curious creatures

Today Bennett's daycare was doing something really neat.  They were bringing in several different types of reptiles and critters to show to the kids.  Parents were welcome.  I work nearby so I decided to join them for the event.  I got there with no time to spare.  The young lady in charge of the animals, Whitney, had the bunny rabbit out already and the kids were petting him as she walked around the circle.  I found B and we got to pet the rabbit as Whitney brought him by.  Bennett got so excited as the rabbit got close to him that he squealed with delight.  Next animal to come out was the chinchilla.  It was tiny and so soft!

B was laughing as he pet the little guy.  We got to touch a baby skunk next.  The baby was de-skunked so we don't have to worry about getting sprayed.

B was so brave.  He tried to grab him with both hands.  It was my first and probably last time touching a skunk.  They are very soft.  The baby was so little and adorable.  Too bad they get such bad rap.

Tree frog followed.  He was really sticky.  Whitney said his favorite place to hang out was her cheek. 

The tree frog felt really smooth and dry because for some reason I expected him to be wet feeling.

We got to touch the Geico commercial's gecko cousin, Sandy.  He was a brown gecko.

The next lizard was a black bearded dragon.  He had spikes on the sides of his body.  They are for self-defense.  He can puff them out whenever he feels in danger.  He gets his name though from the spikes under his jaw, which he can also puff out.  They look black when they are full of air.  

We didn't get to see the black beard.  The dragon was pretty smooth considering how bumpy he looks.

In the next fifteen minutes we saw and touched lots of different snakes.  First one was a yellow corn snake.

Whitney is holding a baby python here.

We got to touch the tail!

The baby snake on Whitney's hand was a very rare kind.  It is a cross between a yellow corn snake and a ghost corn snake, which are extremely rare.  His name was Checkers.  We got to see him up close but because he was so tiny we didn't get to touch him.  Whitney was worried about getting him sick.

A boa, called Mickey, made the rounds next.  You can see Mickey Mouse ears on his body hence his name.

Snakes are very smooth.  The snakes made me nervous.  I would be very scared if I came across any or these snakes in my yard.  B was so calm though.

The star of the show was the last animal.  It was a baby alligator, Chompers.  He was sleeping in his bin before Whitney took him out so he was a little grumpy.  Whitney laid him down a nap.

But, Chompers was now up and didn't want to go back to sleep.  I am glad Whitney was there because a couple of seconds after I took this picture Chompers was on the move and he looked fast!  Whitney caught him quickly and brought him around for a closer look.  We could only touch Chompers tail.  It was very smooth.  I am seeing a trend here with these reptiles. 

B was a little bored at this point and didn't want to sit still anymore.  I basically dragged him over to touch the alligator.  He liked though I think, or at least telling myself.

  

I was sad to leave Bennett when it was all over.  I am glad I could come though.  What a cool way to spend the morning!  I am happy that B is at a daycare that provides him with such awesome opportunities.