All last week, the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, located a few miles outside Wadesboro on Highway 52, played host to some interesting creatures. The kind that ooh'ed and aah'ed and asked lots of questions.

Throughout the week of May 18-22, second-graders from all of Anson County's elementary schools visited the refuge as part of a countywide field trip. Third-grade students' field trips were held in late April.

The students visit the refuge each year to get an up-close look at nature and learn about the many different types of wildlife living in their own backyards.

For instance, John Shaw, a biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, showed the youngsters a variety of animal hides, all of which came from animals that live in the Anson County area— and all of which have homes in the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge.

Janet Watson, an office assistant at the refuge, showed the curious children two different kinds of turtles— a box turtle and a yellow-bellied slider turtle. As Watson held the turtles out for the children to touch, the most common question was, "Will he bite?"

Watson assured the kids that most turtles are not aggressive, with the exception of snapping turtles, which will bite when they feel threatened.

Also as part of the reptile class during the field trip, assistant refuge manager Greg Walmsley showed the students two different types of lizards— a green anole and a broadhead skink. At the beginning of the presentation, there were two green anoles but one managed to escape from Walmsley's grasp, quickly running through the leaves and pine straw toward freedom.

All those who wanted were able to touch the lizards, as well. None of the lizards were the biting kind of animal, either, Walmsley promised.

Finally, Erin Dempsey, a local 4-H agent, and refuge manager J.D. Bricken brought out the animals the children will most likely remember for some time to come— the snakes. One, a "pet" of the 4-H staff named Cesar was a gentle python, which are not native to North Carolina but can be purchased in many pet stores. The other, a black rat snake, Bricken said, is native to this area and is useful for helping control the rodent population.

Students lined up to pet the snake, which they were surprised to find, wasn't slimy at all.

Bricken cautioned the students, however, not to approach any snakes that they see out in the wild, since they could be dangerous.

The students also took a nature hike and learned about the many native trees of the area.

For more information on the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, call 704-694-4424 or visit www.fws.gov/peedee.