Jesse the Reptile Guy taught Kutztown area children participating in the Kutztown Community Library Summer Reading Program to “Build a Better World” like reptiles.
Jesse Rothacker of Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary in Lancaster gave a live reptile presentation at the Kutztown Park Bandshell on Aug. 17 for the library’s Summer Reading Program finale. The program theme this year was Build a Better World.
“We want to show kids that animals can help build a better world. They don’t need to be afraid of reptiles because reptiles are helping to build a better world just like all of the other animals in the environment,” said Rothacker. “They all have an important job on Earth so it’s everything from the King Snakes that help eat rattle snakes and control rattle snake populations to the tortoises that are digging holes in the ground that benefit maybe 100 other species of mammals, moles and reptiles. So every animal is doing its own important part on Earth.”
Rothacker brought his reptile friends, such as a Bearded Dragon, African Tortoise, pythons, lizard, iguana and even a baby alligator.
He hopes the children learned a lesson from the reptiles.
“We want to encourage kids to know that just like the animals have a purpose on Earth, each kid has a purpose on Earth, too,” he said. “We encourage them to help build in their on community, to love their neighbor, to be a friend.”
