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Community Corner

Mineola Kids Go Romping with Reptiles

Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary helps Mineola Library conclude summer program on a scaly note.

A number of reptiles invaded the last week, none of whom were there to renew their library card.

As part of the library’s summer reading theme of “one world, many stories,” the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary presented an interactive lesson about reptiles to more than 20 young residents who all battled for a front row peak at the scaly stars up close. The program’s goal is to teach children just how diverse reptiles can be.

“A lot of times people who buy reptiles as their pet at a store find out quickly they can no longer care for them,” Richard Santangelo, an education coordinator at the sanctuary, said. He explained that the animals have a difficult time surviving if they were once “treated to room service every day.”

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All of the reptiles have either been rescued, adopted or donated to sanctuary and are no longer be able to return to the wild either because they were born in captivity, are injured and being rehabilitated or are former household pets. Not only will the animals be taken care of for the rest of their lives but they are also used educationally to teach young kids.

Although the children could not touch the reptiles, Santangelo showed them real snake eggs and shed skin shed along with a lizard skull for children to pass around and handle.

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After the jaw dropping and cheers, each of the children agreed it was the fastest hour they have ever spent at the library.

“The reactions of the kids are always similar,” Santangelo said. “They always love the turtles and get freaked out when the snakes come out; we try to tell them that snakes don’t like eating humans and we’re not on the menu.”

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