Snake Duty

Over the past year at my school, I had heard of rumored snake sightings, but I questioned whether or not they had really occurred. I knew that since the school is nestled into a lush mountainside, there was a fair possibility of snakes being on campus. I also readily accepted that snakes have been spotted in the mango trees on the far edge of campus, since I'd heard many people report that they'd seen snakes in those trees.

Nevertheless, I didn't see any snakes at all last year, neither on campus or anywhere else I'd visited in Venezuela. Therefore, my recess duty on campus was completed every day with no hint of fear about snakes.

Last week, my recess duty location was changed. Instead of acting as referee on the soccer field, I was to stand guard over the tether ball courts. On my first day of tether ball duty, I rounded the corner and immediately saw that something was amiss. A crowd of kids was gathering, but none of them were interested in tether ball. I quickly scanned the area in search of the source of the distraction, but all I saw was another staff member. I recognized her as one of the new teaching assistants, so I went over to ask her what was going on.

If I remember right, I heard my answer before I even reached her, "There's a snake!" someone shouted, pointing to the culprit. I jerked my head in that direction and was rather surprised to see that it was true! There was a bonafide, medium-sized snake lurking towards the tented workers area just behind the tether ball courts.

The snake was barely moving, his long, smooth body curved in loose "S" shapes behind him. There was already a member of our maintenance crew staring at the snake, no doubt deciding what he should do to capture the unlucky creature.

I believe the snake was simply out for a lazy afternoon slither, oblivious to the fact that he had crossed into no-man's land. How was he to know that when the recess bell rang, out would come hundreds of excited children, running toward him? The snake's story reminds me now of how Peter Rabbit snuk into Mr. McGregor's garden, not realizing the great consequences that would follow!

Of course, the teacher's assistant and I did the only natural thing- we held back the students at a good distance, in case the snake should shake off his guard and dart towards us in a mad effort to escape or attack! The kids watched in peaked interest, as if this moment was the single defining climax of their lives. The kids created a small wall, fenced off by me and the assistant. Their eyes were big, and many of them were shouting out to each other or waving their arms in the direction of the snake. One by one, other kids joined the group as they heard the commotion. I answered a few of their questions and comments, assuring them that it was not an anaconda, and that no, snakes don't have legs (an odd question for a Venezuelan child, who should have seen snakes before).

My crowd controlling duties were interrupted with quick glances over my shoulder, making sure that I wouldn't be ambushed if the snake were to turn towards me, as I had my back to it. However, the snake rightfully saw that his threat lay in the workmen who were devising his capture.

After a few minutes, I glanced back to see a worker walking towards the snake with a forked rod, just like the ones you might see a reptile handler use. I couldn't keep watching though, for fear one of the kids would sneak around me as I did so. However, I stole a glance a minute later and saw 2 of the workers holding a large blue garbage bin between them. The snake's long neck protruded out! He was indeed finally attempting an escape! He was too slow though, because the workers scooted its head back inside with the rod, and they disappeared into the tented work area behind that part of the school.

I hope they toted the snake up the hill and released him. Regardless, we were no longer an audience to the spectacle. I was rather let down inside myself, having enjoyed the adventure, but I was glad that I didn't have to worry about the kids' safety anymore. I didn't like to think about what might have happened if the teacher's assistant and the workers hadn't seen the snake before the kids got to it.

The snake had a dark diamond shapes on his back, with a very pale greenish color tracing those diamonds. The rest of him was a dark, earthy green. I was later informed that that he was a boa constrictor! Evidently they are quite common in the mountains near the school. I feel like a strong kid could fight one off if he/she had to, but I'm glad no one had to attempt that! Nevertheless, I'd like to suggest that you keep your wits about you, and carry a walking stick, should you traverse the mountain slopes of Venezuela :-)