Check it out
by PAMALA NELSON
Over 200 children and adults crowded into the library on July 1 to see “Jungle Jim” Klinger’s traveling exhibit of reptiles, amphibians and arthropods with live snakes, frogs, toads, lizards, scorpions and tarantulas. Jim’s pet tarantula “Rosie” climbed up his shirt while he explained that she could live up to 30 years, but a male of her species has a short two year life span. We also learned that the horseshoe crab, called the “living dinosaur” because of 500-million-year-old fossils, has blue blood used in modern medicine. Jim’s slithery friends, the hit of the show, included a milk snake, green vine snake, pine snake, ball python, boa constrictor, king snake and a non-poisonous reptile that eats other snakes and is even immune to rattlesnake venom.
The library’s July science programs also include a presentation by Austin Arachnological Services about spiders and their kin, as well as a class on “acids and bases,” where third to fifth graders will experiment with chemical reactions of various household liquids. On July 22 Buda’s very own Caplin Rous (“rodent of unusual size”), a capybara from South America, will return for a wildlife lesson by owner Melanie Typaldos, and patrons will get an opportunity to pet and feed this 100 lb. giant hamster look-alike. A big thank you goes to the staff and volunteers who make the library a fun place for lifelong learning. To learn more call 295-5899 or check out news & events at www.buda.lib.tx.us.
