National Reptile Awareness Day is the perfect time to learn about and appreciate the diverse world of reptiles — including snakes, turtles, lizards, crocodiles, and alligators. These creatures are quite fascinating and play an essential role in our ecosystems. We have five delightful ways to celebrate reptiles on October 21... or anytime you feel like slithering into some fun!
1. Start with a giggle.
We hope you think this joke is as hissss-terical as we did!
Q. How do turtles communicate with each other?
A. With shell-phones!
2. Educate yourself.
Reptiles share several key characteristics that distinguish them from amphibians, mammals, and other classes of animals.
- Skin: Reptiles typically have dry, scaly skin.
- Blood: Reptiles are considered cold-blooded, meaning they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature,
- Eggs: Reptiles lay eggs with tough shells on land.
- Lungs: Reptiles primarily breathe through their lungs.
3. Make a craft.
Crafts provide a hands-on activity where kids can be creative while learning about different reptiles. Plus, you can use googly eyes, the best thing about any craft, IMO!
Cut a paper plate into a spiral shape to resemble a snake's body or make snake sock puppets.
Paint your child's hand with different colors like green, red, and brown, then press onto a piece of paper. Draw a mouth and add googly eyes, and you've got a colorful chameleon.
Use leftover egg cartons, paint, construction paper, and googly eyes to make adorable egg carton turtles.
4. Meet some live reptiles.
The Atlanta area offers several places to see and learn about reptiles. Here are our favorites:
- Autrey Mill Nature Preserve in Johns Creek- Guests get a hands-on opportunity to learn the husbandry techniques for Autrey Mill’s animals on Feeding Fridays. We feed the snakes, turtles and frogs, along with rabbits and chickens. Registration is required for all participants, including accompanying adults. Please note this is a “grown-up and me” experience.
- Elachee Nature Center in Gainesville- See 25 native Georgia reptile and amphibian species in curated habitats. Note: A Naturalist is on-site Saturdays to facilitate live animal encounters.
- Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell- From snakes to box turtles, there is so much to see and learn about these creatures. Did you know several native, non-venomous snakes are on exhibit at CNC? Learn how the corn snake got its name and why we have Florida pine snakes in Georgia. Also, learn all about the many hard-shelled creatures like the eastern box turtle, the only land turtle in the northern half of Georgia. They can live more than 75 years and only travel 5 miles their whole life!
- Zoo Atlanta- Visit the Scaly Slimy Spectacular in the state-of-the-art amphibian and reptile complex that features more than 70 species.
Are you planning a trip to Rapid City, SD, to see Mount Rushmore? Add a visit to the Reptile Gardens to your itinerary! This family-owned destination has more reptile species than any other zoo or park in the world. We couldn't get enough of the giant Aldabra and Galapagos tortoises!
5. Make it a movie night.
There are several movies featuring various reptilian characters that provide entertainment and adventure!
- Finding Nemo (G): This classic family film features Crush, everyone's favorite sea turtle.
- The Land Before Time (G): Starring the original reptiles, this animated film is about a group of young dinosaur friends journeying to find a new home.
- The Princess and the Frog (G): While not focused on reptiles, this animated movie includes Louis, an adorable alligator who dreams of being a jazz musician.
- The Bad Guys (PG): Based on Aaron Blabey's hilarious book, the "seen-it-all safecracker Mr. Snake" is just one of the funny stars in this animated comedy.
- The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (PG): A comedy-adventure film featuring the real-life "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, as he tries to save a crocodile from poachers.
- Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (PG): Based on the best-selling book by Bernard Waber, this live-action movie is about a crocodile who lives in New York City.
- Rango (PG): An animated comedy-adventure film about a chameleon who becomes the sheriff of a Wild West town.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG-13): This live-action film stars the popular crime-fighting turtles: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael.
