John Storm takes children's program to next level.
By
Pam Eubanks
| 1:10 p.m. July 8, 2017
East County
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Reptiles took the Braden River Library by storm.
As reptile expert and handler John Storms began pulling a 16-foot yellow Burmese python from a wooden box at the Braden River Library July 8, he paused halfway through, stretching Jessie, the snake, onto a table as a roomful of children gasped in amazement.
“There’s still bunch of Jessie in the box,” he said, adding the snake weighs about 175 pounds. “You think she’s the biggest 13 year old in the room today?”
During Storms’ reptile show, children saw and learned about a variety of snakes and lizards and an alligator. And, of course, Storms told children they could learn more about each reptile he featured by reading books from the library.
Braden Crossing resident Ashley Nicorvo holds her 2-year-old son Jayden, whose favorite animal is a shark.
Andy Dpont, of Bradenton, got a first-row seat with her children, Novah, 3 months, and Isa, 2.
Brayden Nicorvo got a front-row seat with his grandma, Sherie Kieffer.
Creekwood's D.J. Cooper, 5, guesses about adaptations a snake has to be able to dig into the sand.
John Storms tells children a gopher tortoise can dig a tunnel up to 30 feet long.
East County resident Ethan Parker, 5, is all smiles as a new reptile comes out.
Sam Stephens, 8, and Ethan Parker, 5, laugh after a gopher tortoise goes to the bathroom while being displayed to the crowd.
Christina Pattterson holds her boys, A.J., left, and Flynn, right. They are visiting family members Irene and Richard Rivera, of Heritage Harbour, from Maryland.
Creekwood's Aria Cooper, 8, enjoys learning about the various reptiles.
Cheomin Maugans, 5, of Central Park takes a guess at what creature eats a Savannah monitor.
John Storms shows off a Savannah monitor, telling children how they can grow up to 5 feet long.
Braden River Elementary student Thomas Dunlop, 6, finds the presentation entertaining.
Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Cora Erhardt smiles after guessing that a unicorn is the Savannah monitor's lone predator. Her mom, Robyn, says, "Unicorns are her favorite animal. They do everything."
The Werner family enjoys the show. Pictured are parents Ryan and Amy with children, Autumn and Colton.
Felicity Graf, 6, is excited to see the alligator.
John Storms shows off his alligator who lost part of its tail to an infection.
John Storms rolls out Jessie, his 16-foot python, as the finale to the presentation.
