Blog

Happy “Newt” Year!

By Thomas Waser In Cold Blooded Creatures

The Virginia Living Museum herpetology department would like to wish you and your family a “Hoppy” New Year! We have been working hard for the upcoming year of exciting events, and hope you will be joining us for these fun dates (and more terrible puns)!

Reptiles: Bizarre and Beautiful, our annual Reptile Weekend will take place February 14th-16th. Featuring native and exotic reptiles from around the world, Reptile Weekend will allow you and your family to get an up close encounter with this amazing group of animals. Discover the similarities and differences between venomous and nonvenomous snakes, observe rare and endangered reptiles like the Galapagos Tortoise, and learn what you can do to protect these bizarre and beautiful creatures. With everything from crafts to animal shows, Reptiles: Bizarre and Beautiful is fun for the whole family!

The VLM is very excited to announce that it will be hosting a special summer exhibit in our changing exhibit gallery: Frogs: A Chorus of Colors. Provided by Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, Frogs: A Chorus of Colors is a blockbuster exhibition featuring over 70 live frogs from around the world! Come experience the world of frogs like never before through visually stunning exhibits and interactive games and activities! March 14th-September 7th.

Keep an eye out this spring when the VLM opens its FrogWatch USA program to the public! If you have ever wanted to identify frogs and their calls, come join us for this unique citizen science experience! FrogWatch USA is an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) conservation initiative to study frog and toad populations across the country just by tracking their calls! Whether you enjoy observing local amphibians or simply want to take part in an active scientific study, FrogWatch USA is an amazing experience that will open your eyes to the world of frogs right in your own backyard!

Can’t get enough of reptiles and amphibians?! Here are a few more fun holidays you can add to your calendar!:

Save the Frogs Day: April 25th

World Turtle Day: May 23rd

World Snake Day: July 16^th

World Lizard Day: August 14th

National Iguana Awareness Day: September 6th

National Newt Day: September 7th

Reptile Awareness Day: October 21st

National Croc Day: October 23rd

Month of October: Croctober