Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Use your reptiles for educational purposes? Mine get trips to school occasionally. I'm off in half an hour to do so this morning. My boys will start talkin' about them in class, and eventually I'll be asked to bring one or another in for a show and tell, basically. I enjoy it, the reptiles really don't seem to mind, and it helps diminish the fears many children have grown up with all their lives. Although I have had two that I can recall get up and leave the room , and not come back in till I leave. In which case I try to keep the visit as short as possible. Don't want the children stressed out any more than I want my critters stressed . Well, I'm off to pack up for school. Sounds strange for a 55 year old snake freak to be sayin' doesn't it? Enjoy your day, all.

Quig

>>Use your reptiles for educational purposes?
>>Quig

I haven't yet taken my snakes into my children's schools, but I do my best to educate when I perform with my dance troupe. Afterwards I keep them out so people can come touch and ask questions.

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~ Noel ~
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Our vet used to borrow our large male boa - Kaa. He was nearly 8' long and thick as can be. But he was so laid back. The kids loved him. Have not done anything with the Balls though.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Usually at some point in the school year my kids will bring the snakes into the classroom.
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Tosha

8.15.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
1.0.0 Angolan Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.3 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

I worked at a school years ago and once a year I would bring in a wide variety of snakes to show. I did shows at both a high school and an elementary school, it was very interesting to see the different reactions between age groups. At the end of the show I would always walk around with a real nice Dumerils Boa and ask if anyone wanted to pet it. In the lower grades almost everyone would say yeah but once you got to high school age it was probably just a little over half that would actually touch the snake. Need to start educating young...

George

>> In the lower grades almost everyone would say yeah but once you got to high school age it was probably just a little over half that would actually touch the snake. Need to start educating young...
>>

Aint it the truth, I have yet to see any 3-5 year old that wont hold a snake, but somewhere along the line the prejudice kicks in. We have a freind that is your typical Harley Dude, 6'4" 200 lb. (probably more) you know, the big, burly, rough type. Will not hold a snake if his life depended on it, will not go near the snake room while he's at our house, but has no problem with letting his 4 year old handle them. Go figure.
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Tosha

8.15.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
1.0.0 Angolan Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.3 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

>>We have a freind that is your typical Harley Dude, 6'4" 200 lb. (probably more) you know, the big, burly, rough type. Will not hold a snake if his life depended on it, will not go near the snake room while he's at our house, but has no problem with letting his 4 year old handle them. Go figure.

>>Tosha

Really?! Isn't that interesting ... Fears usually come from thinking something is dangerous. If he thinks the snakes are dengerous, why would he let his little one go and play with them? Very strange. You're right ... go figure!
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~ Noel ~
My Email
My Photos

When dont I? All of my animals for the most part are used at one time or another for education/conservation discussions. The schools are tough one since school districts have different rules for allowing wildlife in for display. This has a lot to do with liability insurance and if they don't ask, they should.

Aside from that, I work with all of my animals on a regular basis and have for over 10 years to identify their particular behaviors in a public setting. Many animals including some ball pythons just don't do well being handled for long periods of time or being subjected to open display without some refuge from all the gawkers. I could provide a day long seminar on the do's and don'ts of public animal display after what I have experienced. The venue and the audience matters even more so since not every one is a reptile lover. Proper disclosure of their presence is important otherwise you get the shock factor which creates too many problems.

Anyhow, sorry for the ramble... I think it is good to present just be smart about it and respectful of others interest or lack their of in herps.
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