Classroom Critters: How to Keep Ourselves and Our Reptile Friends Healthy

The "Birthday Snake"

In my fourth grade class, we had a ball python named Harry. Normally, Harry would sleep under his log and bask under his heat lamp all day long. However, Harry wasn’t just any snake. He was “The Birthday Snake.” Whenever a classmate had a birthday, Harry would slither out from behind his rock to make a guest-star appearance. On their special day, the birthday kid got to stand up on their chair and hoist Harry up with them as the rest of the class serenaded them with the Happy Birthday song. Every kid in class anxiously awaited their turn to hold the Birthday Snake.

Little did I know that the most important part of this coming-of-age ceremony wasn’t holding Harry but washing our hands after gently placing him back into his terrarium. 

As an intern at the Smithsonian, with the One Health Protect project, I now know well that reptiles can get sick, just like humans. In fact, reptiles can sometimes spread germs to humans when they’re not properly handled, placing us at risk of serious illness. These germs can spread by accident from touching surfaces, fluids, or even people that a reptile has come into contact with, the same way the common cold and the flu spread around our classrooms. As educators, the best way to prevent potential disease spread is by educating yourself and your students on proper sanitation practices.

What Is a Zoonotic Disease? 

When we talk about germs from animals making people sick, we are talking about a specific set of diseases called zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses. They can be caused by bacteria, like those that cause Lyme disease, viruses like rabies, or even parasites like tapeworms. They are mostly transmitted through direct contact with an animal but can also spread through activities like drinking the same water, eating the same food, or touching the same surfaces that an animal has. These indirect modes of transportation are called cross-contamination, and they occur when pathogens jump from the reptile, to objects or surfaces, and then finally to people such as students and teachers.

The most common zoonoses that can be passed to humans from pet reptiles are the bacteria Salmonella and Campylobacter as well as certain parasites. Bacterial diseases like Salmonella and Campylobacter cause similar symptoms to food poisoning, so many people don’t even know that their pets are making them sick. Although the symptoms in humans are noticeable, our reptiles can harbor these pathogens without symptoms and remain otherwise healthy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young children under the age of 5 are at the highest risk of contracting a zoonotic disease from a pet reptile. This is typically due to their unavoidable habit of sticking their hands, articles of clothing, and other household items into their mouths. However, if proper hygiene and handling practices are followed, younger kids can also benefit from a reptile friend while remaining safe. Luckily, the most important ways to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases is almost the exact same as preventing human-to-human sickness from spreading!

What Does This Look Like in Our Classrooms?  

Teaching students how to safely interact with our reptile friends can be a fun activity for the entire class. Understanding proper sanitation practices and building empathy towards all animals starts young. When students can be taught to treat animals with kindness and respect while also learning how to keep themselves healthy, it encourages a balance of responsible appreciation towards all living creatures. 

Just like us, reptile immune systems can be weakened when stressed. Stress can come from inadequate living conditions, like inappropriate temperature, an unbalanced diet, or insufficient stimulation or living environment. In these stressed states, reptiles can shed pathogens more easily through their skin, urine, and feces. The first precaution that can be taken to prevent any reptile sickness is providing a stable and healthy environment for them. For example, giving them a large terrarium to live in, a heat lamp to control their temperature, and a nutritious mix of veggies, insects, and calcium supplements in their diet to give them all the nutrients their immune systems need.

The next best thing we can do to keep ourselves safe is to educate ourselves and others. General practices such as thorough and regular hand washing, avoiding touching your face and mouth, and wiping down surfaces are all great ways to start. A trick to washing your hands is to sing “Happy Birthday” twice for a twenty second handwash. Handling parts of a reptile’s habitat, food and waste products also play an important factor in zoonotic transmission. Invisible modes of transportation for these germs can easily occur, and that is why it is crucial to always use gloves during terrarium cleanings and always sanitize any equipment that is involved in feeding or containing reptiles or cleaning their enclosures.

Friends, Not Foes 

In our classrooms, responsible appreciation is key. We do what we can to keep teachers and students safe while also maintaining a happy and healthy environment for our class pets. 

Students can greatly benefit from class pets. These pets encourage empathy, responsibility, and self-awareness. Slowly introducing kids to tasks that help maintain a class pet’s wellbeing is a great way to familiarize them with the larger concept of responsibility and caring for others.  We can also connect this back to how to take care of our own bodies and protect ourselves from sickness. 

As role models, teachers have the unique ability to facilitate students’ understanding and curiosity around reptiles. Physical interaction, education and demonstrated interest by a trusted adult creates an atmosphere of comfort which opens the door for kids to explore the world around them. Physical interaction is an especially powerful tool when it comes to encouraging curiosity and soothing fear. The more a child gets the chance to touch and hold an animal, the more they will be willing to build a connection with other living creatures in the future. This may even spark the flame for a future conservationist!

To continue to keep your classroom happy and healthy, follow the SCALES acronym: 

• Soap and water to wash hands
• Clean your surfaces
• Avoid touching your face and mouth
• Let your teacher know of any cuts
• Educate your peers
• Smile! You’re safe!

Or follow along with this activity sheet! 

Disclaimer: It's important to choose your pets wisely and do your research before bringing an animal home. Tropical reptiles and small mammals are often traded internationally and may be victims of the illegal pet trade. Exotic animals don’t always make great pets. Many require special care and live for a long time. Never release animals that have been kept as pets into the wild.