Date: 11/09/09
Contact: Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3500

A CHANCE TO VISIT LIVE REPTILES

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is offering a rare opportunity for kids and adults to visit with live reptiles native to the Mojave Desert. The agency’s Wildlife Education program is hosting a class entitled, “Snakes, Tortoises and Lizards – Oh, My!” on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Marjorie Barrick Museum on the UNLV campus.

The three-hour class is designed for both children and adults to come together and learn about these fascinating creatures in an up-close and personal manner. Not many people, including outdoor enthusiasts, ever get the chance to see these reptiles at such an interactive level.

“The class is appropriate for families, and will be an opportunity to learn about the animals of their Mojave Desert home,” said Margie Klein, conservation educator for NDOW and teacher of the class.

The experience will allow children to touch reptiles while professional handlers hold them. The species include snakes such as a rosy boa, red racer and king snake, a desert tortoise, and lizards such as chuckwallas and a desert iguana. They have been specially selected for their calm temperaments. All of the specimens have been involved in education programs for years and are used to being around people. No venomous species are invited to the encounter.

Handling the live specimens will be Bill and Paula Garrett, NDOW volunteers who have secured a permit from NDOW to care for the animals and use them for education. The two are working with the Wildlife Education program to teach citizens about these native species. Class participants will receive an introduction to the biology of reptiles, as well as species-specific descriptions, and information on where to view them in the wild, how the species are protected, and proper etiquette when encountering them.

You can register for the class via email at michelle.baker@unlv.edu or by calling (702) 895-3254. For more details on the class, call Margie Klein at (702) 486-5127 x 3502.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.