KUWAIT TIMES (Kuwait) 06 June 08 Kuwait's first reptile museum (Nawara Fattahova)
People often take up strange hobbies and looking after reptiles could be one of them . Some reptiles are endangered and almost extinct; therefore there are strict rules that govern their import to Kuwait.
Here, reptiles are mostly found at the Scientific Center or the Zoo. However, they aren't as exquisite as the ones that are housed in the small museum owned by Khalid Al-Tabba', Ali Boushahri, and Zeid Al-Nejada. The three young men have found an outlet for their fascination by taking up animal breeding as a hobby. After a long search, they finally found a suitable home at the Aqua Park. Equipping the place well, was an expensive affair, and they now finance their project with the low budget that they can
afford.
Different kinds of snakes are at display - the Milk Snake, the King Snake, the Python, the Boa, and the likes. They also have different kinds of lizards like the Blue-Tongue lizard, the Chameleon, the Iguana, the Basilisk, and the Gecko. Turtles, monkeys, spiders, scorpions, and frogs also make their presence felt.
The museum has about six hundred animals in all. However, not all of them are on display. "We don't have enough space to display our collection, so some of them are kept back. Some are also kept at home. We intend to expand so that we can display more animals. For this, we need more funding. Having a sponsor would help." Khalid told Kuwait Times.
Khalid took up this hobby 22 years ago, when he was still a child. He made an enclosure at the courtyard of his parents' home, and kept animals there. "It's my hobby. I love these animals. Now I don't feel the need to go to the vet. I know everything about treating them. I know their habits and I studied their nature," Khalid said.
I also feel sorry at the bad conditions in which the animals are sheltered at the Scientific Center and the Zoo. I think I can care for them better. I love animals and taking care of them. I think it is a good project - for scientific and educational purposes," he added.
Khalid and the group intend to export the snakes outside Kuwait, after breeding three generations. This move would also prove to officials who refused to support them, that they are capable of caring for these animals properly. "This needs a lot of time, as well as money. We need a breeding machine, which is expensive, to ensure that the temperature is suitable. Snakes usually breed in April. It's their season. A lot of my snakes laid eggs last month," he added.
The unstable weather conditions in Kuwait create an atmosphere that takes a toll on animals' growth. The three friends say that they have studied them closely and are now familiar with how they might feel and behave. "Some of them refuse to eat, and that can be a sign for depression. It happens when they are taken away from the environment they were brought up in. Some of them might die, they refuse to eat until they die," Khalid said.
Khalid says that the United States is the best place to buy animals. He surfs the Internet for the breeds that he wants, and places orders accordingly. "The transportation fees are very high and they take forever to get here," he explained. The life span of an average snake is forty years. Some grow to a length six meters in length. Khalid says that the most expensive snake was bought for KD 1600.
Ali Boushahri has a farm in Abdali, where he breeds crocodiles. "I have about ninety crocodiles that come in various sizes and breeds. Here at the museum, I display only one, since its small in size. If the crocodile is left out in nature, it will grow up to become six meters long. However, if you raise it in an aquarium, it doesn't grow very large, reaching only two meters," he noted.
Let me assure you that the wild animals including the crocodile do not attack people without a reason. If people don't provoke them, they don't attack. Movies have created a false perspective. Everyone expects the same drama in real life," Boushahri added.
Zeid Al-Nejada, the third member of KAZ museum, breeds reptiles too. "I have one special room in my house where I shelter about twenty turtles, four snakes, three iguanas, three scorpions and three spiders. My family never goes near them. It's entirely my responsibility to take care of them. I've also learnt to keep the optimum room temperature right for them," he said. He noted that some of them died because the room was too cold.
The museum is open daily from 10 am to 10pm. The museum has a separate entrance within the Aqua Park. Currently, there are about seventy aquariums displayed at the place where reptiles are kept. The entrance fee is KD 2 for individuals. Photography is allowed, in addition, to a free documentary screening about reptiles every day.
Kuwait's first reptile museum