Dexter Youths Explore Exotic Animals of North, South America

Roughly 160 families showed up to the en masse on Friday for a chance to catch a glimpse of rare exotic animals.

The library's "Wildlife of the Americas" program featured Naturalist Randy Baker of Columbiaville and about a half dozen animals ranging from chinchillas and guinea pigs to snakes and an alligator.

Baker, who has been touring around the state for the past 15 years, said he enjoys educating families about animals and their habitats.

"The key thing I try to teach the audience is you have to have healthy habitats to have animals," Baker said. "A lot of people don't understand that an animal's shelter is not a physical house, it's the brush or logs that are being removed from populated areas. We're removing things that animals need to survive."

Baker has been studying biology for the past 12 years and said he leads annual trips to exotic locations all over the world through his company, Naturalist Endeavors.

"We're going to Kenya next summer for 15 days and then heading to the Galapagos Islands," he said.

Julie Pastorino of Dexter said her favorite part of the presentation was getting to pet a bull snake.

"I love snakes," she said. "It bothers me that people hate them so much. They are really gentle if you know how to handle them."

Cathy Jurich, youth services librarian, said the library typically brings in live music, theater performers, comedy and magic acts, and animal shows to coincide with school holidays.

"Randy Baker is awesome," she said. "I really like how he emphasizes environmental protection and the dangers of illegal animal purchases to the kids."

The library will host Joel Tacey's "Wacky Winter Comedy Show" at 1 p.m. Jan. 16. For more upcoming programs, visit www.dexter.lib.mi.us.