Knowledge is empowering and emboldening. Information can open minds and lead to understanding that produces empathy and curiosity.

Some people who come to know reptiles come to love them. Those people have given reptiles a chance.

"Imagine if someone told you there's this magical, mysterious world that's existed all of your life," said Jesse Rothacker, a 2000 graduate of Warwick High School, a herpetologist and the president of Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary. "That's the reptile world, and it does exist. It's a very complex world. Maybe if you hear that, you think, 'I wonder if I can learn a little bit about it and see what all the excitement is about.' That's when you fall in love with these animals."

Rothacker operates Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary from his home in Rapho Township. The organization includes a rescue/adoption program and provides the foundation for Rothacker's engaging, entertaining and educational reptile shows.

"Half of what everyone knows about reptiles is not true," said Rothacker. "Everyone thinks every snake is a copperhead. Once you understand that they're not, you can learn new things about reptiles. If you can get past the fear, then you can unlock the fascination."

Rothacker stages more than 300 45-minute reptile shows each year, both public showings and private performances. He teaches audiences about his forgotten friends at community events, churches, schools, libraries, festivals, corporate events, camps and birthday parties, all over Lancaster County and surrounding counties, most recently at venues in Manheim Township, Leola, Lititz, Adamstown, New Holland, Bowmansville, Lebanon and Myerstown.

"I'm a little bit of a performer. Some people call me a reptile comedian," said Rothacker. "We want people to have fun. Folks have a chance to pet a reptile or touch a snake. You're going to get a chance to meet the friendliest reptiles you've ever seen. I'm playing with the audience. I'm joking with them. If you're thinking you're going to sit still, we're probably not going to allow that. We want to pull the audience's energy into the room."

Of the nearly 100 reptiles currently residing at Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, about half of them are available for adoption. There are requirements and an application process involved with adopting reptiles, but the facility is not open to visits from the public.

"If I know there are reptiles out there who people want to give up, I'll rescue them," said Rothacker. "Owners pass away. We definitely do adoptions, but we'll also help network. We can't say yes to all requests, but we can connect those trying to find reptiles new homes and those who are willing to adopt. Adoption used to be most of what we did, and we still do it, but the education side has taken on a bigger role."

There are more than 11,000 species of reptiles in the world. Reptiles are broken down into four major categories: snakes and lizards; turtles and tortoises; crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials; and tuataras.

"Biologically, (humans are) warm-blooded, and reptiles are cold-blooded," said Rothacker. "We have live births, and most of them lay eggs. We all need places to live, and we all need the right foods to be healthy. We think of snakes as being solitary, but they live on top of each other, and that's typical. Understanding some of those relationships is fun to explore."

Rothacker started Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary in Lititz before moving the operation to Rapho Township in 2004. But Rothacker's love of reptiles can be traced to a curious childhood.

"You could say that the reptiles picked me," said Rothacker. "Ever since I was a little kid, I was drawn to them. I have memories of catching turtles and petting snakes as a teenager. When I got into the reptile world, I realized there are a lot of people who are in it for the short term. Once I had one pet snake, I realized it was so much fun that I wanted more of them."

For additional information, go to http://www.forgottenfriend.org.