PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Caleb Geniott volunteered to close his eyes while "Joel" from Gatorland held a bearded dragon over his head to the screams of the audience. When Geniott opened his eyes, he naturally asked to hold the reptile. Gatorland helped to kick-off the Lake Wales Library summer program. Up next will be "Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theatre" on June 21 at 10:30 a.m. For more information call (863) 678-4004. .

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


This arachnid, also known as a tarantula was a great source of fear for the little ones and the adults in the audience. The

message about having exotic pets was stressed with each and every creature displayed during the presentation. "Some people let their exotic pets, spiders, scorpians and other non- native to Florida creatures go when they realize they cannot take care of them or their parents don't want them in the home. When they are let go in the area, they can breed and you can end up finding one of these tarantulas in your home. So please return them to someone or place that will make

sure that doesn't happen," said Joel.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


The message on scorpions was the bigger the claws, the

less deadly the sting. This particular scorpion is native to Africa.

Mrs. Vita Hinshaw

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Caleb Geniott volunteered to close his eyes while "Joel" from Gatorland held a bearded dragon over his head to the screams of the audience. When Geniott opened his eyes, he naturally asked to hold the reptile. Gatorland helped to kick-off the Lake Wales Library summer program. Up next will be "Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theatre" on June 21 at 10:30 a.m. For more information call (863) 678-4004. .

Mrs. Vita Hinshaw