NIAGARA THIS WEEK (Thorold, Ontario) 10 May 06 These creatures aren't your average pets - Thorold Grade 6 students get a close-up view of Serpentarium reptiles (Amanda Street)
Thorold: All it took to keep four Grade 6 classes quiet for an hour was a few animals.
Not just any animals, the creepy crawly kind most youngsters fear -- snakes and reptiles. Karel Fortyn owner and operator of the Seaway Serpentarium in Welland paid a visit to Monsignor Clancy Catholic Elementary School last Thursday as a finale to the classes' Diversity of Living Things unit.
As part of the program, the students learned about all kinds of animals. Student teachers Jennifer Lazar, Theresa Kwan and Karri McKenna thought the visit would fit in quite well.
"This was an excellent way to end the unit. I love how the kids get so excited and I feel like they're really learning something."
The students sat hushed in their seats as Fortyn brought out some small milk snakes before he brought out his big guns -- a 6 1/2-foot, 35-pound boa which brought screams of terror from the girls and expressions of delight from the boys.
Fortyn asked who was afraid of snakes, and many hands shot up, yet nobody delivered a real answer.
"People are usually afraid of what snakes are not," Fortyn said.
The students listened in awe as Fortyn delivered an educational insight into the reptile world complete with horror stories and personal experiences. He has been collecting reptiles and snakes for more than 25 years and he estimates his collection is worth close to $500,000. Most of his menagerie has been collected in the wild throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America, Australia, and Nigeria.
"It's really cool," said Nicole Venitti as a snake crawled along her arms, "I was afraid of snakes before today. My mom will never believe I am holding a snake."
Teacher Greg Worden, meanwhile, appreciated Fortyn's presentation.
"This is something different from the pencil-and-paper approach," Worden said. "It's hands-on learning at its best."
The Serpentarium, located at 9 Steel St., is a unique and educational zoo, is home to about 500 animals including the snakes, monitors, crocodiles and is open Friday to Sunday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There are alligator and crocodile feedings Sundays at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults while kids get in free. For more information, call 905-735-1436.
Thorold Grade 6 students get a close-up view of Serpentarium reptiles