Monday, August 3, 2015

Cape Fear Serpentarium

I started off this post with a picture of a bird.  Because I know some of you don't want the upcoming snake pictures in your feed.  But be advised...it's all snake pictures after this, as we went to the Cape Fear Serpentarium in Wilmington on our vacation!

 
The serpentarium is a 10,000 square foot structure.  In addition to venomous snakes, it also has constrictors, crocodiles, and some lizards and turtles.
 
Each snake had a fascinating sign telling about it and rating it on a poison scale (up to five skulls for the most deadly).

The two snakes in this picture are both rattlers, but unusual ones I thought.  One of the rattlers not pictured here was angry, and spent a long time rattling, which echoed eerily through the facility.  Pierce spent a long time staring at him, almost in a trance.

 The green mamba in the upper right corner was oddly beautiful.  And incredibly venomous.  I found the story on it's sign intriguing.  The copperheads in the lower right are common in Virginia, but at only two skulls don't pack nearly the deadly venom of some of the other snakes.

I believe the one in the center is a black mamba.  The mambas look curious...almost friendly for a snake.
 
This is a gaboon viper.  They are pretty nasty snakes.


You can't tell, but Cort wore his gator shirt in preparation for the serpentarium.

An example of one of the serpent signs - see the venom rating on the right?  The signs were so informative I found myself pausing to read every one.
The Cape Fear Serpentarium is home to over 150 different animals and is recognized as one of the foremost reptile collections in the world.  We found it definitely worth the trip!

Readers, would you be up for a serpentarium visit?

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Yes, I would be up for a visit, and you having 3 boys, would have to go! Very interesting sights - wish I could have read about them too.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh yes the bird is pretty:) The boys I a m sure would have enjoyed it immensely:) Hug B

Out on the prairie said...

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, just kidding

An Apel a Day said...

I love snakes. I think they are so interesting. I have a friend that loves them. I actually went to a convention with him once. I'd go for sure.

Gail Dixon said...

There are so many interesting snakes in the world! That green one IS really beautiful. Bet the boys were fascinated.

Michelle said...

No doubt your boys enjoyed this trip!

Vision By Mila said...

Definitely not a fan of snakes myself, but will probably take Lukas to places to see animals and other "creatures" when he gets older.

Terra Heck said...

Snakes and other reptiles fascinate me. I don't care to see any hanging out in my yard but I don't mind seeing them in cages. I'd be one to read all the signs too.

Annette said...

How cool! Was that is Delaware? I must admit that snakes are pretty cool to watch (behind glass walls)!

Small Kucing said...

Thanks Lisa. :) Nah..I don't mind snakes. But don't like much of touching one.

Eat To Live said...

That bird looks almost like some I seen while I was in Las Vegas.

Unknown said...

The year of the snake? Well, I;d have to pass on this stop, Lisa! :)

Tweedles -- that's me said...

beautiful.. beautiful bird!
love
tweedles

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

You got some great pictures! What a fun place to visit!

Linda said...

There's a small zoo in Luray that used to be a reptile zoo. It had lots of creepy snakes! Eww! They still had quite a few when we visited about 5 years ago, but they had expanded the mammals collection to include various rescued animals from zoos that closed and so on.