Reptile show draws crowd to Atwater library

Children visiting the Atwater branch of the Merced County Library on Wednesday got to see some exotic animals, which, to many, exist only in books.

As part of its summer reading program, the library hosted E&M’s Reptile Family in a live show. Eric Johnson introduced children and their parents to bugs, lizards, turtles and snakes in his presentation, which was peppered with jokes, education and plenty of amphibians.

More than 80 rescued animals make up Johnson’s “reptile family,” which he showcases in his business of 10 years.

“It’s a zoo at my house,” he joked.

Johnson and his wife, Michelle, have been putting on their show at Merced County libraries for about seven years, but this was his first time at the Atwater branch.

During his presentation, he informed children about the animals’ native land, lifespan and physical features. Volunteers were allowed to touch or hold the animals, which included Madagascar hissing cockroaches, tree frogs, a leopard gecko, an Argentine red tegu lizard, tortoises and an albino Burmese python. The children and adults in the audience shared equal amounts of giggles and shrieks.

Johnson drove home three key messages in his show: Do your research before getting a pet; rescue animals from shelters whenever possible; and, Johnson said, he is always available to give free advice on animals.

“All of my animals are rescued,” he said. “That translates to any kind of animals. Dogs and cats in shelters need good homes, too.”

Johnson rescues more than reptiles. He’s also rescued pigs and a camel, he said.

At least 100 people packed into the library to watch the presentation. It was the largest gathering Kathy Lund, the Atwater librarian, has seen in the library in the seven years she’s been there.

Cecilia Cibrian, an Atwater resident, frequents the library with her two children – Janell, who is almost 8, and Aiden, who is 3.

Both children volunteered in the show. Janell had one of the hissing cockroaches attached to her back.

“I didn’t feel it, but when I saw it, I was scared,” she said.

Cibrian said her children loved the show.

Many residents stayed after the show to seek advice from Johnson and take pictures.

“That’s what it’s all about – getting people into the library,” Johnson said.

This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Reptile show draws crowd to Atwater library."