Since 1994, the Alabama 4-H Center has provided the youth of Alabama with amazing hands-on, experiential, environmental and educational experiences at its Coosa River Science School.

On Thursday, the Coosa River Science School came to Brundidge.

Amy Walker and Elise Tellev, staff members, presented a program on reptiles for the youngsters who are participating in the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library’s Summer Reading Program.

“The children really enjoy programs about animals,” said Jennifer Amlong. “They always look forward to learning about different animals and the programs encourage them to read more in order to learn more. And, when they have an opportunity to see and touch a real animal that is exciting.”

Tellev talked with the kids about frogs and the different kinds of frogs they might encounter – tree frogs, frogs and toads.

“Frogs need to live near water,” Tellev said. “They have smooth, moist skin that makes them look slimy and they take long high jumps. Toads don’t need to live near water to survive. They like wet soil. They have rough, dry, bumpy skin and will run or take small hops rather than jump.

“And, you can’t get warts by touching or holding a frog or toad. That’s a myth. But they do have thin, sensitive skin and things like lotion that you might have on your hands can hurt them.”

Walker talked with the children about snakes and how they don’t have bones but cartilage, like in a human’s ears and nose.

“You can bend your ears and your nose because it has cartilage,” she said. “Snakes can coil because they have cartilage and can bend.”

A highlight of the day was the opportunity to come face-to-face with a three-year-old alligator.

“Tellev said the female alligator is the only good mom in the reptile world.

“Other reptile moms don’t care for their babies but the alligator mom protects her nests and stays with her babies until they are ready to be on their own.”

Amlong said not all children want to touch frogs and snakes and certainly not alligators but they are all excited to learn more about these animals.

“The Coosa River Science School always has interesting programs and we really appreciate their support of our summer reading program,” she said. “Because of it, the children know more about reptiles and will, hopefully, learn even more through the wonderful books we have in the library.”