Reptile World Serpentarium facts for kids
Reptile World Serpentarium is a special zoo in St. Cloud, Florida. It's home to over 75 different kinds of snakes! You can also see lizards, crocodiles, alligators, and turtles there. A person who studies reptiles, called a herpetologist, named George Van Horn runs the Serpentarium. Besides seeing amazing animals, visitors can watch live shows where snake venom is carefully collected.
Exciting Venom Milking Shows
One of the most popular things to see at the Serpentarium is the daily venom-milking show. During these shows, George Van Horn and Rosa Van Horn carefully collect venom from dangerous snakes. They work with snakes like rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and cobras. Visitors can watch this amazing process safely from behind a glass window. This venom is very important for making medicines that can save lives.
Meet George Van Horn
George Van Horn grew up in Miami, Florida. He has loved reptiles his whole life. When he was just six years old, he met Bill Haast, who owned another snake park called the Miami Serpentarium. Bill Haast became George's mentor, teaching him a lot about snakes. George Van Horn opened the Reptile World Serpentarium in St. Cloud in 1972. He has spent many years working closely with these incredible animals.
