Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I heard that Bill Haast died recently. wikipedia says on the 15th
of june. I was 13 years old the first time I got to visit the
Miami Serpentarium and went back a couple dozen times over the
next 4 years. To see him on Sundays when he would milk his King
Cobras was awesome. The work,dedication,research and the close
to 200 bites he endured speak of the quality of a man that will
be missed and never forgotten!
Heres to Bill Haast!!! Thank YOU! and RIP!

I myself to was able to see Bill milk his 14 foot plus king cobra and the only thing that stood between you and them was a little shrubery not more than 2 feet high, 2 big guys would bring out a huge wooden box, Bill would open it and that king would fly out Bill would be so relaxed reach over grab that guy a within a minute or 2 be milking him for the crowd.I was just a kid then but have never forgotten Bill and never will.Bill will be missed by many but never forgotten.Peace and to milking kings in the next world.RIP

After his snow they would bring out a large Indigo and let the kids hold it. It was awsome!!!!!

I ment show.

I was ten years old when my dad brought my brother and I into the Serpentarium while my mom and sisters waited in the hot car. Holding that huge Indigo changed me forever. I wasn't happy with garters and redbelly snakes anymore(lived in NYS), I had to have an Indigo. The price list I got from the Serpentarium listed Indigos for $6 or $7 per foot. I wore that pamphlet/price list out after so much dreaming. Parents wouldn't let me get the Indigo but finally relented and let me buy a Calif. King that I kept for 10 years and donated to my high school biology teacher, Richard Stineman, who kept it in the classroom for another 10 years.
My brother, Steve, was able to visit Bill Haast's home/rattlesnake compound with his herp club in south Florida.
But that trip to the Serpentarium was the best.
Thank you Bill Haast