SUNDAY MAIL (Melbourne, Australia) 04 January 09 Childers reptile park helps debunk snake myths (Danielle Lancaster)

I'm a self-confessed scaredy-cat when it comes to snakes. On more than one occasion I've gone to pick up a great-looking piece of timber for the camp fire only to discover a curled-up hissing heap.

In Australia we have about 150 species of slithering and sliding snake inhabitants including the world's most deadly – the "fierce snake" or inland taipan with a dose of venom nearly 80 times more toxic than the Indian cobra.

That's enough sting to kill almost half a million mice with one bite.

We have the top 10 most toxic snakes.

Most people would give these creatures a wide berth, but not Ian Jenkins. His fascination for snakes has led him to take on the challenge to dispel our fears from the myths that have built up over the past 200 years. And he had his work cut out for him when I ventured into his Snakes Downunder Reptile Park at Childers in southern Queensland recently.

Ian has been handling snakes for more than 40 years. He holds his father, David – a born and bred Welshman who moved to Kenya in the 1950s – responsible.

"Dad was a snake-lover. He always had snakes and while he was working helping African farmers with water erosion he had plenty of opportunity to catch them. Some were sent to zoos in England. It was just something I also found really, really interesting," explains Ian, as he places a python around my snake-loving son Mitchell's neck.

When Ian moved to Australia in 1980 he'd landed in snake heaven. He now had the opportunity to fulfil his lifelong dream and handle the world's most deadly snakes.

"Around 10 years ago I was asked to give a talk at a school in Bundaberg on snakes and really loved it so continued doing it around schools for a few years. I had to make the decision of what I wanted to do and that's how Snakes Downunder started. We built the snake arena and school groups could come to us."

Since then there's been a load of other additions at Snakes Downunder including the Snake House.

An array of Australia's most dangerous snakes is displayed in huge glass enclosures, each mimicking the environment of origin, with backgrounds painted to replicate the habitats. There are other displays featuring lizards, monitors, dragons and turtles, a walk-through tropical vivarium with more dragons, many frog species (all safe and sound and not on the snakes' dinner menu) and two adult saltwater crocodiles.

Each day there are shows where the snakes are handled and presented up close and personal in the arena.

"The main aim for us is to prove to people that the saying 'the only good snake is a dead one' is not true," Ian said.

Has he a favourite? The coastal taipan: "They have a certain aura about them and are the ones I am most wary about."

Ian wasn't joking when he said he could talk about snakes all day; however, it's not a passion held so dear by his wife Barb. Shaking her head vigorously, Barb acknowledges snakes are really not her thing. "I've tolerated them but I'm not a snake person and I always thought that if there was one parent that didn't like them then the kids wouldn't be forced into having to like them also. I lost out on that one. All our three children follow Ian's admiration for snakes and have kept and reared snakes themselves."

Unfortunately for Ian, by the time we leave he still hasn't got me to even touch one of his family of snakes let alone pose for a photo with one around my neck. Though I am able to appreciate their beauty and importance in the environment I am adamant in reply to Mitch's request for one as a pet: no way.

Snakes Downunder Reptile Park is at 51 Lucketts Rd is about 2km east of Childers, about 300km north of Brisbane. It is open every day except Wednesdays from 9am-3pm.

There are two snake shows - one commences at 10am and features Sadie, a huge scrub python. The second show commences at 11.45am and includes the world's five most venomous snakes. The croc show and feeding is at 12.30pm. After each show there is a chance to handle a python and young saltie - included in your entry fee.

There is a canteen with refreshments and souvenirs, numerous picnic tables under shady trees and you are welcome to bring your own picnic lunch.

Phone 4126 3332; www.snakesdownunder.com
Reptile park helps debunk snake myths

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