Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting together with a small group of kids (ages 5-7) this weekend and will be talking to them about snakes. I of course will have 2 snakes on hand with me a baby and a sub adult. I am planning on talking to kids about how to respond when seeing a snake (get an adult), that all snakes are not good to handle (we live in MO,example copper heads and water moccasins). I also am planning on talking/ showing about how they climb and move, how they help the envoriment, and what they feel like (I hate it when people say they are slimy, thank you Hollywood). Anyways I have a good handful of things planned but thought I would ask if there are any topics you guys would recommend touching on. Please keep in mind they are ages 5-7, I want them to leaving knowing some snakes are nice, all snakes have a purpose, but also stressing not to pick them up in the wild unless an adult shows it is ok.

Matt

Sounds like a great presentation! I usually give a presentations to highschool and college. I like to touch base on the effectiveness of snakes to keep the rodent population in check. Also a little bit of anatomy. The 5-7 year olds should be able to understand the teeth and maybe a little bit of the flexible nature of the head which allows them to eat meals larger than there head. Some dry leaves glued to a board and let the snake sit or move through give a good example of camoflage.

Hope that helps