TIMES-NEWS (Erie, New York) 08 November 10 Science teacher Jeff Hankey builds reptiles' reputation, one snake at a time (Lindsey Poisson)
The slithering, scaly, 7-foot-long serpent might seem aloof -- even intimidating -- at first meeting. But it doesn't take long to warm to the coldblooded, Peruvian red-tail boa.
A few minutes after the dismissal bell, students at Our Lady's Christian School start filtering into Jeff Hankey's classroom. Draped across the seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher's shoulders, Pyro carefully bobs his head to get a good look at his adoring fans.
"People think it's just coldblooded, kind of like an alien," Hankey said. "People should understand them. Once they see there's nothing to be afraid of, they become comfortable with it."
Without a flicker of squeamishness, 14-year-old Sam Sweny reaches out to stroke the smooth yellow skin of the slow-moving, curling snake.
"They just seem nice," said the eighth-grade student at the Millcreek Township school.
Pyro can't take all the credit. Hankey has a collection of the reptiles that win over most everyone they meet. People will be able to see them up close -- or as close as they want -- during a free educational forum, Hankey's Incredible Snake Symposium, on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the school.
Seriously? Creepy-crawly snakes?
Hankey just chuckles sympathetically. Snakes have a bad rep, and he hears about it all the time. In fact, he used to be one of those hesitant, snake-fearing people.
"I was actually afraid of snakes up until I was 18 because my parents were afraid of them," said Hankey, 27. "I was never given a chance to explore it."
While working at a wildlife rehabilitation center, he was responsible for the care of all kinds of creatures, including snakes. After learning more about snakes, Hankey was hooked.
Along with his wife, Beth, Hankey has a devoted "snake room" with a modest collection of 20 snakes: Marge, the 13-foot-long Burmese python; Mojo, the corn snake; and Oscar the Grouch, a green-tree python, to name a few. In captivity, some of these snakes might live 20 to 40 years.
"One of the things that draws me to them is the fact that there is no such thing as a domesticated snake," he said. "I like the fact that there's a little bit of a challenge to them and variety."
Some snakes are dangerous if you aren't careful, but many are docile and well-mannered. The snakes Hankey brings into the classroom don't snap or bite. At their worst, they might just tickle people with their forked tongues. Once people get past that initial fear, they learn all sorts of interesting facts about snakes.
"I would have thought a python was just a python," said Jennie Hagerty, advancement director at the school. "There's a lot involved with snakes as far as habitat, what they eat, how they exercise, what kind of nutrients they need."
There are many reasons people are afraid of the slithering reptiles, but the opportunity to get up close sometimes helps, said Brian Winslow, director of Asbury Woods Nature Center.
"People just love encountering animals up close," he said. "We find the creepy-crawly theme fascinates kids. They're exotic-looking, they have scales, they move differently."
Who knows? People might even discover they really like snakes.
"The best way to get around that is being around them," he said. "Touching and seeing it up close really breaks down those barriers.
"It's great that teachers have live animals in the classroom."
Not all of Hankey's lessons wrap around snakes, although there's a tangerine Honduran milk snake, named Ichabod Crane, residing in the classroom.
For the past three years, Hankey has taught middle school students about biology, cellular structures and genetics. They recently did a lesson in which students had to write rap lyrics detailing the parts of the cell.
"He does a lot pertaining to the world of science," Hagerty said. "What children like so much is that he makes his lessons so unique."
Dylan Szymanski, 10, has a few years before he'll be in Hankey's class. But after school, he's among the other frequent visitors who see Ichabod before heading home.
But with the guest appearance of Pyro, Dylan seizes the opportunity -- he immediately asks to hold the snake, which likely weighs as much as he does.
Did it feel strange? Was he nervous?
"Not really," Dylan said. "I like how they feel and I like holding them.
"I love snakes. I want one."
Science teacher Jeff Hankey builds reptiles' reputation, one snake at a time