snakes and kids

I was thinking about establishing rules for the animals in my house, and instead of 'just don't touch'. I remembered a post from awhile ago where Jeanne mentioned posting rules about her animals. Anyway, since I have started having neighborhood kids coming into the house I thought this would be an excellent idea. Jeanne would you be willing to lend me your bp rulesheet? Anyone else have any ideas on what would be essential rules and interesting facts I could use? All help welcome!!! (even if it's just a format idea :D )

I would say rule no 1 is no touching the snake without you there!

2) do not touch head/neck

3)no trying to grab/touch the tongue! (you'd be surprised at the number of kids who try to do this when I'm at work holding the snake)

4)keep a close eye on the little kids. Many want to pinch the snake.

I agree with shelby, I have a 4 y/o and all her friends love to see my stuff and I have to lay down some ground rules much like what shelby just wrote, but I also add
no fast movements
everybody must wash their hands before and after.

Yeah I had handwashing before and after, and no fast movements. I never thought to worry about the tongue and pinching. I never have to worry about my kids, they pretty much leave them along (for now). It's the neighborhood kids and other assorted friends that I worry about. So far no problems, but I like to stay ahead of the game if I can. Thanks so much you guys!!!

Make sure they don't stick their fingers in their mouth after petting the snake too.

Yeah I'm a stickler for the handwashing. I even keep antibacterial lotion by the cage if I don't think they'll make it to the sink before touching something. I'm a freak ... I know it. I completely freaked out my husband's coworker!! Apparently he would not have entered my house if he knew I'd had a snake. Cool ... no Christmas parties at my house!!!!

Hehe.. yes I'm the anal retentive type with the handwashing thing. 'Cept for me, it's for the snake's sake more than mine. 30 seconds scrub scrub with hot water and antibacterial soap before touching ANY snake at ANY time. No exceptions!

Freaks my friends out.

Great to read this thread Christie! Good for you! Mike and I really like to get our kids (ages 17-4) involved in all aspects of our pet's care (other than Mikey the 4 year old does not witness the snake feeding as he doesn't understand the difference between a feeder mouse and our pet rats yet).

We've found over the years and the kid's, that funny enough they need to be told that animals feel things. That they hurt just like we do and can feel pleasure from touch or a nice clean home or good food and clean water, just like people do (simplistic concept for a small child). That they need to be left alone sometimes just like people do. This has been a huge help in the kid's understanding that the animal has limits and is not some sort of glorified toy.

Also the concept that caged pets are "stuck" and that it isn't much fun being stuck in an enclosure if nobody gives you good care and reasonable attention. They wouldn't much like being stuck in their room with no tv or x-box or snacks and drinks, so it isn't fair that any of our family pets be left like that. They can relate to that concept and learn to respect the animals needs must be met every day.

As far as house rules we keep it simple.....no caged pets out w/o permission and supervision if taking the pet out around a visiting friend (kids tend to show off and pets can get hurt/lost also a great time for parents to educate the friends)....hand washing of course....no face licking by anything that can lick it's own butt....specific to the snake....all kids must be seated while handling the snake so they can't possibly drop it if it squirmed or nipped them....no sudden hand movements especially around the head area....when returning the snake a parent must double check the enclosure is clipped down properly....if something comes up you deal with the pet first and make sure it's put away safely BEFORE running to gab on the phone with a friend (important for the 2 teens LOL).

We just make it simple and straightforward. If the kids don't wish to comply, they don't play with the pets for a few days. Around here getting to feed the BP is a major deal, so they all want to be in the "good books" by feeding day LOL.


~~Jo~~

Here's something I tried w/my niece the first time she pet my snake, & also something we saw when we visited a local museum "mystery animal show" (where we got to pet a snake):

The "two finger rule"; the child can only pet the snake/lizard/etc with two fingers only, & of course no fast movements, etc.

Seems to work pretty well, & she was good about it too.

:)

I like the two finger rule! That's a definite addition to the list! Thanks!!!! :D

Never let a kid put the snake back in the cage.. I lost a corn snake when I was a kid because I let one of my friends put the lid back on the cage.. wasn't latched right.

I'm really wanting to oust my kids from one of their rooms and make them share so I can lock my snakes in!!! How sad it that!

I don't know about anyone else's kids but a "hands off" rule around my house just seems to make our kids more determined to touch something (and generally behind my back LOL).

We find the more we involve and educate our kids and their friends the better it goes. We have had to work with our youngest as he tends to want to pat the snake like he would a puppy or a kitten...so we just explained in simple words that puppies like to be touched like a puppy but snakes like to be touched like snakes and showed him the difference. Sometimes stating the obvious is best with the little folk LOL.

~~Jo~~

the only rule we have is that my wife or i must be in the room with the kids. if one of us is there, there should not be any major problems.

we do have to watch out for this one alot though! (you to adam)
http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...9/DSCN0056.JPG



vaughn

Awww what a cute pic!

We have one like that....our second daughter (who is now 11) was one of those "I'm gonna luv you and hug you and squeeze you!" type of girls when she was younger. Our dog and two cats would literally get up and leave any room she entered like a well trained drill team LOL. She actually got hold of our female cat and painted her whiskers with red marker (thank gawd it was a kid safe type marker) becuase "it made kitty pretty like lipstick"! Can't believe that silly cat was that good natured to put up with that.

I like that 2 finger rule btw. We'll start that with our youngest when he handles the snakes.


~~Joanna~~

Just for fun, one of these days we'll have to team her up with my son and watch the chaos that follows!!! :D

Nice cart!!! ;)

-adam

thanks guys, sounds like fun adam. the kids would have a blast, hope the snakes don't mind! lol. that cart is awesome, cleaning tubs is easier and it makes for a good platform to take pics on and hold the lights.


vaughn

Holy crap, thats like a mini-younger-female vaughn impersonator!!

Here is a question kind of off topic, but in the same family... Do snakes really enjoy being petted and rubbed? Seems they would, but do we have any evidence that they actually like it? I am just curious considering I am in the middle of my "No touchey for a week or two" stage with the new little Loki, I can't find out for myself. THis is not real big deal but I was wondering, You know one of them things that makes you go HMMMMMMMMMM?

Cheers
Ray

Snakes tolerate handling. I wouldn't say they 'like' it. Some snakes definitely do NOT like it. Depends on the animal, but snakes are not social animals, so affection is meaningless to them.

Oh Vaughn, your daughter is absolutely adorable. How old is she? She looks like she's got snake handling down! :aww:

Baby seems to "enjoy" a firm stroke under her chin/upper neck area as she sort of pushes back and forth against our finger. Assuming she's doing this out of some want to do it as she is quite free to move away. I wouldn't say she enjoys it but it must fulfill some tactile need as it's a common occurrence with her when we handle her daily.

I figure as long as we are gentle and slow and don't overhandle either of the snakes and they aren't reacting with obvious aggression or fear, then it's probably alright for the snake and very great for us.


~~Jo~~

she's the little one at 3yrs. old. that was a good one brad! lol she is a good mix of her mother and me.(it's a good thing she doesn't look too much like me)


vaughn