Many kids have never touched a baby skunk or an African pigmy hedgehog, and they may not have chased a 90-pound tortoise across the lawn. But, with the help of Genola-based Wild Wonders, toddlers and teenagers around Utah County have had the chance to get in touch with some of Utah’s wilder creatures and some from around the world.

44Wild Wonders is a state and federally licensed facility for wild animals that cannot be sent back to the wild. Run by Sarah and Spencer Jacobsen, the facility houses more than 20 wild and exotic animals, which are frequently taken to schools to educate children. The Jacobsens took a fox, a raccoon, a baby skunk and a hedgehog to Spanish Fork for a presentation to Segway employees and their children Wednesday, where even young toddlers were entranced by the animals. Most were brave enough to stroke the skunk down its back and touch the prickly hedgehog, but only a handful of children were willing to let the tarantula scale their arm.

"My kids are a little nervous around animals, so I think it helps them to not be so nervous and see [animals] are OK," said Salem resident Allison Levie, who attended with her young boys.

Levie's 4-year-old son was afraid to touch most animals, but he managed to pet the large tortoise as it lumbered by. Her 2-year-old son, Sam, eagerly ran across the lawn after the tortoise and even approached the playful baby skunk as it grabbed onto curious children's legs.

Jacobsen said the program goes to high-school science classes, preschool groups and even company gatherings. She said it presents a unique opportunity for residents who do not live close to the Hogle Zoo, and she hopes the facility in Genola will become a small Utah County zoo in the next five to 10 years.

During Wednesday's presentation, children learned about several exotic animals that live in Utah, including the red fox. The fox, Skitter, came to Wild Wonders after being raised by humans.

"Skitter came to us because her mom was killed on a construction site by a big truck," she said.

The family that took Skitter in did not know the fox would spray and chew, and they did not have a permit for the animal.

Jacobsen said many animals come to a rehabilitation facility because they have not been raised in the wild, while others simply cannot return from captivity.

The baby skunk has problems with its feet, so it will remain in the facility for the rest of its life.

During the presentation, children learned about what the animals eat and where they live, as well as how to respect them. The children were given the "two-finger rule," meaning they must use two fingers to stroke the animals down their back. Jacobsen also taught that the red fox is an omnivore, skunks eat trash and raccoons like to wash their food.

"We hope you guys learned at least one new thing today," she said.

Amy Davis, who works at Segway, said her sons enjoyed the presentation, and her son Colton wants to be a veterinarian some day. Colton said he did not know raccoons wash their food, and his favorite animal was the albino hedgehog.

"It's really small," he said. "It's kind of cute all rolled up in a ball."

Jacobsen, who has degrees in animal training, conservation and animal management, said she loves to teach about wild animals. She has worked in zoos, but she said she wanted to be able to work with animals and raise a family at the same time.

Wild Wonders is a family affair for the Jacobsens and their four sons, who are all under the age of 4.

The boys help feed and water the animals and sell chicken eggs, and 4-year-old Eric helps show off the bunny in preschool shows.

Eric helped to build the bunny cage and gets inside other cages to care for the animals, and Jacobsen said he asked when he could have a cage of his own.

"He wants to be one of the animals," said Spencer Jacobsen. "They have their own jungle gym in a cage."

Eric takes the skunk for walks and plays with the raccoon at home, but he said one of his favorite things to do is feed the bearded dragons. The bearded dragons are the same kind of reptile used in the movie "Holes," and they will cling to trees or even shirts. Eric said he likes to walk around the house with the reptiles on his shirt and to watch movies with the creatures. Jacobsen said her kids are great with the animals, and she is glad they have shown the same enjoyment she has because she did not want to force them to work with animals.

"We want to make it as much of a family thing as we can," she said.