Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Guys,
Thought I'd share a little bit about yesterday. My wife, brother in law and I brought a small group of reptiles to do a presentation at an elementary school. I was a little nervous as my snakes or I have never done anything like this and I wasn't real sure how they'd all react to the unusual environment.
Everything came together very well though an it was a big hit. We started with a power point presentation that my wife set up that consisted of habitat photos while I displayed snakes that would be found in similar areas. I used that time to focus a little on captive care and the importance of reproducing each particular snakes natural conditions and of course cleanliness and attentiveness to captive snake's needs. We did also had a question and answer period during this time where I was pleasantly surprised by how well thought out and intelligent some of the kids questions were. The kids ranged from 4 to 11 and numbered 32 in all. They all behaved very well, and obeyed my "ground rules" while they got to do the hands on portion which of course was the hit of the day.
We ended bringing, 1 rainbow, 3 bci, 3 rosy boas, 2 rubber boas, a normal ball python, a small spectacled caiman, a leopard gecko and a 60 pound tortoise. There are definately a few things that I would do differently if we ever do this again but all in all if was a great experience and a lot more fun than I expected.
We did take a few photos but I have been told that it is against the rules in the school district to post pics of any of the kids without parental consent so unfortunately I don’t get to share but they all seemed to get real excited to be able to hold various ones and you could really see it in all of their faces.
It was pretty neat that out of 32 kids there was only one who was afraid to hold a snake. It kind of reinforces my belief that fear of snakes if more of a nurture vs. nature thing that has to be “learned” .
Anyway it was definitely a pretty fun day for the Milo’s to go back to school.
Milo

Hi Milo,

Great job, that's great that you guys did this. Sounds very similar to my experience, although you had a lot more animals to show. I agree 100% that the fear of snakes is mostly, if not completely, learned. Most of the questions I got were surprisingly astute as well, but I did get some comical ones.
Did you get any of those?

Too bad you can't post pictures. Again, great work! I wish every herp owner would do this, I think we could actually make a difference by not only promoting proper husbandry, but saving wild snakes from having their heads chopped off or possibly extinction.

Thanks for sharing,
Ed

>>Hey Guys,
>>Thought I'd share a little bit about yesterday. My wife, brother in law and I brought a small group of reptiles to do a presentation at an elementary school. I was a little nervous as my snakes or I have never done anything like this and I wasn't real sure how they'd all react to the unusual environment.
>>Everything came together very well though an it was a big hit. We started with a power point presentation that my wife set up that consisted of habitat photos while I displayed snakes that would be found in similar areas. I used that time to focus a little on captive care and the importance of reproducing each particular snakes natural conditions and of course cleanliness and attentiveness to captive snake's needs. We did also had a question and answer period during this time where I was pleasantly surprised by how well thought out and intelligent some of the kids questions were. The kids ranged from 4 to 11 and numbered 32 in all. They all behaved very well, and obeyed my "ground rules" while they got to do the hands on portion which of course was the hit of the day.
>>We ended bringing, 1 rainbow, 3 bci, 3 rosy boas, 2 rubber boas, a normal ball python, a small spectacled caiman, a leopard gecko and a 60 pound tortoise. There are definately a few things that I would do differently if we ever do this again but all in all if was a great experience and a lot more fun than I expected.
>>We did take a few photos but I have been told that it is against the rules in the school district to post pics of any of the kids without parental consent so unfortunately I don’t get to share but they all seemed to get real excited to be able to hold various ones and you could really see it in all of their faces.
>>It was pretty neat that out of 32 kids there was only one who was afraid to hold a snake. It kind of reinforces my belief that fear of snakes if more of a nurture vs. nature thing that has to be “learned” .
>>Anyway it was definitely a pretty fun day for the Milo’s to go back to school.
>>Milo

We got a couple of funny questions. A lot of kids wanted to know how often I got bit by the big ones. A suprising amount asked me what garter (read that "gardner's" snakes ate. There were a few questions I had to answer a little obliquely. While Liz was at the section of her powerpoint where she was showing litters of newborns. One little girl raised her hand and asked me exactly how the baby snakes came out. I responded "Well... some come out as perfect little snakes like in the picture and others come out as eggs and then I have to wait for them to hatch"

Funny you should mention people chopping snakes heads off. I found two in my neighborhood just yesterday. Makes you sick to see.
One neighbor hear was upset with me because she saw a couple snakes in my yard while she was walking her dog and I told her I wouldn't kill them. I told her I'd rather see snakes in the yard than mice in my garage.

I've got a couple of pics I can post now. Let me scan them and I'll get them up.

The question I get asked over and over that I find funny is "Is that snake poisonous?" (As if I'd be bringing a deadly snake around for a bunch of people to handle. I suppose if I was some evil villain....) I always smile and tell them that's a very good question, since venomous snakes are often bright-colored like my snake, but I wouldn't want to bring a dangerous snake out in public---in fact, I personally wouldn't want to have one as a pet.

Another funny question: "Is that real?" (Asked as the snake is slithering around, which is beyond the capacity of most rubber snakes I've seen.) A lot of people also seem to think my snakes must just slither around the house (with the free run of the place) and are surprised I keep them in terrariums. I find it all delightfully amusing! But I'm happy to help educate people about how cool snakes are---and I love interacting with them.

>>We got a couple of funny questions. A lot of kids wanted to know how often I got bit by the big ones. A suprising amount asked me what garter (read that "gardner's" snakes ate.
-----
Renee

2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
1.0 BRB (Loki)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Renee funny you should say that about roaming around the house.

Most adult non-herpers when they find out I keep snakes.

That's their first question.

When I tell the about "enclosures" they seem dumbfounded they exist and look at me as if I am the ONLY person in the world with "snake enclosures" and snakes in my house.

I smile and say NOPE their are millions like me. LMAO

I usually have pic's on my cell and they always admit that they are Beautiful!!!

>>The question I get asked over and over that I find funny is "Is that snake poisonous?" (As if I'd be bringing a deadly snake around for a bunch of people to handle. I suppose if I was some evil villain....) I always smile and tell them that's a very good question, since venomous snakes are often bright-colored like my snake, but I wouldn't want to bring a dangerous snake out in public---in fact, I personally wouldn't want to have one as a pet.
>>
>>Another funny question: "Is that real?" (Asked as the snake is slithering around, which is beyond the capacity of most rubber snakes I've seen.) A lot of people also seem to think my snakes must just slither around the house (with the free run of the place) and are surprised I keep them in terrariums. I find it all delightfully amusing! But I'm happy to help educate people about how cool snakes are---and I love interacting with them.
>>
>>>>We got a couple of funny questions. A lot of kids wanted to know how often I got bit by the big ones. A suprising amount asked me what garter (read that "gardner's" snakes ate.
>>-----
>>Renee
>>
>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

I guess if they think we're "insane" to have snakes at all, they think we'd also be crazy enough to give them free run of the house (Apparently people don't think snakes poop and have no idea how easily they can wriggle their ways into the smallest cracks. That's how I found out there was a tiny gap under one edge of my counter in the kitchen; when I was holding one of my corn snakes near it!)

>>Renee funny you should say that about roaming around the house.
>>
>>Most adult non-herpers when they find out I keep snakes.
>>
>>That's their first question.
>>
>>When I tell the about "enclosures" they seem dumbfounded they exist and look at me as if I am the ONLY person in the world with "snake enclosures" and snakes in my house.
>>
>>I smile and say NOPE their are millions like me. LMAO
>>
>>I usually have pic's on my cell and they always admit that they are Beautiful!!!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>>The question I get asked over and over that I find funny is "Is that snake poisonous?" (As if I'd be bringing a deadly snake around for a bunch of people to handle. I suppose if I was some evil villain....) I always smile and tell them that's a very good question, since venomous snakes are often bright-colored like my snake, but I wouldn't want to bring a dangerous snake out in public---in fact, I personally wouldn't want to have one as a pet.
>>>>
>>>>Another funny question: "Is that real?" (Asked as the snake is slithering around, which is beyond the capacity of most rubber snakes I've seen.) A lot of people also seem to think my snakes must just slither around the house (with the free run of the place) and are surprised I keep them in terrariums. I find it all delightfully amusing! But I'm happy to help educate people about how cool snakes are---and I love interacting with them.
>>>>
>>>>>>We got a couple of funny questions. A lot of kids wanted to know how often I got bit by the big ones. A suprising amount asked me what garter (read that "gardner's" snakes ate.
>>>>-----
>>>>Renee
>>>>
>>>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)
>>
>>
>>-----
>>=========================================================
>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>=========================================================
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Frank Roberts
>>
>>
>>
>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.
-----
Renee

2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
1.0 BRB (Loki)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

I have also found the questions people ask to be funny as well. I've taken snakes out in public many times and here are some of the most common 'silly' questions I get asked. Many are the same as yours:

"Is that poisonous?"

"Is that real?"

"Do you let it just roam your house?"

"Aren't snakes blind?"

"Do you put mineral oil on it's skin?"

"Aren't you afraid it's going to wrap around your neck?"

"Aren't you afraid it will eat your cats?"

"Does it have teeth?"

"Boas... those get to be 50 feet long, right?"

"Boa... is it a constrictor?" (They were thinking "Boa Constrictor", not constricting snake. This one was hard for people to understand the difference, for some reason.)

And one guy asked: "If that thing bites me, will you give me $100?"

People are silly.

-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

It makes you wonder if the guy looking for $100 if the snake bit him might actively TRY to make it chomp on him! I usually prefer to do hands-ons through the herp society, because members are insured during events (and unfortunately we live in a litiginous society).

>>I have also found the questions people ask to be funny as well. I've taken snakes out in public many times and here are some of the most common 'silly' questions I get asked. Many are the same as yours:
>>
>>"Is that poisonous?"
>>
>>"Is that real?"
>>
>>"Do you let it just roam your house?"
>>
>>"Aren't snakes blind?"
>>
>>"Do you put mineral oil on it's skin?"
>>
>>"Aren't you afraid it's going to wrap around your neck?"
>>
>>"Aren't you afraid it will eat your cats?"
>>
>>"Does it have teeth?"
>>
>>"Boas... those get to be 50 feet long, right?"
>>
>>"Boa... is it a constrictor?" (They were thinking "Boa Constrictor", not constricting snake. This one was hard for people to understand the difference, for some reason.)
>>
>>And one guy asked: "If that thing bites me, will you give me $100?"
>>
>>People are silly.
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Aubrey Ross
>>
>>©
>>www.SlipstreamSerpents.com
-----
Renee

2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
1.0 BRB (Loki)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Liz just brought home some "Thank You" cards from the Kids today and I scanned a couple. The first one is a very talented portrait of yours truly holding an albino boa.
Everybody here can probably guess what the second one is. The girl who drew it remembered it from yesterday.

Milo

Those are sweet, Milo!

The artist of the second one is quite talented---It's amazing that she could draw that from memory! You must have made quite an impression....perhaps she'll be a future snake owner!

>>Liz just brought home some "Thank You" cards from the Kids today and I scanned a couple. The first one is a very talented portrait of yours truly holding an albino boa.
>>Everybody here can probably guess what the second one is. The girl who drew it remembered it from yesterday.
>>
>> >>Milo
>>
-----
Renee

2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
1.0 BRB (Loki)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

I would have never thought your neck was so long!!! (cute pic)

The second pic def is a Rainbow boa and the head detail is better pic then I could ever draw to be honest!!!
-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

Put those card in the safe, they are priceless!

Thanks for sharing,
Ed

>>Liz just brought home some "Thank You" cards from the Kids today and I scanned a couple. The first one is a very talented portrait of yours truly holding an albino boa.
>>Everybody here can probably guess what the second one is. The girl who drew it remembered it from yesterday.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Milo
>>

I love doing hands-on presentations. I'm really proud of the many parents who quietly tell me they're afraid of snakes, but they don't want their kids to be; so they encourage them to touch and appreciate the snakes. It gives me hope for the survival of herps! (It also confirms that fear of snakes is learned, not intrinsic---since few kids are afraid of serpents.)
-----
Renee

2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
1.0 BRB (Loki)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Congrats on a great day back at school.

One of the teachers in our grade school has a corn snake in his classroom - and I aould love to bring in some snake and help educate kids.
-----
Mike

7.13 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

Congrats, I've done that for years with my kids classes and always had a great time!!!
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Maybe it's because I always move slow and easy around the snakes, and most of mine are fairly new, so they're still a bit nippy, but my snakes almost always bite when someone moves quickly. I'd be afraid one of the kids would get bit. I'd love to do something like this because I do believe education is key if we want to start changing beliefs and eventually eradicate these potential laws banning snakes. Any thoughts?

We have a whole list of rules when doing "hands-on" presentations through the local herp society. One is that no one else can actually hold our snakes. Kids and adults are invited to touch or stroke them with one or two fingers only (this also protects the snakes from kids who might squeeze and injure them). We'll often demonstrate how with our own fingers.

Another rule is that we must always be in control of the head of the snake. I always tell kids they can touch the snake anywhere except the head, because when you go for the head it scares the snake; since you're a stranger, he might think you're attacking him.

We are allowed to have out and display only one snake at a time (so we can maintain complete control). There are lots of other rules that protect both the public and the snakes. If you're interested, I could email them to you.

Also, we don't take snakes in public that are known to bite. If your snakes are still nippy you might want to wait until they're older. I had Loki for a whole year before I took him out in public (to make sure he was ready). He's very mellow now.

>>Maybe it's because I always move slow and easy around the snakes, and most of mine are fairly new, so they're still a bit nippy, but my snakes almost always bite when someone moves quickly. I'd be afraid one of the kids would get bit. I'd love to do something like this because I do believe education is key if we want to start changing beliefs and eventually eradicate these potential laws banning snakes. Any thoughts?
-----
Renee

2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
1.0 BRB (Loki)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

I have to agree strongly with the last bit about knowing your snakes behavior/mellowness before taking them out. I have done presentations in the past but I only ever took animals that don't bite unless you poke their faces. A good test is to see how your snakes behave when in deep blue. Mine I can handle like normal when in blue without even a flinch from them. Regardless of the animal they will probably be at their most defensive/nippy when blind.

Sean.
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1.1 BRB
1.1 Triple Het TPRS's
0.1 Silver TPRS
1.1 Amel Bloodred Corns
0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
0.1 Blizzard Bloodred Corn
1.1 Thayeri Kingsnakes
0.1 Reeve's Turtle
0.2 Amstaff's
1.0 Pudytat

That is really neat that you did a class presentation. I'm glad it went well for you, and those thank you cards are great!

I've been thinking about doing one of those someday. How do you set it up? Just call the principal and suggest it?

I really like it when herpers do class presentations like you did. I believe it really helps lessen the fear of reptiles, and especially snakes. Perhaps in a few decades people will be more educated about them and snakes won't have such a bad reputation anymore. HA! That's wishful thinking isn't it! But one can still hope!

-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

Hi Aubrey,

It would probably help if you know a student at the school. If so, I'd suggest calling/e-mailing the teacher and the principal.
If not, the principal is probably the right person to contact.

Given the politically correct atmosphere these days, I'd recommend explaining (to the principal) the safety precautions you will take, your experience, disposition(s) of your presntation snakes, etc.

Good luck, I hope you end up doing this. It is actually a lot of fun.

Thanks,
Ed

>>That is really neat that you did a class presentation. I'm glad it went well for you, and those thank you cards are great!
>>
>>I've been thinking about doing one of those someday. How do you set it up? Just call the principal and suggest it?
>>
>>I really like it when herpers do class presentations like you did. I believe it really helps lessen the fear of reptiles, and especially snakes. Perhaps in a few decades people will be more educated about them and snakes won't have such a bad reputation anymore. HA! That's wishful thinking isn't it! But one can still hope!
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Aubrey Ross
>>
>>©
>>www.SlipstreamSerpents.com