Nearly 700 people were delighted and entertained Wednesday night at the Show Me Center by Jeff Corwin, an expert on wildlife, ecology and conservation, best known for his Animal Planet television programs "The Jeff Corwin Exprience" and "Corwin's Quest."

"I applaud people like Jeff Corwin who can get people to pay attention to the environment," said Dr. Steve Overmann, director of environmental studies at Southeast Missouri State University, before Corwin's appearance. "I could teach for 30 years and not reach the people he's able to reach in one television show."

Corwin was at the Show Me Center to present "Tales from the Field," but it was not a matter of him standing behind a lectern and delivering a speech. He picked a volunteer from the audience, Kaitlyn Dodd, a junior at Southeast majoring in marine biology, to join him on stage and help him introduce his "first creature."

Corwin told Dodd not to peek before he put a large amphibian in her hand, the Marine toad. The audience laughed as they saw a close-up of the toad on a large screen above Corwin.

"It's the largest species of toad in the world," he exclaimed to Dodd.

Jeff Corwin, host of ABC´s “Ocean Mysteries,Ó talks about the Marine Toad, the largest species of toad in the world, being held by Southeast Missouri State University student Kaitlyn Dodd during his presentation “Tales from the Field with Jeff Corwin,Ó as part of SEMO's 2012-2013 Speakers Series Wednesday, April 10, at the Show Me Center. Best known for hosting “Animal Planet'sÓ immensely popular “Jeff Corwin Experience,Ó Corwin has been named Ambassador of Climate Change and Endangered Species on behalf of the Defenders of Wildlife. (ADAM VOGLER)

After some good-natured remarks at Dodd's expense, Corwin pointed out that the marine toad manufactures a poison that is incorporated in medicines like curare.

"Many of the medicines we use begin in the skin of amphibians," he said.

Corwin's next presentation, the alligator snapping turtle, was too risky to be near a volunteer.

"When I was a kid, I always dreamed of seeing this turtle in the wild," Corwin said as an image of the turtle's teeth were displayed on the screen.

Corwin explained that when the alligator turtle is in its swamp habitat, it blends in and uses its tongue to lure prey.

"The alligator snapping turtle is also a cannibal," he added. "It will eat other turtles."

Corwin next displayed a black-throated monitor lizard that was held by two young boys from the audience.

"These can become popular pets," Corwin explained. "But the truth is, these animals are better left in their environment. The person who had this lizard thought it would be fine to turn him loose on the streets of New York, but he was rescued."

Corwin had a larger treat in store when he called for five volunteers to hold a seven-foot-long American alligator named "Fred."

"The American alligator is a remarkable predator," he said as the feisty alligator squirmed while being held. "They have a beautiful design for survival. Fred was someone's pet and was released in a pond in Massachusetts. He was clearly out of his habitat, but he was rescued."

Corwin said the American alligator is one of the greatest success stories in North America.

"This creature was nearly extinct because of habitat loss and hunting," he said. "They are now thriving in the American South."

Corwin's appearance at the Show Me Center marked the sixth and final installment of Southeast's 2012-2013 University Speakers Series.

The Southeast Missourian was a sponsor of the event.

klewis@semissourian.com

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