JULY 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 93
PRESS PETS
STRAIGHT TALK ON SNAKES
By JUNGLE BOB
Snakes have always fascinated me.
My first encounter was as a 6-yearold
who just moved from Manhattan
to Babylon. A snake slithered out of
the hedgerow and right up to me, so
I picked it up!
That’s where it all started. The neighborhood
kids stopped in their tracks,
their mouths wide open. My mother
looked out the kitchen window and
said, “WHAT IS THAT?”
Then the screaming started. My
dad, a World War II veteran and New
York City police officer, sprinted for
his revolver.
Clearly everyone there had a preconceived
idea of about the intentions
of that snake.
Words like evil, slimy and venomous
were clearly present. It was a
surreal moment that left an indelible
mark on me and ignited a spark that
has burned passionately for decades.
Thousands of educational programs
and countless encounters with snakes,
and that city kid is doing just fine. I received
a glimpse of nature’s grand plan
and learned that all creatures play
an important role. Hating any given
group based on misinformation is the
definition of prejudice.
The truth is as interesting as it is
enlightening and needs to be told. So
let’s set the record straight and dispel
some myths about snakes.
1. Snakes are not slimy. So stop
saying they are, ok? Their skin is
bone dry, and being cold blooded,
they don’t even perspire.
2. Not all snakes are venomous. Of
the 3,300 known species on Earth,
less than 10 percent of them have
venom. And no venomous snakes are
native to Long Island.
3. Snakes are not inherently evil.
Yet bad press from the Bible to social
media lingers.
4. Snakes don’t hypnotize their
prey. They do stare, but that is not an
attempt to mesmerize anyone. Snakes
simply don’t have eyelids! So they are
staring 24/7, even sleeping with their
eyes wide open.
5. Snakes are not “charmed” by
music. Despite the image of a cobra
swaying out of the wicker basket,
the reality is they lack ears, so they
hear nothing. They are just reacting
to the swaying of the musician, who
they perceive as a threat.
So the snake that is so loathed I have
strived to give a break to ever since.
Only a minority of snakes, like this Bush Viper, are venomous.
No venomous snakes
are native to Long Island.
Jungle Bob's
Reptile World
100 + animals on display in their
natural habitats!
Jungle Bob's Reptile World
Come visit the BEST REPTILE STORE ON LONG ISLAND
Experience the Suburban Jungle...
• Giant Lizards & Pythons
• Bizarre Frogs & Cool Spiders
• Live & Frozen Feeders
• Reptile Supplies & Decorations
• Unusual Gift Store
• Educational Programs
• Birthday Parties
• Boarding
984 Middle Country Rd, Selden, NY 11784
631-737-6474
Newest Location
4130 Sunrise Hwy, Oakdale, NY 11769
www.JungleBobsReptileWorld.com
BEST REPTILE STORE
631-319-6592
10% OFF ANYTHING IN THE STORE
*Not to be used with other offers*
One per person
Expires 12/31/2018 - COUPON MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE
Fantastic Prices. Fantastic Seats. Fantastic Futbol.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 8PM
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 8PM
8 METLIFE STADIUM, NJ
Fantastic selection of seats for this summer’s best soccer.
Easy. Convenient. And in Spanish. Fantastico.
Buy tickets online at www.fantastico.nyc
www.fantastico.nyc
/www.JungleBobsReptileWorld.com
/www.fantastico.nyc
/www.fantastico.nyc
