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Slithering Snakes (JHARVNC) |
| Topic | Wildlife - Reptiles |
| Summary | Participants will be part of a live snake show. They will touch native snakes and learn how to identify snakes of the Arkansas River Valley. They will also learn the differences between venomous and nonvenomous snakes.
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| Recommended Setting | Classroom or multi-purpose room |
| Location | Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, Fort Smith |
| Contact | Education Program Coordinator, 479-452-3993
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| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Suggested Number of Participants | Up to 30 |
| Objectives |
- Learn the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes
- Learn how to classify snakes according to their characteristics
- Identify whether snakes are venomous or non-venomous according to their physical characteristics
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| Key Terms* | Constrictor
Diurnal
Nocturnal
Pit Viper
Poison
Reptile
Venom
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| Materials |
- Examples of venomous and non-venomous snakes (corn, ribbon , rough green, scarlet, hognose)
- Small containers of various parts of the snake such as a rattlesnake skull to show structure of jaws and fangs
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| Background | Discuss reptiles and their characteristics (snakes and turtles). Explain constrictor snakes and how they eat their prey. Show an example of a constrictor snake (Corn Snake) and let participants touch it. (Note: the corn snake is not native to Arkansas.) Explain venomous snakes, their physical characteristics and how they eat their prey.
- Definition of a Reptile?
- Nonvenomous Arkansas Snakes (constrictors)
- Teeth and jaw hinge
- Nostrils and tongue
- Eyelids
- Ears
- Morphology - differences in sexes
- Prey detection and consumption
- Nocturnal vs. diurnal
- Live or dead prey
- Specialization of prey
- Growth or molting
- Examples of nonvenomous Arkansas snakes
- Live, touchable snakes
- Live exhibit snakes in classroom
- Examples of field guides
(Note: Show differences using classroom models)
- Venomous Arkansas Snakes (pit vipers)
(Note: Show differences using classroom models)
- Fangs plus teeth (show model of rattlesnake)
- Venom vs. poison
- How venom affects prey
- Nostrils, pits and tongue
- Eyelids
- Ears
- Morphology differences in sexes
- Prey detection and consumption
- Nocturnal vs. diurnal
- Live or dead prey
- Specialization of prey
- Growth or molting
- Examples of venomous Arkansas snakes
- Display copperhead in cage
- Rattlesnake exhibits
- Conclusion
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| Procedure |
- Seat participants on the floor and introduce the speaker.
- Discuss the types of snakes found in Arkansas.
- Use live snakes to show different shapes, sizes, colors, and characteristics of venomous and constrictor snakes in Arkansas.
- Allow participants to look at exhibit snakes in the classroom to determine if they are venomous or non-venomous.
- Conclude with a review of how to determine which exhibit snakes are venomous or non-venomous and discuss the characteristics that differentiate between the two types of snakes in Arkansas.
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| Modifications | Provide older participants with dichotomous keys for snakes and have them classify other snakes within the nature center.
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| Review |
- What are the two types of snakes native to Arkansas?
- What is an example of a nonvenomous snake and how do they consume their prey?
- What is an example of a venomous snake and how do they eat?
- List the physical characteristics that identify venomous and nonvenomous snakes.
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| Resources | Sealander, John A. and Gary A Heidt. Arkansas Mammals: Their Natural History, Classification, and Distribution, University of Arkansas Press.
Sutton, Keith, ed. Arkansas Wildlife: A History, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. University of Arkansas Press.
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| Related Documents | |
| Glossary | Constrictor – a large nonvenomous snake, such as an anaconda, boa or python, that coils around its prey and crushes it to death
Diurnal – active by day (as opposed to nocturnal)
Nocturnal – active at night (as opposed to diurnal)
Pit Viper – any of various venomous snakes of the family Crotalidae, such as a copperhead, rattlesnake or fer-de-lance that has a small sensory pit below each eye
Poison – a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures or impairs an organism
Reptile – any cold-blooded, egg-laying, air-breathing vertebrate of the class Reptilia, including turtles, snakes, lizards, crocodilians, amphibians, tuatara and various extinct members including the dinosaurs
Venom – poison transmitted to prey or an enemy chiefly by biting and stinging
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