Library Program Photos

SNAKES  --   March 29, 2007

     Their creepy, crawly, scaly, and can bite.  What are they?  Snakes and they were seen at the Library on March 29, 2007.  A total of 80 children and adults attended the program that was presented by Tandy Keenan, Park Naturalist, from Alabaster Caverns State Park.  Tandy entertained and educated the crowd with three live snakes:  “Sir” the bull snake, “Bozo” the rattlesnake, and “Boshe” the boa constrictor.  Boshe was the only non-    native snake to Oklahoma.  Boa constrictors

are found from northern Mexico to Argentina.

     Tandy explained to the audience how snakes should be handled;  how the venom from Oklahoma rattlesnakes works, as well as providing answers to many questions.  Some interesting facts that were presented were:   

1.     The majority of rattlesnake bites are dry bites;

2.     It has been discovered that more and

 

   

more rattlesnakes do not rattle before they strike, and

3.     Bull snakes do not kill rattlesnakes, in fact they often den together.

     At the end of each program session, those who were brave enough were allowed to pet Boshe.  After moving everyone to the back of the room, Tandy removed the rattlesnake from his box to demonstrate the correct way to handle a rattlesnake to avoid harming it. 

Quiet please.

"Sir" the bull snake crawled over Tandy's shoulders, then he crawled into her right sleeve and out the left sleeve.

Group One -- Children in second grade and younger along with parents, grandparents and other adults watch as Tandy handles the snakes.

Petting Boshe.

Group Two -- Children in third grade and up.

Madisson Truesdale petting Boshe.

Don' be scared!

Some of the audience members weren't to excited about having a snake next to themselve. They stood just inside the door so that they could make a quick getaway.

"Bozo" the rattlesnake.

Audience members were moved to the back while Tandy handled Bozo.