JANESVILLE — “What are chameleons famous for?†Zoozort animal educator Noelle Bezio asked more than 50 children and their families seated around a red rug at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville on Sunday, celebrating Earth Day.
“Changing colors†and “camouflage,†children answered.
“So, if I put Leon (the chameleon) on the red carpet, will he turn red?†Bezio asked.
“No,†replied 12-year-old Zack Lunerhea, of Beloit. “He will change based on his mood,†such as fear if a predator appeared.
Zack said he knew the answer from YouTube.
His mother, Fiphee Lunerhea said there are a lot of misunderstandings about wildlife.
“ItÃÛèÖÊÓƵ programs like this where we introduce animals to our kids and help them be passionate about making sure the animals get to stay here with us,†she said.
In addition to the Zoozort live animal shows, the event Sunday offered other childrenÃÛèÖÊÓƵ activities, family education and community exhibits. Interactive booths were set up by organizations such as the Rock Prairie Master Gardener Association, Ice Age Trail Alliance and the Rock County Beekeepers’ Association.
The Janesville Urban Forest Alliance was distributing tree cuttings, including maple and pecan. The beekeepers’ association offered a touch-and-feel corner. Visitors could also experience a childÃÛèÖÊÓƵ hive jacket and learn about queen bees and hive transportation.
Inside, UW-Extension gave out seeds such as lettuce, carrots, watermelons and potatoes.
Also participating were Protect Wisconsin Waterways, Basics Co-Op Natural Foods, CitizenÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Climate Lobby of Janesville, the city of Janesville Recreation Division, Rock County Conservationists, Welty Environmental Center, GreenLight E Recycling and the Rock County Public Health Department.
The Rock County Conservationists brought an insect pinning display with information about its grants for teachers that aim to support the creation of gardens at schools, benefiting pollinators and providing habitat for Monarch butterflies.
Zoozart is a live animal educational program based out of Lyndon Station, provided by Noelle and Dave Bezio.
Gasps filled the room as Montgomery, an albino Burmese python, made his appearance. Children gently stroked the 13-foot snake as he moved among them.
Lunerhea was happy to have met Montgomery. “I love snakes,†he said.
Also part of the show were Snowflake the chinchilla, Jeremiah the bullfrog, Daisy Mae the opossum, Leon the chameleon, Marvin the dwarf hairy armadillo, and Mimi the hairy armadillo.
Children learned about chinchillas, nocturnal creatures from South America, where they inhabit caves to keep cool. The crowd giggled as Snowflake swirled in a miniature bathtub, enjoying her dust bath.
Jeremiah the bullfrog leapt up, extending his tongue into the air in search of bugs. This species, originally from Africa, burrows underground during dry spells to hibernate until rainfall.
The crowd also learned about opossums while meeting Daisy Mae. Native to North America, they are marsupials with opposable thumbs.
Opossums play vital roles in the ecosystem, as they prey on mice, venomous reptiles, and ticks.
Bezio later explained that armadillos originate from South America, noting that only one species, the three-banded armadillo, rolls up into a ball.
As she stroked the top layer of MimiÃÛèÖÊÓƵ shell, she noted that it is made of keratin.
“Do you guys have anything on your body that is made out of keratin?†she asked. “Your fingernails and your— ‘Teeth!†a boy interjected. “Teeth are bone, so itÃÛèÖÊÓƵ your fingernails.â€
“Children need to be exposed to animals because they’re a part of our world. They learn that we all need to work together and live in harmony,†Bezio said.
Following the show, Lunerhea ended up at the booths outside, where he was given two Maple trees to take home. But he said his favorite part of Earth Day at Rotary Botanical Gardens was learning about the animals.
