Extension looks to dispel myths about local wildlife
By Kyle LoJacono
Pasco County Cooperative Extension director BJ Jarvis has heard almost every myth when it comes to snakes, spiders and other native species, so she created a camp to teach kids the truth about Florida’s wildlife.
She helped make the summer Kids Kamp program six years ago, which kicked off this year with a class on snakes and spiders.

“We wanted to give the kids a chance to get their hands in the dirt and spend some time with their environment,” Jarvis said. “We want kids to know what to do when they encounter a snake or a spider. Some people are terrified of snakes and they don’t have to be. We wanted to dispel some of these myths.”
The day started with the kids learning about spiders and finding some of their webs around the Extension office. Then they moved back inside to see reptile specialist Jim Mendenhall’s critters.
Mendenhall brought 14 snakes, a gopher tortoise and a Gila monster for the children to see. Most of the animals can be found in Florida, while some come from other places in the country and world. Some, like the tortoise and Gila monster, are endangered.
“I do these classes to show kids there isn’t any reason to be afraid of these animals, but they need to respect them,” said Mendenhall, who displays his animals each year at the San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival. “I tell them they shouldn’t go and pick up any of these animals to be safe, but enjoy them for what they are.”
Mendenhall brought all six of Florida’s venomous snakes: diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, water moccasin, copperhead and coral snake.
The kids were allowed to touch some of the nonvenomous animals, something Dade City resident Nathalie Sawczuk was less than eager to do.
“I don’t really like snakes,” Sawczuk said. “They just aren’t my thing because when I was little there was a baby black racer in my yard that freaked me out. My friend (Gracie Wagner) made me touch it.”
The children ranged from ages 8-12 and came from across east Pasco, Lutz and even Polk County.
“I came to one last year,” said Lutz resident Kyle Storch-Dolcelli. He then added, “The snakes are really cool. My favorite was the black racer. We have them in our backyard.”
Jarvis said the theme for the camps change each week.
“We have some on a lot of different topics from trees, to sewing, money management. Just everything we teach here at the Extension office,” Jarvis said. “We throw a little learning in each day with a lot of fun.”
The program runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each Wednesday until July 27 at the Extension office, 6702 SR 52 in Dade City. The cost is $5 per kid, but classes are limited to the first 20 who sign up. For more information on the program, call (352) 518-0532 or visit http://pasco.ifas.ufl.edu.
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