Doing Snake Presentation at School

[Catherine]

Hello. I was wanting to do a presentation at my middle school on the psychology behind why people are afraid of snakes and what they misinterpret them for. So I was curious how I should go over why people think they'll "kill" you, they'll "bite" you, which I'll mention that anything with a mouth bites. For the killing part, I was wondering if I should include the fact that venomous snakes are more than likely to kill you if you come across one and pissed it off so much that instead of fleeing it attacks. And many people think they're slimy, I'm bring my 3 foot ball python to school with me to let people touch her, but not hold her. Do you think I'm covered? Or should I add something else?

[Minkness]

Cool of you do a presentation on the fear of snakes. I wish I could help uou with that but I don't really know why people are afraid of them other than the stereotipical reasons you already mentioned.

I'm sure it is a mixture of social 'grooming' of sorts. Such as a snake being the original bad guy in the bible. Then we have the media showing movies where snakes are 'bad' as well. Like Anaconda. As for venomous snakes killing people, well, most bites happen because a person doesn't see it and startle it while walking or whatever and the snakes first reaction may be to bite. Then of course there are some not so good handlers that get bitten and then the media blows it up and sensationalizes it.

Also. Just the human condition of being weary of the unfamiliar. There are no other animals quite like snakes. No legs, no fur or festhers to make it cute and petable, and they deform themselves evey time they swollow a meal whole. They are also ninjas. Jumping out at the last second if startled which naturally startles the person.

Interesting fact about fear is 'fear memory'. As humans, we remember fear far more easily than anything else. This is a natural survivalists method that most animals have. So, id a erson watches a scary movie or is startled by a snake they didn't see just a second ago, that feeling becomes attached to that animal, causing fear to resurface any time they are presented with that animal again.

Ok...I guess I did know more than I thought....but I'm no psychologist! Lol. Good luck on your presentation!

[Kathryntheclean]

I've just got this to say.... my husband is scared to death of snakes. Never was before he was 17. We, at the time, were dating and we were taking a stroll in high grass beside a pool on his grandparents land. He steps on a huge black water moccasin that he never even saw. It bites his foot. The snake apparently only bit to say "dude, get off" not to kill. No venom penetrated into the bloodstream. He was very lucky. We went to the hospital, where his foot got swollen, but he did not get sick or have any suffering. After some ice packs, we went home. So there's our story. So, I guess I'm saying snakes are not as deadly as we think. It's just a kind of fear we have about them. I mean, dogs could kill too, but we are ready to stick out a hand to pet one, right? Not necessarily for snakes, though. Of course, when our 13 year old daughter begged her dear daddy for a snake, he caved. But he still hates them and now that our corn snake is housed in my girl's room, he won't even open her door!

[RedTailRutiodon]

It's a point I'd suspect someone to bring up, and there's a very good counterpoint to it:

Odds are pretty good that someone will bring up a fear of snakes as being a natural, instinctive reaction to a dangerous animal from our past (which I think we can all agree is untrue, but it is a point someone will make).

You can make a very good argument that the fear of snakes is very much a Western, Christian sentiment, with older cultures revering them as symbols of health and fertility (the idea coming from watching snakes shed their skin and looking fresher and younger). Hospitals to this day use snakes a symbol of healing!

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/snakes.jpg

[sockSnek]

I know this probably isn't quite middle school material, but I think the science behind snake phobias is pretty interesting. If you want to read about it, there's this article (http://www.parentingscience.com/fear-of-snakes.html). It talks about a study that shows animals are more likely to learn to fear snakes than to fear other things, but aren't born with the fear itself.

[Kathryntheclean]

My cat, Happy, is the only other animal in my house who's ok with our corn snake. I got Happy out of a shelter where he and his six brothers and sisters were. Because he was a newborn he was unafraid of everything. I introuduced him directly to my giant Labrador mixes and he loved them-was never scared. So, because he has no ideas about snakes from experience, he actually likes the snake. He'll go up to him when my daughter handles him and lay right by it like it's perfectly natural. I guess every animal has to learn what's scary and what's not. If we don't give any reason to freak out and act like it's normal, the animal will probably learn the same. But, what do i know? I'm neither snake nor cat-just report what i notice.

[GyGbeetle]

I took an interesting short course at a local rescue society, where they taught us a few things about snakes, which may help to teach about fear of the unknown.

With most snakes, their intent is never to bite anything that is too big for them to eat or kill. That's just survival of the fittest. So a big human to a snake is more of a threat than anything else. With the exception of some very venomous, and yet very chill snakes, all of which are found in Australia and parts of Asia. So this fear people have, it mostly because of the unknown.

A good majority of venomous snakes build up venom over a few days, in order to kill their prey. So why would they waste venom trying to defend their territory too? Like rattlesnakes, who have the ability to ward of anyone invading their snakes, a good majority of North American venoms will first give you a warning, and then a dry bite, before using venom as a last resort. If they use venom, they are left vulnerable and unfed until they can build up their reserves.

there's also this rumor going around that all snakes, venomous or poisonous or none of the above, carry salmonella and other infectious agents, so they are dirty and unhealthy to be around humans. No clue what the origin of this is, but it helps to engage people's fears.

And the last thing I can think of is the concept of invasive species, which we read so much about in Florida. There is sooooo much mis-information about why there are so many burms out there in the swamps of Florida. A lot of people believe that reptile owners become bored of their pets, or their pets became too big, so they flushed them down the toilet, or let them loose out there, and "omg look at them eating all the local wildlife and messing everything up!". when in fact a colony of feral cats can effectively eradicate and even make endangered or instinct local wildlife more so than these snakes. Truth is, there was a huge hurricane that wiped out a breeding facility, and the snakes all got out. In reality, you'd be lucky to catch 1-2 burms in any given month out there in the wetlands, but the media perpetuates this myth that these guys are so invasive, that the American crocodile is all but extinct in that area, which simply isn't true.

Good luck with your project!!!!

[Catherine]

Thank you everyone so much for all the information. I will be using it to my advantage next Friday, as it is the end of the school quarter, and we get out at 12 30. So my ball python is out of her cage for the least amount of time possible. :)

[Catherine]

Thank you everyone so much for the information. I will use it to my advantage when I do my presentation. Also, it is next Friday, as we get out 12 30 that day. What should I do to keep my snake warm?

[Scubadiver59]

Someone mentioned disposable hand warming packs from an outdoors/sporting good store...they shouldn't get too hot; but you can put a barrier between snake and packs...something like a towel.

Thank you everyone so much for the information. I will use it to my advantage when I do my presentation. Also, it is next Friday, as we get out 12 30 that day. What should I do to keep my snake warm?

[Catherine]

Someone mentioned disposable hand warming packs from an outdoors/sporting good store...they shouldn't get too hot; but you can put a barrier between snake and packs...something like a towel.

Okay. Thanks

[regi375]

makes me want to do a presentation at my school...

[bigsnakegirl785]

Unless you've gotten written permission from the school, liability covered, and you either do not let any of the students touch the animal or you have them all sign papers, do not bring your snake to school. You could cause a whole lot of legal trouble for yourself if you do so without having everything squared away beforehand.

[Klinger]

I did a presentation yesterday and several people asked why the snakes don't bite. We talked about why other animals don't bite, and why people don't bite each other. Explain about why animals defend themselves, and possibly add the exception snakes(Some mambas) that actually are aggressive to keep the kids from going out and catching their own snakes.

Another topic that comes up a lot is the fear of snakes, and you could talk about how many people have irrational fears like heights, closed spaces, and spiders so those who do not like snakes understand it is ok to have different thoughts than other people, and everyone is is disturbed by something. I hope it goes well, and you and the students have a fun time!

[Catherine]

Unless you've gotten written permission from the school, liability covered, and you either do not let any of the students touch the animal or you have them all sign papers, do not bring your snake to school. You could cause a whole lot of legal trouble for yourself if you do so without having everything squared away beforehand.
I have already cleared it with the principal and vice-principal. Also the teacher I'm doingoing the presentation with. And I'm also bringing a paper for students to sign. Even though ball pythons are one of the more docile snakes. I'm also bringing stuff to use if she were to bite anyone. Thank you for your concern. But I've had my snake for 4 years and she's never bitten me or my 4 year old brother or ANYONE in my family when there's a party. So I'm not too worried about her attacking someone.

[Catherine]

I did a presentation yesterday and several people asked why the snakes don't bite. We talked about why other animals don't bite, and why people don't bite each other. Explain about why animals defend themselves, and possibly add the exception snakes(Some mambas) that actually are aggressive to keep the kids from going out and catching their own snakes.

Another topic that comes up a lot is the fear of snakes, and you could talk about how many people have irrational fears like heights, closed spaces, and spiders so those who do not like snakes understand it is ok to have different thoughts than other people, and everyone is is disturbed by something. I hope it goes well, and you and the students have a fun time!
Ah. Yes. I'll make sure to mention that. Thanks!

[bigsnakegirl785]

I have already cleared it with the principal and vice-principal. Also the teacher I'm doingoing the presentation with. And I'm also bringing a paper for students to sign. Even though ball pythons are one of the more docile snakes. I'm also bringing stuff to use if she were to bite anyone. Thank you for your concern. But I've had my snake for 4 years and she's never bitten me or my 4 year old brother or ANYONE in my family when there's a party. So I'm not too worried about her attacking someone.

That isn't the only worry. Some parents will worry about salmonella. Even though a healthy child should not get sick, especially if everyone sanitizes their hands, people will still worry about it.

I would make sure you have in writing that the school is allowing you to bring your animal, and have in writing that you are not liable if any damages are done from bringing the snakes. If all you have are signed papers from the parents saying their child can handle/be around the snake, then all you can be cleared on is the interactions with the other students. If the school decides to say they never said it was ok for you to bring the snake, legally they are right. Have everything in paper and signed, even if you're 100% sure the snake won't bite. Better to be safe than sorry.

[GyGbeetle]

That isn't the only worry. Some parents will worry about salmonella. Even though a healthy child should not get sick, especially if everyone sanitizes their hands, people will still worry about it.

I would make sure you have in writing that the school is allowing you to bring your animal, and have in writing that you are not liable if any damages are done from bringing the snakes. If all you have are signed papers from the parents saying their child can handle/be around the snake, then all you can be cleared on is the interactions with the other students. If the school decides to say they never said it was ok for you to bring the snake, legally they are right. Have everything in paper and signed, even if you're 100% sure the snake won't bite. Better to be safe than sorry.

BSG: working in the public school system formerly myself, and volunteering my time even to this day, what she has done is amply sufficient. Even if the snake does bite, she would not be liable according to legislation. The teacher merely needs to consent to the presentation in order for her rights to be protected as a minor. If this were college, that would be a different story.

[Andy_G]

Unless you've gotten written permission from the school, liability covered, and you either do not let any of the students touch the animal or you have them all sign papers, do not bring your snake to school. You could cause a whole lot of legal trouble for yourself if you do so without having everything squared away beforehand.


I did a presentation back in high school about my snakes in my biology class and brought some in, about 10 of them from what I remember (12 years ago!!!), ranging from baby corn snakes to adult carpet pythons. I didn't let anyone touch anything because of the slight chance of something happening and the only permission I needed was from my teacher. I find this to be the safest approach (hands off) without causing any issue. I feel that the issues mentioned in the above quote are worth noting even though we are much more relaxed about these issues up here (for now...).

[GyGbeetle]

I did a presentation back in high school about my snakes in my biology class and brought some in, about 10 of them from what I remember (12 years ago!!!), ranging from baby corn snakes to adult carpet pythons. I didn't let anyone touch anything because of the slight chance of something happening and the only permission I needed was from my teacher. I find this to be the safest approach (hands off) without causing any issue. I feel that the issues mentioned in the above quote are worth noting even though we are much more relaxed about these issues up here (for now...).

10 snakes! oh my goodness! Did you have a helper?

[Andy_G]

Nope. 10 snakes fit quite well in individual bags within a couple of shipping boxes and it was quite manageable. Just took 2 trips from the car.

[GyGbeetle]

I wish I trusted my kids to do something like this. I barely trust them taking their snakes out of their tanks.

[bigsnakegirl785]

BSG: working in the public school system formerly myself, and volunteering my time even to this day, what she has done is amply sufficient. Even if the snake does bite, she would not be liable according to legislation. The teacher merely needs to consent to the presentation in order for her rights to be protected as a minor. If this were college, that would be a different story.

Hmmm. That's possible. I was told by my councilors in high school that I'd have to have liability papers and all kinds of things to bring my snakes to class since I was a student and not a professional, and that because of that they couldn't allow me to bring them. I guess I just assumed that was across the board, I suppose it maybe depends on the school, and where you live. Or they were complaining about their need to have liability. Idk.

If they're all set to bring them to class, then everything sounds good, hopefully they'll change the minds of a few people (or solidify a love). A controlled, consenting environment like a pre-planned presentation is honestly our best way of educating the public, so I definitely 100% support a responsible presentation.

[Catherine]

Hmmm. That's possible. I was told by my councilors in high school that I'd have to have liability papers and all kinds of things to bring my snakes to class since I was a student and not a professional, and that because of that they couldn't allow me to bring them. I guess I just assumed that was across the board, I suppose it maybe depends on the school, and where you live. Or they were complaining about their need to have liability. Idk.

If they're all set to bring them to class, then everything sounds good, hopefully they'll change the minds of a few people (or solidify a love). A controlled, consenting environment like a pre-planned presentation is honestly our best way of educating the public, so I definitely 100% support a responsible presentation.

Thank you. Yes. I have been working on the PowerPoint for some time now. And I will never shove the snake in someone's face or have them be close to the snake without their consent. I will even have people move to the back of the classroom if they wish

[bigsnakegirl785]

Thank you. Yes. I have been working on the PowerPoint for some time now. And I will never shove the snake in someone's face or have them be close to the snake without their consent. I will even have people move to the back of the classroom if they wish

Exciting! It's definitely quite gracious of your school administration to allow you to bring your animal(s?) in for the presentation. Hands-on stuff always excites people more, and as mentioned earlier in the thread, a lot of people assume they're slimy. Which, oddly enough is one of the biggest reasons people fear them in my experience. Idk what it is about a slimy animal that puts them off so much?

[Catherine]

Exciting! It's definitely quite gracious of your school administration to allow you to bring your animal(s?) in for the presentation. Hands-on stuff always excites people more, and as mentioned earlier in the thread, a lot of people assume they're slimy. Which, oddly enough is one of the biggest reasons people fear them in my experience. Idk what it is about a slimy animal that puts them off so much?
I know right? What's so scary about a slimy thing? People are willing to touch slime. But not a slimy animal? People these days. Lol

[Klinger]

Someone mentioned disposable hand warming packs from an outdoors/sporting good store...they shouldn't get too hot; but you can put a barrier between snake and packs...something like a towel.


I'm the person who uses disposable hand warmers to transport snakes. If you do not put them in a towel or cloth bag, they will not work effectively at generating heat. You also have to make sure they(or the cloth) do not get wet, or they will stop working altogether. I recommend some home made drawstring bags, or just old socks to put them in.