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Snakes of Africa in Florida
24 February 2017, 13:01
Beretta682ESnakes of Africa in Florida
I was driving from my gunsmith to my beach condo when I drove past reptile world in saint cloud Florida.
http://reptileworldserpentarium.comI have driven past this place for the last 29 years and never stopped in.
On a cloudy rain day I decided to stop in as the beach would suck.
It was a great decision - for $11.50 I go to see some cool snakes and talk to the owner George Van Horn.
Snakes
Black Mamba
Green Mamba
Gaboon Viper
From Asia - King Cobra - massive scary and very impressive
The size and scale of the king cobra
George Van Horn is an interesting guy - survived probably the most venom of anyone in recorded history when a king cobra bit him
http://www.orlandomagazine.com...of-a-Serpentologist/
13 bites in 60 years
He did think I was crazy for shaking hand with a full grown live croc with his Jaws not taped
Best tourist attraction in Cental Florida and a great value for $11.50.
Mike
24 February 2017, 13:29
FrostbitIs that Bill Haast's old place?
24 February 2017, 13:40
RockdocWow!
Those black mamba pics remind me of the grey snakes running between our legs in the long grass and sunning themselves by the tracks just after the wet finished in Tanz, but they weren't all that long.
You can have the croc
DRSS
24 February 2017, 13:44
Beretta682Equote:
Originally posted by Frostbit:
Is that Bill Haast's old place?
No
This place has been around since 1972
Small facility but pretty cool.
Mike
24 February 2017, 15:54
Black LechweA question about the croc: where was that? Burkina Faso?
24 February 2017, 16:59
larryshoresquote:
Originally posted by Beretta682E:
I was driving from my gunsmith to my beach condo when I drove past reptile world in saint cloud Florida.
http://reptileworldserpentarium.comI have driven past this place for the last 29 years and never stopped in.
On a cloudy rain day I decided to stop in as the beach would suck.
It was a great decision - for $11.50 I go to see some cool snakes and talk to the owner George Van Horn.
Snakes
Black Mamba
Green Mamba
Gaboon Viper
From Asia - King Cobra - massive scary and very impressive
The size and scale of the king cobra
George Van Horn is an interesting guy - survived probably the most venom of anyone in recorded history when a king cobra bit him
http://www.orlandomagazine.com...of-a-Serpentologist/ 13 bites in 60 years
He did think I was crazy for shaking hand with a full grown live croc with his Jaws not taped
Best tourist attraction in Cental Florida and a great value for $11.50.
Mike
Mike:
Have you ever noticed the croc in the back walking to the water? Hmmmmmm......
24 February 2017, 18:42
Woodhitsquote:
Originally posted by Frostbit:
Is that Bill Haast's old place?
That was the Miami Serpentarium, went there as a kid and will never forget him milking a giant king cobra about 10 yards from us.
24 February 2017, 19:50
Bill/OregonReminds me of the old Ross Allen Reptile Institute in Silver Springs. My folks visited it in the early 1950s while Dad was getting his master's in forestry at Duke.
There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
24 February 2017, 19:52
Beretta682EMilking these snakes for venom is an incredibly difficult and risky job.
Until last week I had imagined that it was easy to do and the snakkes would be passive and controlled.
It is the exact opposite - the snakes are aggressive and p@ssed off. There are snakes falling of the milking table.
I asked George Van Horn about the bites and he said 13 bites over 60 years of snake handling. A repeated activity with dangerous creatures something will go wrong.
He then spoke about the space shuttle program and how risky that was - 2 losses over 135 mission with massive human and technical capital devoted. I agreed with him - I think the risk taken in space exploration by a select few was massive.
I am glad there are guys like George milking these snakes cause the anti venom in generates saves a lot of lives in Asia.
Mike
24 February 2017, 20:43
Brandon.GleasonI might have to check this out when I'm down in October. My time share is only a 40 min drive from there.
24 February 2017, 21:10
BuffHunter63When I was young and dumb, I once stuck my hand into the cage of a full grown tiger and petted it behind the ear.
Now I know better. With wild animals, no matter how much they are conditioned, you never know when they may be in a "mood".
Losing a hand or an arm (or your life), just to take a tourist photo is a really bad deal IMO.
I am fascinated by snakes, but I like to keep my distance. Their ability to hide and kill you with a single bite, makes them extremely dangerous.
I would much rather face a charging buffalo (with a proper rifle of course), then have a mamba or King cobra come after me.
Thanks for sharing.
BH63
Hunting buff is better than sex!
26 February 2017, 04:53
Beretta682Equote:
Originally posted by FFemtRN5287:
I might have to check this out when I'm down in October. My time share is only a 40 min drive from there.
You should - its worth the drive and the $11.50 admission. It's kind of nice to see these snakes up close without being terrified :-)
Also go to
http://www.whiteoakwildlife.or...eastern-giant-eland/Mike
02 March 2017, 16:21
Barry GroulxI can't tell from the thread whether that is Bill Haast's old place or not. I believe he passed away at age 100+ (?) and he certainly left a legend behind. So the old Miami Serpentarium closed, but it would be nice if the premises were being resurrected for the same purpose.
The displays look good.
02 March 2017, 17:16
larryshoresNot the same place.
02 March 2017, 17:19
Sean RussellZuma moved to Florida???
Is Uncle Bob next?
"The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane." Mark Twain
TANSTAAFL
www.savannagems.com A unique way to own a piece of Africa.
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02 March 2017, 19:20
jorgeGreat! Now I have another reason to try and convince my wife to get the hell out of this Fugly state! MAMBAS on the loose!
USN (ret)
DRSS Verney-Carron 450NE
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02 March 2017, 20:53
BiebsSnakes and Crocs...kill them all!
02 March 2017, 20:57
chuck375+1 Hope to hell there's never an natural disaster and they all get loose.
Regards,
Chuck
"There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit"
Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness"
02 March 2017, 21:06
PSmithGood point. We do not need a breeding pair of black mambas in the wild in Florida.
Paul Smith
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Life Member of the "I Can't Wait to Get Back to Africa" Club
DRSS
I had the privilege to fire E. Hemingway's WR .577NE, E. Keith's WR .470NE, & F. Jamieson's WJJ .500 Jeffery
I strongly recommend avoidance of "The Zambezi Safari & Travel Co., Ltd." and "Pisces Sportfishing-Cabo San Lucas"
"A failed policy of national defense is its own punishment" Otto von Bismarck
02 March 2017, 21:12
larryshoresquote:
Originally posted by chuck375:
+1 Hope to hell there's never an natural disaster and they all get loose.
They think that some of the snake problem we have now with pythons and the like came about as a result of a hurricane leveling a place in Homestead where imported exotics were brought into the country.
06 March 2017, 01:52
NakihunterConsidering the number of exhotics established in the Florida wilderness, I hope none of those escape.
That king cobra looks like a young one. They get beyond 17 feet in the wild.
My dad shot one in India in the 1950s. They became really rare through the 70s until recently. Now the education and conservation efforts are paying off. Most villagers do not kill them anymore. They are now becoming more common in the wet parts of South India.
The eyes and the predatory look of the King cobra are the most arresting look of all snakes IMO.
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."
06 March 2017, 02:16
larryshoresWe had some jack ass around here who had a king cobra that escaped. This was a year or so ago. This guy had some issues. I can't remember all the details but he faced various charges. IIRC, they found the cobra in a washing machine. I just recently read he gave up all of his snakes.
06 March 2017, 02:59
Gatogordoquote:
He did think I was crazy for shaking hand with a full grown live croc with his Jaws not taped
I'm pretty sure that is a gator, not a croc. He was right, that action was just plain stupid. Those critters can be incredibly quick. You might do it 100 times with no negative consequences, then on 101, or the first, the gator might turn around grab your arm or leg and head for the water. You probably would not survive. Dumb.
xxxxxxxxxx
When considering US based operations of guides/outfitters, check and see if they are NRA members. If not, why support someone who doesn't support us? Consider spending your money elsewhere.
NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR.
I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process.
06 March 2017, 03:16
Sliderquote:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com...-20170126-story.html
A year in Jail? That's a MUCH shorter sentence than if it would have bitten a child.
14 March 2017, 23:39
larryshoresWe have yet another genius around.
