In an attempt to dispel some of the myths and fears surrounding snakes, WESSA/WWF Eco-Schools recently introduced Pat McKrill from Snake Country to Midlands Meander Association Education Project (MMAEP) Schools.

Initial reaction when he produced a plastic snake “made in china” was shrieks of horror, but Pat soon had his audience absolutely captivated.  He began by asking learners to guess the number of deaths caused annually in South Africa by HIV/AIDS, road accidents and cigarette smoking. Of course, the numbers were all huge. The audience was then startled to hear that on average only about 10 people die of snake bites every year in our country! So why are we so afraid that we feel the need to kill them?

After listening to the interesting facts about where snakes fit into our eco-system and asking questions, learners realised that that snakes had real value and if treated with respect, were very unlikely to harm anyone. When you come across a snake by surprise, Pat’s advice is simple. Stand still.

Snakes can only see movement, so will probably think you are a tree if you don’t move and simply go on their way.

By the end of the talk, learners were clamouring for a chance to hold the snakes in their hands and to feel the smooth skin and the flicking tongue. Even educators who were frightened to begin with made the most of the opportunity. Bheki Lipheyana, principal of Hawkstone Primary said “We had a wonderful time. I never thought that one day I would hold a snake in my hands. Even the younger kids wanted to touch the snakes.”

The Midlands Meander Education Project works in 12 KZN Midlands schools, supporting their efforts to achieve Eco-Schools status through curriculum support and creative lessons. Besides environmental education lessons on subjects varying from Natural Disasters to Reptiles to Renewable Energy, the MMAEP also spends days co-teaching creative lessons which include paper making,