Attention, all reptile lovers: If it has scales, a flicking tongue or shows other signs of being a creeping or crawling creature, chances are you can find it this weekend at the Pacific Science Center.
Interested visitors can even learn to move like reptiles themselves, with the help of professional dancers well-versed in reptilian “steps.”
The “Reptile and Amphibian Show,” now in its 20th year, is the result of a partnership between the center and the Northwest Herpetological Society, and will bring more than 100 species of creatures to this venue of scientific fun for full-day events Saturday and Sunday.
Guests can expect up-close encounters with animals, as well as explanations of natural history from a herpetologist, or one who studies these creatures, via presentations of many Latin American species, like eyelash vipers, coral snakes and South American lizards. Since much of this year’s event centers on Latin American species, many activities, such as the reptile dancing lessons, will be presented in both English and Spanish.
“I have found that there’s a fascination for reptiles; you either love them or hate them,” herpetologist Joe Wasilewski said of working at such events. “There’s usually no in-between feeling for them. But I bring out the actual fascination of them, because people often had no idea of the facts about them” before attending a show like his.
Wasilewski, who travels the world studying exotic reptiles and does these shows as a side job, said he’ll give three or four presentations each day, and there’ll be plenty of time for people to ask questions.
Back on the dance floor, in Reptile Dancing 101 lessons, visitors will be encouraged to slither out of their seats at noon, 1 and 2 p.m. both days with world salsa championship qualifiers Heather Gervais and Eduardo Aguirre.
To make the most of their reptilian-related visits, Pacific Science Center special events manager Alaina Schulner recommends that visitors also take in the center’s Insect Village, an ongoing fixture featuring giant robotic insects, interactive exhibits and live animal displays that provide a close-up look at the world of insects and other arthropods.
The Tropical Butterfly House, another ongoing attraction at the center, allows visitors to enjoy year-round sunshine. Inside the house, temperatures stay in the low 80s, with 60 to 70 percent humidity, and full-spectrum lighting keeps the plants and butterflies healthy. Visitors can watch butterflies fly, sun themselves and feed among tropical flowers, and can see a brand-new butterfly emerge in the chrysalis viewing window. Schulner says new butterflies are released into the exhibit each morning.
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