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Southeast Missourian

EPIC Fun event teaches about reptiles and amphibians

Sarah Yenesel
Friday, July 23, 2021

The Early Prevention Impacts Community (EPIC) hosted "EPIC Fun," an event with the Missouri Department of Conservation to teach the public about reptiles and amphibians. A naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, Alex Holmes, showed the audience a salamander, frogs, a toad, snakes and a snapping turtle. Holmes said the goal of the event is to connect the community with local wildlife, especially animals they might fear, to teach them how to interact with and appreciate the animals. Community services coordinator for EPIC, Shelly Woods, said that the mission of this event is to help maintain a healthy and safe community. She said it is the first of its kind and there will be many to come.

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    An audience member takes a picture of naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation Alex Holmes while he holds a rough green snake during the EPIC Fun event at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau on Friday, July 23, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
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    Naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation Alex Holmes shows an audience member the back of a toad where its venom glands are located during the EPIC Fun event at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau on Friday, July 23, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
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    Naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation Alex Holmes holds a spotted salamander while he speaks about it during the EPIC Fun event at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau on Friday, July 23, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
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    Naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation Alex Holmes holds a plain belly water snake during the EPIC Fun event at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau on Friday, July 23, 2021. He said it can be difficult to differentiate this kind of nonvenomous snake to a similar looking venomous snake. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
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    Naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation Alex Holmes holds an alligator snapping turtle during the EPIC Fun event at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau on Friday, July 23, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
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    Naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation Alex Holmes holds an alligator snapping turtle for the audience to see during the EPIC Fun event at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau on Friday, July 23, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
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    Asher Seyer, 6, taps the container holding the alligator snapping turtle during the EPIC Fun event at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau on Friday, July 23, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)