Piedmont library's critter day brings snakes, geckos and a tortoise

Piedmont Public Library welcomed Piedmont Pet Planet on July 23, giving guests of all ages a close look at snakes, geckos, a bearded dragon and a Sulcata turtle, plus tips on reptile care.

On the afternoon of July 23, the Piedmont Public Library hosted an event featuring the Piedmont Pet Planet, which welcomed guests of all ages to visit and learn about how to care for a reptile.

The pets they brought to show included: five ball pythons, two leopard geckos (one adult and one baby), one African Fat Tail gecko, two crested geckos, one Kenyan Sand Boa, one bearded dragon, and one Sulcata Turtle. During the presentation, children were kept captivated by the reptiles and the funny things they'd do while the Piedmont Pet Planet employees talked about them. They talked and showed all their reptiles to children eager to listen. " The oldest ball python known was at the St. Louis Zoo; he lived to be 62 years old," Piedmont Pet Planet shared. " 62?? That's crazy," replied an astonished child in the audience. Ball pythons, on average, live up to 30 years and get as big as 6 ft. long.

They also shared during this presentation the diets and lifespans of several other reptiles, with bearded dragons having an average lifespan of 8-12 years and geckos having a lifespan of 10-30 years.

We tend to think of reptiles as cold, emotionless beings, as the media suggests, but is that true? The answer is no. Reptiles can pick up on emotions too, just like cats and dogs can. "Bearded dragons even cuddle up with you when they know you are sad," Piedmont Pet Planet said.

Reptiles make very good pets for people with small homes, as they can stay contained in an enclosure; however, "responsibility and husbandry" are the most important aspects of owning a reptile, Piedmont Pet Planet said.

The program concluded with reptile petting where eager children and adults got in line to bravely pet snakes and bearded dragons.