08 Apr 2013
Australian Reptile Park Report.
A class report by 8 Picasso.
Would you like to lick a cane toad? Have you ever held an alligator? Wondered how heavy a Burmese Python is? All these questions were answered at the reptile show held recently at Marsden High School.
The presenter, Mr. Michael Tate, was enthusiastic, engaging, funny and loved reptiles. He offered some wise advise in handling reptiles; never touch any of the reptiles on the head and never stand in front of an alligator. This was timely advice as the specimens included a giant Lace Monitor Lizard, an albino snake, a cane toad, a Bearded Dragon, a Burmese Python, and an alligator.
The instructor also explained a little about the evolution of vertebrates and the sad extinction of many frogs in the Sydney Basin. His reference to the extinction of the Gastric Brooding Frog was very relevant as the Sydney Morning Herald recently described attempts by scientists to clone this frog using genetic engineering techniques.
Azmin Behjani had the chance to nurse numerous reptiles and broke the ice through his heroic deeds. The toughest task, apart from licking the cane toad, which was performed by Michael Tate, was carried out by Sandy Nguyen (the nursing of a 2-3 m alligator) and Niayesh Jalili (the nursing of the giant Burmese Python).
The session ended with numerous reptiles being allowed to roam the floor of the school hall. This allowed all of Year 7 and Year 8 to interact closely with the reptiles.