Why ScaleWise Education Exists

I have always loved sharing the things I am passionate about, especially animals. Being able to teach people about snakes has brought me immense joy.

One experience that especially inspired me happened at Odessa College. I impressed an animal biology professor with my knowledge about animals, which led to me being invited to become a guest instructor. The presentation was received extremely well, and it made me realize how much I wanted to continue teaching people about reptiles.

Reptiles, especially snakes, are often misunderstood and feared. They are vital parts of our ecosystems, yet they are sometimes killed simply because people believe they are dangerous. ScaleWise Education exists to change that.

I want people to understand that snakes are not monsters. They are animals trying to live, just like everything else. My hope is that people leave with a little more love and respect for them, or at the very least, enough understanding to leave them alone and call a professional for safe, humane removal when necessary.

Mission Statement

ScaleWise Education's mission is to help people understand, respect, and appreciate snakes and other reptiles through engaging, hands-on education.

We focus primarily on snakes, teaching people about their behavior, importance to the ecosystem, safe handling, responsible ownership, and the realities behind common misconceptions.

Our goal is not simply to teach people facts about reptiles. We want to inspire respect and compassion for them, encourage responsible interactions, and help people learn how to coexist with the wildlife around them.

What We Teach

ScaleWise Education offers programs covering topics such as:

• Native Arizona snakes and reptiles
• Snake identification
• Venomous and nonvenomous snakes
• Snake behavior and biology
• Common myths and misconceptions
• The ecological importance of snakes
• Safe snake handling
• What to do when you encounter a wild snake
• What not to do when encountering a snake
• Safe coexistence with wild snakes
• When to leave a snake alone
• When and how to contact a professional for snake removal
• Responsible snake ownership
• Snake husbandry and proper care
• Feeding and nutrition
• Enclosure and habitat setup
• Basic health concerns and first aid
• Recognizing when veterinary care is needed
• Conservation and preservation of native reptiles

Live, nonvenomous snakes may be included in programs, allowing participants to safely see, touch, and handle them under supervision.

Venomous snakes are taught about as part of the educational curriculum, but are not brought out for public handling. Participants are taught to give venomous snakes space and contact an appropriate professional when one needs to be removed.

Conservation & Preservation Focus

ScaleWise Education believes that conservation starts with understanding.

Our programs focus on Arizona's native reptiles, with an emphasis on the snakes of Mohave County and the surrounding area. We teach people why snakes are important to healthy ecosystems and why killing them simply because they are feared or misunderstood can be harmful.

When a wild snake can safely be left alone, we encourage people to do exactly that. When a snake needs to be removed from a home or other unsafe situation, we encourage people to contact a qualified professional who can relocate it safely and humanely rather than attempting to handle it themselves.

This includes venomous snakes. While they should never be approached or handled by the general public, they are still valuable native wildlife deserving of respect and protection.

Our goal is simple: coexist when we can, protect when we can, and cause as little harm as possible.

Who Our Programs Are For

ScaleWise Education is designed for everyone. Programs can be adapted for:

• Elementary schools
• Middle schools
• High schools
• Colleges
• Libraries
• Community groups
• Youth organizations
• Scouts
• Boys & Girls Clubs
• 4-H
• Homeschool groups
• Adult groups
• Families
• Community events and festivals
• Private events and organizations
• Reptile owners
• People considering getting a snake
• Anyone interested in Arizona's native wildlife

Programs can be adjusted to fit the age, experience, and needs of the audience.

About the Educator