Loki met my neighbor's son...

I went outside earlier to ask my dad a question while he was cleaning the pool. However, he was speaking with our neighbor over the fence. I had Loki with me just because I felt like holding him, and had no reason to put him up for a quick outside excursion.

When my dad finished talkin with our neighbor, he looked at me and said "Nice snake." I politely told him thanks, and he asked me if I minded going over to show his 4yr old son.

I thought about it, Loki's gentle, hasn't struck at or bit anyone as far as I know, and hissed at me once the first night I got him home because I hit his hide... So, I decided, ah what the heck, sure.

Brought Loki over, and his son was a bit intimidated by him... I showed him I could wrap him around my neck and I could hold him, and told him he's a nice snake that hasn't biten anyone that I'm aware of. I asked him if he wanted to put Loki around his shoulders, he told me "No, I want Daddy to though!" So, I let his dad put him around his neck after seein it was OK with him.

After that, I just talked with my neighbors, getting to know them and all, and when I was going back in to put Loki away, I walked to my dad, my neighbor, and his son, and said "Ok, I'm going to put Loki away now, you wanna pet him again?" He just said ok, I asked him if he wanted to put Loki on his shoulder, insuring I'd control his head so he wouldn't be afraid, and to my surprise, he said ok :D

I'm seriously thinking that if I were to ever get into educational things with snakes, I'll use Loki. He's fine with my 4yr old nephew and 2yr old niece petting him and being on their shoulders (I hold his tail and neck for his safety)

The added benefit, was Loki got to be outside, which while, it was VERY humid and almost uncomfortable, I'm sure it felt perfect for him. My neighbors were amazed that Loki just sat in my hands, or around my neck or on one shoulder, just flicking his tounge, with the occasional periscoping.

I made sure to explain to the little boy, that while this snake was cool and you could hold him, that he shouldn't go up to "outside" snakes and should just leave them be, because they may not be as nice as Loki, and could hurt him. I did that just as precaution because, I know, if my parents told me "No snakes, at all" then someone let me pet theirs at his age, I'd be thinking "Mom and Dad are sooo wrong, I can hold ANY snake!"

Sorry for no pics... I would have loved to get some, but I wanted to have one hand on Loki and one free at all times, just in case I needed to adjust him or something... and sadly, I only have two arms :( And I just realized this is a ridiculously long post... Sorry, I'm a talker and a typer :P

That's nice! Family and friends kids come visit our collection all the time.