Interacting with Reptiles
All animals are safe for handling, and are personal pets/companion animals - whether they were purchased as pets, breeders, or were taken in as rescues. They are not only habituated to tolerate being handled by people, but some even seem to enjoy the human interaction.
The most oft asked question is: Is that poisonous? (Usually regarding the snake that is being held by bare hands....) No, of course not, that would not only be incredibly irresponsible to do something like that, it would also be incredibly dangerous. Living Earth Reptiles' snakes are harmless and nonvenomous (as opposed to 'poisonous').
However, anything with a mouth can bite if provoked (including people!) For this reason there can be no guarantee you will not get bitten. However in 19 years of doing events, there have never been ANY biting incidents. Safety and education is the key.
No one will be coerced or forced into holding or touching ANY animal. Likewise, no one will be intentionally intimidated or scared with an animal. The programs are intended to reduce or eliminate people's fears, not increase them. People with snake phobias who have attended Living Earth programs have even overcome their phobias - after learning about the snake, they've mustered up the courage to pet, and in some cases, even hold, a small docile snake. But this is done on a strictly voluntary basis.
The most oft asked question is: Is that poisonous? (Usually regarding the snake that is being held by bare hands....) No, of course not, that would not only be incredibly irresponsible to do something like that, it would also be incredibly dangerous. Living Earth Reptiles' snakes are harmless and nonvenomous (as opposed to 'poisonous').
However, anything with a mouth can bite if provoked (including people!) For this reason there can be no guarantee you will not get bitten. However in 19 years of doing events, there have never been ANY biting incidents. Safety and education is the key.
No one will be coerced or forced into holding or touching ANY animal. Likewise, no one will be intentionally intimidated or scared with an animal. The programs are intended to reduce or eliminate people's fears, not increase them. People with snake phobias who have attended Living Earth programs have even overcome their phobias - after learning about the snake, they've mustered up the courage to pet, and in some cases, even hold, a small docile snake. But this is done on a strictly voluntary basis.
Safety
All necessary precautions are taken to provide safe conditions during all presentations involving live animals. With youngsters, it is important for them to understand that the animals must not be squeezed, pinched, nor tails pulled. And hands shouldn't be used to poke at reptilian faces. For this reason, youngsters are shown how to pet the animals with a "two finger touch" - only using the extended index and middle fingers to pet the animal. This prevents little hands from squeezing or pulling on the animals.
Hand sanitizer is always present for use before, during, and after reptile handling. This is a good habit to get into, even with mammalian or avian pets - not just reptiles. As a general guideline however, children under the age of 3, infirm elderly, immuno-compromised people, and women who are pregnant, are not allowed to touch the reptiles.
Hand sanitizer is always present for use before, during, and after reptile handling. This is a good habit to get into, even with mammalian or avian pets - not just reptiles. As a general guideline however, children under the age of 3, infirm elderly, immuno-compromised people, and women who are pregnant, are not allowed to touch the reptiles.