The following is a trip report from News 13 travel reporter Scott Fais. Read his thoughts from the field below.
I despise snakes.
I always have.
It started when I was 3 years old. I can still see our next door neighbor showing my mother the eight-foot long sucker hiding in the garden on the side of our house. Soon after the discovery, I was rushed inside to watch PBS until the coast was clear.
At night when I was 6 years old, I was afraid snakes would slither up into my bed and bite my toes.
In sixth grade, our science teacher had some snakes in the room. I never touched the things.
A few years later, I find myself attracted to the Reptile World Serpentarium in St. Cloud.
Why?
In time for Halloween, I was ready to face my fear.
And did I.
There are 400 snakes on site. Most stay behind glass.
George Van Horn's facility is known worldwide for providing snake venom to research groups and pharmaceutical facilities when making anti-venom.
I watched George and his assistant pull a cobra out of it's crate and then place the snake on a table while I stood two feet away, inside “The Snake Room” with them.
The Cobra hissed at him.
Then hissed at the window.
Then it spotted me.
That's when the phone rang and George then left to answer it! The man left me alone with the thing to fend for myself.
The following is a transcript of the conversation I had in my head:
"What are you going to do it the thing comes towards you?”
“RUN!”
“But the snake could chase you. After all, they move fast. You saw one slither off the table earlier.”
“Okay. Pretend you're not here and it doesn't see you.”
“Oh, Lord. It just hissed again.”
“It sees me.”
“Drop the TV camera and scram if it comes your direction.”
“I don't want to hurt the camera.”
“I don't want to get bit.”
“There is a new camera on the way. Save yourself. Just be sure the camera is rolling if you toss it in your defense.”
Soon, George returned and milked the thing.
Getting venom from the snakes takes place twice daily. Once at noon and again at 3 p.m.
By the end of my visit, I was holding one of the little guys (see the slideshow above for photographic evidence). Granted, he was non-venomous and pretty slow moving.
In researching this story, I read where serpentariums have a reputation of smelling like reptile urine. Not this one. George Van Horn takes pride in presenting a facility that is clean and comfortable. Editor Bill Coughlin accompanied me to this shoot and he agrees, the place is good, clean, fun.
You can also watch two gators, who were watching their eggs hatch when we visited. There is also a large collection of turtles belonging to breeds like "Spur-Thighed Tortoise" and "Yellow Belly Cooter." Plus, the Iguanas wouldn't stop smiling. Too bad the Mambas, Boas, Rattlers and Pythons didn't smile back.
Until Next Week, Drive Safe,
SCOTT
Scott Fais enjoys reading about your adventures. Know of someplace Florida on a Tankful should visit? Drop Scott a line atsfais@cfnews13.comand be sure to send photos!