Discover Wichita Falls’ misunderstood creatures at River Bend: On the Clock

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — By the pricking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes. Or… something squirmy.

For this Halloween installment of On the Clock, we’re stopping into River Bend Nature Center for a spell. While these beasties may seem creepy, Exhibits Manager Kevin Seman says they’re anything but.

“We want people to like their backyard,” Seman said. “We don’t want people to go in the backyard and see snakes and be fearful or scared. We want people to understand that they’re just animals, and there may be dangerous ones out there, but understanding them is better than just hating them outright.”

For the past 18 years, Seman has been an advocate for slithering snakes and wriggly rats.

“Keep fighting the good fight and talking for those that don’t have a voice,” he said.

Every morning, he cleans out cages, refreshes food and water, and makes sure each creature has a friend, especially when misconceptions run rampant.

“There are plenty of people out there with reasons to not like them, but our job is to make sure when people come in, they learn about these things,” he said. “And when they leave, maybe they can feel a little bit more educated and can think a little differently.”

It can be hard work…

“A lot of the animals that we have can be strenuous, especially in busy times, the year when we have field trips or summer camps, or if it’s just particularly busy and just making sure that everything’s taken care of and clean,” Seman said.

But little guys like Cookie and Cream and the rest of the River Bend team make it all worth it.

“We have lots of docents and volunteers who are more than happy to help us with landscaping, cleaning out cages, checking on water dishes and making sure everything’s good,” Seman said.

And if I’m creepin’ it real?

“Would you hire me as a volunteer, as an assistant or something like that?”

“Oh, definitely,” he said. “Because you already came in, and when you said you weren’t scared of snakes, that’s one of the big things for having a volunteer here, is understanding these animals, and even being willing to learn about them if you didn’t know about them.”

I could get used to my new critter friends.

River Bend constantly hosts events to help get you more acquainted with the wildlife in your own backyard.

Their next one is a spider-themed Sip’n Science, where you can grab a cocktail and learn all about arachnid friends. It will be Saturday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m.