Animals in person at the library

Rad Zoo owner Jamie Pastika gets help holding a large boa constrictor named Louie from a handful of children Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Cloquet Public Library. A 33-year-old former pet, Louie was extra shiny because he had just finished shedding his skin. More than 200 children and their family members packed the large meeting room to learn more about various reptiles and amphibians from the visiting zoo, which travels around the state and is based in an outlet mall in Medford, Minnesota. Other snakes included an albino corn snake named Snowflake and a king snake. Pastika also brought frogs, turtles and even an alligator to Cloquet. The presentation was sponsored by the library, REACH and Carlton County United Way.