Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I would like y'alls opinion on what the best snake for a classroom display would be. My girlfriend is a 2nd grade teracher and wants these qualities in a snake:

calm - especially around elementary school kids
good eater
not too big
active

I would like to take a poll to see what species you think is best.

Please take into consideration that a bit kid would be a very bad thing not only for her, but for the future of herpetology in general. If y'all love herps like I do, you don't want to see kids turned off to snakes. So the whole point of this is to educate and fascinate kids with something they dont know much about. Maybe one of those kids will think twice before trying to kill the next snake they see . . . I am rambling now, but you get the picture.

Thanks,

Zane

I don't know what you consider "too big" but I think any type of corn snake or a bairds ratsnake would be good. I know the majority of corns don't get over 4 feet long and I believe bairds usually max out at around 5 feet (but don't quote me on that). Once either of these reaches subadult size, they should be good to handle, but they're usually jumpier as babies and more fragile.

Don't get a Rat Snake. Most of the time, they will be hiding. They like to hunt at night. The kids will want a snake that they can see. Also, there are many good reasons why you would not want children handeling any reptile in a school classroom. Kids don't always do a good job of washing their hands. (Need I say more)

I think a ribbon snake could be a good classroom snake. They don't bite, and they like to climb onto plants in their cage so that the children will be able to see it most of the time. You feed them live fish (easy to get year round), and they stay small. They do not like to be held, but that should not be an issue. You don't have other peoples' children handle reptiles.

I beg to differ on some of your statements. I have 4 colubrids; a blue beauty, 2 black rats and a texas bairdi. One of my black rats is NEVER in his hide unless he's going into shed. The other is about half and half. The blue beauty never hides, however my texas bairdi never comes out of her hide. However, she's not even a year old yet, so thats part of it. The blue beauty is under a year old (however at 3 feet she's a nice sized yearling). The two black rats are about 2.5 years old. As they grow htey will be more active.
-----
Chondros and colubrids... my 2 favorite types of snakes!

"Life is hard. Life is harder if you're stupid." - John Wayne

Zane,
As much as I love rat/corn snakes, I trust very few around 2nd graders, who sometimes hold too tight.
Some individual rat/corn snakes are, of course, totally trustworthy.

Here is my Rat Snake Forum sacrilege:
My favorite animals for K through 3 for safety, hardiness, and general interest are adult (not hatchling or juvenile) Mexican Milks that have been handled regularly.
· They seem to hold onto the child’s hand and don’t flail about, when picked up in the middle. Kids don’t seem to drop them easily.
· They’re large enough to withstand an occasional bump by a child.
· They eat well.
· An adult can be kept in a small cage that is arranged so the animal can be seen.
· They, of course, are colorful.
· They are available from many CB sources.
Good Luck, Bill McGighan

I do let the kids who live around me handle my snakes.I also keep waterless hand sanitizer on hand.If you want a reptile that stays out during daylight hours try a tort.Russians dont get real big and there chow hounds.There active as long as theres light.
There are teachers here that have common boas in there classrooms but that's highschool.
My 9 year old son has handled snakes since he was 4.He has been bit.He learned fast not to squeeze.lol...Paul

Most second grade parents don't want their kids bitten... I picture several ignorant/uninformed parents rushing their children to the hospital for antivenom....
-----
0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Road Hog"

/

Thanks guys for all your info and opinions. A corn, rat, milk/king, or a ball python are the ones I had in mind. A ribbon or garter snake may be a good alternative (very active and not shy).

About kids - it is a small private Christian school, so hopefully no hooplah if a kid gets bit ("where can I find corn snake antivenom?" I can hear a parent asking . . . ). However, it is a valid concern and something that will probably need agreement from the parents not to freak out. Hand sanitizer is a must for kids, although I have never used it for my snakes and they nor I have yet to get sick.

Again, thanks and please keep it coming!!

Zane