It's In the Blood...

A couple of weeks ago I found a snake at work...yes I did type "a snake" and yes I did type "at work". The little guy (or girl) happened into our office building and was wandering around the hall when I was leaving for lunch. The snake was lucky that I was the one who happened across it. Not too many people are keen on snakes. It was a cute smooth green snake and just the right size for Bree's first biology lesson in snakes. The biologist in me couldn't wait to get it home for her to look at (and hopefully marvel over). I put it in a cup from work and carted it home. Bree was pretty excited to see it and wanted to hold it on her own. I didn't let her however because I was afraid for the snake. I am not sure if her grip would have been quite gentle enough when it would start moving. Anyway, we held it together and I let it wrap itself around her fingers and she was able pet it for awhile. We learned about snakes smelling with their tongues, how it's scales felt smooth and not rough, and that they ate grasshoppers, crickets and worms. Kyla wasn't too excited about seeing or touching the snake. She was interested from a distance but didn't feel comfortable enough for a "hands on" experience. By the time we were going to put the snake out in our yard to live, Kyla warmed up a bit and got a really close look at the snake but still didn't want to touch it. We let the snake go for what I hope will be a long and happy life in our yard. Maybe we will happen across it next summer and Kyla will be more interested in the experience and we can have a more advanced lesson for Bree. For now I am positive I have at least one budding biologist in the family.