adamsc's blog
Reptile Adventure
Submitted by adamsc on Mon, 2008-04-07 15:34. PublicI met the President and a few other members of the South Texas Herpetology Association at a reptile show in San Antonio. This was not only an exhibit of reptiles but also a place where people could buy reptiles. My children and I were walking around looking at so many reptiles and amphibians. Some of them we had only seen on TV , in magazines or on the internet. In a corner of the room, where no one was standing (b/c they weren't selling reptiles) was a gentleman holding this amazing, really long, Rat Snake. We were drawn to him instantly b/c we have a Rat Snake that we rescued and it is now at KES.
New Snakes
Submitted by adamsc on Sat, 2008-03-29 22:47. PublicWe have been given two new snakes recently by the Eddleman Family. Their family has had all sorts of reptiles for many years.Their schedule's became to hectic and the snakes were not being handled as much as they use to in the past. Wayna Eddleman brought them into my class and told the kids all about them. We could tell it was a difficult choice b/c she had them for so long. She was so wonderful w/ the kids and told them all about their habits and how to care for these awesome snakes.
One is a female Black-Neck Garter Snake with beautiful colors (see picture below )and a great personality. She has had babies in the past. (Her species can bear more than 20 young, which erupt from their embryonic sacs almost immediately and shed within a few hours.) She likes to eat pinkie's (hairless baby mice; hence the word, "Pinkie") but loves fish. We set up her tank with a pond like fishing area for her to fish in. After she ate her first fish out of the little pond she layed in front of the pond for hours waiting for another. She is now in the library so all children at KES can see her and watch her eat a fish. 4th Grade is also interested in her for their animal adaptions unit coming up. She is now getting a lot of attention and is being held by many teachers who have never held a snake before and are "facing their fear's of snakes They are amazed by her gentleness and docile nature.
South Texas Herpetology Association to visit KES!
Submitted by adamsc on Mon, 2008-03-10 11:13. PublicI recently went to a reptile exhibit in San Antonio. There were so many reptiles to look at and hold. I started talking to the South Texas Herpetology Association and looking at their wide variety of snakes including several rattlesnakes.(All were in locked glass boxes) They are dedicated to educating the public, especially children, with accurate knowledge on the natural history, conservation, proper care and treatment of reptiles and amphibeans. They also provide for the rescue of unwanted, mistreated and distressed reptiles and amphibeans. I told them about the Grant KES recieved and our mission to expose children to a wide variety of animals.
New Reptiles for KES
Submitted by adamsc on Sat, 2008-03-01 17:04. PublicI am Carrie Adams, a 2nd grade teacher here at KES and have had many animals in my classroom for the five years I've been at KES. I have always had animals that aren't your typical furry pets but the animals that people find scary or ugly. Animals that most students never come in contact with but are an important part of our world. I tend to keep reptiles, invertibrates and amphibeans. I started to notice past students always coming by my class to visit the animals and watched there excitement as they noticed growth in the animals we had during their time in my class. With this grant and the help of other teachers/parents at our school we will be able to share all of these animals and many more with all students at KES. Most will be available for check out by the teachers and they will be able to use them in many ways to enhance instruction. We want children to see, understand and realize that every animal, no matter what it looks like has a job, a purpose in our world and the balance of nature.
