Thinking about bringing my snake to class

[Skyhawk]

I have a 1 year old ball python and I'm taking a public speaking class in college. I have to give a speech in a couple weeks and the professor said that I can bring my python as a visual aid if I talk about snakes. Is this a good idea? What's the best way to transport Fifi (my python)? I'm one of the last people scheduled to present, should I be concerned that she might get too cold since the class is about an hour long? My talk will be about 5 minutes. Is there anything else I need to consider? If anyone has done something similar I'd love to hear about their experience.

[Kodieh]

Well, my only objection to this actually has to do with the material in a public speaking course.

When I took Speech, I thought about the very same thing. However, in the material it talks about distractions. People might be too distracted by the snake to actually focus on what you are saying.

A good alternative is to, if you are allowed or required, create a power point and take pictures of your snake and put those pictures in the slide. That way, your animal is on display but people are also no distracted.

You can also cite yourself for the pictures in the power point.

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[Skyhawk]

I hadn't thought about people being distracted by her. That's a good point.

[Kodieh]

That's at least what my speech professor said. But she also said I that if I had a way to store the snake and only have it out some times or for key examples that that would be good as well.

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[Tarzan152]

I agree with the Power Point deal. Simpler, no transporting needed and you will remain the focus of the speech. I used to be in Toastmasters (non-profit public speaking class). Have fun..

[Eazyyyb]

you could always have him/her in a small pet carrier, do your speech, and then show him at the end?

[Skyhawk]

I'll ask the professor if she thinks it might be better to do a PowerPoint, but she seemed to think that a real snake would make a good visual aid. I have seen a guy give a really good presentation using live snakes at a zoo. But I could see how it might be better to just use pictures. We also get bonus points for having a really attention getting introduction. If I do bring my snake I probably won't have her out the whole time.