GULF SHORES, Ala. — Leslie Anson’s first-grade class at Gulf Shores Elementary School had a visit from some special friends – one who is actually going to stay for the whole year. Kelly Reetz, a naturalist with the Gulf State Park, brought red rat snakes to Ms. Anson’s class. This snake is also known as a corn snake. First-graders, from left, Bennett Reetz, Nathan Kuiken, Hannah Morgan and Chloe Dickerson show the four stages of a red rat snake. Bennett has the grown red rat snake, Nathan has the 2-year-old snake named Molly, that the class is keeping, Hannah has a one day old snake and Chloe has the egg of one that recently hatched.