Lizards, snakes, a big, hairy spider, and an extra-large cockroach were found in the front room of the Oakdale Library on June 5 – much to the delight of library visitors.

“Python Ron” McGee brought his scaled, reptilian friends to visit the library in two shows for children to teach them about the reptiles. He shared various facts and information about how each is beneficial to our lives, such as by keeping mice or rat populations in check and keeping the environment clean. He also talked about the ones that would make good pets. Further, he advised all the parents in attendance to do their research before purchasing a reptile.

The children were able to see the reptiles up close and personal. He told them that all his animals were “nice” and that no one needed to be afraid of them – not even the spiders. Some of the children were awed by the size of some of the animals and were interested in touching them. They also asked a variety of questions and some even knew the proper names of the reptiles when Python Ron pulled them out of their carrier boxes.

Python Ron brought a Madagascan hissing cockroach, a hairy, Brazilian bird-eating spider, a bearded dragon lizard, a black and white tegu lizard named “Otis,” a black-throat monitor lizard named “Puppy” that snuggled like a toddler in the arms of Python Ron, an African spur tortoise, a rosy boa snake, an albino corn snake, a ball python that the kids were able to wear like a belt, necktie, or hat, a Columbian red tail boa that they were able to hold, a special and rarely-seen green anaconda, and an albino Burmese python named “Banana.” The Banana that Python Ron brought to the library is actually his second Banana. She is a traveling replacement for the previous Banana who has grown too big at 170 pounds and 20 feet in length to haul around in the Python Ron shows. Python Ron’s reptiles typically draw large crowds to the library when they visit.