Creep, Crawl or Slither to Fair Park for ‘Reptile Fest’ at the Museum of Nature & Science Fun, Hands-On Experience and Myth-Busting Shows Aim to Create Awareness, Respect for Misunderstood Critters

DALLAS – 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.

“They move without legs and hear without ears, change colors and shed their skin, they can’t close their eyes, and they’re more scared of you than you should be of them. Snakes – and other reptiles – are some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth, and joining us at Reptile Fest is a great way to learn to love them,” said Steve Hinkley, Museum of Nature & Science (MNS) director of education.

Hinkley said that 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.

During a hilarious and informative presentation, Sprout will highlight the beauty and unique personalities of his serpent collection – including a 12-foot Burmese python – and offer interesting anecdotes and little-known facts on the habits and habitats of snakes.

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.

Enjoy more demonstrations and displays by the Fort Worth Zoo, Dallas Herpetological Society, Turtle and Tortoise Club and Texas Parks and Wildlife. Appropriately, the event is sponsored by GEICO, the insurance company represented by a gecko mascot.

“Our intent is to inspire a passion for herpetology – the study of reptiles and amphibians – and create an awareness specifically of reptile preservation and conservation by bringing families and lifelong learners in close contact with these interesting creatures through live demonstrations, shows and exhibits,” said MNS naturalist Becky Rader.

MNS members may join the fun for free and enjoy a special “members-only room” where there will be refreshments and special activities just for them.

All activities are at the MNS Nature Building and MNS Science Building in Fair Park. Visit www.natureandscience.org for more information. 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.

About the Museum of Nature & Science
The Museum of Nature & Science, formerly the Dallas Museum of Natural History, The Science Place and the Dallas Children’s Museum, is a non-profit educational organization located in Dallas’ Fair Park. In support of its mission to inspire minds through nature and science, MNS delivers exciting, engaging and innovative visitor experiences through its education, exhibition and research and collections programming for students, teachers, families and life-long learners. The facility also includes the TI Founders IMAX Theater and a cutting-edge digital planetarium. MNS is supported in part by funds from the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts. To learn more about MNS, please visit www.natureandscience.org.