Reference our the standards of classroom-safe animals here.
Personality. Once all the other factors are fully addressed, the last and most uncontrollable factor is the animal's personality. Over time, many animals learn through consistently interacting with people that we are not going to hurt them, and even associate us with their food, warmth and safety! I like to call this"conditioning". Conditioned snakes, lizards and even spiders and scorpions can make great class visitors. But once in a while, there is an individual who is simply a grump. And though you won't see them in class, we love and appreciate these animals for who they are and give them the same love and care as all the friendly beasts.
At my house, the animal who fits this criteria is Scandal. She looks very similar to her cage-mate, Dexter, who we use in our Heredity programs. Scandal is even more willing to bite than wild snakes I've picked up. Scandal has been pampered since 2010, so I'm confident she's adjusted to her life with me. Her check ups result in a perfect review. Black Rat Snakes like Scandal are considered an adult when they reach 4 years old, 4 ft long and weigh over 400grams.
Which means she is just a grumpy lady. What does a grumpy snake do? Sure, she is likely to bite me. But it also means that she frequently rattles her tail to warn me away. If I interact with her against her wishes she will also musk on me. It's like an invisible stinky pee- talk about defense! She does NOT like being held or taken out of her cage. She likes to be warm, hidden and alone.
I'm confident that if she lived out in the Maryland wild, she would do just fine! So fine that one may even suggest that captive life isn't for her and she should live free. And I don't whole heartedly disagree. But Scandal was a captive born and raise snake- making it illegal to release her outside. Even though Scandal is a handful, we love her and give her everything a grumpy snake needs!
-Brittany Roger
