Learning to love those slithery reptiles called snakes

I will admit that snakes have not always been at the top of my list. Heck, they weren't even in the middle - they were tied for dead last with the spiders for many years. When we would visit the reptile house at the San Diego Zoo, my son would be right up against the glass and I would be back against the wall following along at a somewhat safe distance. Yes, I know there is a think piece of glass between us but being a girly girl these slithery reptiles scared the heck out of me.

Slowly I learned to get closer to the glass. To watch the snakes and learn about them.

Zookeeper Rick taught me that there is no such thing as a poisonous snake - only venomous snakes.

Rakesh is a beautiful Indian Python that I had the opportunity to get very close to at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park during a keeper talk. There was no glass - just me and the snake. And you know what?

I was OK. I didn't die.

In fact, I wanted to touch Rakesh - but that wasn't allowed.


Through photography I learned that snakes made excellent subjects. Then when I uploaded the photos I saw how beautifully detailed they were. OK, maybe they aren't so bad.

I never thought in a million years I would be saying this, but I am actually excited to visit the San Diego Zoo this weekend for Reptilemania.

Snakes, lizards, Galapagos tortoises, and so much more ... bring on the reptiles!