Dr. Greg Farrington likes to refer to himself as Chief Slitherologist at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. He’s really the CEO, loves jokes about snakes, and is best known around the museum as Chief Penguin.

Dr. Farrington is excited about the new snakes and lizards exhibition for the Academy’s Summer of Slither.

“We have 60 new reptiles for the summer,” he says. “That’s over 300 feet of snake, more snake than has ever been in one place. Snakes, you see, are measured in feet, like other things are measured in ounces and pounds.”

Foot by foot, the big star of the new exhibition this summer is Lemondrop, a 15-foot reticulated python. “Reticulated” refers to the ornate color patterns on the snake’s skin. On the day we visited, Lemondrop was very shy and stayed in the back of his habitat. It was his first day out in public.

You may recall Claude, the albino alligator who was badly bitten by his reptile roommate, Bonnie. Claude, now 15 years old, lives quietly in the Swamp, the alligator gallery at the Academy. Lemondrop is now in the limelight.

“Being an albino is a perilous thing for reptiles,” says Dr. Chris Andrews, director of the Steinhart Aquarium. “The lack of pigment provides no protection from the sun, and the white skin is easily spotted by predators.”

“The overwhelming number of snakebites in this country happen to males under 25 who are drinking alcohol,” says Dr. Andrews. “If you are bitten by a snake, use your car keys. Drive to the hospital right away.”

That always gets a laugh.

“The best way to reduce the fear of snakes that people have is education. This exhibit helps.”

Dr. Andrews is often seen wandering about the Academy, cheerfully wearing a python around his neck. He loves to show off the snakes and encourages visitors to hold them.

“Contrary to the popular opinion,” he adds, “most people like snakes. Or they’re undecided. That’s my observation. Education might just win them over.”

Dr. Andrews and the entire staff often remind the public that all of these reptile species are in great danger of disappearing forever.

Snakes & Lizards, The Summer of Slither: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive (Golden Gate Park); through Sept. 5; Monday–Saturday 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; 415-379-8000, www.calacademy.org