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Thai-land of snakes

By Shelani de Silva

The creepy, slimy, crawly reptiles are definitely not my kind of pet, nor do I get any pleasure from seeing them huddled in cages or roaming freely in vast areas taking shelter in greenery.

This is exactly what takes place at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute in Thailand. Visiting the snake farm was not on my agenda until I was told that it is the second largest snake farm in the world and that I would have a rare opportunity to witness a snake exhibition.

Not wanting to be a wet blanket among a group of six journalists visiting Thailand, putting on a brave front I decided to visit the farm.The only consolation was that three other colleagues shared the same sentiments.

Walking into the farm at 2.00 p.m. in the blazing hot sun, the snakes were definitely not in one of their active moods. Just like us humans, they were relaxing and having a lazy afternoon, until the caretaker had to rouse them from the cages to put them on display.

Thailand is home to 163 species of snakes of which 85 are venomous. With such a large number of snakes found in the country it is not suprising that a snake farm was established.

The snake farm is the second in the world after the one in Brazil. There are a variety of educational activities for the public and tourists. Daily lectures and demonstrations of local poisonous and harmless snakes are an integral part of the educational efforts.

Active collaboration and joint projects exist between the institute and other educational and research institutes in Thailand and abroad. A 'Snake Task Force' composed of researches from the institute and other organisations is concerned with zoological studies of snakes and the preservation of endangered species.

The snake farm is part of a larger research and service facility centre and a research laboratory.

Snake husbandry is the latest addition. Since some snakes are now difficult to find, it was decided in 1994 to start breeding them. This is a difficult procedure since some snakes have very selective dietary habits. Snakes such as king cobras and kraits eat only other snakes and lizards. Much effort has to go into either procuring their meals or teaching them to accept other animals as food. This activity has also led to research into snake diseases as well.

This unique and popular tourist attraction is located in the centre of Bangkok. At the very outset the snake farm has no sign of the slimy reptiles inside until one comes across a massive mesh cage and you're confronted with a well fed cobra coiled taking up the entire space area.

The neatly laid out garden is some consolation for those who are extra careful when walking into the farm. Walking through a pathway one is led to a wide open space with large shaded rostrums to allow the visitor to get a closer view of the snakes.

Dr. P Montri, Chief of Research and Quality Control gave us a demonstration on the various types of snakes, explaining the manner in which they would attack humans.

'When a king cobra attacks a person he should stand still. They survive on cats,mice and pythons. The snake farm is very popular among the tourists. We give the visitor a chance to touch the snake and even carry it' explained Dr. Montri.

A large number of locals as well as foreigners visit the farm to view the farm as well as the demonstration.

On holidays and weekends there are demonstrations of king and Siamese cobras, kraits, vipers and pythons which includes "milking" venom from the snake.There is also a museum and lectures are given in both English and Thai.

While the demonstrators twist and wriggle with the snake, in turn the snake strikes to defend itself and scare the visitor away. Then there are those moments when the snake actually frees itself from the worker (of course this is not part of the show, but then a Siamese cobra did just that when we were given a demonstration).

The workers having been at the farm for years are definitely experts when handling the reptiles. Gingerly pulling the snakes out from the cage they teased the king cobra until its hood flapped open, clearly showing that the snake is annoyed and waiting to strike.

After nearly three hours at the snake farm finally it was time to leave the reptiles. Walking out of the farm taking careful steps on the cement pathway, I make a solemn promise to myself that this would be the first and last time I would let myself be tortured by these reptiles (even if it is the second largest snake farm in the world) !!!!!.

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