Reptile World Serpentarium

Reptile World Serpentarium is a zoo in St. Cloud, Osceola County, Florida. This animal center features more than 75 species of snakes, as well as lizards, crocodiles and alligators, and turtles. This zoo is operated by George Van Horn, a herpetologist. This zoo has many features such as exhibits with snakes, crocodilians, lizards, and turtles, a venom milking show, and a gift shop.

Reptile world Serpentarium sign.
Western Diamondback rattlesnake in exhibit.

Milking shows

The zoo's most prominent feature are its daily venom-milking shows. These shows involve George Van Horn and Rosa Van Horn milk venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes, cotton mouths, and/or Cobras for their venom while a crowd watches separated with glass.

History

A native of Miami, Florida, George Van Horn maintained a lifelong interest in herpetology. When he was six years old he met Bill Haast who was the owner of the Miami Serpentarium. The first snake he ever picked up was a rattlesnake which struck at him but only reached his fingernail. He then tried a cottonmouth in his grandmothers basement and milked the cottonmouth and produced a vial of venom. George Van Horn has been bitten 12 times by a venomous snake. In 1977 he went to the hospital because of a king cobra bite. In 1972 he opened up the Reptile World Serpentarium in St. Cloud.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Wyatt, Gianna (August 2011). "The story of a ... Serpentologist.". Retrieved 22 March 2016.

External links

"Official website". Reptile world serpentarium.com. George Horn. September 22, 2015. 

Coordinates: 28°14′34″N 81°12′37″W / 28.2427°N 81.2103°W / 28.2427; -81.2103

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