By Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Daniel Robey, 8, (left), a second-grader at Taylor Mill Elementary School, runs his fingers along the skin of a ball python held by Kate Hammer, of the Cincinnati Zoo's "Wildlife Comes to You" program. The Cincinnati Enquirer/PATRICK REDDY

COVINGTON - Wielding gloves and goggles, educational naturalist and lecturer Kate Hammer pulled a succession of rare or endangered animals from covered cages, as dozens of children leaned forward for a peek.

The occasion was the kickoff of the fifth season of Kenton County Parks and Recreation's Wild Wednesdays! program at Mills Road Park. Last year, more than 4,000 people - from preschoolers to senior citizens - went to the free weekly programs about the natural world.

"It's always a mystery," said Steve Trauger, coordinator of Kenton County recreation programs. "What's going to come out of that box?"

Wednesday's crowd of 250 included four second-grade classes from Taylor Mill Elementary School.

WILD WEDNESDAYS!

All programs start at 10 a.m. and are at Shelterhouse 2 in Mills Road Park. For information, call (859) 525-PLAY (7529) or visit www.kentoncounty.org and click on parks and recreation. • May 12: Wild About Farm Animals with Sunrock Farm • May 19: Triple L - Lumbering Leaping Lizards • May 26: Birds of Prey, including the Bald Eagle • June 2: Wild About Reptiles • June 9: Giant Snakes of the World • June 16: Birds of Prey, including the Bald Eagle • June 23: Barnyard Animals • June 30: Triple T - Terrapins, Turtles & Tortoises • July 14: Last of the Ruling Reptiles - Crocs and Gators • July 21: Wildlife Comes to You • July 28: Venomous Snakes • Aug. 4: Wild About Kentucky's Trees • Aug. 11: Triple D - Dangerous Desert Dwellers • Aug. 18: Wildlife Comes To You • Aug. 25: Wildlife Hike & Fish • Sept. 1: Wildbirds in Northern Kentucky • Sept. 8: Wildlife Comes to You

Lori Simpson, 36, said this is the second year she's brought her children to the park for weekly nature lessons and a picnic lunch. She was accompanied by 81/2-year-old twins, Kelsey and Kyler Disney, and their 4-year-old brother, Jack Simpson.

"I think they're really neat programs," Simpson said. "The kids really enjoy them. And it's easier than taking them all to the zoo."

The year's first Wild Wednesdays! program featured four animals from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: a giant African millipede that felt like a phone cord, a ball python snake that coils up to avoid predators, an endangered northern bald ibis bird and a needle-covered tenrec resembling a miniature hedgehog.

"I liked the little porcupine because it was little and cute and you could fit it in your hand," said 8-year-old Kara Willis, who shares her Taylor Mill home with a snake, a dog and a cat. "Animals are fun to be around."

As Hammer worked her way through the crowd with the ball python draped through her arms, children clamored for a touch of the animal that "feels like a basketball" as mothers stepped aside.

"He's not a venomous snake," Hammer reassured one child. "Your first hint is that I'm cuddled up with him."

Future Wild Wednesdays! programs will feature everything from musical acts and readings from children's authors to demonstrations featuring birds of prey. On May 12, Farmer Frank from Sunrock Farm in Wilder will show off his "trained" chicks and let children try milking a goat.

At the end of the hour-long programs, Trauger raffles off nature-related books, posters and stuffed animals.

"Where else can you touch a tarantula, get eye to eye with a bald eagle or find out how far a snapping turtle travels in a day?" Trauger said. "This is a chance to get up close and personal with wildlife."

E-mail cschroeder@enquirer.com