Reptiles and amphibians star at Barrington Hills event

An alligator, a crocodile and a giant tegu lizard were among the reptiles and amphibians visiting with about 20 kids and their parents Saturday at the Barrington Hills Riding Center.

The hourlong presentation was given by Rob Carmichael, curator of the Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest. Among the creatures he showed were an American alligator, a saltwater crocodile, a Gila monster, an alligator snapper turtle and two species of milk snakes.

"A lot of the animals that came to us were rescue animals," Carmichael said. "They were injured in the wild, or in some cases they came from other parts of the world and people tried to smuggle them in."

The program was organized by Citizens for Conservation, which helps present nature programs for kids in the Barrington area as part of its effort to promote conservation.

A Christmas craft project followed the animal program.