Monday 6 December 2010

Gecko's and Snakes Oh My!!

Our neighbor across the street invited the children over to see his collections of gecko's and snakes. My children loved getting to touch and hold these reptiles while I kept to a nice, safe camera distance:).

First up were the geckos and we learned lots of interesting facts. Such as the tails are where the geckos store their fat which is why they look so big. We also learned that geckos can lose their tail when frightened or if grabbed by a hunter in order to help them escape. We were also told that even when geckos reach their maximum size they will continue to lose their skin every few weeks and eat it (Yuck).

















Next up were the albino corn snakes. I always thought albino meant white but today I was told it just means that the animal loses a color pigment and for these snakes it was brown and black hence the reason they are more white and orange in color. But they did have the red eyes!














Our neighbor was kind enough to lend the children some books for us to review. We also came home with snake skin, gecko skin and mealy worms. We plan to put the snake and gecko skins under a microscope for a closer look. The mealy worms we are going to try to hatch, can't wait to see my husband's face when he gets home and sees our bug netting back up with these things inside:) He thought our bug unit was over this summer HA HA!!



Snake skin








gecko skin








mealy worms






My children came away in awe of these reptiles and both want a gecko for a pet. Our neighbor (who should have known better) even offer to give the children a gecko along with an extra aquarium he has in the garage. I said I would think about (WHAT! did I really say that, outloud) Thinking that my husband would help with the definitive NO WAY only to find that he is some what agreeable to the kids getting one. I wonder if he will help clean the cage once the kids lose interest in them! NOT!!! Okay, I may lose this battle, but I draw the line when it comes to snakes. We ARE NOT getting a snake!!!!



I give JOY to the world when I share my children's enthusiasm for learning with others!

HURRY ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT TO WIN!!!!!

Tracy, Lynda and I are GIVING JOY TO THE WORLD when one blogger will receive a $30 Target gift card from our "No Ordinary Blog Hop" giveaway! Just click on the button below for more details on how you can join this fun blog hop throughout December and try to win a Target gift card at the same time. Hurry! The last day to enter the giveaway is on Dec. 10th, but you can continue to link your blog hop posts until the end of December! HURRY only 7 more days to link up and win a $30 gift card.

13 comments:

  1. How funny! I would be like you, a safe distance away. Snakes are not my thing. I really enjoyed this post. Have a great day. I voted for you yesterday and today.

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  2. Yes it is great to see other children loving their activities so much!! An I think it is DOUBLE YUCK that they eat it

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  3. Hi Lynda,
    I prefer furry pets myself. I have been nagging my husband about getting a dog for years:( But with all the traveling we do it isn't very likely to happen, plus we are renters. But once we get to the states I plan on getting the kids (and me) a dog!

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  4. Hi Adamant Academy,
    Yes a child's enthusiasm is a wonderful thing. My husband told her she needed to write a report on the gecko book she got from the neighbor and today she created a lap book 100% on her own. She really wants a gecko:) I have never seen such enthusiasm for doing a book report in the 2 years we have been homeschooling:)

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  5. My girls would be so excited! They're usually the ones scaring the neighbor children with all of the bugs and lizards they collect around the yard. I let them put whatever they can catch (but we have a standing NO SNAKE rule around here) in one of those little plastic temporary cages for a day or two, while they set up a whole habitat for them. Then I have to remind them that the little cage is too small and they need space and to go back to their families, so they let them loose. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. When I hear the little girl in the yard behind ours squeal, I know my girls brought their current collection a little too close to the fence. :)

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  6. Great post Anna-Marie and a learned alot reading it! My kids would love your neighbor and their pets, especially my son! My son was asking for a snake awhile ago, but like you, no way!! He would take a gecko I'm sure too :)
    Clicked a vote for you today !

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  7. Wow. I think I'm with you on the no snake thing! Stopping by on the Hip Homeschool Hop!

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  8. Hi Michelle,
    My daughter loves to catch critters and during the summer months we have all sorts but I have her release them every evening so the little things can find food and go back into their homes:) I prefer soft and furry creatures:)

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  9. Hi Tracy,
    Well I talked to our neighbor and were are going to get one gecko this spring when they hatch, we are going to get a baby one so the kids can watch it grow:) Luckily he has a cage so we only need to supply the food. What a mother does for her children :)

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  10. Hi Ester,
    Thanks for stopping by and commenting:)

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  11. HI Anna-Marie,
    Thanks always for your visits and comments on my blog. (and votes :) ) Stopping in to say Hi and I clicked a vote for you today (Tuesday)
    Have a blessed day!

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  12. Thanks Tracy for voting as always:)

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  13. Pretty snake!

    I'm a new follower, found you on a blog hop... nice to "meet" you! Come on by my blog when you get a chance! :)

    Sabrina from www.bgamefamily.blogspot.com

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