The Concordian

Ron Cromer, specialist in herpetology, holds a blue-tailed skink named Peggy Sue. [Click to enlarge]

When Ron Cromer came to Concord last Thursday, he educated and entertained students, faculty, and local children with his hands-on presentation that featured various snakes and other reptiles such as turtles, skinks, and iguanas.

Cromer is a specialist in herpetology and has been lecturing since 1982. He uses his presentations to educate people about creatures that are generally misunderstood. He strives to share the truth and discredit the myths about snakes and other animals.

At the beginning of the program, Cromer clarified that there are only two poisonous snakes in West Virginia: rattlesnakes and copperheads. He stressed that killing these is understandable when necessary, but any other snake should be treated with care and simply relocated if found in an undesirable location.

The lecture and slideshow during the first half of the evening was interesting and informative. The real fun, however, fun began when Cromer brought out some reptiles for the audience to hold or touch if they desired.

Brave members of the audience passed around the two dozen snakes in Cromer’s menagerie, while following his instructions on proper care and holding techniques.

The program ended with the unveiling of Penelope—a giant python weighing approximately 150 pounds. It took eight students to hold her up, as she measures about fourteen feet in length. Everyone who held a snake received a sticker, and those who helped to hold Penelope received a special “python-holding” sticker. The children in the audience especially enjoyed these prizes, as they have something to remember this experience by later in life.

For more information about Ron Cromer or the Snakes Alive program, visit www. snakesalive.org.

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