For the second time this school year, Suffield High School’s Herpetology Club hosted the Reptile Handling Course on February 14th for any students interested in the exciting world of reptilian creatures. Specifically, this course consisted of learning how to properly handle and take care of tortoises and snakes.
Herpetology Club President, Corey Olivera, once again led interested students in a course that went into detail about how to care for reptiles, provide a safe environment, distinguish the proper food, and treat them if you wish to handle them or care for the reptiles.
New to the handling courses, students like Charlee Petrillo and Evelyn McKeon were introduced to the club’s handling course and walked through the basics with precise and detailed instruction by the club’s president and active members, Corey Olivera, Dominik Tofil, and Madisyn Beyers. Returning handling course students, like Michaela Head and Kai Skorupski, engaged with the reptiles with past experience from the first course, showing excitement and a deeper appreciation for the creatures.
The first handling course brought in about 15 students, which was a few students more than the second meeting, consisting of only 7 participants and a few interested students who stopped by to say “hello” to the reptiles. The first course was active, lively, and a bit crowded, but the second course was calmer and more intimate as the members of the Herpetology Club were able to assist further with the handling of the reptiles, and give extra information to the few students who attended, as well as answering questions directly.
Herpetology Club hopes to continue running these handling courses, gathering students who are interested in reptilian creatures and how to care for them.
