4-H member shows off slithering sidekicks

Thompson Falls Library opened its doors to more than just those wanting to check out books last week. John McNamara, a snake expert, enthusiast and rescuer from Plains, spoke to more than 30 people of all ages about the fascinating world of snakes last Thursday afternoon.

John, age 9, has been chasing after snakes since he was 18 months old. "I have 13 snakes now," he said. "I brought some mice along today to feed." John brought six snakes with him, including a few corn snakes and an albino milk snake named Clarence. "After Alcatraz because he escapes a lot," John's mother, Carissa McNamara, chimed in.

Carissa said while John has been catching wild snakes all his life, he received his first boa snake at the age of 3. "That's where it all started," she said. "It's all about him and we are just along for the ride. He caught his first [wild] snake of the season just yesterday."

This will be John's second year with South Side Sparks 4-H club and his third public presentation. John said at the beginning of the presentation that he will be talking about how to feed and take care of snakes. "It takes up to 20 minutes for them to eat their mouse," he said. Everyone in the audience jumped at the sudden snap from the snake who snatched the frozen mouse from John's hand.

John answered questions from the audience about what snakes eat, how they shed their skin and which of his snakes was his favorite, to which he replied, "all of them are my favorite." He was also asked if he has ever been bitten by one of his snakes. "Yes, hundred of times," he chuckled.

The biggest snake John owns is a king snake that is five years old and five feet long. "The growth of the snake determines how much they eat," said John's father, Bruce. "The majority of these snakes are rescues."

After walking around the audience to let everyone see and feel the snakes up close and personal, children got to take home previous sheds from his snakes as keepsakes.