Snakes Down Under at Childers

[salebrosus]

Hello All,

I have just recently moved to Tiaro (i'll be back soon enough though) and thought i would do some exploring of the local area. I found a Reptile Park at Childers and thought i would try it out.
The entry fee is $18 which is much more reasonable than most other parks. I'm fairly sick to death of seeing reptile parks that have more mammals and birds than reptiles or parks and zoos that are full of foreign species.
Well this park was ALL AUSTRALIAN and ALL REPTILIAN. The snake show usually includes Sadie a friendly 4m Scrubbie but as she is gravid the male was used instead. Both are stunning and Sadie is a beautiful looking animal.

When i first arrived the keeper named Jamie stopped his talk and highlighted the fact that the Red Belly Black he was handling was a pet and that he had experience etc and that he was not in any danger. He also reminded me that "i shouldn't do what he does out in the wild". The venomous snake disply was sensational. Jamie and the owner Ian while doing there talks would continually remind people who had not caught the earlier warnings about how they shouldn't handle wild snakes the same way they were. One little boy wasn't really listening and Ian spoke to the Dad and said "please make sure he knows not to handle snakes like this". He couldn't have done a better job at trying to educate people. The keepers also spent alot of time chatting to me and they were very knowledgeable and friendly. This place is a herpers paradise.

The animals they had on display were fantastic and the venomous snake display was awesome. The big Coastal Taipan was by far my favourite. They also had some awesome looking setups that have given me ideas on how to house some of my animals in the future.

I would post pics but i buggered up my camera so it's in getting fixed- when i get it back i'll transfer the pics over and load them up for everyone to see.

If anyone is close to Childers or passing through on a holiday you would be mad to miss it..

Here's the following link for anyone interested.

http://www.snakesdownunder.com/

Simone.

 

[moosenoose]

Looks great Simone, I never knew it existed. Mind you I don't think I've been to Childers too many times in the past when I lived in Brissy :lol:

 

[sezza]

My family is from Bundaberg and I now live in Bris so I am quite often passing through Childers and seeing the signs to the park but I havent ever been able to go yet cause I have had my dogs in the car with me but I really really want to go. I think I am just going to have to make the effort to make it a day trip I think! So great to hear good things about it!! Thanks

 

[hornet]

i have driven past numerous times, will have to stop in oneday

 

[daveyg1]

sounds like a great place.
I'm moving up that way in a few weeks. I'll have to put that on my to do list.

 

[salebrosus]

Well over the enxt few weeks when i have family visit I will be taking them all there. The keepers when they know your into reptiles as well they will have a real good chat with you. This place can only get bigger and better than it already is. I really can't say enough about the place. Maybe we should make an APS trip to Childers?????? There is a section with picnic tables and chairs.

Simone.

 

[MrSpike]

I will have to come and visit you next time I'm in QLD Simone, and we can go have a look

 

[salebrosus]

Well you better make it sometime soon Spikey!- I miss serpenttongue so much that I will have to come back for him.

Simone.

 

[kelly]

Just had a look at the website & through the pics & it looks great!

 

[MrSpike]

Well you better make it sometime soon Spikey!- I miss serpenttongue so much that I will have to come back for him.

Simone.

I think I am up that way for a week in Spetember, I will see if I can drop by on the weekend or something, before I leave

Kane

 

[salebrosus]

Sounds awesome Kane- I'll be back to Sydney in time for Bathurst (1st weekend of October).

Simone.

 

[Elfir]

i went on my way home on saturday i thought it was a good place to spend a few hours

 

[serpenttongue]

Sounds awesome Kane- I'll be back to Sydney in time for Bathurst (1st weekend of October).

Simone.

Oh, so that's the REAL reason you're coming back!

 

[salebrosus]

Oh, so that's the REAL reason you're coming back!

Your not getting off the hook that easy- YOU'LL BE GETTING DRAGGED TO BATHURST WITH ME!!!!!!!!!

Simone.

 

[krusty]

didn't even know about it.............sounds good.

 

[Vixen]

Just went there yesterday Great people and animals, will make a new thread later with some photos I took.

 

[Wrasse]

Excellent Simone, sounds great. Just the sort of information I am looking for.

http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69770

Thanks

 

[salebrosus]

I took my folks last week, all i took was a few shots of the lacies.

Simone.

 

[nigmax]

Great place, i have been going there since we moved to Hervey Bay, Ian is a sensational bloke with a heap of knowledge and the place is just getting better and better.
If anyone is up for a trip and maybe a bbq (drink) we should organise something.

Cheers
Nick

 

[Just_Joshin]

When i first arrived the keeper named Jamie stopped his talk and highlighted the fact that the Red Belly Black he was handling was a pet and that he had experience etc and that he was not in any danger. He also reminded me that "i shouldn't do what he does out in the wild". The venomous snake disply was sensational. Jamie and the owner Ian while doing there talks would continually remind people who had not caught the earlier warnings about how they shouldn't handle wild snakes the same way they were. One little boy wasn't really listening and Ian spoke to the Dad and said "please make sure he knows not to handle snakes like this". He couldn't have done a better job at trying to educate people.

Park looks great Simone, i might have to head up one day to check it out. HOWEVER, IMHO people who free handle vens, whether they be "tame", pets, venomoid etc are irresponsible regardless of how much they stress not to do it. There is no reason to be handle a venomous snake free-hand. Also saying he is in no danger from harm is also a crock, he cannot promise that, no-one can with ANY animal, they all can turn.

They best way to avoid bad husbandry/setting a bad example is by not doing it in the first place. If he really wants to free handle vens it should be done in his own time. Why can't he tail them and use a hook like most everyone else?