Possible Career?

I have always loved showing off my animals and always liked working with kids, is there a way to combined theese two and make a career out of it? My mother works at a private school and once a year I always bring a snake or two to show and talk with the kids about them. So I know I enjoy the two together but is there money to be made at this? What would I need to do to get started? what animals are great and what animals are " no nos"? What are locations I could do this other than schools? Any help advice or thoughts are much appreciated!

There are people who do similar things. In the Tampa Bay area (Florida) there is a nature park with an educational center. they have a few people on staff full time that take care of the animals (mostly reptiles) and do presentations both at the nature center and in schools.

As for there being money in it? I'm not sure. I know that the people who work there full time are doing ok and at least one of them was a single mom. But besides that I couldn't say.

You can also advertise to do reptile parties for kids. Awhile back I was doing this and its a lot of fun. However there isnt a ton of money to be made unless you constantly are having events but it usually is enough to only pay for the food of the animals.
Animals that are easy going and are not going to want to constantly be moving. Bearded dragons, ball pythons, boas, tortoises, rosehair tarantulas, emperor scorpions, chameleons (on display),...etc all make really good show off animals.

I have also thought about doing this. I love getting people into reptiles, they are so misunderstood. My wife is a teacher and she has me bring some of our snakes in to show the kids. Right now I am trying to put together a little presentation to make it more interesting for them. Also, I have thought about contacting other schools or groups and offering my time just to see how it would go.

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Originally Posted by ChrisS

What are locations I could do this other than schools?

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Hospitals. Maybe the local library? It would be cool to set up like a snake week or something.:snake:

Bringing reptiles into a hospital to visit sick kids seems like a good idea. I know people sometimes bring in dogs and id consider dogs to be dirtier and more of a risk than a snake. Most kids arent deathly afraid of snakes so taking them into the pediatrics unit may be possible....
My local library did a reptile event sorta things where kids could hold them. My stepmom took my little brother and he loved it! It went over very well and even some of the more leery parents were touchy the animals towards the end!

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Originally Posted by mikel81

I have also thought about doing this. I love getting people into reptiles, they are so misunderstood. My wife is a teacher and she has me bring some of our snakes in to show the kids. Right now I am trying to put together a little presentation to make it more interesting for them. Also, I have thought about contacting other schools or groups and offering my time just to see how it would go.


I'd be interested to know how the presentation goes.

Hospitals. Maybe the local library? It would be cool to set up like a snake week or something.:snake:

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I've also thought about checking with my local library.
Thanks