An African python and a ferret that are petted by 3,000 hands a week were just two of several animal attractions Tuesday afternoon as about 175 grade school children crowded into the Vernon Area Public Library’s “Animal Farm.”
Vicki Watson, of the South Forty Animal Farm in Marengo, brought the animals to the library for the one-day program so north suburban kids could see the animals close up and in some instances–such as the python, ferret and a baby tiger–actually touch the animals.
Not all of the children were simply satisfied to pet the animals and listen attentively as Watson spoke.
For instance, Andrew Haffner, an articulate 7-year-old Lincolnshire resident, said he wasn’t as impressed with the petting portion of the presentation. Moments after petting a baby tiger, Andrew said that on the whole he was more impressed with Watson’s abilities than any of the animals she brought.
“The lemur was nice, but I was rather impressed with how she raises all of the animals and that all of them appeared to be healthy,” Andrew said.
Andrew, who raised his hand at virtually every opportunity to answer questions or share his observations, was also eager to offer a description of how the python felt when he touched it.
“It was kind of like touching cold plastic or something like that,” Andrew said.
Though some of the children were hesitant or unwilling to touch the snake, several looked even more nervous as Watson presented them with a Central American tarantula.
Although several children were relieved to hear that they wouldn’t even be asked to hold the hairy spider, Watson explained that they really didn’t have anything to fear.
In fact, she said, the children weren’t allowed to touch the tarantula for the spider’s protection, not their own.
“Actually, she is more prone to attack another tarantula than a person,” Watson told the crowd.
Though the assembled group became fidgety and distracted at some points during Watson’s hourlong presentation, they all focused their attention on her as she described how the tarantula and python kill their respective prey.
As Watson explained how the internal organs of the tarantula’s prey turn to liquid after being injected with the spider’s venom, several kids intoned the word many children utter during awe-inspiring moments.
“Cool,” said 10-year-old Greg Smolucher of Lincolnshire, extending the pronunciation of the word over several seconds.
The Animal Farm is one of many programs the library will be hosting for children during their summer vacation from school.
Echo Morgan, head of public relations for the Vernon Area Library, said similar programs are offered at the library every week. All of the programs are free and open to all.
For more information, call the library’s youth services department at 847-634-3650.
