Snake exhibit slithers its way to Academy

by Shanna Fanelli assistant features editor

Down sparsely lit corridors, where the bones of dinosaurs usher visitors past ancient skulls, reclines a grinning, mammothsized rattler with a belly full of children. Eyes stop to watch the youngsters squirm and wiggle their way through ribs and around organs. A mother waves and points as her son creeps over intestines.

Suddenly a frown of concern overcomes her features-his shoe is untied. Reluctantly the boy exits the rattler via the mouth / subjects his sneakered feet to his mothe~sl/ nervous fingers. Seconds later find him crawling back in. And out. Again in, but never on top, as the nearby guide at the "Snakes Alive" exhibit in the Academy of Natural Sciences is quick to inform.

Guarding the entrance to the exhibit is a huge snake head, which allows visitors the ability to see the world in "snake vision."

Snakes locate prey by seeing body beat through heat-sensitive loreal pits. A screen features tiny rodents shown in body heat colors and displays varying temperatures of the mice.

But snake vision and large model rattlers are not all the exhibit has to offer. Various screens around the room display the many lives, uses and even reverences of the snake.

"The exhibit tells how to identify snakes, snakes within myth and cultures and how we can benefit from snakes," said Marie

This

Gilbert, part-time manager.

For example, Kurrichalpongo, a large snake in Australian mythology, is believed to have created the world and the eggs he laid hatched the inhabitants. There is a Dumba dance in Africa that mimics the snakes' rib movements. In Burmese, girls are passed down the secret of snake charming, beginning with a tattoo of snake venom and ending in a snaky kiss that signifies womanhood attained.

Indeed the snake is honored, recognized

News And Notes

The 71st Annual Academy Awards will air on ABC on Sunday,March 21, beginning at 8 p.m.

Student Activities is sponsoring a trip to see the play ''The Chosen" at the Arden Theatre on Sunday, March 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10. ''The Chosen" is adapted from the Chaim Potok classic of the same name. Sign up in student Activities if interested.

The following movies are slated for release on Friday, March 19:

• "Forces of Nature," starring Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock;

• "True Crime," starring Clint Eastwood and James Woods;

• An animated version of ''The King and I"; in many cultures as not only the known symbol for evil, but also as symbols of power and divinity.

• "Ravenous,"starring Guy Pearce and David Arquette.

The exhibit entitled "Mad for Modernism: Earl Horter and His Collection" will be on display at the Philadelphia Museum of art through May 16.

As well as revered, snake, in certain cultures, is also a delicacy. Recipes from certain tribes give a whole new meaning to "shake 'n' bake." _ _

Even though finger lickin' good appeal may have been lost on some, the highlights of the exhibit were the scaly, tongueflicking friends who lounged around the room in personal cages. The snakes, pro-

Cabrini Theater vided by Road Ark, a company that travels through museums with snakes, boasted a variety of both harmless and deadly critters. Along the wall is the Academy's own collection of "pickled" snakes. These snakes are preserved in clear bottles and allow the observer to get extra close to the shy reptiles.

Shame Facedly Presents ...

"People don't realize it, but snakes are actually afraid of us," said Gilbert. "They perceive us as the predators because we are bigger."

Gilbert, as well as other Academy instructors, are willing and eager to give helpful snake hints and extra snaky tidbits. Identifying poisonous snakes from nonpoisonous, how to treat a snake bite and snake history flow excitedly from their lips. The best advice on how to avoid a snake bite? By leaving the snake alone.

Whether bottled, modeled or alert, and with tongues flickering, the "Snakes Alive" exhibit offers up depth and fun in the world of snakes.

ExhibitInformation

• The"SnakesAlive"exhibitwill be on displaythroughMay 9.

• The Academyof NaturalSciencesis locatedat 19thandBenjaminFranklin Parkwayon LoganCircle in Philadelphia.

• For 24-hourinfonnationon a<imission fees, hoursand specialprograms call (215) 299-1000.

''IT STINKS!"

- Cabrini Faculty Senate

the WORST show in college history

March 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 8:00 p.m., $5 per person

By Monty Python, Tom Stoppard, and Cabrini students (and it's all terrible)

Red Cloud Coffeehouse

Information: 902-8510