PARENTS rarely volunteer their children for a hands-on experience of Australia’s most deadly creatures, but that’s exactly what happened at Bega Preschool this week.
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Deadly Australians is an educational presentation by scientist Marc Dorse, who travelled from Queensland to the Bega Valley on Thursday, May 21, to share his knowledge about some of our creepy crawlies.
Wide-eyed preschoolers were able to inspect a cone shell, get a close look at red-back and funnel web spiders, and peer into jars containing blue-ringed octopus and box-jellyfish.
“Sixty children came in today to see the presentation,” Bega Preschool director Anne-Maree Carroll said.
“We call these visits ‘incursions’, rather than excursions, and they’re proving really popular.
“When we can host special events at the preschool, more children can attend and learn new things.”
Mr Dorse is a toxicologist and herpetologist working with the Queensland Museum, with over 40 years’ experience handling deadly creatures and providing education.
“I teach all age groups, from four year olds to trained medics in ER,” Mr Morse said.
“Most of my work is teaching people how to treat venom. And it’s very important knowledge.
“Australia has 21 of the 24 most venomous snakes in the world.
“And because we like the big outdoors, the risk of encounter is high.”
Mr Dorse shared his knowledge in a calm way, encouraging the children to appreciate animal traits and sensory abilities.
Reptile colour blindness, the super intelligence of octopi, the mass spawning aggregations of sea snakes, and the unique bottom-breathing of freshwater turtles generated amazement and giggles.
However, you could hear a pin drop when Mr Dorse presented the day’s highlight - a yellow and black banded carpet python.
Non-venomous and inquisitive, the python coiled around arms and reached around necks as the children queued up for a pat, eliciting much excitement.
“That was the first time I touched a snake!” preschooler Charlee Irving declared.
“And it was so cold!” Isabelle Connors added.
Suddenly, the room seemed full with a whole new generation of animal conservationists, snake charmers and marine scientists as Mr Morse packed up his show.
But not every child was hooked.
When asked by Mr Morse what Charlie Cross wanted to be when he grew up, the four-year-old was super clear.
“An Ironman,” he said.
At least he’ll be well equipped to run away from a snake one day - which happened to be one of the main tips of the day.