LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. — It’s been almost one year since a wild snake bit Jesse Rothacker more than 50 times while on a bike ride.
Like his video that exploded in popularity, so too are the calls from reptiles in need of help.
“Every day we’re fielding calls for more reptiles that need help whether it’s a wild snapping turtle that found its way into a preschool or whether it was a pet python that was found loose in the city the other day,” said Rothacker, director of Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary.
Earlier this month, Rothacker responded to a call about a large snapping turtle at a childcare center in Lancaster County.
Although successfully relocated, Rothacker expects more calls to happen as the weather gets warmer.
“They’re not just awake, they’re fully active, that means they’re eating, they’re mating, they’re laying eggs, they’re doing all the stuff that snakes and lizards and turtles in Pennsylvania love to do and need to do,” Rothacker said.
That’s why Rothacker takes his show on the road, bringing people and animals together so they can learn to treat nature with respect.
On Tuesday, Rothacker performed at Union Canal Elementary in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District.
“99% of the time we tell people to leave the turtles alone, leave the snakes alone, pretend they’re not there, keep your pets inside for a couple hours, keep your spouse's inside for a couple hours and those things will go on their way,” Rothacker said.
While reptiles may be exciting up close, Rothacker encourages people to appreciate nature from a distance.
“When you see a reptile, just remember it’s doing its job, we teach our kids at every assembly, every animal on earth has an important job.”
To learn where Forgotten Friend is expected to perform next, click here.