning Fear Into Fascination.