Encounters of the Animal Kind at Perkiomen Valley Library

It was a hands-on learning morning at the as area children and their parents turned out for the What-Knott Farm Petting Zoo's visit Saturday.

Co-0wners Gregory and Martha Knott brought a menagerie that included a Nigerian dwarf goat, a giant Flemish rabbit, a rooster, a tortoise and turtle, a Japanese silky chick, a bearded dragon, a blue-tongued skink, a giant hissing cockroach, a hedgehog and a (de-scented) pet skunk named Stinker.

Martha led the first part of the program in which the animals were introduced individually to the children, and they learned facts about the animals origins and behaviors. The young attendees exclaimed over the different animals and laughed when rooster Dr. Seuss had to be put in a "time out" for crowing three times during the program.

After the introductions, the children and their parents went down the line of animals on display so they could get a closer look--and a chance to pet--the various animals.