ReptileFest 2008 Press Release

What do five-year old Anna Sullivan and ten-year old Spectre have in common? Well, not much except a mutual interest and gentle dispositions. Anna is a bright, vibrant, flaxen-haired young lady who is communing with a golden-skinned, mild-mannered fourteen-foot long albino Burmese python named Spectre. Neither one is in any danger, because Rich Crowley, Spectre's owner, is keeping a careful eye on both, primarily concerned that Amy doesn't hurt Spectre. Interactions such as this are happening all over the huge auditorium. In the corner a two-year old is setting on the back of a giant tortoise. A mother and father are trying not to show their fear as their son calmly holds a brightly colored milksnake. At one table a gentleman explains the critical situation frogs are in. And at a decorated booth a woman urges people to attend a nature museum.

The event is the fifteenth annual ReptileFest, the largest educational reptile and amphibian show in the country, presented by the Chicago Herpetological Society (CHS). Creepy crawlies are everywhere, but most of the people milling about don't seem to mind. After all, that's what they've come to see. ReptileFest 2008 is held at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Phys. Ed. Building, 901 W. Roosevelt Rd., one block west of Halstead. A forty thousand square foot room is filled with hundreds of animals, many being held and touched by the attendees. Every year for the last fifteen years the CHS asks it's members to bring their pets to this show so the general public can learn about nature's most often misunderstood creatures. And some of them are fearsome indeed. Ever touched an alligator's tail or seen an iguana strut his stuff? Wonder why frogs are slimy and snakes aren't? Have you ever felt the feather-light touch of a corn snake's tongue or tried to figure the difference between a salamander and a lizard? April 12 and 13, from ten a.m. to 5 p.m. you'll have the opportunity to do all that and more.

But you can't buy any animals, because this show is fulfilling one of the primary missions of the CHS, educating people about the critters the society cares so much about. You can buy books and stuffed animals, necklaces and t-shirts, but no animals. These cold-blooded delights are all returning to their owners' homes. Maybe next year they'll be back, but you don't know if your favorite will return. Why take the chance? Make a visit this year, before you miss all the good parts.

Visit www.ReptileFest.com for more information and a discount coupon.

Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. The Chicago

Herpetological Society was established in 1969, and is the nation's largest and oldest herpetological society. Its purpose is to conserve all wildlife, especially reptiles and amphibians, educate the public about these frequently misunderstood animals, and facilitate cooperation between professional and amateur herpetologists. The society holds its monthly meetings the last Wednesday of every month at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago.

The meetings begin at seven thirty p.m. and are open to the public.

Visit www.Chicagoherp.org for more information.