Learning to Appreciate Snakes

At the World Bird Sanctuary most people would not expect to find snakes.  However, we have many different snake species.

Dundee, a Green Tree Python

When I started with WBS back in 2000 I worked with a satellite program we called Care for Critters.  Care for Critters was sponsored by Roundy’s Pick ‘N Save and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee.  This was a mixed animal program that traveled around Wisconsin and parts of Northern Illinois. 

When I arrived in Milwaukee I found out I would be working with 3 large snakes.  The smallest was Aurora who was 5 ft long and 20-25 pounds, the largest was Kahn--both Burmese Pythons.  At that time Kahn was 30-40 pounds and about 9 ft. long.  Back then I was like many people--not very fond of snakes.  I was never like many people who are utterly terrified of them.  I was just not terribly fond of them.  However, I began working with them and soon found I did not mind handling the large snakes.

Every year, starting at the end of May, we would change themes for the show.  In 2001 our theme was Pets through the Ages.  That year we had two bull snakes and two corn snakes.  As I worked with the smaller snakes, especially the corn snakes, I found myself getting more comfortable with handling the reptiles.

I also started reading about snakes and reptiles to better educate myself about them.  As I spent more and more time learning about snakes and how they benefit mankind I developed a greater appreciation of these species.

Yoda, my Okeetee Corn Snake

This process, and working with the corn snakes, led me to now owning 2 corn snakes of my own.

It now takes two naturalists to handle Kahn for shows

Kahn, the Burmese Python mentioned earlier in this article, now weighs 51 pounds, is 13 feet long, and is still growing!  To see Kahn and many of the other reptiles that call the World Bird Sanctuary home you can visit our Nature Center 363 days of the year (we are closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving).

To learn more about these fascinating creatures consider booking a Creatures of Myth and Legend or other mixed species program for your next group function.

 For more information about the many different programs available for your group Click Here for our web page, and search under the “Programs” dropdown menu, or call 636-225-4390, Ext. 0.

Submitted by Cathy Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Field Studies Coordinator