Reptiles, amphibians entertain in Barrington Hills
As part of Citizens for Conservation’s youth education programs and local Leave No Child Inside efforts, a class on native and nonnative reptiles and amphibians was held at the Barrington Hills Riding Center. Volunteers from Friends of Spring Creek and Citizens for Conservation in addition to Rob Carmichael of the Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest held the attention of both parents and children.
Class participants first viewed the giant South American Suriname marine toad. Uninflated, the toad looks like a leaf, but once inflated with air, an adult toad can become the size of a dinner plate. Next to make an appearance were an alligator snapping turtle and an infant American alligator. Everyone was surprised when they felt the extremely soft underbelly of the alligator.
The Sumatran water monitor was next, and one could hear an audible sigh while audience members leaned back in the safety of their chairs. This lizard was easily 5 to 6 feet long, with a long red tongue that eagerly flicked from its mouth to smell its surroundings. Monitors are excellent swimmers and are carnivores.
Carmichael introduced two newly hatched bull snakes, one an albino. He passed around two eggs so everyone could feel the sturdiness of a reptilian egg. This is an egg that will bounce rather than easily crack when dropped. In addition, he showed a Western fox snake and a Sinaloan milk snake, a species of king snake that resembles a coral snake and has very smooth and shiny, wet looking scales. The audience viewed, discussed and held a ball python and Indian python, touching the bumpy and reticulated scales. Everyone learned that all snakes are important since they eat rodents, and scientists are starting to unlock the secrets of how their venom can be used to cure diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, stroke, and much more.
Carmichael states that worldwide, reptile and amphibian populations are on the decline due to global warming, human population growth, habitat destruction, illegal poaching and human ignorance.
“The good news is that we can still save most of our world’s reptiles, but the bad news is that many amphibians are vanishing each day. We must preserve habitat, increase wildlife corridors, and, most importantly, continue to educate people about why reptiles and amphibians are so important. It is through educational programs that more people become aware of the many positive impacts of these wonderful animals and help support various conservation agencies that are improving habitat, conducting field research, and promoting conservation and environmental education.”
To complete the exciting class, participants enjoyed making nature-related holiday crafts such as grapevine wreathes, seed pod weevils, pine cone and soda bottle bird feeders, and more.
To learn more about the Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest visit www.cityoflakeforest.com. Information about Citizens for Conservation#146;s youth education programs, see the 2012 class schedule, or to sign up for an upcoming class, visit www.citizensforconservation.org. By visiting www.funoutside.org one can learn about the 40 plus organizations, villages, and corporate entities working to have children spend more time outdoors in nature.
As Carmichael commented, #147;By making small changes in our living habits, we can make this world a better place to live in and a better place for our wildlife to live in.#148;
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