Herpetologist (by trade/hobby/academia)?

[tunicata]

Hi there,
So, lately my classes have been getting into reptiles (ever since I adopted one of Dom's water snakes, who by the way is now 15 inches and gets student love every school day).

We have a snake and now we are researching bearded dragons and iguanas (but only getting a bearded dragon as a class pet*).

Since the students are really interested in it (class work has actually prompted their own personal pet adoptions which I of course consulted with the parents with about long term care, etc), I am wondering if I can find someone with long term experience with reptiles to give a presentation on them.

It could be a power point with videos and pictures and maybe one of your pets. However, you'd like to do it.

The students are very active and prefer to be able to touch and...experience what they are learning. You cannot lecture/speak for more than...5-8 mins continously without some kind of student engagement or you will lose them.


This could be during school time (8:20-2:50 or after school 3-4 on a Wednesday).

This could also be done via skype! So you wouldn't have to leave your home.

We are in Newark, NJ.


*All pets are kept by me during the summers. I only get class pets that I feel I would be able to provide long term care for.

 

[anthony27]

that seems awsom

 

[duke62]

my son and i are into reptiles.we have 1 iguana,1 bearded dragon,a redtail boa 2 leapard geckos1 fire belly toad and 1 anole.if you were closer i would have taken them over for a presentaion..i think skype is cool but to get the real feel for these animals the person would have to be there.wish i had a teacher like you when i was a kid

 

[ibnozn]

Wish I still kept 'em. I've had all sorts at one time or another? frogs, lizards, snakes. Do go for the bearded dragon over the iguana. Iguanas have nutritional requirements that most people don't realize and they poop in their water, so probably not great for a class.

Ever hear of this guy?
http://www.snakes-n-scales.com

The Newark Museum has a "mini-zoo", I think they have an anaconda and a couple of big pythons. Just another idea.

 

[tunicata]

Thanks folks
It is pretty cool. Now 3 of us in the class have various reptiles as pets. We update each other on our parenting styles, and their behavior. It's kind of cool!

I didn't think of the Newark Museum. I'll check that place out and see if we can arrange a trip there next semester (field trips have to have paper work (tons) done at least 2 months prior!).

Thanks for your comments!

 

[tunicata]

Oh, and I did get a baby dragon. I believe its a girl, and I've named it Silas.
She's only 2-4wks old. I thought she would be larger. I brought her in on the first day, but now I'm keeping her home. I'm quite protective, and some times the students "pet" the animals a bit too vigorously for my taste. So, she'll be home with me for the next few weeks.

It was awesome, last night she stayed up late and watched Roswell re-runs with me on Netflix. The duration of the movie, she just sat there and let me "pet" her (one finger, and not even my whole finger as I have large hands and she's so small).

I hate photobucket, and the whole process but I may have to give in...

 

[tunicata]

I went to a friends house, and he has tons of reptiles in his home. In particular he has 3 breeds of dragons: german giants, leather back, and your standard beardie (citrus).
I took these shots to do size comparisons. The smallest is the baby beardie about 2-4wks old (can't remember what he said).
Middle is the leatherback adult female.
Largest size is the adult german giant. He was so awesome. He rested on my chest and let me pet him for near an hour. Huge dude.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Tuni there was a reptile show not too long ago. Look at www.reptileexpo.com for more dates. They have a huge selection of vendors but also Vet's and outreach groups as well.

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

I have 2 adult leopard geckos I am looking to re-home if anyone is interested pm me.