Kids got a chance to see and touch tortoises, snakes and more Thursday at the Albert Lea Public Library.

Sarah Barnard from the R.A.D. Zoo in Owatonna presented a selection of the zoo’s reptiles and amphibians at both 2 and 3 p.m. in the children’s library. The presentation was part of the library’s summer programming.

The children’s library was packed with kids, both boys and girls. Each child’s face lit up with excitement as Barnard brought out each animal and explained what they were.

Some of the animals Barnard brought with her were Tigger the tiger salamander, Franklin the green tortoise, Ming the Chinese water dragon, Lilith the boa constrictor and Sequoia, the zoo’s newest American alligator.

After the presentation, kids got a chance to touch Lilith and Franklin. The children eagerly lined up for the opportunity to touch the reptiles.

R.A.D. Zoo, or the Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Zoo, opened in 2009. Executive Director Jamie Pastika and his wife Melissa moved from Florida to Minnesota to open the zoo.

Even though the zoo has only been open for about five years, it has over 150 kinds of animals on display and the zoo’s website said that it’s one of the world’s biggest reptile displays. Some of the other animals that R.A.D. Zoo has to offer are crocodiles, iguanas, newts and even Rainbow Lorikeets, a type of colorful parrot.