A boa constrictor named Squeeze, a Gulf Coast box turtle called Madiera and a prehensile tail skink who goes by Goober visited students Tuesday at H.W. Good Elementary School in Herminie.
This caused delight for some and disgust for others, but in the end the 400 students learned something new about "Radical Reptiles," a program offered by Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.
Carter McCurdy was among the students who are fond of reptiles.
"I got to touch him!" McCurdy yelled to his fellow kindergarten class as he headed back to his seat after his personal visit with Squeeze.
"It was really cool," he added.
The assembly was a treat for the students who met the goal of collecting Shop 'n Save receipts totaling $109,600, according to PTO President Angela Duncan.
Dave Mintz, senior education specialist, and Liz Lynch, education specialist, presented the program.
They said one of their goals was to teach children to respect wild animals.
As he closed the program, Mintz told the children not to play with snakes or bother them if they see them in nature.
"Study it and look at it, but don't pick it up," he said. "Look at it, don't hurt it."
