Disclosure: No students or reptiles were harmed in this encounter.
Thanks to David's family for lending us their checkered garter snake last week.
It was an excellent education snake: docile and engaging. Though his dad dropped it off Monday morning, the students didn't get a chance to handle it all week.Friday was the big day.
And then a pleasant surprise: Mandy dropped off a brown snake before school.
This afforded students to get up close and friendly with two native reptiles.
Texas Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi texana)
I never force encounters with animals, and a few students opted out. Most touched at least touched them. For some, it was the first time they had a chance to hold a live snake. A few students told me afterward that the experience helped get them over their fear of snakes.
Bingo! That's a goal of mine.
We talked about food webs and how snakes play an important role in the environment. We also discussed venomous species.
After handling the snakes, t
I'm so jealous! Why couldn't you have found a checkered garter snake when I was there.
ReplyDeletei love this so much
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful to bring non venomous snakes to a classroom. It is so educational for kids to learn the difference between a dangerous snake and a safe snake. Too many people kill harmless snakes that rid us of rodents, and poisonous snakes, just because it is a snake. This is great to see. the photos are terrific.
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