As Norah and LJ Young waited inside the Oak View Center, their anticipation for Crosstown Exotics’ critter class was building. The Oak Forest duo spoke in whispers about what creatures they hoped to see.
Top of their lists: snakes and tarantulas — or “some animals that go with the season,” as Norah, 11, put it.
“She’s held a tarantula before,” LJ, 7, added.
Their snake wishes were realized less than a half-hour later, as Crosstown Exotics co-owner Mike Levins, of Frankfort, took young northern pine snakes and bullsnakes around the room for children to see up close and touch if they wished.
“Told you,” Norah whispered to LJ.
The children said they have no fear of animals that slither or crawl, and they were not alone. While some of the children registered for the Oak Lawn Park District program said they have dogs or cats, personal pets include bearded dragons, frogs, exotic fish and snakes.
As Levins and co-owner Colin Langenderfer, of Mokena, took snakes, tortoises, frogs, bugs and a crocodile around the room, they shared lessons about the animals, their natural habitats and how to care for pets. They have conducted these classes since 2017, starting in Mokena. But classes have spread throughout the southwest suburbs and now take place at more than 20 park districts.
“The purpose of critter class is to get hands-on interaction with animals but also to get back in touch with the natural world,” Langenderfer said.
While the Oak Lawn class stayed indoors because of the cold weather, Langenderfer said they often take the groups outside in the summer for nature walks, where children tend to be more inquisitive. They catch turtles and frogs, spot plants in bloom, see caterpillars develop and discover antler sheds and bones.
“We have fun doing that,” Langenderfer said. “It’s almost Pokemon Go but in real life. A lot of kids don’t realize you can go out and catch these things and see these things in real life.”
That also helps keep the classes fun, especially when Crosstown Exotics draws repeat attendees.
“Even if we are bringing animals they may have seen in the past, going outside is that fun variable, because you never know what you’re going to find,” Langenderfer said.
Part of Crosstown’s mission is to educate people about often misunderstood creatures in the reptile, amphibian and bug realm.
The animals the company showcased in Oak Lawn included Burmese mountain tortoises, several types of snakes, a uromastyx aegyptia, a crocodile and African giant bullfrogs. Some of the animals were young and being showcased for the first time, having been purchased this fall, following spring breeding and summer birthing seasons.
By the end of this season, Crosstown Exotics will have been in business for 10 years and completed roughly 1,000 shows. Langenderfer said things bounced back after the pandemic with birthday parties and shows at libraries and schools. October remains busy for Crosstown, which takes part in haunted houses such as HellsGate in Lockport, and movie and television productions.
The critter classes have doubled from pre-pandemic numbers, and Langenderfer is more than happy to expose more communities to reptiles and nature.
“I think after the pandemic, park districts wanted to find some fun activities to add to their brochures to get people back, and critter classes have been one that they have focused on,” he said.
Melissa Ferruzza, a recreation supervisor for the Oak Lawn Park District, said this was the first time she worked with Crosstown Exotics. The park district offered a nature program for years, but the instructor recently retired.
“We’re just trying something different to fill in the gaps we’re missing,” Ferruzza said.
Angel Marinez, 4, of Oak Lawn, said he liked having a baby tortoise in his hand and the chance to pet a snake. His mother, Karina Gonzalez, said the family had Crosstown Exotics out for his birthday and Angel got up close and personal with a 100-pound tortoise.
“It’s really cool,” Gonzalez said. “He loved it. They do a great job.”
The children were asked to introduce themselves, pets they have, favorite animals and plans for Halloween. Tortoises and alligators are among Angel’s favorite because of their prehistoric looks. His Halloween costume is a T-Rex.
“I love dinosaurs,” he said.
Bill Jones is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
