Library Hosts Animal Show for Summer Program

This week’s Library Summer Reading Program certainly got the most “oohs” and “aahs” from the kids, as they got see animals some of them may have never seen before. The Animal Show went down at First United Methodist Church on June 25, and it was one of the most excitable days yet for the kids.

Bob Tarter has been running animal shows for over two decades, and this one went just as excitedly as last year’s, but with a few different faces. The first animal he showed off was a tiny kingsnake. Bob taught the kids the famous phrase on how to tell which snake is venomous or not: “Red on black, you’re okay Jack. Red on yellow, kills a fellow.”

Up next was Randy, the gila monster. While Randy was the only animal at the show that was venomous, he was also by far the most docile of the five visitors Bob brought. Bob also taught the kids the difference between venomous, something that bites you, versus poisonous, something you bite.

After Randy went away, came the creature that caused parents the most fright, a long constrictor snake that Bob kept around his shoulders. He told everyone that the snake as actually quite young and would grow nearly twice as long over the next decade.

There were two birds that Bob showed off during the show as well. First was Fanta, an adorable multi-colored parrot. One parent in the crowd was probably less fond of Fanta, as the bird kept flying around to bystanders to relax with, and on one unlucky parent, Fanta found it acceptable to do his business on her lap. Fanta was also found of the word “ice cream cone,” because it meant Bob would hold the bird in his hand and give kisses.

The other bird was far more well behaved, but also our personal favorite here at The Expositor: the owl. The large nocturnal predator only weighs 8 pounds, so Bob showed her around the room with excited kids all on the bird. The owl has been with Bob its entire life.

All of these animals came with them a lesson regarding their role in nature, facts about their species or larger animal group, as well as making sure kids knew how to avoid danger with some of the less than savory species.

The next even scheduled for the Summer Reading Program is next Thursday at 10 am, where the Science Guys will swing down to teach the kids fun, yet educational facts about science and the world. After that will be the grand finale on July 9, where the library hosts their Water Fun Day, and that has always been one of the library’s biggest summer events.