Janesville Library presents Reptiles Around the World

Snake Discovery sent its “Reptiles Around the World” traveling reptile show to numerous libraries in the Waseca County area, and during the afternoon of Thursday, June 5, they stopped at the Janesville Reading Garden located next to the library There were 50 children sitting in the grass, with more filtering in during the show as a snake was brought out and showcased and made available, with specific instructions, to be petted.

 

Among the directions was, “Using just your pointer finger, just like this.” Jay Radke was the educator and snake handler for the day. Before he would walk around the grounds to let the children pet the snakes or lizards, he would instruct them by showing the reptile and running a single finger or two down its back. When they listened, they were each allowed to touch it, and as Radke said, “I have a reptile from every continent on the Earth.”

 

Snakediscovery.com refers to its traveling handlers as educators. Each team includes two full-time educators putting on 8 to 12 demonstrations each week over the summer. Radke is not from Minnesota, “I'm originally from Melbourne, Australia, and I was brought to this job through my love of reptiles and science communication.”

 

Kaitlyn Quast, who was watching the presentation from the back of the crowd said, “I brought Ceci, Lucy, Burton and Lyda, but Lyda is the only one of us who is a fan of snakes.” Mikaela Mccome said, “I’m with Hazel, Maeve and Chance. Maeve is the one who likes the creepy crawly things; Hazel wants nothing to do with them.” Mccome was kind enough to pose for a picture with her children before they returned to the demonstrations. In front, Radke was asking the children whether they know the four categories of reptiles: turtles, crocodiles, snakes and lizards and tuataras. That last one, tuataras, is not well known because it’s only found on the island of New Zealand.

 

Guests Radke brought for the day were a Japanese rat snake, a creature which smells like taco sauce when frightened. An African Bald Python had blue eyes, pure white skin, and a history of being around famous people’s necks and the necks of royalty. His beauty kept him in high demand as “living jewelry” which would sometimes be worn for a full day. He was also popular among the ancient Egyptians, who featured him in a lot of their artwork. 

 

Radke share information about an African fat tailed gecko, whose tail acts as a distraction for predators who often bite off his tail thinking it's his head. But once he’s escaped, his tail grows back to distract another day. Another featured animal was a bearded dragon, which has a mysterious “third eye” on the top of its head. It is not, however, the type of eye most people imagine, Radke warned. “Close your eyes and look toward the sky. Now run your hand between your face and the sky. That dark spot you can sort of see but can’t make out the details of, that’s what the bearded dragon sees through his third eye. When he sees that shadow above, he knows a bird is flying in to eat him.”

 

Anyone wishing to schedule a “Reptiles Around the World” reptile show can contact the company’s program coordinator, Morgyn Wuori, at 612-642-2970. Interested parties can also email programs@snakediscovery.com.