Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 12pm - 5pm 

Want to get face to face with a tortoise or rub elbows with a carnivorous plant? Discover Reptiles & Other Critters gives young and old the chance to explore some of the “unhuggable” animals in our world. Interactive stage shows, live animals, and fun activities teach us to appreciate the important roles these plants and animals play in our ecosystem. From snakes to chameleons, jellyfish to sharks, we’ll explore creepy critters and learn what makes them so cool. 

Activities

Dallas Zoo Reptiles and Amphibians

Learn about the conservation projects the Dallas Zoo is involved with, including Texas Horned Lizard research and Amphibian Watch. Presented by the Dallas Zoo

What's Bugging You?

Bugs… we think of them as pests, but 99% are beneficial. Make your own good bug using paper and pipecleaners and get an up-close look at insects under the microscope. Presented by North Texas Master Naturalists, sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service

DFW Turtle and Tortoise Club

Tortoises have taken over the Nature Building! Check out these roaming reptiles and learn all about responsible turtle ownership. Presented by the DFW Turtle and Tortoise Club

Introducing Carnivorous Plants

Learn what constitutes a carnivorous plant, where they live, why they catch animal prey and what species of animals and plants live with them. Presented by Texas Triffid Ranch

Virtual Jungle

Hop on over and explore interactive digital reptiles and amphibians created by students from UT Southwestern Medical Center's Department of Biomedical Communications. Presented by UT Southwestern Medical Center

What's for Dinner?

Snakes eat all sorts of things, including some things you might not expect. Can you match the snake to his favorite snack?

Chameleon Challenge

Decorate your own colorful critter or try your hand at our Lizard Lunch game.

Glowing Scorpions

Did you know that scorpions glow under black light? Discover more cool facts and learn how to draw a scorpion at this station.

Herp Bookmarks

What's a herp? A herptile (more commonly known as a herp) is a reptile or amphibian. Decorate a bookmark with your favorite herps so you can look at them all year long!

Shark Tooth Necklaces

MNS has gone crazy for sharks with traveling exhibition Planet Sharks: Predator or Prey and IMAX® film Sharks. Get in the spirit by making your very own plastic shark tooth necklace.  (Don't worry – no sharks were harmed in the making of these necklaces.)

Gator Grips

Place this scaly friend on your fridge and he'll keep your favorite photos or papers safe in the grip of his powerful jaws.

Bromeliad Buddies

Learn about the life cycle of poison dart frogs while you create a model of a tadpole nursery.

Scavenger Hunt

Visit today's activity stations to answer a series of fun science questions. Check your answers and win a prize at the table in the lobby!

GEICO

GEICO is proud to sponsor Discover Reptiles & Other Critters at MNS. Stop by the GEICO booth at the main entrance and say hello to some of the associates and possibly get a glimpse of the Gecko.

Shows

Wildlife on the Move and Special Guests
Featuring Birds of Prey from the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center

Saturday: 11:30am, Sunday: 12:30pm

Take a walk on the wild side and learn about reptiles, birds, and more!  You'll learn what animals make good pets and which ones are better enjoyed in their natural habitat. Presented by Wildlife on the Move.

The Unhuggables

Saturday 1:30pm, Sunday 2pm

See all the critters you thought you hated in a whole new light! This program includes creepy tarantulas, slithery snakes and more! Presented by Wildlife on the Move.

Wonders of Wildlife Game Show

Saturday 3pm, Sunday 3:30pm

Think you're an animal whiz? Test your knowledge during this interactive stage show, complete with live animals! Presented by Wildlife on the Move.

Membership

Member Lounge

Take a break from your adventures and enjoy a free snack, drink, and shark craft.