"Give A Hoot About Animals" Writing Contest

Read this winning entry for the "Give A Hoot About Animals" contest! Learn more about the contest here.

Honorable mention, ages 9-11

Hector H., age 11, Pharr, TX 

Caring for Speedy

“Mom!” 

“What is it Hector!”  

“I’m going to grandpa’s.”

“Why?” She asked curiously.  

“I have to do a report on how I take care of a pet or animal.”  

“What does that have to do with you going to your grandpa’s house?” she asked with more curiosity.  

“I decided to do my report about how I take care of Speedy, my grandpa’s python.”

  I simply adore snakes, especially the reticulated python. It measures 27 feet long and can be found in parts of Asia. Mother pythons such as the African rock python can survive for two years without eating while it incubates its eggs. That’s another reason why I chose my grandpa’s python. Pythons make great parents and are the largest snakes in the world.

  I decided to write about Speedy because he loves it when I take care of him. First I give him a bath. Then I give him breakfast, and he usually eats 5 mice or a little frozen mounting goat which my grandpa buys at the zoo. Then I give him a bath. After he eats, he doesn’t eat for a week but I still come over every day to bathe him and take care of him because we live close to a mountain and a mountain cat might attack him while he is vulnerable. My grandpa said that when he is too old, he is going to give me Speedy. If my grandpa ever gives me Speedy it’s going to be tougher because Speedy is only 10 feet long and he is going to grow to be 27 feet long so I’m getting prepared to take care of Speedy. I can’t wait for grandpa to give me Speedy but I still don’t want my grandpa to get old.