A blue-tongued skink with a tongue as big as his head, a Savannah Monitor lizard that sprays at predators out of his backside, a rescued baby alligator, a giant turtle that looks like a log, and an albino Burmese python: these were just some of the exotic creatures that had schoolchildren squealing with delight at the Princeton Public Library on Thursday afternoon.  

“It felt like plastic; it was smushy,” said Valerie Arsenev, a third grader from South Brunswick, after petting the python affectionately named Sunshine because of her yellow coloring.  

Sunshine and her reptilian pals were part of Snakes-n-Scales, an organization from Wanaque, Passaic County that makes environmental education fun.  Area schools may have been off for spring break this week, but the library’s community room was packed with parents and children engaged in learning, thanks to Bill Boesenberg, a wildlife educator who has been called New Jersey’s crocodile hunter.  

In a presentation packed with action and jokes, Boesenberg shared what the creatures eat, what they do, whether or not they make good pets and why. He also encouraged the kids to take a stake in their future and to help ensure the animals’ survival.  

“We only protect what we love,” he said. “By learning about these creatures, we learn to love them and to want to protect hem.”  

Boesenberg’s collection includes 350 unusual animals, many of them rescued from pet owners who discarded them after losing interest. 

Stefan Pophristic, a sixth grader from Princeton, said he was amazed at what he saw and wanted to know more.

“I would want to read more about them,” Stefan said.  

His sister, Maya, a fourth grader, was impressed with the stories about animals she never knew existed.  

“It’s neat that the skink’s tail can explode,” she said. 

Ella Shatzky, also a fourth grader from Princeton, said her mom was happy to bring her to the library to see the animals.  

“She won’t let us have a dog because of all the hair so I can’t imagine what she’d think of having all of this in the house,” Ella said.

Boesenberg says he loves his job and is amazed that he gets paid to share vital information with an appreciative audience.   

“It’s all about reinforcing what is important with the kids,” he said.