Exotic Visitors Come To The C.H. Booth Library

By Larissa Lytwyn

A mélange of exotic creatures from the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, including a Honduran milk snake and yellow-naped Amazon parrot, evoked delighted shrieks and squeals from the more than 50 children who attended the Rainforest Animals Program held recently at the C.H. Booth Library.

Volunteer Patricia Ohta and intern Sabrina Roy joined Michelle Gaudreau, an educational coordinator at the zoo, to discuss the various animals’ habitat and behavior. Of course, the presentation would not be complete without an opportunity to meet the critters up and close personal.

After showing the children and their families a millipede, Ms Gaudreau picked up Nike, a Honduran milk snake, and weaved him through the group for (mostly) eager hands to touch. “How did Nike feel?” queried Ms Gaudreau, after Nike was put safely back into his traveling compartment. A cacophony of voices swelled forth.

“Dry!”

“Kind of scaly!”

 “Did you think he was going to feel that way?” asked Ms Gaudreau. Listening to the chorus of nos echoing from the group, the coordinator smiled. “Most people think that snakes are moist and slimy — but they’re not,” she said.

Next, Ms Gaudreau introduced Marvin, an iguana. Although most iguanas can grow to be six feet long, Marvin’s previous owner had left the creature slightly malnourished, ultimately shrinking his size by about a half-foot. “It’s very difficult to care for iguanas,” explained Ms Gaudreau. “They need very high temperatures and frequent feedings to survive.” Most animals at the Beardsley Zoo, she continued, travel from other zoos. Most were raised in captivity — a sharp contrast from zoos a century ago that took its animals from the wild and placed them in tight confinement.

“Our animals are very well taken care of,” said Ms Ohta. After the children had the opportunity to touch Marvin, they met Scooter, a brightly colored red-footed tortoise. “The difference between turtles and tortoises,” said Ms Ohta, “is that tortoises are land-dwelling and turtles can swim.” Scooter also has the potential to live up to 50 years old.

The last animal was the only one the children couldn’t touch because its beak was so sharp it could, according to Ms Ohta, crack a nut — never mind a child’s small hand!

“Lorita is a yellow-naped Amazon parrot,” the volunteer introduced. “I’ve been caring for her for nine years.” The bright green bird preened from its roost on a thick dowel, clucking and whistling at the children. “Lorita can speak Spanish,” said Ms Ohta. “She can also sing — and live up to 50 years old!”

After the presentation, wipes were distributed for attendees to clean their hands. The Friends of the Library sponsored the program, which was free to the public. Programs are held each Monday throughout the summer from approximately 10:30 am–11:15 am. PJ Story Time is held each Wednesday evening in July from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. For more information, contact Children’s Director Alana Meloni at 426-3851.