FREE Talk: Creature Connections: Our Pets & Their Wild Native Counterparts

Come meet and touch interesting ambassador animals, then learn about the wild native RGV species that share similar adaptations. Free, no ticket needed. Seats are first-come, first-served. Meet and get hands on with fascinating animal ambassadors—including a Curly-hair Tarantula, Russian Tortoise, White's Tree Frogs, and chinchilla! Then our speaker will help us compare these pets with the wild native RGV species that share similar features, so we can explore the unique adaptations that help native species thrive, and learn why wild animals belong in the wild. We'll also discover simple ways to help protect local wildlife and the habitats they call home. Don't miss it! ABOUT THE SPEAKER Samantha Sing is the Animal Educator and Artistic Director for Han and Friends, whose mission is to teach and inspire kindness and compassion towards animals. Originally from New York City, she volunteered at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center known as the Wild Bird Fund and worked in the Insectarium and Butterfly Vivarium at the American Museum of Natural History. Her favorite bird is the Rock Dove, but after moving to the Rio Grande Valley in August 2025, she quickly fell in love with the Grackles.