5th annual Reptile and Amphibian Appreciation Day (RAAD)
If you live in Los Angeles or will be visiting LA this weekend, the 5th annual Reptile and Amphibian Appreciation Day (RAAD) takes place Sunday, October 20 at the Natural History Museum of LA County.
The event showcases the museum's herpetology collection and serves as host to a variety of rept ile and amphibian organizations that show everything from turtles, frogs, and lizards, to photo albums of herping adventures in southern California. Many conservation organization s will also be in attendance as well.
Photo credit: John B. Virata
Reptile and Amphibian Appreciation Day at the Natural History Museum of LA County.
RAAD will offer a range of behind the scenes tours of the museum, with attendees able to tour the Dino Lab, Animal Care space , and the herpetology department. There will be art activities for the kids as well as the ever popular animal presentations that enable attendees to get up close to live animals.
Three venomous snake feeding demonstrations will take place throughout the day and NHM Herpetology Curator, Dr. Greg Pauly will speak at 2 p.m. Dr. Brad Shaff er's keynote speech will take place at 3 p.m.
Last year more than 2,300 herp lovers attended the event, which is held each ye ar to educate the public about the important role that these animals play in the environment.
The RAAD is free with paid museum entrance. The museum is located at 900 Exposition Blvd. LA, CA 90007. For more information, visit www.nhm.org/raad; 213/763-DINO.