The Gail E. Abrams Wildlife Ambassador Fund

I’m standing in front of 25 children and 15 adults holding easily the biggest snake I have ever seen. Correction, I am standing in front of everyone holding a five-foot-long, greenish-rat snake, named Jade--the first snake I have ever held confidently in front of a public audience in my entire life.

The kids’ eyes get large with each bit of Jade I pull out of the snake bag. “This is Jade everyone!” Noelle says as I finally get her entire body resting comfortably between both my arms. Some of the kids move to the back saying they don’t like snakes. As they sit down though, they lean forward to see just a little bit better.

“Does anyone know what Jade might eat if she lived in the wild?” Noelle asks everyone. Hands shoot up. Voices begin to shout answers ranging from rats to deer to frogs! Acknowledging each answer, no matter what, she lets everyone know that Jade gets a healthy diet of mice every two weeks. As she talks, giving facts about where greenish rat snakes come from, why they’re important, and how they smell with their tongues, I stand next to her focusing on Jade, but also the audience.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous holding Jade, but watching the fascination spread out over the crowd gave me the encouragement to keep standing there. As I moved my hands for Jade, I’d see some of the kids who ran to the back, slowly bench hop back to the front. I watched the adults leaning forward, not wanting to also be bench hoppers, but still wanting to get a better look. Question after question was given to Noelle. I’ve never seen such a positive and wholesome reaction to someone bringing out a five-foot-long snake!

“Do you guys want to know what a snake feels like?” Noelle proposes. The first two rows of kids shout yes at us, their excitement barely containable. I see a few faces grimace at the thought. I then hand Jade over to Noelle so that she can walk through the aisles. “Remember everyone, just a two-finger touch in the direction of her scales.” Noelle reminds them.

I love doing ambassador outreach programs for this moment. Everyone’s mouth drops into a permanent “oh” shape as they feel what a snake is like for maybe for the first time. Kids who looked ready to run for the woods, bravely stick out their two fingers and feel Jade’s scales. Instead of running for the woods, the children beg Noelle to keep Jade out for a few more seconds, just to watch her.

Watching the brave children learn and appreciate the animals at outreach programs makes me love being a part of them! Whether it’s a snake, an opossum, or a box turtle, the audience always seems to walk away with a better understanding and a better love for the wildlife that surrounds us.

Links:

• Meet PWC's Ambassadors