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E-mail This StoryOn Thursday afternoon, children who were off for spring break were able to enjoy wildlife without being in the great outdoors. The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary did a snake presentation at the McKinney Memorial Public Library.
Mary Claire March, programs coordinator for the Heard Museum, said snakes are one creature that many people dislike.
"Snakes have a very bad reputation," March said.
The slithery reptiles are portrayed as killer creatures in movies such as "Anaconda" and "Snakes on a Plane," but March said snakes are actually beneficial in keeping the rodent population down.
While many people have a fear of snakes, March said snakes are just as scared of people. When feeling threatened by a person, March said snakes will shake their tail as a warning.
During her presentation, March clarified some myths about the very misunderstood legless creature. They may not have legs or arms to paddle in the water, but March said these reptiles don't sink like a stone to the bottom of a river.
"All snakes are good swimmers," March said.
March said snakes like Star, a Prairie Kingsnake she brought for the presentation, can also move around just as well on land, even in the highest of places.
"This girl is cool," March said. "She can climb a tree."
Many snakes like the Prairie Kingsnake are not venomous, but March said the non-poisonous snakes can still be harmful to people.
"Your throat is delicate so if he were to get nervous, he'd go ahead and squeeze," March said.
March also gave the kids and parents tips on what to do if they were out camping and happened to be bit by a poisonous snake.
"Head back to where mom and dad are drivable," March said. "Most people can survive a snake bite."
Despite popular belief, March said it is not a good idea for people to put a tourniquet on snake bites and have someone try to suck the poison out.
March said when it comes to a fear of snakes, children are the ones who tend to be less afraid of the scaly animals.
"We get a lot of kids who are interested in animals, period," March said. "Adults are more afraid of the animals than the kids."
Corey Koning is one kid who has a fondness for snakes. Koning said he doesn't like any particular thing about snakes, but enjoys seeing them in person.
"I don't have a favorite thing," Koning said. "I just like looking at them."
Koning, whose dad used to have two snakes, said he wouldn't mind having one as a pet eventually.
"I like boa constrictors," Koning said. "Actually, one of my stepcousins had a black constrictor."
Snakes may be unpopular with some people but March said many children continue to be fascinated by the legless reptiles.
"One of the most popular outreach programs we do is the snakes," she said. "Any time you can educate a child about wildlife, it helps with the balance of the ecosystem."
