Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok so, a few years ago i started organizing something called Third Dimension Reptiles. Long story short, it's an educational outreach program aimed at teaching kids about reptiles and giving them the ability to respect them just like any living thing should be. so now, here it is wednesday and on monday i have my first shows. i'm doing three of them for about 140 3rd graders. so you can imagine how many kids their will be in each one. i have it pretty well planned out, but i also know how well things can go according to plan, lol. so pretty much i am asking for any suggestions on how to handle things, especially anything that might not go as smoothly as planned. so far i plan on taking, 2 green igs(about 4 ft., very friendly), a sudan plated lizard, a beardie, a leopard gecko, green anoles, cuban knight anole(definately a look dont touch herp for them!), golden geckos, longtail lizard, 2 baby balls, 1 adult ball(het. albino), a gulf hammock ratsnake, an eastern kingsnake, a baby cali king(albino striped), gold treefrogs, and an eastern painted turtle. oh and i have app. 45 minutes but i was told more time wouldnt be a problem. any suggestions on how to get all these herps into a '92 geo storm would also be appreciated lol. sorry for such a long post, i am just quite nervous about it (more excited really). thanks for any suggestions!

Hhehehee You have taken on a big job, yet a FUN one, great thing your doing!

I just popped in to say hope all goes well and MAJOR thing NOT to forget is some sort of HANDI WIPES so each child that touches must use them.
Otherwise if anyone gets sick they can yell it must have been the lizards,

Plus it's good hygeine

Good luck getting them all in your car, LOL Let us know how it goes, be waiting!
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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

yea im getting a big bottle of hand sanitizer that they have to use before and after touching any of the herps. i thought about it and my luck would be that one of the kids would have a pet hamster/rat/mouse/gerbil/whatever at home that they were holding before school, one of my snakes gets a whiff of that and thinks little hands are food. so it is a must that they wash before too. im trying to not let anything go wrong so im being very overprecautious. originally i wanted to go to the fourth graders but they were all booked up with guest speakers and assemblies and such. but everyone keeps telling me that third grade is a lot of fun to work with so im not too worried. i was also hoping that i would be in a flex type room where i could set up once and they would rotate in but i will have to be the one moving. any suggestions on little "prizes" i could hand out to volunteers and kids that answer questions? i was thinking about stickers or little plastic lizards or something. im gonna go look at walmart when im buying sanitizer and stuff. i would love to hear some ideas, what do 3rd graders like? lol. i really appreciate all the help you guys have been giving me(this is a multiple forum post and the feedback has been amazing!)i will have someone helping and taking pics so i wiil post some when i get them. thanks!
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*Third Dimension Reptiles*~"a new dimension in exploration"

1.1 green iguanas
1.0 sudan plated lizard
1.0 bearded dragon
0.1 leopard gecko
1.1 golden geckos
1.1 green anoles
0.1 cuban knight anole
1.0 asian longtail grass lizard
0.0.2 gold treefrogs
0.0.1 leopard frog
1.1 normal ball pythons
1.0 het. albino ball python
0.1 gulf hammock ratsnake
0.1 eastern kingsnake
1.0 albino striped california kingsnake
0.1 hedgehog
2.3 rats
0.1 husky
55 gal. freshwater aquarium

Tips: Like Eve suggested bring a disinfectant for any kid to use who touches them (before AND after fortheir safety and the reptiles).

2. Keep their hands away from in front of the reps faces. Even ones not known to bite still could if excited. Touching is fine but not near the head, and keep your hand on the side of the reps head when they are touching it (one at a time) this will assure they won't jerk around and bite.

3. Don't over emphasize precautions, there's time for that later if they are interested in herps. Talk about safety, but don't spent too much time on it.

4. Show your enthusiasm for the reptiles while showing them. Some of the greatest teachers were the ones whos' passion showed for what they taught. Express excitement for each herp you show.

5. Briefely explain which reptiles are good for beginners and why. Be sure to put emphasis on cars, feeding, and habitat. Maybe even have a few handouts about them, and what you need to buy when you get one. etc.

Don't pretend to shock or scare anyone. This could cause an otherwise enthusiastic future herper to have second thoughts. My son tried that one with my youngest daughter. Ran around saying he was a Python and was going to get her. I had to put a stop to that one because she came running up to me saying He said he was a snake and was going to get her. Now she loves my Corn snake.

As for getting them all in the car. Here's the trick. As long as they won't be traveling very long they can be carried in something not much bigger than they are. Something with ventilation, and depending on weather heat packs too. These can be handy to have just in case you break down too. Even though your car may be warm the trip outside could chill them. Keep in mind Herps are shipped overnight in boxes that size.

If you stack them be sure their vent holes are still showing. Best to have some on the sides so stacking won't be an issue. Various size Rubbermaid containers that you ventilate will work fine. And bring a blanket to cover them while outside.

While they are out you could offer the herps water, though it probably won't be necessary it can't hurt either.

Remember to have FUN, and ENJOY your show. It might help to focus on the herps while talking about them if you need to. Remember you're there because you love herps, and you want to share that enthusiasm!!! Have fun and keep me posted on how it goes...I'm starting up doing the same thing where I am. It's great to share my passion!!!
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**Kenn**
The Uros at home:
http://www.arabianwildlife.com/current/dubh.html
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/uromastyx.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/runningbrook/729/id19.htm