Herpetology Explorers Club: Reptiles and Amphibians

Meet a live leopard gecko, corn snake, tiger salamander, and Russian tortoise while learning about reptiles and amphibians! Learners will have the opportunity to ask questions and share observations about each animal.

A photo slideshow of some of the most interesting species of reptiles and amphibians from around the world will highlight their similarities and differences and introduce fun facts. Participants will be invited to share their own stories, and Miss Amalia might tell about visiting the islands of the Komodo dragon, holding the longest snake in the world in Borneo, searching for tuataras in New Zealand, caring for baby sea turtles in Malaysia, or meeting chameleons in Madagascar. 

Discussion, games, crafts, and science experiments will help learners to have the opportunity to take a closer look at the fascinating field of herpetology. Through identifying alligator bones, turtle shells, and snake sheds and eggs, students will become familiarized with the terms for reptile body parts. Tips for finding reptiles and amphibians in your neighborhood and how to recognize frog calls will be shared, plus species checklists of common North American reptiles and amphibians. Each week will feature a different group of amphibians or reptiles. Accompanying supplemental art projects and nature exploration activities will be provided. 

Each week will be independent of each other, and learners may join at any time. No prerequisite classes are required. 

Upcoming weekly themes are listed below: 

EXTREME REPTILES
Week of January 6: Venom vs. Poison
Week of January 13: Flying Reptiles
Week of January 20: Giant Reptiles
Week of January 27: Pet Reptiles

HERPETOLOGY OF THE WORLD
Week of February 3:  North America (frogs, turtles, snakes)
Week of February 10: Central America (basilisk lizard, boa constrictor, poison dart frog)
Week of February 17: South America (anaconda, iguana, caiman)
Week of February 24: Africa (crocodile, giant tortoise, cobras)
Week of March 3: Madagascar (chameleon, leaf tailed gecko, leaf nosed snake)
Week of March 10: Europe (fire salamander, skinks, worm lizards)
Week of March 17: Asia (flying snakes and lizards, Komodo dragons, pythons)
PLEASE NOTE: Class will not be held the week of March 24
Week of March 31: Australia and New Zealand (frilled lizard, bearded dragon, tiger snakes)

PREHISTORIC HERPETOLOGY
Week of April 7: Dinosaur Classification
Week of April 14: Ancient Marine Reptiles (plesiosaurus, mosasaurus, ichthyosaurus)
Week of April 21: Prehistoric Flying Reptiles (Pterosaurs)
Week of April 28: Giants of the Past (titanoboa, archelon, super salamanders)

AMPHIBIANS
Week of May 5: Toads vs. True Frogs
Week of May 12: Tree Frogs and Flying Frogs
Week of May 19: Salamander Slime


Topics covered may include: animal classification, ectothermic, reptiles, amphibians, herpetology, life-cycles, metamorphosis, insectivores, venomous snakes, crocodilians, turtles and tortoises, lizards and snakes, tuataras, Komodo dragons, monitor lizards, sea turtles, pythons, anacondas, keeled scales, and turtle shells.

Classes may run up to five minutes over the scheduled time depending on learner discussion and questions.