Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I am trying to start a local reptile presentation. I know there is alot of info out there to try to pass along to others. I just wondered if any of you knew of presentation packets or an outline for reptile demonstrations. What types of stuff to talk about, what age groups are best, Should there be a charge to provide the show? I would really like something to show me where to start. Thanks, Jason Box
Richmond Reptile Rescue

I'm not exactly sure what you're wanting to do but here's my 2 cents. I've done presentations at schools. I use different animals for different shows and I give the talks to a wide range of ages. I've found that after a couple of years I have parents who show up to see the shows as well as the kids. At the preschool they have a dinosaur day every year and I take my turtles, box turtles and water turtles and we talk about the differences in them and where each lives and I take strawberries with me so the kids can feed them. For the cub scouts my talk focuses almost always on conservation of the species and handling snakes in the wild, etc . . . For 3rd graders we talk about what makes a reptile a reptile and I take shed skins for them to feel and definitely let them handle my ratsnakes and turtles. . . for high school, I do a history show and take mammals too and talk about the pros and cons of native and introduced species throughout history. I only charge a nominal fee if I go out of town. I figure it's better to get the message of conservation out there than to worry over the money. I don't know of any set outlines for presentations. I just let my passion take charge and the rest comes naturally.

hope it helps,
e

I have had great success presenting to lower elementary students. Many states have curriculum standards that outline which grades cover certain topics. In Michigan or at least in the school district that I work the second graders learn about reptiles.

I keep the presentation very simple just talking about what makes a reptile a reptile and how they are different as pets than a dog or cat. I also talk about how the snakes that I have (corns and a ball python) are similar to our local snakes and how important it is to protect habitat for our natives. I also answer questions but be ready for all kinds of unrelated questions. Little kids are quite unpredictable.

I keep the presentation to around 25 to 30 minutes and allow the kids to get a good look and even touch the snakes.

It has been real fun for the students and Me.