Meet our charming snake handler, “Snakehead Ed” Ferrer, who joins us in the R.B. Annis Naturalist’s Lab to present his program “Snakes Alive!” Armed with legless companions and the knowledge acquired from years of teaching science classes, Ferrer brings an interactive presentation to museum visitors.
An Indianapolis native, Ferrer taught seventh- and eighth-grade science for 30 years; the last 25 of which he used snakes to encourage student interest in nature. He believes there is no substitute for live animals as a draw and says that students and adults alike are naturally curious about them. By using live snakes in his presentation, he can introduce the topics of nature and wildlife conservation while reinforcing a concern for all animals.
His Natural History Demo, “Snakes Alive!” allows Indiana State Museum visitors a chance to see the reptiles up close, find out whether snakes are slimy, understand the meaning behind a snake’s coloring, and learn what they eat and how often. Anyone interested in learning about snakes and their proper care and handling will enjoy the program “Snakes Alive!”