A Journey Into the World of Reptiles and Amphibians – Our Classroom Presentation
Before our young explorers meet live reptiles up close, we prepare them with an interactive introduction.
Images, videos, and engaging stories bring the topic to life.
In this first part of the presentation, we share essential knowledge about amphibians and reptiles — their role in nature, culture, and even medicine.
We create a foundation of curiosity, wonder, and confidence that helps children feel safe and open as they encounter the animals.
You can help make this work possible
In the following section, we’ll show you the structure and content of this first part of our presentation — and how we use questions, images, and small “aha” moments to spark excitement.
This is how we open the door to the world of reptiles and lay the foundation for a new way of seeing these fascinating animals.
How Life Took Its First Steps on Land
How Amphibians and Reptiles Paved the Way for Vertebrates
Amphibians and reptiles play a central role in the history of life.
They were the first vertebrates to make the transition from water to land — setting in motion an evolutionary journey that eventually led to humans.
In our sessions, children learn which adaptations allowed amphibians to make this transition, and why they still depend on water for reproduction today.
Reptiles went one step further: their body structure and reproductive strategies make them largely independent of water — an evolutionary milestone.
We also teach a foundational piece of biology that many children (and even teenagers) are not yet familiar with:
amphibians and reptiles are two completely different groups of animals.
By observing amphibians and reptiles, students look back to the origins of our own evolutionary story — and discover just how fascinating the history of life truly is.
Dragon Land – Discovering Mexico’s Reptile Diversity
In our lessons, children learn why Mexico is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth — especially when it comes to reptiles.
More than 1,000 known species live here: snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles — many of them found nowhere else in the world.
We explain in a child-friendly way how this richness came to be: Mexico’s unique position between two continents, its incredible variety of landscapes — from mountains and deserts to tropical rainforests — and the climatic changes that have shaped these habitats over millions of years.
This helps children understand why Mexico is a global biodiversity hotspot — and why protecting species here is especially important
Reptiles in the Ecosystem — and in Children’s Daily Lives
In this unit, children learn about typical reptile behaviors and the role reptiles play in the ecosystem.
They discover what it means to be “cold-blooded,” and why reptiles need sun-exposed spots and hiding places to regulate their body temperature.
They learn why reptiles bask — and why they seem to vanish during extreme heat or cold.
When temperatures become unsuitable, reptiles retreat to safe hiding places.
Their metabolism slows down in cold or very hot conditions, allowing them to stay inactive for weeks without eating or drinking.
We also explore how reptiles use their ecological niches and how they fit into complex food webs — as predators that control insect and rodent populations, and as prey for many other animals.
This shows children that reptiles perform important functions in the ecosystem — and that many of these interactions happen right in their everyday lives: in fields, gardens, and along the edges of their villages.
The Healing Power of Venom
Why Venomous Reptiles Are Valuable — for Medicine, Science, and Future Generations
In our sessions, children learn that many venomous reptiles are not only fascinating animals — they also play an important role in medical research.
The compounds found in their venoms already serve as the basis for modern medicines, including treatments for pain, high blood pressure, and certain neurological disorders.
It becomes clear that reptiles are not only essential to their ecosystems — they also hold enormous potential for medicine and science.
A potential rooted in their genetic diversity, and one that must be protected — especially in species-rich and often remote regions such as Mexico’s Sierras.
Myths, Power, and Symbolism
What Reptiles Meant in the Cultures of the Maya and Aztecs
Reptiles are fascinating not only from a biological perspective — they also hold a significant place in the mythology and symbolism of many Indigenous cultures in Mexico.
In our sessions, children discover the meanings reptiles held for civilizations such as the Maya and Aztecs — symbols of healing, renewal, and the forces of nature.
Snakes were regarded as sacred beings, while lizards were seen as messengers between worlds.
This helps children understand that reptiles were not only feared — they were also revered as symbols of wisdom, transformation, and life.
A shift in perspective that inspires respect and builds understanding.
The Reptiles And Amphibians Next Door
How to Identify Reptiles — and How to Respond Safely
In our sessions, children get to know the reptile species that live right in their own surroundings.
Through slide presentations, we introduce local species, explain their characteristics and conservation status, and show where and when they might be encountered.
A central focus is a topic that is especially important in everyday life:
How do I tell venomous species from harmless ones — and what should I do if I meet a snake or lizard?
We teach simple, practical rules that help avoid dangerous situations while making it possible to live peacefully alongside these animals.
In this way, we strengthen safety, knowledge, and respect — the foundation for effective reptile conservation
Protecting Reptiles Begins at Home
What Children Can Do Themselves
After everything they’ve learned, we talk with the children about how reptiles can be protected — in practical, concrete ways, directly in their own surroundings.
Together, we explore which landscape features and places are especially important for reptiles:
sunny spots, stone piles, large tree stumps, old epiphyte-covered trees, field edges, nature-friendly gardens, and small water sources.
The children learn what these habitats need in order to survive — and how new ones can even be created.
This turns conservation into something real and close to home — and shows children that they have the power to make a difference.