Library invites Austin Reptile Services to show and tell Posted On: Thursday, Jul. 2 2009 05:50 AM By Mason W. Canales
Killeen Daily Herald

HARKER HEIGHTS – Bags moved on the table behind Tim Cole as he held Texas' largest freshwater snapping turtle with both hands in front of about 200 children and parents Wednesday at the city's library and activities center.

Each bag contained a different type of snake.

Library coordinators invited the Austin Reptile Service to provide an educational program about reptiles and amphibians for children and their parents.

"We are out here to educate the children so, when they are our age, hopefully, they will respect and enjoy the wildlife," Cole said.

The alligator snapping turtle opened its almost black beak wide while Cole, the owner of Austin Reptile Services, carried him around the room causing the children to spring forth with "wows."

The children were able to see the many pyramid-like spikes on the turtle's shell as Cole crossed the room.

It is a myth that most turtles eat fish, Cole told the audience. Most of them eat plants. Usually, fish are a little too fast for turtles, but the alligator snapping turtle eats fish by luring them into its mouth with a worm-shaped tongue, Cole said.

"I like it when we can talk about some of the urban legends and myths. I like to see the excitement the kids have to see the animals," Cole said after the program.

Cooper Carroll, 5, of Killeen, said he was happy he got to see the animals. The snapping turtle happened to be his favorite.

"It was cool," Cooper said. "I liked the one that opened his mouth."

Cooper and his father, Kelly Carroll, try to attend all of the Harker Heights library programs, Kelly said.

"We loved (the program)," Kelly said. "It was educational and my little boy, Cooper, finds the topic interesting."

Cooper admitted by nodding his head (with his father's help) that he learned some snakes make good pets but others don't.

Cole told children about each of the critters he brought to the library and activities center.

Among the collection of reptiles and amphibians that Cole showcased were the Texas rat snake, king snake, milk snake, bearded dragon, Burmese python and African bullfrog.

"I loved them all," said children's librarian Jeanine Madden, who scheduled the program. "I think the frog was the coolest. I didn't think they existed."

Madden said she was thankful that the program went over very well, and is looking forward to the rest of the summer programs the library is offering.

You can find a list of the programs at www.ci.harker-heights.tx.us/library.

Contact Mason W. Canales at mcanales@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7554.