Turtle touch

For most of the 170 children it was their first up close look – and touch – of a reptile. The popular “Reptile Show” returned last week for two sessions at the Drouin Family Hotel as part of its school holiday programs. Sean McCarthy from the Snake Handler Company brought along four types of reptiles – turtles, snakes, four species of lizards and a (small) crocodile – from his collection of about 250 to teach the children about them, how they live, mate, what they eat and how to behave around them. He had a clear message, often repeated during the session, when near reptiles or any animal – “no owner, no touch”. The children were wide-eyed when he brought out his exhibits and very few were nervous about touching them as he took them around his audience.