Day 2 in Summer Safari Camp!

Today, we learned about reptiles!  Campers made snakes with pipe cleaners, and they played out door games!  At the beginning of the day children brought in animals and instruments to share.  Oona brought her violin, and Antonio brought his harmonica!  Also, Logan and Leah brought their dog and their guinea pig.  Other dogs were brought as well.

The campers learned that:

• A diurnal animal is awake during the day, and a nocturnal animal is awake during the night.
• The longest snake in the world is the reticulated python, and the longest cobra is the king cobra.
• Reptiles are different then bugs because they do not have an exoskeleton, they have bones instead.
• Constrictor snakes squeeze their prey, unlike venomous snakes.  Most pet snakes are constritcors. 
• Boas do not lay eggs, and Pythons do!

Today's animal handler was Haven!  She got to hold the animal of the day, the chamelion.  Chamilions change colors based on their mood, not for camoflauge.  Their length can be anywhere from one inch to one foot!  

The children had a lot of fun with our guest speakers from the store Pangea Pets, also known as Reptiles.  This store is located SW 34th St by Archer Road; visit them with all of your reptile pet's needs!  The guests brought a tortoise, a monitor,  a crested gecko, a corn snake, a ball python, a brazilian rainbow boa, a blood python, and a burmese python!  After watching a little bit of Madagascar and seeing the presentation, the Campers of the Day were awarded.  Caleb and Mary got the award for helping with cleanup and asking great questions!

If your child is afraid of any animal that might be brought, please inform Captain Hollinger, and Camp Hollinger 2.  We do not want your child to be unhappy over something we can prevent!

Also, if you have any animals to share, bring them in!  We love visitors!  It is still recommended that campers wear bug repellent and sun screen.

Ask your child about what makes a reptile different from an arthropod, and about the rat vs. cobra outdoor game!  Also discuss the guest speakers' presentation with him/her.