Gatorland and snakes!!

**carolb** · 23-09-2004, 15:43

We will be visiting Florida for the first time next week and I wanted to say that I have found this forum invaluable over the past few weeks so thanks everybody! Could somebody please answer a silly question for me? We are planning to visit Gatorland and as I have a phobia of snakes was wondering whether staff actually walk around the park with snakes(YUK) or whether they are just involved in so called 'shows' - the thought of literally bumping into one fills me with dread!! If so, I'll be giving it a miss but my husband and son will love it.

23-09-2004, 15:49

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by carolb
We will be visiting Florida for the first time next week and I wanted to say that I have found this forum invaluable over the past few weeks so thanks everybody! Could somebody please answer a silly question for me? We are planning to visit Gatorland and as I have a phobia of snakes was wondering whether staff actually walk around the park with snakes(YUK) or whether they are just involved in so called 'shows' - the thought of literally bumping into one fills me with dread!! If so, I'll be giving it a miss but my husband and son will love it.
[/quote]

We went to gatorland last month and did not see anyone carrying snakes around just the offer of having a photo taken with one, but thats it, oh a few in tanks too![msneek]

**chrisj** · 23-09-2004, 15:51

They do a show that has a snake in it, but we didnt see people walking around with them, The
place is really good, our kids loved the day there

**blott** · 23-09-2004, 16:03

I've only ever seen snakes there in glass cases.

**carolb** · 23-09-2004, 16:13

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
I've only ever seen snakes there in glass cases.

[/quote]

Are these glass cases in a specific 'snakes area' and can you avoid them?

**Carla** · 23-09-2004, 16:14

They did have a snake called Star and you could have her round your neck for a photo. A friend of mine used to be Star's handler and minder!! Star has now retired and I don't think that she has been or is going to be replaced.

**carolb** · 23-09-2004, 16:20

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Carla
They did have a snake called Star and you could have her round your neck for a photo. A friend of mine used to be Star's handler and minder!! Star has now retired and I don't think that she has been or is going to be replaced.
[/quote]

That's a relief!!

Thanks everyone for your replies - I appreciate it.

**Nostromo** · 23-09-2004, 16:59

In fact, there is a Reptile Show in SILVER SPRINGS where brave souls (not me!) are invited to fondle non-poisonous (so they claim) snakes after the event. My 9-year old niece was the only one brave enough.[msnembarrased][msnembarrased]

**deniseb90** · 23-09-2004, 17:24

Nostromo the Silver Springs would be right up my 7 year old's alley - whereabouts is it in relation to US27? I think we have at least 5 hours where we haven't planned to do something! We're off in 7 days!

**feathersonline** · 23-09-2004, 17:40

You can also get to handle snakes at the Reptile World & Serpentarium, which is just East of St Cloud along the 192... They have venom collecting demonstrations every day.[