If you're fascinated by - or even slightly curious about - snakes, turtles, and frogs, then slither, plod or jump on over to the Fairgrounds in Timonium this weekend to check out the Mid-Atlantic Reptile Show. 

Launched by reptile lover Tim Hoen - whose day job is as a lab technician at Johns Hopkins - the show put on by the MARS Preservation Fund is in its 18th year.  Proceeds go to purchase threatened rain forest in Costa Rica.  The website says nearly 3,000 acres have been bought so far.

There's a reception tonight (Friday), sponsored by Reptile Magazine, plus free lectures afterward.  Then, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,, captive-born reptiles and amphibians will be on display and for sale.  There'll also be books, souvenirs, supplies, educational exhibits, door prizes, raffles, artwork and facepainting.  And there'll be an auction Saturday to benefit Rainforest Conservation.

It's $9 for adults and $7 for their elders and children 6-12.  Kids under 5 are free (No mention of 5-year-olds - huh?)  For the true fan, there's a $13 weekend pass. And on Sunday, every kid accompanied by an adult get in free.  For more, go here.

(Asian Burmese Mountain Tortoise eating its greens; 2004 Baltimore Sun photo by Monica Lopossay)