BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

When Jonathan Custead calls out, “Lassie, come home,” he is not waiting for a faithful collie to respond, but rather a 7-foot-long alligator.

Lassie is one of the numerous reptiles Custead, 20, has been raising and breeding for the past 10 years.

The Cochranton, Crawford County, resident will bring Lassie and about 14 other reptiles to the free Wildlife Community Day, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17 at Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.

“Lassie is like a dog or puppy,” Custead said.

“I named it Lassie for a laugh.”

Custead has appeared at Wildlife Day several times before and always draws a big crowd.

Custead also will bring a smaller 41⁄2-foot alligator, a 4-foot Nile crocodile, a 5-foot rattlesnake, a 9-foot black mamba, boa constrictors, cobras and a 14-foot reticulated python.

“I get everything out and handle and show them,” Custead said.

“The mamba and rattlesnake are very aggressive. They strike at me and show how they defend themselves.”

Custead cited his love for all animals and his fascination with reptiles in particular as the reason for exposing himself to their dangers.

“I love the way they move and act,” he said.

“We need to learn about them. I do the shows so people can see them up close.”

Although his reptiles are deadly, Custead said his shows are 100 percent safe.

“The majority of my animals are aggressive, and after the show, people have a whole new respect,” Custead said. “I can say they will touch them where they wouldn’t have before.”

After his presentations at 10:30 a.m. and noon, Custead will give visitors a chance to handle some of his pets.

Custead’s show is for children and adults, but Custead said he enjoys teaching younger people.

“Kids are fearless, and they learn to respect the animals,” he said. “I think phobias are passed down.”

Custead estimates he has between 50 and 100 animals at his Crawford County home.

The gators and crocs have their own rooms with pools while the snakes have a separate room with cages.

“It’s my mother’s home, and she was afraid at first, but she always supported me in what I wanted to do,” Custead said. “I couldn’t have done it without her.

“She will hold them now and has become knowledgeable. When a 13-foot snake got out, she put it back in its cage.”

In addition to Custead’s “Dangerous Reptiles of the World,” there will be displays and booths featuring local and state conservation and outdoor groups.

Allegheny Plateau Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Stackhouse Park have created a 14-minute DVD, “Wild Turkey Hunting Clinic,” which will be shown every half hour followed by a question-and-answer session.

Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society will have a display of bird nests that can be found in area back yards.

Handouts will include specific bird foods to attract species that frequent the region.

Cambria County Federation of Sportsmen will demonstrate professional reloading techniques for shotgun shells. Free 3-inch clay targets will be given away.

North Star Middle School students will display the trout they are raising in their classroom through a “Trout in the Classroom” power-point visual.

In May, they plan to release the trout into the Stonycreek River near their school.

“Trout in the Classroom” also involves the Mountain Laurel Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team.

Natural Biodiversity Conservation Strategy will show participants how to create a backyard wildlife sanctuary and the proper foods, water and cover needed for animals to raise young using National Wildlife Federation principles.

Pennsylvania Game Commission will have a display of wildlife pelts to examine.

Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project will show how the Stonycreek and Little Conemaugh watershed has been cleaned in the past 20 years.

Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs Inc. will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a “Celebrate Conservation” poster contest, which is open to Cambria County students in grades four through 12.

Crafts will include a special Pennsylvania turkey, which is free, and a wooden bird feeder, which will cost $7 to make.

A bird feeder, hand-painted gourd and a bluebird house will be raffled.