News Releases

Nature center to host free reptile, amphibian festival

News Release

Friday, September 24, 2010

Media contact: Gary Morse, 863-648-3206

Come explore the fascinating world of amphibians and reptiles Saturday, Oct. 2, at Chinsegut Nature Center, north of Brooksville.  The 16th annual Reptile and Amphibian Festival, hosted by the nature center, is free and runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The public is invited to join the festivities featuring a variety of live snakes, other reptiles and amphibians.  Take a guided tour of a gopher tortoise trail with area experts who will reveal the secret home life of a gopher, using a burrow cam.  There are a number of other diverse exhibits and walks and talks, among which is a close encounter with an alligator - supervised, of course, by the FWC's Alligator Management Program.

Children and adults can participate in the popular frog-calling contest, play frog jeopardy or watch a reptile and amphibian puppet show.  There are show-and-tell talks about numerous herpetological subjects, including Florida's venomous snakes and large reptile invaders, featuring the Burmese python.  Additional youngster-friendly activities are ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the kids' station.

"Here's a great opportunity to learn about the differences between venomous and nonvenomous snakes and broaden your perspective on Florida's native salamanders and frogs and their importance in the environment," said Kristin Wood, Chinsegut Nature Center biologist and director.

Native plants and natural history books will be on display and available for purchase.  Area vendors will have food and drink for sale.  Teachers can receive in-service credit for attending.

Because the nature center is a wildlife and environmental area, no pets except service dogs are allowed.

To get to Chinsegut Nature Center, travel approximately seven miles north of Brooksville on U.S. 41, turn left on County Road 476, and go one mile to the entrance on the left.  For additional information, contact the Chinsegut Nature Center at 352-754-6722.

For more information, go to MyFWC.com/Chinsegut, or call Kristin Wood at 352-754-6722.