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Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Here are some pictures of my 7 year old niece, Meghan, who adores my reptiles.
Shayna, the albino spider BP is her favorite, as yellow is her favorite color (and they have known each other since Meghan was 2). Behira (Ghost BCI) is now a close second and Meghan cannot wait until she gets "HUGE!"
I was literally a foot or two away when she handled the snakes and Frank, and she is getting good at redirecting them herself or with my prompting.
I think it's very important to educate and expose youngsters to reptiles and let them grow up curious and interested, instead of scared or nervous.
Please post pictures of your kids, friends kids, nieces, nephews, etc. with reptiles!
Without further ado, here's Meghan!
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Nice to see your niece relaxed with the snakes,she looks like she’s having fun with them
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I'm also happy to see kids with reptiles. Too many people are taught to fear snakes when they only need to be educated on which ones to avoid and so on.
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I love seeing kids bonding with animals, especially pets. It brings joy to my heart. That bond and interaction teaches kids so much about life and character building.
I feel sorry for kids that are not allowed to have a pet. I think it is selfish of parents that forbid animals.
Reptiles can take a person to a new level in appreciation of life with a deeper understanding that haters and fear mongers just don’t get. For that reason, I really enjoy seeing kids with snakes.
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
My niece (Meghan) and nephew (Christopher) came over today and got to spend some time with the reptiles.
Christopher usually gets bored quick and is off to do something else, but today he was curious and spent about 45 minutes with me and Megan and met everyone.
Here are some pictures. Meghan was amazing with the reptiles, as always, but is getting more and more confident handling them without assistance (I am never more than a foot or two away). She even said today that, "Behira is my favorite now. She's going to be really big and I can't wait." I asked her if she was scared and she said no, that Behira is really nice. She asked if people who were scared thought she would bite them and it scared them more when she was bigger. I told her that was a big concern for people who were afraid of snakes. She's spent time with Shayna since before she was 2 years old and doesn't seem to get people being afraid, but she understands how they could be.
Christoper did really well and even held Behira and Figment's tails while I held the rest of their bodies.
My favorite picture is Christopher with the look of pure glee on his faces as Behira, wrapped around his arm, began slithering more towards my outstretched hand and arm. He really enjoyed the reptiles this time. Makes me happy.
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
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Those are fantastic photos- you're a very good influence! :gj: It tickles me how you keep saying you're never more than a foot or so away, & I understand
why you're doing that...but how many people say such things when their kids play with their dogs or cats? And we all know which pets pose the greater
risks...but if we all keep up the education, maybe some day people won't think anything more of close encounters with reptiles than they currently do when
it's a "traditional" pet (dog or cat) that kids are handling.
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Those are fantastic photos- you're a very good influence! :gj: It tickles me how you keep saying you're never more than a foot or so away, & I understand
why you're doing that...but how many people say such things when their kids play with their dogs or cats? And we all know which pets pose the greater
risks...but if we all keep up the education, maybe some day people won't think anything more of close encounters with reptiles than they currently do when
it's a "traditional" pet (dog or cat) that kids are handling.
LOL. More worried about the kids hurting the reptiles. Hence being a foot or two away.
They were very good with them though.
Well written post.
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Those are fantastic photos- you're a very good influence! :gj: It tickles me how you keep saying you're never more than a foot or so away, & I understand
why you're doing that...but how many people say such things when their kids play with their dogs or cats? And we all know which pets pose the greater
risks...but if we all keep up the education, maybe some day people won't think anything more of close encounters with reptiles than they currently do when
it's a "traditional" pet (dog or cat) that kids are handling.
I’ve been trying to say that to almost EVERYONE that says “but they’re going to grow up and kill you!” [emoji19] all I simply state is that you have a higher chance of being struck my lighting TWICE
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Great pics as usual dakski
Love to see kids enjoying some snake time,
Yes Christopher really looks happy with himself with behira
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
A) Dakski, awesome pics and update!!! Seeing how well you are teaching them is really cool. Great work spreading the live for reptiles to the next generation!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Those are fantastic photos- you're a very good influence! :gj: It tickles me how you keep saying you're never more than a foot or so away, & I understand
why you're doing that...but how many people say such things when their kids play with their dogs or cats? And we all know which pets pose the greater
risks...but if we all keep up the education, maybe some day people won't think anything more of close encounters with reptiles than they currently do when
it's a "traditional" pet (dog or cat) that kids are handling.
Great reply, very well said.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dakski
LOL. More worried about the kids hurting the reptiles. Hence being a foot or two away.
So funny you say that!! My brother had my BP out yesterday and my father's girlfriend was holding him. As always, I was never more than a few feet away, watching every move.
Well I had to run inside to get some food going so quietly pulled my brother aside and said "keep an eye on Tyson".
And he said "Cheryl has him, she's comfortable with him" to which I replied "I'm not worried about her, but that's my boy in her hands!!!"
Hahahaha! I wasn't worried at all about him biting or anything, his well being was my concern!! My snakes are either locked safely in their enclosures, or if they're out I'm right there with them.
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by craigafrechette
So funny you say that!! My brother had my BP out yesterday and my father's girlfriend was holding him. As always, I was never more than a few feet away, watching every move.
Well I had to run inside to get some food going so quietly pulled my brother aside and said "keep an eye on Tyson".
And he said "Cheryl has him, she's comfortable with him" to which I replied "I'm not worried about her, but that's my boy in her hands!!!"
Hahahaha! I wasn't worried at all about him biting or anything, his well being was my concern!! My snakes are either locked safely in their enclosures, or if they're out I'm right there with them.
I am always prepared to take the hit or protect my animals when letting others hold them or even pet them. I do education first then stay right there looking out for them. First thing someone always wants to do is put Rainbow around their neck. I try to discourage the practice in general. Not that she would intentionally hurt them but that she will grow much larger and could eventually hurt someone doing this. Technique and no-go zones are always discussed before hand as well as not grabbing and just guiding them where to go.
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyrivers
I am always prepared to take the hit or protect my animals when letting others hold them or even pet them. I do education first then stay right there looking out for them. First thing someone always wants to do is put Rainbow around their neck. I try to discourage the practice in general. Not that she would intentionally hurt them but that she will grow much larger and could eventually hurt someone doing this. Technique and no-go zones are always discussed before hand as well as not grabbing and just guiding them where to go.
Yeah, i always go over proper handling and do/donts before letting anybody new handle or pet them.
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by craigafrechette
Yeah, i always go over proper handling and do/donts before letting anybody new handle or pet them.
Absolute must! With anyone, any age, etc.
The kids know the rules and last time Christopher didn't get to pet the snakes and was removed from the reptile area because he wanted to jump around instead of be respectful and calm with the animals.
He didn't want a repeat and was on very good behavior yesterday.
I draw very strict, but fair, boundaries for the kids. They are communicated well and we do not approach an activity until they can explain/articulate what the rules are back to me. That's overall, this allows for a level of trust with the reptiles, because they know that is a zero tolerance zone.
I think explaining the "rules/guidelines" for handling the reptiles, especially for people new to them, gives them a level of comfort as well as protects the animals.
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Had Christopher and Meghan over today again. They spent some more time with the reptiles. Meghan is growing into a good reptile handler at almost 8 years old. She's been viewing and touching my reptile collection since she was 2 1/2 years old. At 6-7 she was allowed to help hold and then hold on her own with close supervision. She demonstrates a natural ability to support the reptiles and gently redirect them, when necessary. Christopher, who turns 5 in September, has begun wanting to hold and touch more, but always with me or Katie holding also, or completely.
Below are some pictures with Shayna (BP) and Figment (adult corn), both of whom Meghan has watched grow up from babies, as she has grown from one herself.
We had Frank out briefly, but I didn't take pictures, and took Behira out for about a minute as well. Meghan loves Behira and can't wait until she's grown and a gentle giant, but Behira is going to shed any day now, and I didn't want to handle her too much. I took her out, gently sprayed warm water in her tank to slightly raise humidity, and then put her back.
The kids also met Solana today. She blew Meghan's mind. Meghan was 3 when I got Figment and he was 9G, and she was too young to remember, and I wouldn't let a 3 year old handle a baby corn anyway. Meghan thought Solana was beautiful and so tiny! Katie and I held Solana and Meghan got to gently touch her and then hold her with us. In other words, we held her, and Meghan had her hand out with ours, so Solana got to slither a little on her hand and through her fingers, while we supported her 90%+. She's really taking to being handled and is getting quite docile and calm. We told Meghan that Solana really liked her. Meghan said, "Really? Already? She just met me!" We told her that she helped Solana feel safe and not scared and that she was comfortable with Meghan helping hold her. Meghan then proceeded to tell Solana, "I'm your friend Meghan. We are going to be friends for a long time." So cute!
I love seeing the kids embrace the reptiles and truly enjoy them. It's awesome. Additionally, this was the first time Katie directly interacted with the kids and the reptiles. Katie did fantastic as well, both as reptile handler and as "teacher." It was great to see her interacting so well with Meghan and Christopher (who I've know their entire lives, but who've only known Katie for 2 years), but also amazing to see her so calm, confident, and happy interacting with the reptiles as well.
Without further ado. Pictures.
[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/gWSgv0E.jpg[/IMG]
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Great pics as usual, looks like Megan will be wanting her own reptiles when she's older, nice to see her mum enjoying them too
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardhind1972
Great pics as usual, looks like Megan will be wanting her own reptiles when she's older, nice to see her mum enjoying them too
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Thanks Richard.
Meghan really wanted to see the baby snake, Solana. However, Solana is on quarantine still, so she had to be last. Also, I have 8 reptiles now, so it takes a while to show them all off. Meghan started getting anxious to see Solana about half way through. She was a good sport though.
When we told her that I had 8 reptiles, and asked how many she wanted, she said, "100!" We will see. She really is very good with them; better than I would have been at that age. However, enjoying handling them and caring for them are not equal :). We will see what interests she has and what she wants as she grows. I am pretty sure pets, and probably reptiles, will be at the top of her list. She adores the dogs as well.
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Meghan went with me to the local reptile store today.
She got to hold a Super Mojave baby male BP, about 150G, and really enjoyed the shop.
I showed her a big female BCI they have breeding there, probably 20+ pounds easy. She said, "I can't wait until Behira is that big!"
My mom called while we were in the car home and I told her what Meghan said. She asked if Meghan was afraid of anything? Meghan said, "Spiders, wolves, and bears; large meat eaters. Oh, and dinosaurs, especially tyrannosaurus rex!"
So there you have it.
No wolves, bears, spiders, or T-rex's at Uncle Dave's house. Too bad, I was really hoping to add a Dwarf T-Rex to my collection :).
Here's Meghan in the shop and with the Super Mojave (who, I should add, Meghan suggested be named "Scaley").
[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/IeOa5Lq.jpg[/IMG]
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Meghan always looks like she enjoys her self so much with your snakes dave, really good to see her interacting with them the way she does.
I think it's so important for kids to learn about different animals there care etc, makes the world a nicer place for them to grow up in with a bit more understanding about different animals needs.i think the kids get that feel good factor too
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
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She's becoming quite the snake-model. :D
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
This is my 4 year old holding one of my buddies young retics with some help of course. She absolutely loves all the snakes I have!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...09a10cc203.jpg
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Slight tangent but occasionally when someone finds out that I keep snakes .. this is the photo they’ve shown me ... it must be infamous .
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
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Originally Posted by Zincubus
I can understand why people have some concern with that one...:rolleyes: -even though the kid looks pretty comfortable.
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
Alyza my 8yo holding one of her favorites, a pastel desert ghost. She's a pretty big girl at over 3000g but excellent with my girls and no problem for Alyza, my 5yo needs a bit of help with the big girls lol. But they both love handling everything from the 100g hatchlings to the big girls like this one. I love having a hobby/love of animals that I can share with my kids, makes for really great bonding imo.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...370a5e7596.jpg
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
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Re: Kids with Reptiles - Picture Thread
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