kids info

[BuggieSmuggler]

Bob, I do appreciate that. Please understand I was not trying to do anyone out of a job.
As you may have read in an earlier post one of the kids' dads killed a diamond late last year even after the school has a yearly enviroment day with reptiles displayed.
I guess I thought the personal approach with the kids knowing that their friend have reptiles as "pets" may help.
Do you understand what I'm getting at ? Who do you recommend for primary school exhibits?

[Simon_Archibald]

*^*

[BuggieSmuggler]

That's fine maybe I'm labouring under the misaprehension that his forte is high schools.

[bigguy]

BuggieSmuggler,

No, I specialise in Primary School shows. High Schools are my second choice. I have actually been NSW School performer of the year for the last 8 years. My school show is called Snaketails. I travel from Tweed Heads to Eden doing my shows .

Bob

[Greebo]

Any chance of you coming down to Wagga in October Bob?

[womas4me]

Budgie Smuggler, if you are still interested in providing info to the kids there is info at http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/plants_ani...e/pythons.html The writing is aimed at informing kids about pythons but only covers a few species. They write it slow and easy so West Aussies can understand it ( my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek ).

[BuggieSmuggler]

Womas4me, thanks.

Simon, Now that is an attitude change.

Bob, Got a contact number?

[earthmother]

Buggie

I'm so with you on this matter. Our kids need education. with venomous snakes and various dangerous creatures in our natural habitat, they NEEd to know some basic truths.

they need to know that each one has its purpose and not all are to be feared.
they also need a healthy fear and knowledge of all their local species. at least so they can tell by sight

Good on ya. When my son was at primary school we regularly took his dragons to show the kids and its just like show and tell. kids ask questions and information gets spread around.

of course the coolest most docile dragon was touched so that they could feel that the spikes were soft.
no child or dragon was damaged. A lot was learned.

Please dont miss any opportunity to tell them why 'the best snake ISNT a dead snake'
I am writing a care sheet on Bearded Dragons aimed at children for this specific purpose.
so that when our kids take their reptiles to a normal vet they wont be greeted with 'what is it exactly?'. yes that really happened.

MM

[snakehunter]

In regards to getting a display licence, a mate of mine applied for one almost 6 months ago and still hasnt received it, and from what he has told me, it is a lot more involved than a keepers licence to obtain

[almaron]

With all due respect to the professional exhibitors, I don't think you need a licence to teach kids a little respect for wildlife. Also the notion of putting someone out of a job is about like saying you shouldn't work on your own car because you'll put the trained, licenced, and insured mechanics out of work. That said, it is quite obvious that someone with much more experience and knowledge would likely do a better job.

As far as your repeated jabs Simon, I think you're kind of off base. I have a pretty good understanding of Australian reptile laws. I never said they were "irrelevant", although I did certainly argue that many of them were useless, and I still think that. I don't think that having an opposing opinion, or being American disqualifies me from input. Ok, so you wouldn't risk breaking a law. Great for you dude. I however do occasionally drive a few miles over the speed limit, smoke a joint now and again, engage in "lewd and unnatural" sex acts, swear in public, and break quite a few other local, state, and federal laws. I'd be willing to bet most people do.

Heaven forbid someone do something that politicians, lawyers, society, or the stray APS member think is wrong. I can and will condone common sense and personal freedom over laws any day. I also condone taking a risk now and then if there is something to be gained. Of course that's something for each person to decide for themselves. I can certainly appreciate that it's a nice thing to make someone aware of a potential risk they are considering, and I'm thinking that's what everyone was doing. But if it were me, I'd take the snakes in and give the kids a thrill, and hopefully teach them a little something too.

The way I see it, there are three choices. Do nothing and the kids get nothing. Jump through all the hoops and hire a professional and the kids get a great show. Or just take calculated risk and do what you originally planned, and the kids hopefully get some benefit from it. I know what I'd do, and I wouldn't let anyone scare or shame me out of it. Do whatever you want and place whatever relevance you see fit, but I still think a few of you are pretty wound-up, overly cautious and and just generally uptight. I'd even put myself in that group now and then. :wink:

[Farkurnell]

I've gotta go with the Yank on this one.
Simon, old mate. You've really gotta lighten up some.
He who is without sin and all that.

(insert appropriate smiley face here, if ya want)




Greg.

[BROWNS]

Well said almaron......

[Slateman]

Yep Almaron. How are you lately old champ?

[BuggieSmuggler]

Amen Almaron & Earthmother, Thanks for your recent comments!!

Before I got home & read your posts I had already made a decision.

In light of "expert" comments made on this topic I think you'll find the end result quite amusing & satisfying.

Having said that I am petitioning the school to get a good professional exhibitor this year.

When kid's fathers kill local reptiles ( as stated earlier) I still think the personal pet approach may be the best. Hell kids may even want to get herps for themselves if ordinary folk can keep them!!

Watch this space.

bob wanna come to my school in forbes we have about 3 ppl with reptiles and eveyone likes em exept this kid i hate he ran away from a diamond that i was holding