Nearly 200 students at Burnham Public School got the chance to learn and get a close-up look at exotic animals.
Students from kindergarten to grade four not only learned about the animals but the got the chance to get up close with them.
Sarah Brown is the owner of Browning Reptiles and is a Master Herpetologist.
On Friday and Monday she brought animals including, Red Eye Tree Frogs, Crested Geckos, Milk snake, Cornsnake, Northern Blue Tongue Skink, Bearded Dragon, Chameleon, Ball Python, Burmese Python, Red Foot Tortoise, Hermanns Tortoise and a Tarantula.
Brown said she shows seven animals per show so the animals can have a rest in between.
Speaking to Today’s Northumberland in between shows, Brown said it’s educational to let the students interact with the animals.
Ray Sunshine is the name of a three-year-old Burmese Python that was shown to students and even allowed them to hold it, much to the delight of many.
Brown said an adult female can reach up to 35-feet in length, weigh up to 200-pounds and lay up to 160 eggs twice a year.
Unfortunately the Burmese Python was introduced to the Florida everglades and Brown said unfortunately, “they thrive down there. The heat, the humidity, the food is endless and the climate is ideal.”
Unfortunately they cannot get them under control with the amount of eggs they have twice a year.
“They are destroying the eco-system. They are not natural to that area. They don’t have any natural predators so there is nothing keeping the balance.”
Brown said showing the students and teaching them about exotic animals is something they may only see once in their lifetime.
Because the animals have specific needs, it’s not the same as keeping a dog or cat.
“We have to take a lot of responsibility when owning these animals. So educating on their native habitat, where they come from, the type of climate that they need, the type of food that they need is all very, very important.”
“It’s an experience they will never forget.”
“They absolutely love it (the experience),” said Brown.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
