TRACY — Gently pushing on box lids and sliding inside fabric bags, turtles and snakes emerged one by one in an educational presentation for the community this past Wednesday at the Tracy Library.

Teressa Killeen and Patrick Killeen of Lizard Lady Reptiles safely helped children and adults interact with the creatures. Participants had the opportunity to be a “tree” for snakes, entailing standing still and letting snakes rest on their shoulders. Briefly, a smaller turtle rode on a larger turtle’s back, demonstrating their “Turtle Uber” technique.

  • A large tortoise with a smaller one on its shell is held by an adult hand, while children watch attentively in the background.
    A “Turtle Uber” is demonstrated during a Lizard Lady Reptiles show at the Tracy Public Library in Tracy, CA on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • A close-up of a python with beige and brown scales being held by two hands.
    A snake is displayed during a Lizard Lady Reptiles show at the Tracy Public Library in Tracy, CA on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • A smiling girl with a snake around her shoulders.
    A child wears a snake during a Lizard Lady Reptiles show at the Tracy Public Library in Tracy, CA on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Children in a library watch a snake on a black mat.
    A snake slithers across the floor during a Lizard Lady Reptiles show at the Tracy Public Library in Tracy, CA on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • A presentation where two people share a snake with a group of children.
    Teressa Killeen, left, and Patrick Killeen, right, show snakes to attendees during a Lizard Lady Reptiles show at the Tracy Public Library in Tracy, CA on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)