**HUMBLE,TX**Urban Wildlife & Herpetology Familiarization

Course Location: Humble Police Dept., 310 Bender Ave, Humble TX 77338

Preregistration: Once class minimum is met, invoices will be emailed out for the course cost of $750 /person.

Course IS NOT FREE.

This course is 4 hours of Urban Wildlife of Texas in the morning and 4 hours of Herpetology Familiarization in the afternoon.

Tuition to this course includes one set of snake tongs and one snake bucket for the student to keep! These tongs are made of the highest quality material and with both the proper safe restraint of the animal as well as the comfort and safety of the animal in mind! All snake equipment used is by Animal Equipment by Stoney!

Urban Wildlife of Texas: With the continuing urban expansion of most Texas cities encroaching natural habitats, human encounters with native wildlife are becoming more frequent. Many animals can adapt and even thrive in the presence of humans, which will eventually lead to nuisance complaints and possible zoonotic issues. Identifying some of the diets, behaviors and habitats of some common urban wildlife in Texas will help explain their part in the ecosystem and how to discourage their presence in residential neighborhoods.

This class will cover how the reproductive cycle and migratory patterns can impact nuisance calls and will also cover the safe capture and handling of indigenous species.

As our primary goal is education, ACO's will learn how to guide the public toward a peaceful coexistence with wildlife and we will also examine how to make a residential area less conducive to wildlife invasion instead of adopting a "catch and kill" or "catch and relocate" mentality.

Rare, threatened and endangered species will also be discussed along with resources available for rehabilitation of wild animals.

Herpetology Familiarization: This class will cover proper identification of indigenous snakes, lizards, turtles, and alligators, as well as cover safe capture and handling techniques. A hands-on block of instruction with live animals, including non-venomous snakes, is included.

As our primary goal is education, ACO's will learn how to guide the public toward a peaceful coexistence with wildlife and we will also examine how to make a residential area less conducive to wildlife invasion instead of adopting a "catch and kill" or "Catch and relocate" mentality.

Proper husbandry of snakes and other reptiles will be covered at an introductory level as well as animal cruelty as it pertains to herp species.

* Please note live animals will be brought to class