Performing Arts Center - Outreach Services
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School Matinee Performance Study Guide
National Geographic Live!
Brady Barr “Dangerous Encounters”
Friday, January 18, 2013, 11 a.m. – Spanos Theatre
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Who is Brady Barr?
National Geographic Channel’s reptile expert Dr. Brady Barr is the
first scientist ever to capture and study all 23 species of
crocodilians in the wild. For more than 15 years and through 50
countries, his goal has been to get hands-on experience with crocs
in their natural habitats in order to understand how best to
preserve them in the wild. Approximately one-third of all croc
species are endangered and Barr’s extraordinary achievement
brings worldwide attention to their plight. His latest scientific
expedition takes him to Indonesia, where he attempts to answer
questions surrounding a cave-dwelling population of reticulated pythons.
By increasing our knowledge and understanding of these powerful creatures, Barr hopes to
save both reptile and human lives. This is even more critical at a time when people are
developing communities in wild habitats such as the Florida Everglades, resulting in more
frequent attacks on humans. Barr is currently the host of Dangerous Encounters on Nat Geo
Wild. True to the series title, he recently survived an attack by a 12-foot reticulated python
while working in waist-deep guano inside a bat cave in Indonesia.
Brady Barr: Fun Facts
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Dr. Barr has participated in research projects with leading
scientists throughout the world, into conservation of the
American crocodile in Costa Rica, and his dietary study of
alligators in the Florida Everglades.
In 1997, Dr. Barr signed on with National Geographic as a
field specialist for the Explorer series, becoming National
Geographic’s resident herpetologist, and has since
appeared in more than 60 National Geographic films and
television shows, including National Geographic Channel’s popular series “Dangerous
Encounters with Brady Barr.”
From 2001–2002, he hosted the National Geographic Channel series “Reptile Wild with
Dr. Brady Barr,” and survived a myriad of adventures: a plane crash in the Brazilian
Pantanal; getting bit in the face by a large boa constrictor; and getting pulled overboard
by an angry crocodile.
In 2002, Dr. Barr’s expeditions took him to Cambodia, French Guiana, Brazil, Africa, Sri
Lanka, and Thailand. In Cambodia, he made history by capturing a rare, wild Siamese
crocodile, a species once thought to be functionally extinct in the wild.
Currently, Dr. Barr is a member of the Endangered Species Coalition of the Council of State
Governments.
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Do You Know Your Reptiles?
American Alligator: Scientists say that the species is 150 million years old and
lived alongside the dinosaurs. Alligators live in freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps
and marshes in the southeastern United States. Female crocs grow to a
maximum of about 9.8 feet, but males can reach 10 to 15 feet long and up to
1,000 pounds. They mostly eat small mammals, fish, snakes and turtles, but if
hungry enough, they will eat anything.
American Crocodile: Considered endangered, this prehistoric looking creature
lives in freshwater river estuaries, coastal lagoons and mangrove swamps. In
the U.S. males get up to 13 feet, but in Central and South America they can
reach up to 20 feet. They eat small mammals, birds, fish and other small
animals in their habitat. They are more likely to flee at the sight of a human
than attack one.
Black Mamba: Considered the world’s deadliest snake, the Black Mamba is
named for the black color of the inside of its mouth. They live in the Savannas,
and the hills of Africa, and reach lengths of 14 feet. Mostly shy they will seek
escape, but when cornered they will hiss, raise 1/3 of their body off the ground
and strike repeatedly. Black Mamba venom is 100% fatal within 20 minutes,
without antivenom.
Galapagos Tortoise: The oldest living vertebrates, these giant tortoises live an
average of 100 years, reaching 5 feet in length and 550 pounds. Listed as
endangered, they are protected by the Ecuadorian government and special
breeding efforts are helping their numbers. Their lives consist of eating leaves,
sun bathing and napping for up to 16 hours a day, and they can live for a year
without eating or drinking.
Green Iguana: Iguanas average 6.5 feet and 11 pounds making them the
largest lizard in the Americas. They live in Mexico, Central America, the
Caribbean Islands and Brazil, and spend most of their time in the canopy, only
descending to mate, lay eggs or move to a different tree. Iguanas are
herbivores, and will leap from branches to escape predators, landing in the
water or surviving falls up to 40 feet onto the earth below. Iguanas are very
fast on land, and their strong jaws and tails help to fend off predators. They can
even detach their tails to escape death and grow a new one with no permanent
damage.
Horned Toad: These toads have great camouflage because their color varies
between yellow, gray or brown depending on their environment, and the
spikes on their head and back gives their skin texture. The camouflage comes
in handy when feeding: they wait, unseen, until a small insect gets close, then
they snatch it up and swallow it whole. Prey themselves, they can inflate their
bodies up to twice their regular size, and shoot blood out of their eyes to
confuse and ward off predators.
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Pre-Performance Discussion Questions
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Have you had any dangerous encounters with nature?
How did you deal with the situation? What did you learn
from the experience?
What are some reptiles you expect to see pictures of in
the show? Have you seen any of them in real life?
How do you think photography is used in the show? Why
do you think Dr. Barr takes so many pictures? How can pictures help us learn?
What do you think it would be like to live as a reptile? What rules are there in the
animal kingdom, and how are those rules different from the one’s humans live by?
The Best Job in the World
Dr. Brady Barr has a clear passion
for science and the discovery of all things
reptile. Telling tales and showing pictures
of his up-close-and-personal meetings with
crocodiles, alligators, lizards and snakes,
Dr. Barr presents "The Best Job in the World,"
motivating children and adults to follow their
dreams as he shares how a self-described
average student stuck with it and surpassed
everyone's expectations, traveling the world
and conducting research for National
Geographic. Dr. Barr takes audiences for a spine
tingling ride through the world of wildlife
documentaries and animal conservation.
Pre-Performance Activities
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Examine pictures of reptiles and discuss facts about each of them. Then try to match the
pictures with the correct fact from a bundle of mixed cards.
Make a huge costume of a reptile that a large group can fit in using fabric, cardboard
and paper. Practice the movements and habits of that animal, and discuss how they are
different than or the same as human characteristics.
Post-Performance Activities
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Have the students draw pictures of the reptiles they saw in the show and create a
collage. Then have each student pick their favorite reptile and a write story about it
including facts they learned in the show or in class.
Ask the students to write about their own “Best Job in the World,” including the steps
they think they should take to get there.
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California Content Standards Covered During the Show
Life Sciences
K.2.a: Different types of plants and animals inhabit the earth. As a basis for understanding this
concept, Students know how to observe and describe similarities and differences in the
appearance and behavior of plants and animals (e.g., seed-bearing plants, birds, fish, insects).
K.2.c: Different types of plants and animals inhabit the earth. As a basis for understanding this
concept, Students know how to identify major structures of common plants and animals (e.g.,
stems, leaves, roots, arms, wings, legs).
1.2.a: Plants and animals meet their needs in different ways. As a basis for understanding this
concept, Students know different plants and animals inhabit different kinds of environments
and have external features that help them thrive in different kinds of places.
1.2.c: Plants and animals meet their needs in different ways. As a basis for understanding this
concept, Students know animals eat plants or other animals for food and may also use plants or
even other animals for shelter and nesting.
1.2.d: Plants and animals meet their needs in different ways. As a basis for understanding this
concept, Students know how to infer what animals eat from the shapes of their teeth (e.g.,
sharp teeth: eats meat; flat teeth: eats plants).
2.2.c: Plants and animals have predictable life cycles. As a basis for understanding this concept,
Students know many characteristics of an organism are inherited from the parents. Some
characteristics are caused or influenced by the environment.
4.2.b: All organisms need energy and matter to live and grow. As a basis for understanding this
concept, Students know producers and consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and
decomposers) are related in food chains and food webs and may compete with each other for
resources in an ecosystem.
Earth Sciences
K.4.e: Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful
investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the
other three strands, Students should develop their own questions and perform investigations.
Students will, communicate observations orally and through drawings.
3.3.d: Adaptations in physical structure or behavior may improve an organism’s chance for
survival. As a basis for understanding this concept, Students know when the environment
changes, some plants and animals survive and reproduce; others die or move to new locations.
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Content
1.0: Students acquire information, recognize distinctive viewpoints, and further their knowledge of
other disciplines.
2.0: Students acquire information, recognize distinctive viewpoints, and further their knowledge of
other disciplines.
2.1.f: Students address topics related to self and the immediate environment, including, Climate.
3.0: Students acquire information, recognize distinctive viewpoints, and further their knowledge of
other disciplines.
3.1.c: Students address concrete and factual topics related to the immediate and external environment,
including, Animals and their habitats.
4.0: Students acquire information, recognize distinctive viewpoints, and further their knowledge of
other disciplines.
4.1c: Students address complex, concrete, factual, and abstract topics related to the immediate and
external environment, including, Endangered species.
Sources
Nationalgeographic.com
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