classroom snakes

[bio6464]

I have a wc eastern that I may or may not take to my school to teach my kids that snakes are beautiful animals...and that their parents don't have to kill them on sight. My concern is that my garters are really high strung and I would like to have a "mellower" snake so that I can handle it in front of the kids...occasionally. They'd freak if they saw my easterns making a break for it as they seem to do every other time I handle them to clean their tank. My question then is what type of snake would you guys/girls suggest for a classroom? I have researched corns, ball pythons, and almost any other you can purchase. Keep in mind this is not a "toy", I teach Biology and am very cognizant of how to treat the animals to minimize stress...I would however like to have something that can tolerate some handling to alleviate the rampant disgust of these animals that kids seem to have. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
Jerry

[zooplan]

Most garters "learn" that handling is nothing dangerous and become very calm.
I have visited kindergardens and school classes a lot.
The best beginning is to hand out some sheded skins and let the children see, feel, smell and hear how it may be to touch a snake.

[bio6464]

I understand this, and some days my garters are fine. Other days however they are very aggressive in their attempts at escape...I'm afraid this might freak some of the kids out. I have had a Ball Python and a Gopher Snake brought in by students and they were a hit...with some kids. A fellow teacher has a Fox Snake and a small Eastern...his Fox bites kids and that isn't something I'm willing to deal with. I may take one of my Dekayi's, but my big garter is probably a NO, 39" and strong...with a BIT of an attitude at times. Remember ALL advice is appreciated...I'm just testing the water here.
Jerry

[Stefan-A]

I'd recommend the usual ones, balls and corns.

[Sid]

I do some class room presentations at our local grammer schools and take a variety of snakes so the kids see the difference in them. Normally I use my corn snake and I pass around the class letting the ones that want to toouch it, but don't push the kids who don't.

[infernalis]

If you already have a dekayi, I'd give that a try.

Only one dekai I have ever seen displayed any aggression, and he was a "war vet" (well healed) that probably learned to act tough as a result of some violent encounter. (his face was really messed up, but did not seem to prevent living normally)

Most of my Dekayi snakes tolerate handling so well, one could easily be led to believe that they like it. (more like accept it with grace)

and how can anyone feel intimidated by a DK???????

A ten gallon Viv in the classroom with a Dekayi in it would be very nice behind the teachers desk.

However, if you look at my screen name, I am biased.

[drache]

I've been taking snakes and lizards to my daughter's school and I've found that the snakes I feel comfortable bringing are:
my larger garters that I've had since babies and are used to handling
all my king snakes
my hognose snake
some of my smaller garters that I've had since infancy (theirs)

there's no point in bringing animals that kids will have an unpleasant experience with, although I do bring animals the kids don't get to handle

my greatest fear is always that my animals could get hurt

the science teacher has kept reptiles in the classroom twice and they didn't fare well
we're working on a more secure environment

[Lori P]

I was kind of thinking of a kingsnake... based only on my limited experience, of course. But the few I've met, and my one, are very laid back and easy to handle. Desdemona is the only snake I have that does not react in any way when I reach in her tank to clean it or lift her out for any reason; she's really calm on a consistant level... but it may just be that I've met very mellow kings.