Cam in the Classroom Mrs. Stickley s 4th Grade Class Carysbrook Elementary School James Madison Highway, Fork Union, VA Thursday, November 6, 2014 Stickley's class is ready for our session. Should we start with our questions or do you have something else planned for us? Hello Mrs. Stickley's Class! I do have something fun planned, but let's do a few of those questions! Comment From Seahawk Nadine-U.P.,WA Hello Mrs Stickley and class. Comment From rejoyce Hello class! I hear you adopted Severus the Eastern Ratsnake! Cam in the Classroom: Mrs. Stickley s 4 th Grade Class Page 1
Severus the Eastern Ratsnake Does Severus have any sibnlings? Severus probably does have siblings. Eastern Ratsnakes will lay between 12 and 20 eggs in one clutch, which means that Severus probably hatched with between 11 and 19 siblings! They don t hang out together for long, though. So I doubt Severus spent much time with his brothers or sisters. How fast does Severus move? I have never actually measured how fast he goes, but he can climb trees pretty quickly! Cam in the Classroom: Mrs. Stickley s 4 th Grade Class Page 2
Severus climbing the tree Eastern Ratsnakes are arboreal which means they can climb and hang out in trees! Comment From katiesmom Hope that wasn't too high Chapin! Does Severus have a mate? He does not have a mate. He lives with another snake, but they are just roommates. Cam in the Classroom: Mrs. Stickley s 4 th Grade Class Page 3
Albus, Severus's Roommate Ohhh yeah, we met Albus last time! They are both very kind and gentle snakes. Does Severus have sharp teeth? His teeth are interesting they are sharp, yes. But he doesn t have teeth meant from chewing or tearing food apart. His teeth sort of hook backwards so he can hold his food in his mouth while he swallows it whole! By the way, a good ending time for the session would be 2:15 if that works for you. That works great! Cam in the Classroom: Mrs. Stickley s 4 th Grade Class Page 4
Can Severus do tricks? No Severus doesn t do any tricks. Besides swallowing mice whole, which is pretty cool to me! They stretch their jaws WIDE open! Where did the name "Severus" come from? He was named after Severus Snape, a character in Harry Potter! We have some Harry Potter fans here and his roommate is named after Albus Dumbledore! I personally like to call him "Severus Snake" Awesome!! Does Severus get along with children? He s met lots and lots of children, and he seems to like them :) He is usually very curious! Does Severus "jump" at people when he is being fed? Cam in the Classroom: Mrs. Stickley s 4 th Grade Class Page 5
When Severus is fed, we dangle mouse in his tank, and he strikes out at it and then eats it whole! But he doesn't necessarily jump as in how we would jump and reach for something. How many times a day do you eat? Severus only eats once a month! He is what we call an "ectotherm" or you might have heard of cold-blooded. It takes him a very long time to digest and break down his food, so he doesn't have to eat that often. Is there a particular time of the month that he eats? (beginning, middle, end) We usually try to feed him at the beginning of the month. We have someone wondering what Severus' favorite football team is... Well he isn't an Eagles fan... an Eagle would eat him! AHhhh! Cam in the Classroom: Mrs. Stickley s 4 th Grade Class Page 6
Do you all want to see a video of Severus? Severus went on a little "field trip" outside the other day. Of course! Ok give me one second! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejhgx2yiidm It is taking a few minutes to load... Uh oh! Well if you don't see it, we will email it to you! Technical difficulties! Try email :) Will do! While you are waiting for the email, any more questions I can answer for you? Cam in the Classroom: Mrs. Stickley s 4 th Grade Class Page 7
Can Severus "burrow" underground? He can and he often tries to himself in the mulch in his enclosure and outside. Severus trying to hide in the mulch! Cam in the Classroom: Mrs. Stickley s 4 th Grade Class Page 8
Thanks! We will wait for the video and watch it when we can. Thank you for your time! Thanks so much for joining us and I apologize for the technical difficulties! Hope to see you soon! Cam in the Classroom: Mrs. Stickley s 4 th Grade Class Page 9