Just need to rant

[Bo 17]

This is kinda random. So I’m sitting in Spanish class today and we’re taking notes on endangered species and our teacher told us to write in our notes that dolphins, porpoises, and whales are FISH!!?! He also said that snakes and turtles were amphibians because they “live in water”. It annoys me so much how clueless people can be. This is probably why I can’t bring myself to go into the reptile house at the zoo anymore and here all the parents telling their kids about the lizards and amphibians(actually snakes). My BP and I are disappointed in society.

[Bogertophis]

Wow, that's really ignorant, & I agree...very sad! I think I'd have had to bring forth an opposing "viewpoint"- but I know that can be intimidating when a teacher controls your grade & such.

But I'd have no such trouble at the zoo, lol. That's why we all just have to keep being a "voice" for these creatures. Education works, even when it seems there is so much misinformation to overcome, it's worth the battle, I promise.

I've been giving programs (some formal, & others informal "meet & greets") with my snakes for many years. Nothing makes me happier than seeing people of all ages (yes, even "set in their ways" older adults) actually learn about snakes, & many of them find themselves enthralled with a chance to actually touch them (& "survive" LOL)- something "they NEVER thought they'd ever in their life do, much less enjoy"! That opens the door to learning for so many because it starts the conversation.

So don't give up & if you have enough experience & one or more calm snakes, you might want to share them, along with a little more information. Your Spanish teacher would not appreciate being called out on his ignorance in front of the class, but you might try a quiet moment after class. With the right approach, he just might go home & look up what you tell him & find out you know what you're talking about...and that you're only trying to save him from future embarrassment.

[nikkubus]

I had a really hard time in grade school because of stuff like that. Most of the time my teachers absolutely were closed to being corrected no matter how delicately it was done. I've seen a lot of people have the same trouble in college, though I didn't at my particular university. It's incredibly frustrating when they don't want to listen to you, especially as easy as it is these days to check most things online.