With such a theme as Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales! there was definitely some wiggle room to figure out the best entertainment for the children attending our library’s Summer Reading Clubs. The American Library Association’s pick wound up being the most fun!

“Snakes, Scales and Turtle Tales” came by to the Bonetti Children’s Room on July 19th with an assortment of creatures that you generally wouldn’t have at home.

Take, for instance, the small reptile seen in the photos below is only four-and-a-half years old, yet 95% of the world’s population will never get to see an alligator, and only 10 states actually are natural habitats for them. Chris, the herpetologist, said that the alligator is a “living dinosaur” since alligators have been living 5 million years on Earth.

Surprisingly, alligators can run 35 mph, and maybe not so surprisingly, have the second strongest bite in the world. (This baby alligator’s bite is four times as strong as a pit bull dog, and when full grown, its bite is nine times greater than the great white shark!)

The Herpetologist (someone who studies and works with reptiles and amphibians) identified the difference between terrapins – which naturally inhabit New Jersey – and turtles – which don’t! The difference? Turtles have flippers and live ONLY in water, living to 65 years old. Terrapins love water, but live on land, and are meat-eaters. The tortoise lives in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, and lives only on land, eats plant life and lives for 200 years. It moves slowly because of its heavy body weight and big brown elephant-like feet.

The South American lizard, named a Red Tegu, became very sick when captured by its ‘owner’ who didn’t know how to care for a wild lizard. Amazingly, the Red Tegu pictured was rescued from Eatontown, NJ. Red Tegus are mean and nasty, and don’t make good pets, anyway. So be kind, and don’t take in wild animals and reptiles as pets!

That’s no necklace surrounding Chris, the herpetologist. That’s a 14-foot, 100-pound Burmese python. It takes $700 per month to feed that big snake, which likes a goat every three weeks! The one pictured is a baby (eight years old), and can live to 55 years. The Burmese python is the fourth largest snake in the world, and at its full length of 26 feet long, it can grow to over 300 pounds and the width of a basketball, with 200 teeth that are like fish hooks!

One last thing: The Burmese python is strong, with more bones in its body than humans! This certainly is NOT a pet, though some people seem to think it is.

On August 2nd, the Bonetti Children’s Room enjoyed a more calm, though no less spirited program. Storyteller Julie Pasqual launched into her fantasy world and wove tales that totally engrossed its little listeners. She moved like a feline, giggled and gasped when describing her legends, and brought such creativity and theatrical enthusiasm in presenting her stories. What’s more… The children giggled and gasped, and enjoyed themselves thoroughly, too!

Remember… Children who don't read over the summer lose their reading skills and are more likely to be held back. Those who do read keep on track and are ready to continue learning in the new school year. The Summer Reading Program, through its related informative programs, helps children and parents by providing a fun and motivational way for children to enjoy reading and their library.