Reptile Fest

Wildlife experts at the Museum of Nature & Science’s “Reptile Fest” on Sept. 8 and 9 in Dallas’ Fair Park hope the weekend of fun, hands-on experiences will send visitors home with a knowledge and respect for a misunderstood species that makes some people unnecessarily squeamish.

The annual Reptile Fest emphasizes audience participation with crafts, hands-on demonstrations and other activities that engage visitors rather than simply making them spectators.

Lancaster herpetologist and humorist Daryl Sprout and his “Snake Encounters” show will be one of the main attractions in the MNS Science Building Auditorium on Sept. 8 at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., and on Sept. 9 at 1 and 3 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy two other shows by the animal experts at locally based “Wildlife on the Move.” Longtime wildlife and science educators Eric "Mr. B" Brittingham, K.C. Rudy and his wife, Shawna, a former zookeeper, will present two shows each day:

• “Cool, Cold-Blooded Critters” at 1:30 p.m. – Meet and learn about critters such as lizards, like the bluetongue skink or savannah monitor; nonvenomous snakes, like the king snake, bull snake or rat snake; or turtles, like the leopard tortoise.

• “Boas vs. Pythons” at 3:30 p.m. – There is much more to this fascinating group of snakes than what we get from mythical tales. Now you can learn the rest of the story. Meet some of the smaller and gentler members of this family. You may never think of them as man-eaters again!

The fun-filled weekend will also feature activities and demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 8 and noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 9. They include:

Slinky Snakes – Make a curly snake friend to take home!
Camouflage Challenge – Explore how reptiles use camouflage to blend into their surroundings.
Lizard Marionette – Learn about lizard life in Texas using mimicry while making a marionette to bring your learning experience to life.
Prehistoric Reptiles – Learn about reptiles that lived in the Dallas area more than 65 million years ago. See and touch fossil specimens from the MNS education collection.
Grippin’ Geckos – Visitors will experiment to discover how geckos and other sure-footed animals climb and stick to walls.
Crocodiles and Alligators – Especially fun for younger children, at this event they will learn about crocodiles and alligators while making one out of clothespins.

Admission is free for MNS members. General admission is $8.50 for adults, $5 for children 3 to 11, and $7.50 for youth 12 to 18, seniors 62 and over and students 18 and over with a school ID. Planetarium and IMAX shows are also available for an additional ticket charge.

Information submitted by a Pegnews.com user