Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm doing a speech on Reptiles. The basic point that I want to relay is the fact that if you're educated, you're usually not as afraid of them. The focus has to be narrow, so I've decided to base it on Ball Pythons. I'm trying to get typical stereotypes of snakes and then disprove them. I have 10 minutes in which to speak. These are my common misconceptions so far: a. They are not venomous
b. They do not grow to tremendous size and eat humans
c. They are not vicious
d. They are not slimy

I wanted to bring in a snake but my college has notified me that I won't be allowed to have one on campus. I think I'm going to use a Petco box with a fake snake in it as an example and like ask the class how many people are afraid...or something like that.

If anyone has any more things that I can argue, please let me know. Thanks sooo much.

-Drako
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The answer is purple because dolphins are allergic to sofas!!!

'C' is the exception, not the rule. I wouldn't want to convey to the audience that there is absolutetly nothing to worry about with respect to being bitten. I've been struck at 12x in a row by a WC female ball python.

With that, I want to convey that snakes do not hunt humans. They will not (most of the time) chase you down just to bite you. I know it looked different, but it's just my outline...sorry for not being more concise
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The answer is purple because dolphins are allergic to sofas!!!

Snakes don't hunt humans? You need to be careful with that statement and clearly define your definition of "hunt humans". There are reports of humans being eaten by snakes and they were "hunted" in the context of the snake striking, coiling, constricting and then consuming its prey and in this instance, a human.

It would be safe to say that ball pythons don't hunt humans but you can't generalize all snakes with that statement.

Yeah, that's what I meant...I'm having an off night and can't think correctly. I'm talking about ball pythons specifically. So yeah, that's what I mean, I just am being vague because I can't focus tonight.
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The answer is purple because dolphins are allergic to sofas!!!

Hell, I have a problem thinking straight everyday! lol

Good luck with your presentation!

Perfect example of "it's easier to get forgiveness than permission". In my college speech class, we were required to get subject approval from the professor. I kept telling her it was a surprise. I showed up on speech day with a cardboard box. I began my speech on the benefits of owning an exotic pet over a standrad dog or cat. Halfway through my speech, I paused...opened the box...and pulled out a live caiman (on a leash). The professor just sighed and layed her head down on her desk. But the audience was so wowed that I got an A. The professor never even mentioned it after she saw the audience's reaction.

(I also broke the tension with a joke. After all the gasps stopped, I started walking toward a girl in the front row and said something like "here's the part where we pass him around." You should've seen the pale white faces...but once I smiled, they knew I was joking.)

Next time, don't ask for permission. =)

Chris =)
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Just so you know, for many thousands of years, in most every culture, the snake was a "good" symbol -- birth, rebirth, fertility, strength, femininity. It wasn't until the early Christianity (Old Testament) that they became associated with evil. Early (Christian) mono-theists wanted to impose their beliefs, and the easiest way to do this was to make all other beliefs "bad". Hence, the very popular snake icon became "evil" and eventually associated with icky slime.

Interestingly, the bull (because its horns mimiced the waxing/waning moon cycles...female fertility cycles) was also a symbol for birth, rebirth, fertility, femininity. Once these popular symbols started becoming "bad", the bull's horns were placed on all things evil. Ever wonder why Satan has horns? Now you know.

Chris
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