MYTH #1 Touching Frogs will give you warts.
Warts are a virus. Similar to what causes the flu...and touching frogs or toads WILL NOT give you warts. Promise.
MYTH #2 All snakes have fangs and are poisonous.
First of all, snakes are not poisonous, they are venomous. "Poisoning" refers to having eaten or ingested a harmful substance which made you sick. Snakes have a toxin which is delivered through their fangs when they bite. Therefore snakes are venomous, not poisonous.
Secondly, not all snakes are venomous. Here in North America, there are only 4 species of venomous snakes--the Rattlesnake, the Cottonmouth, the Coral Snake and the Copperhead. All other snakes are non-venomous.
Even though it is not technically the correct terminology, The Creature Teacher will use the term "poisonous" during her shows for two reasons: 1) it is the term that most people and children use when referring to a venomous snake 2) to better relate to every and all child so that they know and understand my meaning.
MYTH #3 The first thing you should do when you see a snake is run away from it.
All snakes when lying on their bellies they can feel your footsteps vibrate the ground when you walk or run. The last thing you should do when you see a snake is run. Running is a tell tale sign for the snake as to where you are. The correct response when seeing a snake is to "STOP & FREEZE". Most snakes are nearly blind and all snakes lack ears. Since they can't see or hear, your best action when seeing a snake is to not move in any way. Let the snake go off into another direction. If the snake is not a hurry to move away, then you should move away from it by taking slow, tiny steps backwards.
MYTH #4 All parrots can copy whatever you say.
Most parrot are smart enough to be able to speak "human" language to some extent. However, it is very rare that a parrot will speak on command when you want them to. Parrots, being very smart, have a mind of their own and tend to speak when THEY want to and not when you want them to.
MYTH #5 All lizards can grow back their tail if they lose it and it will grow back overnight.
Many lizards such as geckos, can regenerate their tail if it breaks off however it will take severly months to grow another one. And there are a few lizards like Chameleons and Bearded Dragons that can lose their tail but are unable to grow it back. So be careful, never hold a lizard just by it's tail.
MYTH #6 All snakes can strangle and eat people.
People don't taste good to snakes. They would rather eat a rodent, deer or pig depending on their size. Snakes that are constrictors will indeed, wrap around their prey and "strangle" it so they are able to swallow their dinner. However most snakes would be unable to swallow a person because their mouths are not able to open big enough.
MYTH # 7 Rats are dirty, smelly animals that carry diseases.
Domestic rats make excellent pets. They are smart, clean and most do not carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Rats are smart and loveable and you can even teach your pet rat to do tricks like fetch, sit up and play dead. Rats should be kept in pairs as they do not like to be alone.
MYTH #8 Chameleons can change to match whatever color they are put on.
There are over 150 different species of Chameleons in the world today and some are very brightly colored--red, green, blue, yellow and even pink. However, not one species of chameleon can change to whatever color it is put on. Most Chameleons, if green in color, are not able to change purple, red, pink or lavendar and no specie of Chameleon can change to match your Hawaiian Flowered shirt, or Plaid pants.
MYTH #9 Exotic animals make excellent pets.
Most exotic mammals, reptiles and birds do NOT make good family pets like a cat or a dog. Many of these animals can be hard to handle requiring specific skill and knowledge. They also can grow very large, make extreme noise, require special heating and lighting and most all of them will require vaccinations and/or routine veterinary care. In addition, finding a veterinarian that specilizes in exotic animals may be difficult and is definately expensive when they need to be used. Before purchasing an exotic animal, be sure to learn and read as much about them as you can so you know what you are in for.
MYTH #10 A chinchilla is a cross between a rabbit and a squirrel.
A chinchilla is NOT a cross of any two animals. It is it's own species in and of itself. It may LOOK like a cross of a squirrel and another animal but it is in fact, not a result of crossing two different animals.
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