DAILY HERALD (Morris, Illinois) 08 May 08 Cold-Blooded Coursework - Nesci's reptiles help teach conservation (Heidi Terry-Litchfield)
Jim Nesci could be called a modern-day alligator wrestler.
Except, he doesn't need to wrestle them.
He just tells Bubba the alligator to sit, places his hand on Bubba's head and down he goes.
Nesci demonstrated this skill, along with many others, to a group of students at Minooka Community High School Wednesday afternoon.
Science teacher Matt Minich had first seen Nesci's show when he, himself, was in eighth grade and is using Nesci to help teach science and conservation to his students.
“If I remember him from eighth grade, these kids will remember him and what he has to say,” said Minich. “It's not something they get a chance to do every day.”
Nesci has owned reptiles since 1952, and began showing them professionally in 1977. He said he will show up at anything from school events to backyard BBQs, from Bar Mitzvahs to Scouting events ... and anywhere in between that he can spread his message.
“It's all about teaching people to like and respect animals so they have a chance on the planet,” said Nesci. “I want to teach conservation and dispel myths and superstitions about these cold-blooded creatures.”
Nesci normally provides about an hour-long show, bringing with him several cold-blooded creatures, including Lucky and Bubba the alligators, Samantha and Blondi the Burmese pythons, Tank the African Spurred tortoise, and Godzilla, the black throat monitor lizard.
Nesci's original star alligator, Bubba, passed away two years ago and he is currently training her replacement, a boy alligator that will also be named Bubba.
“Animals are way smarter than we give them credit for,” said Nesci.
“They are individuals just like humans, and if they have the right demeanor, they can be trained.”
He said the most misunderstood and feared reptile seems to be the snake.
“People have this idea they are slimy,” said Nesci. “Snakes are marvelous creatures. They eat mice and rats, and anything that does that is OK with me.”
He currently owns about 50 reptiles at his home in Mokena, where he offers tours when he isn't out performing a show.
Minich said his classes recently worked on climates and the animals that live in them, so the presentation was a great way to wrap up the subject.
Tori Zableckis said she was a little scared when Nesci placed a snake around her neck.
“When the snake's head came my way, it made me nervous,” said Zableckis. “I still would stay away from one if I saw it.”
Nesci said he has seen a big change in girls today when they raise their hands to hold the reptiles.
“Years ago, girls wouldn't even touch them,” said Nesci. “I don't know what has changed, but it's fantastic to see girls volunteering - often times there are more girls volunteering then boys.”
Dariyan Hopper said she had never held a snake before and was afraid that it would wrap itself around her and squeeze just like they do in the movies.
“I'm not scared anymore,” she said.
Brandon Matuszewski said it was neat to be able to hold the tortoise and the snakes.
“We learned a lot from today's show,” said Blake Conard.
“I didn't know there were two islands to find big tortoises on.”
Nesci's Cold Blooded Creatures information can be found on his Web site - www.coldbloodedcreatures.com.
Cold-Blooded Coursework