OXBOW - If you suffer from herpetophobia – the fear of reptiles and amphibians – then Feb. 16 might have been a good day to avoid the Oxbow Memorial Hall.
Or it might have been a good day to go to the hall.
The building was the scene of a living reptile display. MacKenzie Valentine, the program co-ordinator for Oxbow’s Expressway Family Centre, arranged for Michael and Erin from Adventure Wranglers in Saskatoon to bring several intriguing creatures for people to see and touch. Those attending were introduced to six critters – a leopard gecko, a ball python, a pine snake, a red-foot tortoise and two green iguanas. As Erin displayed them and took them throughout the crowd to touch, Michael provided interesting details about each one.
About 100 people attended. At least half of them were children. The event was free of charge, thanks to a sponsorship by Saskatchewan Lotteries.
Valentine was thrilled with the turnout. She had co-ordinated a similar day last year that was taken in by about 50 people. The doubling of the crowd this year kept helpers busy, as additional chairs had to be brought in.
If any herpetophobiacs entered the hall, it did not appear that many exited. Could it be that the opportunity to pet and touch the various creatures helped transform a fear of reptiles into a love for reptiles?
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