Iris Fisher, 8, and her sister Ivie Fisher, 5, of Petersham, take turns holding an African giant millipede after a presentation by Bryan “Professor Bugman” Man at the Athol Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 22. Staff Photos/Paul Franz

FAR LEFT: Leannah Johnson, 10, of Athol, holds a whip scorpion.

Bryan “Professor Bugman” Man holds an African giant millipede during the “Arthropod Petting Zoo” presentation at the Athol Public Library. Franz

LEFT: Jaxson Cross, 9, of Petersham, recoils after smelling a bug that uses odor to deter predators.

People, who wanted to, are able to handle beetles during a presentation on bugs at the Athol Public Library. Staff Photo/Paul Franz