Club at school

[tickyyy]

Next year I'm starting a reptile club where I will inform people on why reptiles aren't scary or bad (for the most part, some are pretty scary lol). I'm starting with snakes and debunking stereotypes and hopefully by next year I'll have my baby boa. Should I use a different snake such as a garter or corn to show people after school and work my way up? (I live 10 min away from my school so I won't have to bring them to school, ik that can stress them out a bunch ). I'm also thinking of doing some field herping since our school is on the WSU Vancouver campus (it's really cool and there's lot's of wildlife), any tips for finding herps in the forest/tall grass? Thanks I'm preparing lessons and activities this summer so people won't get bored while learning at my club.

[Bogertophis]

A "club" suggests that others may also have herps to share...why not invite that? But personally, I wouldn't just invite a bunch of strangers* to my house to do
this...I'd do this an another location like at school. Sometimes libraries like to sponsor this sort of activity too, as it's very educational...you might ask? *While
MOST ppl can be trusted, there are some who cannot. I'll never forget that years ago, while a locally-well-known snake keeper was away at the scheduled herp
meeting, his home was broken into & valuable snakes were stolen from him, since they KNEW where he'd be & for how long. Better to maintain your privacy.

When I've taken my snakes either for formal programs or up-close "meet & greet" events, I only take snakes that I've had a while, so that they know & trust me;
that trust has carried over well under unfamiliar circumstances, with no bad behavior what-so-ever...something you want to think about before attempting this.
You might first try advertising that you'd like to start a reptile club & see if others would partake...not just to come & learn about yours, but some may also be
keepers. Good luck with this...hope you succeed & keep us posted. A variety of snakes is helpful...many ppl feel more comfortable meeting a small snake, but I've
also met people who prefer the bigger ones "because they move slower".

No particular advice for seeing snakes in the wild...much is luck. I was just in my back yard & met up with my resident garter snake. I have lots of ground
cover (vinca vines, ivy, trees & groups of flowers) & it's perfect habitat. I also love seeing toads around. Do watch your steps...

[Reinz]

I agree with Bogie about advertising first to get a feel for any interest. Talk to the science and biology teachers about bringing it up to their students, and possibly writing information on the corner of the chalkboard.

I guess school newspapers are a thing of the past now and now it’s electronic school newsletters? (Yeah, I’m showing my age) If so, I would think advertising would be free for school clubs.

As far as field herping; as Bogie said it’s mostly luck, and also how good are your eyes. Personally, I’m against turning rocks and logs over because those are homes to various creatures. You wouldn’t want anyone kicking your door in or ripping the roof off of your house.

Don’t be discouraged if it’s a slow go at first, most clubs are. I think it’s a great idea.

Best

[tickyyy]

I guess school newspapers are a thing of the past now

We actually have a school newspaper with a dispenser (that broke), it's called THE RAVEN. I'll talk to my biology teacher about talking to the freshman and his homeroom students next year about this, maybe even at our new school (we getting a new building) we can have a class pet like a snake, I'll make sure the snake is well taken care of lol

[tickyyy]

Okay I'll be running this club for a couple years, so I'll wait and get a cornsnake or sum for show. I overall just wanna inform people about reptiles cause I know people who kill snake cause they're scared of them and misinformed

[Reinz]

A corn snake should be a good choice, very forgiving on husbandry.

My Biology teacher in 8th grade had a Boa in the classroom. It was in a tank up front close to the teacher’s desk. From what I remember, it was in the 4-5 foot range. Back then, it was truly an exotic snake that was expensive.


I’m going way back, we had no air conditioning in our schools then (showing my age again). There was no heat lamp or thought of humidity regulation. Nowadays it would be treated as animal abuse. Naturally the teacher took the Boa home for the summer.

On some weekends me and my buddy, Steve Oxley would take our shotguns to the field to hunt birds for the Boa; primarily Meadow Larks and Sparrows. My Mother was really upset with me for storing birds in her freezer until Monday. But she knew I would do most anything for the care of an animal.

Current day, needless to say, Mom is not surprised that MY rat freezer will house overflow groceries these days.

[Bogertophis]

Be careful about the "class pet" idea...it only takes one sick mind to do harm when no one's looking, & snakes are still widely hated. Don't expect to change
ALL the minds you come across, just do the best you can.

[Reinz]

Be careful about the "class pet" idea...it only takes one sick mind to do harm when no one's looking, & snakes are still widely hated. Don't expect to change
ALL the minds you come across, just do the best you can.

Good point!

For the safety of the snake, a non tank enclosure; i.e., PVC or wood, would be best. With locks on the door of course. This may cost more than what you were planning.

[Bogertophis]

Good point!

For the safety of the snake, a non tank enclosure; i.e., PVC or wood, would be best. With locks on the door of course. This may cost more than what you were planning.

Even so, think of all the hours that no one is around: nights, weekends, holidays...so if something goes wrong like a power-failure, any animals left there are way too
vulnerable, IMO. It's far too easy to forget that even if nothing is wrong at home, conditions may be very different in that empty school. I'd much rather see snakes
transported & shown for special occasions only, not left in residence (at a school). And I guarantee you that in any given class, there may be at least one fearful and
resentful person about the constant presence of a snake...such a person may one day decide to "do" something about it.

[Reinz]

Even so, think of all the hours that no one is around: nights, weekends, holidays...so if something goes wrong like a power-failure, any animals left there are way too
vulnerable, IMO. It's far too easy to forget that even if nothing is wrong at home, conditions may be very different in that empty school. I'd much rather see snakes
transported & shown for special occasions only, not left in residence (at a school). And I guarantee you that in any given class, there may be at least one fearful and
resentful person about the constant presence of a snake...such a person may one day decide to "do" something about it.

You make quite a compelling argument and I must agree with you.