Children gather to learn about wildlife

SALISBURY — Collen Harrak of the White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield introduced a group of young readers to Tippy the Toad to start a program about wildlife in Northwest Connecticut Saturday afternoon, Aug. 17 at the Scoville Memorial Library.

“Tippy does have warts,” Harrak said. “But she can’t give them to you.”

Asked how it can be determined that Tippy is female, Harrak said a female toad has a cream-colored belly, and a male toad has a tan belly.

Toads live about two years in the wild, Harrak continued. But they can live up to 36 years in captivity.

Next up were three pieces of scat in a small jar.

The children were asked to guess what produced them.

Deer? No.

Bear? “Nope,” said Harrak. “Think bigger.”

“Moose!” cried a triumphant girl.

Harrak confirmed it, and provided moose facts.

Moose moved into Northwest Connecticut in 2012, and while they are rarely seen, the state Department of Energy and Environmental protection estimates there are perhaps 200 of the animals in the state, mostly in the northwestern region.

Moose prefer areas where there has been a snowpack the previous year. And if you find a moose antler in the woods, you are welcome to keep it, as the moose doesn’t need it anymore and will grow a new set in the spring.

The discussion wound on, covering beavers, flying squirrels, fishers (“not a cat” said Harrak), porcupines and snapping turtles.

The children peppered Harrak with questions throughout.