Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just wanted to give a huge thank you to Dave Boyle for his donation of a male P. ruthveni to use in my classroom as an educational animal. I teach various sciences at a rural high school, the mascot of which is the Rattlers. Ironically enough, even here the general motto is "The only good snake is a dead snake" (as it of course is all over this country so I put up a sign in my classroom of a rat plague in Australia saying "The only good snake is a live snake."

Anyway, I've been wanting to get an endangered species to use as a conservation 'spokes-snake' and Dave was kind enough to volunteer one of his spare males. I've been keeping several reptiles, inverts, and a few other critters in the classroom, but have big plans for a conservation-oriented display. Strangely enough, I had students and even the high school secretary, who has so far been hesitant about even entering my classroom, handle this snake! I'm not sure if it's the fact that they are so endangered or what, but he's already doing a huge favor to his and every other snake species. I'm looking forward to watching him grow up and hope he continues to be a great ambassador for his kind. My idea is that students will grow to see how amazing these critters are and, especially since we're relatively close to the LA pine range, they might just get out and do something about their plight. Enjoy the photos.

Had another critter visiting class that day as well.

Would you believe this was the first time she'd ever handled a snake?

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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com

That's AWESOME, Chance!

Keep up the good work, buddy!

//Todd

Chance,

Thanks for sharing those photo's. It is encouraging to know that there are teachers such as yourself that are interested in educating kids on herps and their importance.

It is also encouraging to know there are guys like Dave out there that are willing to facilate these endeavors!

Great job guys!

Phil

Awesome job! Keep up the good work. I'm with you in hoping that your educational efforts spark environment saving action in this next generation. Right on!

reako45

man i wish i had such cool teachers.my science teachers tended to be well,quite strange,maybe a little unnerving,lol.they seemed to get annoyed by students like me that would ask questions,and that sort of thing was discouraged,lol...oh well,water under the bridge. hey what is that snakein the enclosure,third pic-i know it can't be,right?-but it looks like a shield nosed or coral cobra....again gorgeous ruthveni,well done dave b.
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"with head raised regally,and gazing at me with lidless eyes,he seemed to question with flicks of his long forked tongue my right to trespass on his territory" Carl Kauffeld

You're right on actually. It's a Namibian coral cobra (now classified as Aspidelaps lubricus cowlesi). I bring venomous snakes from time to time so the students can have a chance to see them up close without the numbness associated with zoo specimens. My students have been given the opportunity to watch cobras hood, spit, and act like...well...cobras. I don't do this to 'show off' to my students, but rather to let them see what these snakes are really like. They certainly enjoy it. I have some pretty good students though who seem to like everything I bring, from dekay's snakes to death adders.

Anyway, thank you all for your kind words. Definitely give Dave Boyle a big pat on the back for his willingness to enable such a phenomenal animal to go to education.
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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com