Village reptile encounter

By Matt Romania

As part of The Village Bacchus Marsh’s school holiday program, Bryce and the ‘Reptile Encounters’ team provided an exciting and informative experience for shoppers, introducing them to a fascinating array of native reptiles.

This event series wasn’t solely about the thrill of seeing a snake up close, it was also an initiative to educate both children and adults about these intriguing creatures and promote ways to live harmoniously with them.

Bryce showcased two frogs, Shrek and Princess Fiona, driving home an important message: you should never touch a frog if you see one, as these creatures also breathe through their skin, and human contact could potentially interfere with this process.

Penny, the 25-year-old Mary River Turtle from Queensland, was unexpectedly quick on her feet, much to the surprise of the younger audience members. On the other hand, the Shingleback Lizard, affectionately known as Bob, was rather slow.

Bryce humorously commented, “Bob is pretty terrible at building things,” a reference that fans of the popular children’s show Bob the Builder would quickly catch. Sunday, the non-venomous python, was met with a variety of reactions ranging from cheers to gasps and ‘okay, I’ve seen enough’ reactions.

Bryce seized this opportunity to remind everyone that snakebites often occur when individuals either accidentally step on a snake or venture too close. He shared some crucial advice, especially for the younger members of the audience.

“You stop. You stand still,” he said.

“Snakes have really bad eyesight, so they rely on feeling vibrations as you walk. As soon as you see a snake, freeze, and stay nice and still. If you’re scared, you can scream as loud as you want, and the snake won’t hear you.”

He recommended that after stopping, individuals should take three large steps away from the snake then swiftly inform an adult.

This school holiday showcase was not just about captivating audiences with the spectacle of up-close interactions with reptiles. It was an educational experience among an otherwise busy Village shopping centre, shedding light on the fascinating world of reptiles and their behaviours.

By transforming fear into understanding and respect, the program aimed to foster harmony between humans and reptiles. As evident by the enthusiastic engagement and participation from both children and adults, the event successfully achieved its mission, proving that education, even about something as potentially fearsome as snakes, can be both engaging and entertaining.