This club will be a fun way to explore the reptiles of the world together! Special guests will include a live leopard gecko, corn snake, tiger salamander, and tortoise. Learners will have the opportunity to ask questions and share observations about each animal.

From lizards that can run on water to giant snakes and turtles we will take a closer look at the ecosystems that are home to some of the most interesting reptiles on Earth. The featured regions are mostly places that the teacher has actually traveled to and participated in volunteer work with either children or animals. 

A photo slideshow will highlight natural history information and fun facts. Participants will be invited to share their own stories, and Ms. 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. 

Weekly themes for 2024:

September 19: Basilisks of Central America
September 26: Indonesia's Komodo Dragons
October 3: Amazon Anacondas
October 10: The Galapagos Giant Tortoise
October 17: American River Turtles 
October 24: Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles
October 31: Australia’s Saltwater Crocodiles
November 7:  Venomous Sea Snakes and Marine Iguanas
November 14: New Zealand’s Living Fossil: The Tuatara
November 21: Europe’s Fire Salamander
PLEASE NOTE- Class will not be held on November 28
December 4: Mexico's Axolotl 
December 11: Toads and Frogs of North America
December 18: Poison Dart Frogs and Red-eyed Tree Frogs of Costa Rica 

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.

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