Class at the Refuge

Yesterday I volunteered at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. A lot of schools from southwest Oklahoma came to the refuge and there were several stations set up. At my station I taught about snakes, and I had Lucky and Drew with me. There is only 20 minutes and then the students go to the next station. So I mostly "show and tell" but that's about all I can do in 20 minutes. The groups are about 20 - 35 students in size. I had a great time, and I think the students enjoyed their day at the refuge. Drew was excited at first and kept moving around. He eventually calmed down. Lucky was her usual self--calm and relaxed. She stayed around my neck most of the time. Sometimes she wouldn't even be moving around. She would just move her head a little to get a better look at the kids. I think she likes to be out of her cage and be outside.

Why is it...? Part 2

Wow! All the snake stories I hear! Right now I'm on a kick about people being ridiculous about snakes.

Why is it that when I am at someone's house or some other event with people, they found out I like snakes, and they just feel compelled to tell me their snake stories?

For example, I was hanging out with some friends. One friend asks me how my snakes are doing. An innocent question. I answer that they are fine. Well, here they come! First, my friend has to tell a story about an encounter with a snake. Of course, the story ends with a shovel and a snake in several pieces. Then another friend has to tell me about the zig-zag lines mowed in the yard and the snake that didn't get away but became fertilizer. Well, then that leads to the story about the snake that was in the road. He had to run it over because it was a "big 'un". Then he had to back up, run over it again, back up, run over it again...and you get the picture. One story leads to another and everyone has a snake story to share.

As I listen, my stomach is turning, and I can just feel the acid rising in my throat. These people are sick. Don't they understand that I like snakes?! But they think that are sharing something important with me. Oh, and it's so hilarious too! (Read that last sentence with lots of sarcasm, please!) By the time they are finished telling their stories, their faces are glowing red with tears running down their cheeks!

And how many times have I heard these stories? Seems like I've heard them from the same people at least ten times. But then I have to count all of the other stories that sound just the same but from other people. It's not just my friends who feel compelled to tell me these stories. It's people I meet anywhere. I go to a party for Brian's workplace...The stories are there. I teach classes about snakes...the stories are there, too. Everyone wants their turn to tell me their snake story.

I just don't know how to explain my feelings to someone who doesn't feel the same way that I do about snakes. Well, maybe I can explain, but I am not very convincing. People just don't get it.
So all I do is sit there with a fake smile on my face, nodding my head. I let the words go in one ear then out the other, and I feel my eyes glaze over. As soon as possible I change the subject. If this is not possible very soon, then I feel like I am a prisoner of war. I must take this time of torture for the good of the cause!

I don't blame you if you are reading this and you are thinking that I am the crazy one. All I ask is that you try to have empathy for these snakes and their situation. Just put yourself in their scales and slither around for a bit, then see how you would feel :(

Why is it...?

Why is it that some people can be so weird about reptiles? For example, one of my friends, Wim P. (names have been changed to protect the ridiculous...oh, I mean, innocent) was over at my house last night with his family. His wife and kids are not scared of the reptiles, but Wim P. will not even look at them. Every time his family comes over to my house, the kids ask to see the snakes and iguanas. They will touch the snakes and even hold them.

We were all sitting on the couch talking and having a good time. One of the kids went over to her dad, Wim P., and she accidently startled the cat. The cat hissed and took off running. All of the sudden, Wim P. jumps up and runs to the kitchen. We are all wondering what is going on. Wild-eyed Wim P. says that cats are scared of snakes and if the cat is running then a snake must be around. So after much reassuring, Wim P. sits back down on the couch.

Why are people like this? It is so utterly stupid and irrational! I offered to show Wim P. the cages so he could see that they are securely fastened, but he is too scared to even do that. He really has no reason to be scared of snakes. He says he just doesn't like them. I just don't understand this behavior. I can only think of my fear of heights and try to relate. But I have even done things that went against my fear of heights and I was grateful that I did. For instance, it took me much longer to climb/hike this mountain at the Quartz Mountain State Park. All of my friends were climbing and I was so scared because these huge boulders were steep. At times I thought I might fall off the earth. Now I know that was a dumb thought; it was just my fear talking. But I made it to the top and it felt wonderful.

I have another friend whose only been in my house once! He came over with his sister and mom. His mom wanted to see the snakes and wanted to touch one. So I took out my ball python, Ophi, who was about 3 feet at the time. He took one look and went running out of my house screaming! We could not get him to come back in and he has not been in since then. It is just so stupid!

I don't really know exactly the best way to deal with people like this. I laugh a little and shake my head, but I can't say much because I know it won't make a difference. I feel sorry for these people. I just hope that they can tackle their fears, whatever they are, and not be content in their weaknesses. (And yes, I do see giving in to irrational fears as a weakness.)

Feeding Day

I haven't posted in a while because there hasn't really been anything happen. Today I fed Lucky and Ophi. They each ate one adult mouse. Nothing really exciting there.
My other two snakes ate pinkies the other day. Nothing really exciting going on with my reptiles. I'll let you know when I think of something.