"What? Well—no, not exactly, but I am a naturalist—or, ah, biologist, I believe is the new term—and I have some considerable practice catching specimens in the field."

He takes out another fish head and shoves it through the bars, and the lizard starts digging into that one, which cuts down the screeching considerably. He sets the cage down and takes out a handkerchief to wipe his hands.

"Are you all right? It was trying to attack you—are you hurt?"