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DELAWARE COUNTY TIMES (Chester, Pennsylvania) 26 March 04 Cobras strike on spitters' row in zoo's new reptile exhibition
Philadelphia: What’s red and black and can shoot venom from its fangs -- hitting its target up to 12 feet away?
What animal do experts now believe more likely than the asp to have caused Cleopatra’s untimely demise?
How do reptile keepers keep a safe distance from their venomous charges?
Snake lovers - and the cautiously curious -- will learn the answers to those questions and more at "Cobras!" a new exhibit open now through September as the Philadelphia Zoo.
"Cobras!" features the Zoo’s largest-ever collection of nine species of these enthralling reptiles. Intimate exhibit settings will bring guests up close to the snakes as "Cobras!" explores this revered, feared and sometimes maligned serpent’s role in religion, folklore and medicine.
"‘Cobras!’ is a must-see this summer -- we’ve brought together some of the most exciting and unusual cobras you’ll find in one place," said Zoo president Pete Hoskins. "And we’re bringing you closer to them than you’ll likely ever get!
"From the mighty king cobra to the unusual albino monocle, you’ll learn how these reptiles live in the wild and why they’re revered in some parts of the world. Kids can ‘be the cobra’ at the helm of a customized super soaker that simulates a spitting cobra, and gear up like a keeper to learn how to handle a venomous snake.‘Cobras!’ features all this and more -- and all of it designed to captivate even the wildest zoo-goers."
Visitors will enter the ancient temple-themed exhibit and come face to face with the residents of "Spitters’ Row:" the ruby-colored red spitting cobra, the black and white Malayan spitting cobra -- one of only two on public exhibit in the United States -- and the ringhals spitter -- one of only three on public exhibit in the United States.
Families will encounter a haunting albino monocle cobra, creamy white except for its piercing red eyes and orange hood markings; coral cobras, the world’s smallest; black forest cobras, among the world’s largest; and mighty king cobras, able to stand tall enough to look a human straight in the eye.
Fun -- and sometimes unconventional -- hands-on activities will take guests around the world to explore Asia and Africa, the continents where cobras are found, and the cultures that both revere and fear them. Kids can take target practice at the controls of a spitting cobra super soaker and handle the reptile keeper’s tools of the trade, which enable keepers to safely move venomous snakes.Interactive props will demonstrate how lethal a snake’s venom can be to humans, but also how valuable it can be to modern medicine.
The Zoo will unveil the myths of snake charming and explore mistaken stereotypes about cobras, which are generally defensive, not aggressive, animals. Throughout the season, special cultural entertainment, such as demonstrations by Indian dance troop Naatya and henna tattooing by Stacey’s Face Painting, will engage visitors of all ages.
In keeping with its central mission, the Zoo will highlight the conservation issues surrounding these reptiles. Though king cobras are the only cobra in the collection formally considered endangered by international conservationists, scientists are closely watching all cobra species, which are hunted for the pet trade and their valuable skins.
"Cobras!" is one of three exciting attractions opening this spring at the Philadelphia Zoo. In April, join the Zoo for the grand re-opening of the newly renovated Tastykake Children’s Zoo.
In May, discover firsthand how to survive the challenges of living in a real jungle when PECO Jungle Trek swings into action. This jungle school journey takes place throughout the two-and-a-half acre PECO Primate Reserve -- home to more than 40 primates from around the world including western lowland gorillas, orangutans, gibbons and more. For information visit www.philadelphiazoo.org.
If You Go
- The Philadelphia Zoo is located at 34th Street and Girard Avenue, Philadelphia. The Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Off-season ticket prices are $9.95 for adults and kids 2-11; starting March 27, tickets prices are $15.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids 2-11. Family memberships start at just $79; Zoo members receive free admission and parking all year long.
- The Philadelphia Zoo, a private, nonprofit organization, is America’s first zoo and one of the region’s foremost conservation organizations.The 42-acre Victorian garden is home to more than 1,600 animals, including highly endangered Amur tigers and rare sifaka lemurs. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world.
Cobras strike on spitters' row in zoo's new reptile exhibition

I gave it to The Ky Reptile zoo, they loaned it to the spitter exihibit, makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.