By JIM LARSEN

News-Times editor

When one thinks of county fair animals, hairy-legged spiders, fluffy chinchillas, geeky geckos, bellicose birds and gentle gerbels don’t come immediately to mind, but they’ll be there when the Island County Fair opens August 17.

Tucked into one corner of the fair’s green 4-H building in Langley will be members of two small 4-H clubs, the Kritter Keepers from North Whidbey and the Zoolanders from South Whidbey.

They’re just as proud of their animals as are the kids showing off their calves, sheep, pigs, horses and other traditional fair fare. And getting prepared is just as hard for the young owners of the more exotic animals as it is for those with familiar barnyard animals.

Karry Brooks of Oak Harbor is the leader of the Kritter Keepers 4-H Club, consisting of her 11-year-old son Michael and his pet tarantula; Laura Harkins, 11, with her collection of chinchillas; and Chrissy Shuart, 17, who is finishing her career as a 4-H club participant as the owner of Mongolian gerbils.

They’ve cleared out and decorated one corner of the 4-H building where their animals will be on display. And just like the owners of regular animals, they’ll be there morning and night, caring for their pets and politely answering questions posed by curious fair-goers. Nearby will be the Zoolander entries, among them a leopard gecko and cockatiel.

Brooks said she started the 4-H club for kids who can’t have or aren’t interested in barnyard animals. Her rural residence off Fakkema Road is home to turkeys and chickens, and visitors are greeted at the front door by a frisky variety pack of friendly canines she babysits during the day. But she also has a fondness for more unusual critters.

“There’s kids out there who don’t know 4-H is not just for the livestock,” she said. “Even if you live in an apartment, you can have birds and other animals.”

Her son Michael prefers spiders, particularly Rosie, his pet tarantula for the last three years. Rosie is about the size of a fist and is kept in a glass cage complete with tropical foliage to make her feel at home.

Michael has been studying his and other animals, as is the duty of 4-H members, so he’s ready to answer questions. And with his required 4-H experience at public speaking and presentation, he answers politely and concisely.

Rosie’s preferred food is crickets, but Michael is trying to expand her diet to include mealworms and waxworms. Trouble is, they dig into the soil of the cage where Rosie can’t get at them. But Rosie is patient, and she’ll wait for them to resurface. “They’ll turn into beetles and then she’ll be able to get’em,” Michael said hopefully.

Rosie isn’t a huggable pet as her defenses include hairs that make you itch and, if needed, a bite from a pair of poisonous fangs. Michael said there are deadly types of tarantulas but Rosie isn’t among them. He likens her bite to a bee sting, adding that “it will give you a real jolt.”

Michael knows from past experience at the fair that he has to be ready to answer questions and to show his animal to judges. Last year, he and Rosie excelled, bringing home a Champion Showmanship ribbon.

Laura Harkins owns bushy-tailed chinchillas. Her favorite is Mr. Chin, who lives in a cage by himself in her bedroom, next to another cage containing Mr. Chin’s mother and three new offspring. Mr. Chin’s staple diet is pellets purchased from a pet store, but he much prefers to chew on raisins.

Laura is calm and informative until asked if Mr. Chin might someday be part of a fur coat. “No!” she exclaims, before pointing out that it takes some 500 chinchillas to make a jacket, not that she would ever do such a thing.

Laura has been decorating the animals’ pen to look like real chinchilla habitat and she’s been practicing test questions she might be asked at the fair, either by judges or the public.

“She’s learning a lot,” said Laura’s mom, Lisa Harkins. “A lot about chinchillas and a lot about other animals.”

Laura concurs, saying that she’s much better at talking to people since joining 4-H and she now knows how to properly care for her animals.

One thing people likely don’t know about chinchillas is they don’t like water, other than the drinking kind. So Laura has to give Mr. Chin and the others dust baths, using special dust purchased at the pet store. Some fair-goers might be lucky enough to see a chinchilla taking a bath. “It’s really funny,” she said.

Michael doesn’t have to worry about bathing his tarantula.

“She never gets dirty,” he said protectively.

Enjoy the cows and pigs at the fair, but don’t forget that some of the more exotic animals are in the 4-H Building, and there are well trained 4-H kids ready and willing to answer your questions.

Find out about 4-H

Island County 4-H is open to all young people and offers clubs designed to appeal to all interests. Here’s a sampling of the club names and their focus: Inca Pride Alpaca, animal sciences; Central Whidbey Cattlemen, beef; Purrs in Furs, cats; Kool Kats, cats, creative arts; Mighty Mutts, dogs; Kidding Around, goats; Whidbey Wranglers, horses; Seahorses, horseless horse lovers; Teen Ambassadors, leadership; Rockk-n-Doodle, poultry; Rabbit Habits, hares; Whidbey Shepherds, sheep; Whidbey Island Hogs, pigs.

The 4-H program is overseen by the Island County/WSU Extension Office in Coupeville under the direction of Judy Feldman. Call 679-7327, e-mail judyfe@co.island.wa.us or visit online at www.island.wsu.edu/4h/clubs.htm.

Fair facts

This year’s Island County Fair is set for Thursday, July 17 through Sunday, July 20 at the fairgrounds in Langley. Enjoy a carnival, 4-H, farming, handicraft and artistic displays, bountiful food choices and varied entertainment. Daily admission is $6 for adults and $4 for seniors, children ages 6 to 15 and military in uniform. For information call the fair office, 360-221-4677, email info@islandcountyfair.com or visit online at www.islandcountyfair.com.