At Petaluma High School’s Wildlife & Science Museum, the main attraction is the animals

“Awaiting New Residents.”

So promises a note posted on a number of unoccupied, temperature-controlled “cages.” That word hardly describes the gleaming, glassed-in terrarium-style habitats on display, most of them housing an array of reptiles and amphibians. Each cage bears a small sign, identifying its inhabitant. “Pixie Frog.” “Western Hognose Snake.” “Blue Beauty Rat Snake.” “Fire-Belly Toad.” “Honduran Milk Snake.” “Lavender Tiger Reticulated Python.” “Crested Gecko.”

This is the Petaluma High School Wildlife & Science Museum. The busy facility’s current board Vice-President (and PHS alum) Jordan James has just concluded a short tour, ending in the North America Room - where spectacular taxidermy displays depict perfectly-posed bears, coyotes and Big Horn Sheep, all frozen in snapshot-like motion. After passing through the Cave - which looks like, well, a cave - he steps out into The Reptile Room.

“This is our newest addition,” he says, indicating the wall of cages. “We got these last February. These are all individually controlled by thermostat, so each animal gets the temperature they thrive in the best. Also, we used to have to hand-mist the animals, to keep the humidity up. But these new cages have integrated misting systems, on timers, so the animals are misted six times a day, which keeps the humidity up for those animals that need it.”

The Crested Gecko James peers in at certainly does appear well-humidified.

“Animal husbandry-wise,” James says, “this new equipment is night-and-day compared to what we had.”

Soon, those few empty cages will have new residents, benefitting, in their reptilian way, from all of that newfangled gadgetry.

A lot has changed over the years at the PHS Wildlife & Science Museum, a one-of-a-kind facility that has seen its share of rocky times. But James, who graduated in 2008, believes that such days are behind them now. Everywhere he looks, he says, there’s something that illustrates the facility’s future.

Along with the numerous taxidermy creatures on display from the beginning - including lions, leopards, baboons, elephant, and more - the museum now houses over 70 live animals, representing between 30 and 40 different species. The birds once in abundance have long ago been phased out, along with most of the small mammals.

“The only mammals we have currently are the chinchillas,” he says.

Outside, a large area is cordoned off, clearly an active construction zone.

“That will be our main meeting spot for when we have elementary schools come in for tours,” James explains. “There will be a small amphitheater area, which will be perfect for animal presentations.”

Funding for the improvements is coming via a grant, expected to be received within the year. Meanwhile, the students and faculty here - guided by science instructor Kim Arntz, with help from the board of directors - is now actively fundraising for additional enhancements.

This weekend’s annual Pasta Feed event (see sidebar) will help the museum replace a bit more of the carpet presently under foot throughout much of the place. During spring break, the carpeting in the indoor classroom area was replaced with polished concrete.

“It’s hypo-allergenic, easy to clean, and will last 40 or 50 years,” says James. “Piece by piece, we’ll replace the carpeting all through the museum.”

The Museum program, which teaches students the science of agriculture and wildlife - while training them as student docents and tour-guides - is worth supporting, James says. Past participants, like himself, frequently say the multi-year course is a life changing experience.

“The first year is mostly pretty academic-y,” he says. “That’s the classroom part of it. Then we move on to learn more about public speaking and working with the exhibits. That’s when the students start to identify their passion.”

Some docents, he explains, are more inclined toward the education and teaching side of things.

“Others are more into the practical stuff,” he says, “Maybe they like the maintenance of the taxidermy, or working with the live animals, maybe helping out with a breeding project we might have with certain animals.

“We tend to get a good mix of kids with different passions,” he allows. “That’s what so great about this place. The program is designed to cater to the students’ passions, to help them figure out and pursue what it is that really excites them.”

(Email David at david.templeton@arguscourier.com)