Events commemorating October as Nebraska Reptile Month

October is Nebraska Reptile Month. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators, along with partners, have scheduled interesting and engaging events to celebrate and raise awareness of these species.

Nebraska Reptile Month Art Contest is Oct. 1-31

Nebraska Game and Parks is hosting its annual Nebraska Reptile Month Art Contest.

The contest, open Oct. 1-31, is open to all ages. People are invited to submit original artwork featuring Nebraska native reptiles through the end of October. To upload an entry, visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Images may be uploaded as scanned images or photos of the artwork.

The contest includes the following judging categories by grades: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. New this year is an Adult category.

Learn more about Nebraska reptiles by visiting OutdoorNebraska.gov and searching for “reptiles.”

All participants will receive reptile-themed gifts. To view the winners after the contest, follow the Nebraska Wildlife Education Facebook Page.

Email questions to monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov.

Lincoln library to host Reptile Family Fun Night

Meet some live Nebraska reptiles Oct. 1 at Reptile Family Fun Night in Lincoln. Join Lincoln City Libraries and Nebraska Game and Parks for a night geared toward reptile awareness.

Stop by the Gere Branch Library from 5:30-7 p.m. at 2400 S. 56th St., to meet live snakes, turtles and lizards and learn about native reptile species from Game and Parks staff.

There will be crafts and activities for the whole family at this free event, including the chance to read to a reptile.

Get inspired at Reptile Art Day

Join Nebraska Game and Parks and Lincoln City Libraries on Oct. 15 for an afternoon of reptile art.

October is Nebraska Reptile Month and the annual K-12 art contest is open all month. Join educators at Gere Branch Library from 1:30-3 p.m. at 2400 S. 56th St., to draw, paint or sculpt an entry for the contest.

Live reptiles will be on hand for inspiration, and a variety of art supplies will be provided at this free event. Participants will be able to digitally submit their entries with help from library staff and take home their finished project.

Reptiles of Nebraska event Oct. 24

Nebraska Game and Parks will team with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources to host a free, family-friendly reptile fun night Oct. 24.

Come to UNL’s East Campus in Lincoln, where the event will be from 4:30-7 p.m. at Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege St.

UNL Herpetologist Dennis Ferraro will have an exhibit of snakes, lizards and turtles of Nebraska. There also will be touch stations, coloring stations, turtle activities, snake activities, and booths dedicated to the importance of Nebraska’s native reptiles to the state.

Free parking is available. The first 200 families attending will take home a reptile gift bag. Several food trucks will be available.

Email any questions to monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov.