Educational reptile shows and parties

Hello fellow herp enthusiasts. Yesterday, my aunt who works for a local large business informed me that the owner was wondering if I would be interested in doing reptile birthday parties. Obviously I want to, but I need some more ideas before I go talk to the owner. Here are my thoughts

Activities:

1)birthday parties (the original idea but I would want to do more)
2)feeding shows-have feedings of the snakes that people who want to are able to watch
3)Educational shows-hands on experience with the kids, have a bunch of different reptiles and teach the kids about each one and have the opportunity to handle them. The goal is to change people view on reptiles, mainly snakes
4) If we are able to get more reptiles and keep them there, hopefully we would be allowed to breed and teach people about it. The offspring would also be able to be sold

Animals:

albino burmese- i definitley want to have a big snake to show, and i believe that a burmese would be the best since they are calmer (slower) than retics. this is at the top of my list

red tail boa or other semi large- I want to have a semi large snake to show as well, and i have had a fascination with rtbs and other such snakes

tortoise- tortoises are cool and kids would love to see them

chameleon- colorful, my friend who would be assisting me might be getting one soon so that would cover it

iguana- nice sized lizard, very calm and a well known reptile

monitor- they already have an adult savannah there

ball pythons- my friend and i have a bunch. my favorite snake and great for kids

geckos- nice small lizards, calm and nice for kids to see

corn snake- friend has one

tarantula- some kids like spiders, adds variety

giant gecko-big awesome geckos. love how they look and how calm they are

beardies- friend has some, great lizard

tree boa- they are really cool looking, and also is there to show kids to not just pick up any snake they see, as SOME can be dangerous


any ideas are very much appreciated. I want to make it clear that I am in this for the reptiles, not too just buy stuff to show off. hopefully this goes well and we are able to do what we want

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2)feeding shows-have feedings of the snakes that people who want to are able to watch

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Worst idea ever unless of course you want animal's right activist to get wind of that, that would go over great. :rolleyes:

Think smart this hobby is under tremendous scrutiny what YOU do with your business reflect on all of us

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Worst idea ever unless of course you want animal's right activist to get wind of that, that would go over great. :rolleyes:

Think smart this hobby is under tremendous scrutiny what YOU do with your business reflect on all of us

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Its all part of nature. Everything needs to eat. What do people think snakes eat, chocolate cupcakes? (Not trying to sound like a jerk to you). Nobody would have to watch it. Viewer discretion is advised.


Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy snakes and that's pretty close

And i know how much the hobby is scrutinized. I really cant see how feedings that people can watch would affect this.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you need an exhibition permit to do these?
I'm interested in doing something like this as well whenever I get a chance.

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Originally Posted by pythonminion

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you need an exhibition permit to do these?
I'm interested in doing something like this as well whenever I get a chance.

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Not sure. I was just asked if I would be interested and started brainstorming some ideas. Id be working through another business


Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy snakes and that's pretty close

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Originally Posted by Yamitaifu

Its all part of nature.

And i know how much the hobby is scrutinized. I really cant see how feedings that people can watch would affect this.

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Then pull your head out from between your cheeks and look around you. If you go killing and feeding some cute little mouse to some awful slimy snake you WILL get publicity. Sympathy for the mouse and hatred for the snake.

You're not proposing anything new. Learn from the mistakes of others. Don't do ANY feedings, live or dead.

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Originally Posted by Yamitaifu

And i know how much the hobby is scrutinized. I really cant see how feedings that people can watch would affect this.

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If you can´t see how I am not sure that you are the right person for this type of business.

We need to be represented in a positive light, we don´t need anymore bad publicity.

Snakes eat rodents and people know that they don´t need to see it.

Shock value is nothing new but in this industry it´s the last thing WE need.

Again YOUR actions impact all of us, so think.



Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk

Ok ok people. Geez. As i said i know how much the hobby is under fire. I posted here to get ideas, peoples thoughts. "Friendliest online community" my butt. Ill take the feeding idea out. Now if anyone would like to be kind and give any positive thoughts theyd be greatly appreciated. If not, then don't keep hammering away at this one idea, because thats all it was, an idea, a thought.


Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy snakes and that's pretty close

You have a good start.

I volunteer at a nature center and care for the reptiles. Aside from birthday parties, they do school presentations, old folks homes, cub/boy scouts, and fundraisers.

A few things I've learned with watching a only part of one presentation:

- always have hand sanitizer and preach that after handling ANY animal, not just reptiles, you should cleanse your hands. Especially with kids.
- adults sometimes know less than 2 year-olds.
- let people touch, but not hold the animals.


ps-

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...I posted here to get ideas, peoples thoughts. "Friendliest online community" my butt...

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Not sure if this is sarcasm or not, but if you're gonna be a butt, you'll get treated like one. This is a very friendly community until a line is crossed.

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Originally Posted by Yamitaifu

Ok ok people. Geez. As i said i know how much the hobby is under fire. I posted here to get ideas, peoples thoughts. "Friendliest online community" my butt.

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My advice would be to grow up a little and learn to take constructive criticism.

In addition to the negative attention feeding would generate, do really want to transport an animal you just fed, all ever BFE? That's just not good husbandry, nor a good example.

If you want to feed something at a show, take a spineless cactus for the tortoise...

"If you want to feed something at a show, take a spineless cactus for the tortoise..."

I don't know about this slim. Tortoise eating can be very gruesome
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/ypynyzy5.jpg

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Originally Posted by interloc

Tortoise eating can be very gruesome

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:rofl::rofl::rofl:

First thing that came to mind when I saw that picture is, "REDRUM REDRUM"! :D

For "giant geckos", I'm assuming you meant Leachies. If so, then they are pretty chill and their husbandry isn't too bad. I wouldn't advise any large day geckos as their skin can be harmed if handled incorrectly.

I'd also advise against the chameleon.. Unless you find a VERY chill one. They stress easily and handling often isn't advised.

Other than that, I think your other snakes sound like good ideas. You might want to consider adding something flashy like a rainbow boa. Also, maybe something different like a sand boa of some sort. They are laid back and burrrow into the earth, which would be good to show kids (different environments, etc.). Plus, it would be pretty cool, as a kid, to see an "empty" tank with sand wheeled out then see someone dig a big sand boa out.

One thing you didn't mention is if these events would take place elsewhere (you would travel) or if the people would come to you. If they come to you, animals like the chameleon might work as that would be less stress on them... You could show the chameleon feeding on insects in that instance too.

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Originally Posted by Yamitaifu

Hello fellow herp enthusiasts. Yesterday, my aunt who works for a local large business informed me that the owner was wondering if I would be interested in doing reptile birthday parties. Obviously I want to, but I need some more ideas before I go talk to the owner. Here are my thoughts

Activities:

1)birthday parties (the original idea but I would want to do more)
2)feeding shows-have feedings of the snakes that people who want to are able to watch
3)Educational shows-hands on experience with the kids, have a bunch of different reptiles and teach the kids about each one and have the opportunity to handle them. The goal is to change people view on reptiles, mainly snakes
4) If we are able to get more reptiles and keep them there, hopefully we would be allowed to breed and teach people about it. The offspring would also be able to be sold

Animals:

albino burmese- i definitley want to have a big snake to show, and i believe that a burmese would be the best since they are calmer (slower) than retics. this is at the top of my list

red tail boa or other semi large- I want to have a semi large snake to show as well, and i have had a fascination with rtbs and other such snakes

tortoise- tortoises are cool and kids would love to see them

chameleon- colorful, my friend who would be assisting me might be getting one soon so that would cover it

iguana- nice sized lizard, very calm and a well known reptile

monitor- they already have an adult savannah there

ball pythons- my friend and i have a bunch. my favorite snake and great for kids

geckos- nice small lizards, calm and nice for kids to see

corn snake- friend has one

tarantula- some kids like spiders, adds variety

giant gecko-big awesome geckos. love how they look and how calm they are

beardies- friend has some, great lizard

tree boa- they are really cool looking, and also is there to show kids to not just pick up any snake they see, as SOME can be dangerous


any ideas are very much appreciated. I want to make it clear that I am in this for the reptiles, not too just buy stuff to show off. hopefully this goes well and we are able to do what we want

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How many of these animals do you currently keep?

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Originally Posted by Yamitaifu

iguana- nice sized lizard, very calm and a well known reptile

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Either you are talking about spiny tailed iguana's, or you have a much different experience with giant green's then I do.
They are one of the largest lizards on the planet. And can be one of the most aggressive. I've seen some nasty injuries over the years inflicted by them, and can tell you from personal experience that being whipped by a large one is very painful. I'd be very careful about displaying one of them around children.

Browsing through and saw this thread. I own Roaming Reptiles and we do educational shows (30-40) a month. We Never feed our animals during the shows. For one its not something everyone wants to see. Second that would be very stressful on the animal. You want to be entertaining but also be about education. Talk about where the animal is from, find funny facts about them.

By giant gecko i did mean leachie. I like the idea about the sand boa. These events would be mainly at a set place unless for some reason we would have to go out somewhere. Thats where my idea for feedings came in. It would have been at their home enclosure and not have been transported ( but that has been taken off the list).

Between my buddy and I we have kept over half the listed animals and are always wanting to learn about and care for a new species

I must have had a different experience with iguanas. All the ones ive been around have been calm




Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy snakes and that's pretty close

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Originally Posted by Yamitaifu

I must have had a different experience with iguanas. All the ones ive been around have been calm




Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy snakes and that's pretty close

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Have you had one out in a crowd? Being touched by twenty kids when a balloon pops or a dog runs into the room? How about if you're outside? What if a horn blows or an umbrella gets upended? Then of course there's the outside dog to come running by barking his head off.

Go see some shows and learn from those that already do it.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

Have you had one out in a crowd? Being touched by twenty kids when a balloon pops or a dog runs into the room? How about if you're outside? What if a horn blows or an umbrella gets upended? Then of course there's the outside dog to come running by barking his head off.

Go see some shows and learn from those that already do it.

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We go to peoples houses for shows all the time. First thing I ask is if they have a dog. If they do I let them know that they need to put it in a room away from the show. I agree it would be best if you can go see a show first. Some people think they can do it and then when the time comes and they get in front of a few hundred and sometimes thousand people it becomes a different ball game.

I have been to a couple. If i would have to go somewhere else I would make sure that the dog/cat/god nows what would be kept in a seperate room away from the animals. Being in front of people doesnt bother me. Im fine talking and this is a subject that I could go on for hours about.


Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy snakes and that's pretty close

A blue tongue skink might be a replacement for the iguana if temperament is in doubt. I know BTS don't get as big as an iguana, but for handling, they are calmer and have relatively easy husbandry.