“See! A black snake!” After someone’s cry, we trotted through the gentle grassy slope. The soft grass blades brushed against my legs while I dashed with others. Today was our field trip class. We were visiting Duke Garden in the sunshine under the guidance of our teacher Vicki. We soon gathered around the slim black thing, watching it intently.
The black snake raised its head and laid quietly on the bed of brown pine needles, contrasting sharply with the surrounding colors. Its thin, forked tongue flickered quickly, as if testing the air for any signs of danger. Our curiosity awakened, we studied it and discussed it in hushed tones:
“What’s its name?” a student asked, her voice trembling with excitement.
“Look! Its head seems angular. Is it poisonous?” another student’s voice rang, eyes wide with concern.
Our teacher, Vicki, peered at the snake for a moment before speaking up. “That’s a black rat snake,” she said confidently. “Don’t worry, it’s non-toxic.” She leaned down slightly and, with a playful smile, teased the snake, “Hey, baby, come on…” With her voice, the head of the snake seemed to shake.
“But how can you tell it’s a black rat snake?” one student asked, leaning in closer. Vicki pointed to the snake. “Notice the shiny black scales and the white underside? That’s a key feature. Plus, its head is slightly wider than its neck.”
While we were discussing, a garden staff member who had been patrolling nearby noticed us and walked over with a friendly smile. “Wow, it’s a black rat snake, so beautiful!” he exclaimed, joining our circle.
“Are you sure this snake is safe?” another student asked, her voice tinged with worry.
“Yes, it’s completely harmless to humans. These snakes are excellent at keeping the ecosystem balanced,” he reassured us. He explained in detail how they control rodent populations and contribute to the garden’s health.
Our fears eased with each new piece of information about this snake. The detailed explanations from both Vicki and the garden staff member helped us see the snake not as a threat, but as a vital part of the natural world. We watched it with new eyes and views.
Slithering its path
Black rat snake’s tongue flickers
Sunlight shines through trees
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