SLADE, Ky -- It’s the little-known zoo in Eastern Kentucky with one of the largest collections in the country.
- Kentucky Reptile Zoo says it's #1 priority is to provide venom for antivenom and for medical and pharmaceutical research - to save lives
- Kentucky Reptile Zoo is open every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. We are also available by appointment Mon. - Thurs. between 10 am and 4 pm.
"There's about 3,000 different species of snakes in the world," says Kristen Wiley, Director of Kentucky Reptile Zoo.
That’s right, Snakes! And most of those different species can be found here at The Kentucky Reptile Zoo in Slade, Kentucky. This is a place where you can get up close and learn about the many different reptiles and see one of the world's largest collections of venomous snakes.
"Our most common venomous snake is the copperhead throughout all of the southeast United States. Most people encounter those... Probably also garter snakes I would throw in, another non-venomous snake that people see commonly," adds Wiley
The Kentucky Reptile Zoo is much more than snakes found in Kentucky. Their collection includes an 18-foot python, cobras, vipers, and rattlesnakes. Visitors can get up close to the zoo's slithery residents during daily shows, and also witness live venom extractions.
"I’ve been extracting venom for 41-years, I’ve had 9-accidents while extracting, and I average from six-hundred to one-thousand extractions per week," explains Jim Harrison, Assistant Director, Kentucky Reptile Zoo
The venom collected is used in research and development for medical purposes. Believe it or not, it’s likely already in a prescription that's been given to you or a loved one. The non-profit organizations mission is the extraction of venom for use in medical and pharmaceutical research.
"Snake venoms are used in all kinds of medicine research and have been used to make medicines in the past. We are looking at cancer research using South American rattlesnake venom. We're looking at tests for a clotting factors are using snake venoms. The test for lupus is made right here. We use Russell viper venom that we sell to a company that makes the test for lupus. So snake venoms have a lot of different potentials," says Harrison.
The Kentucky Reptile Zoo also can give you some insight on how to react should you encounter a snake.
"Well, I guarantee you if a snake sees any person the snake is scared of that person. Whether it's a child or an adult, you are much, much larger than the snake, and so a snake is always going to be afraid of something that is bigger than it is. It's going to assume that either you're a predator or at the very least you're something large that can squish them...If you're too close the snake assumes it's not working and it will try to run. If you just take a step back and let the snake go the snake is going to run away. If you try to harass, catch, restrain, kill the snake, the snake is going to try to protect itself, and that's when snakes try to bite. It's really a last resort for the snake. Snakes all are shy, reclusive animals that just want to be left alone by pretty much everything," adds Wiley
Snakes may not be the most beloved creature in the world, but thanks to the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, you can learn about them and better understand their purpose on our planet.
Learn more about the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, by clicking here.