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

I love to hear about things like that! Keep it up! It is a good thing to negate all the untruths about herps and give, kids especially, an accurate view of reptiles; how they live, the way they typically act, and that they aren't all that unfriendly if understood and treated appropriately. It sounds like you did a very professional job with it too... a Powerpoint presentation and all! Awesome!
A pride to the force!
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Steph S.
Boas...
1.1 Albino boas (Loki & Hope)
1.4 07 Het. albino boas (Petty & Lady,Sierra,Madeline,Lola)
0.1 Reverse stripe poss. het albino (Cookie)
0.1 Salmon/hypo (Scarlet)
0.1 Anery poss. het snow (Missy)
1.0 Anery (Reno)
1.0 Probable Super Salmontine
0.1 DH Sunglow (Bonnie)
0.0.1 Hypo het anery
1.0.0 Het. Anery (Guy & ?)
0.3 Normals (Ophelia, Sasha, & Lulu)
1.1 Surinames (Solomon & Surreal)
1.2 Hog Isles (Mr.Orange & Peaches, Tang.)
0.0.1 Central American (Sassy)
0.1 Emerald Tree boa (Jade)
1.0 ATB (Satan... seriously!)
Pythons...
2.1 GTPs (B., Monty & Jewel)
0.0.3 BPs (MJ, Precious, Houdini)
1.1 Carpet Pythons (Jackson & Charlotte)
0.1 Blood python (Akaia)
Misc.
1.1 Mandarin Ratsnakes (Jack & Jill)
1.0 Boxer/Pitt Mutt (Tyson)

Sounds fun Jason, Kev has done a few presentations in Ft Collins too. Atleast the people in the area are fine with reptiles!
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Brandon Nixon

Sounds like a great contribution to the entire Herp
community through education of the young.Glad that
your experience with the kids was good.
. . . . . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz

>>Anyway it was definitely a pretty fun day for the Milo’s to go back to school.
>>Milo

Its always fun going back to school. I just did a school presentation where a child actually ID'd my blood python. Now that tickled me.

What I have learned over the years is this. Start with the benign. I run a rescue here so I ALWAYS have a sulcata. Have that on the floor when the kids come in. I have only had one child afraid of turtles (bizarre to me). I always start small and move up. Kinda cope much better with the ball pythons than they did the 9 foot boa or the 12 foot burm. Save the big for last. These are some of my favorite things to do. I love younger groups because the kids have less fear.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

As a science teacher, I am always bringing reptiles into the classroom. I think that educating the "next generation" helps protect the hobby, and gives them more respect for the environment and the great diversity it supports.

Great job!
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Thanks,
Amy

My Boids

I'm curious about something. Do you need to get some type
of insurance ,Liability Insurance ? What other possible
requirements do you need ,so as to look out for yourself
so to speak ?
. . . . . . . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz

I am a science teacher turned wildlife educator and I carry commercial liability insurance (required as a vendor for the schools) plus the necessary state wildlife permits. It's a very rewarding experience and I just love, love, love it!! The business end of it isn't so fun, but it's a necessary evil...