Common misconceptions like these are understandable if you have never encountered one before. The truth is, just like mammals, most snakes will only attack if they feel threatened or they get confused and think your hand is dinner. People point and say ‘that’s a funny looking reptile’ and ‘are you dinner for the snake?’ Ha! We also hear ‘oh gosh I couldn’t do that job, snakes terrify me’ and ‘oh no, I bet she gets bitten all the time.’ I am usually, either on the floor digging, stretching up as high as I can go to reach a snake that has decided to perch on the very top branch or crouched down in the corner watching them eat and making sure no snake steals another’s mouse.Īs a keeper, we are used to over-hearing a lot of very funny comments from visitors who think the glass is soundproof.
Although, unfortunately, sometimes visitors will look in and see me! We want visitors to feel like they are glancing up into the canopy of the Sumatran rainforest at the red-tailed racers, and at the next turn peering down onto the floor of the Bornean jungle at a reticulated python coiled up next to a pool of water. If you have visited Chester Zoo you will have seen that we attempt to replicate the animal’s natural habitat as closely as possible.
Our exhibits are in the Tropical Realm, Islands in Danger, the okapi house and Realm of the Red Ape. We are assigned a selection of exhibits, by our team manager, which we are responsible for throughout the day. Our team is made up of seven keepers who have a combined 100 years of professional reptile and amphibian keeping experience.Īlthough every day brings something different we have a set daily routine that we have to ensure we complete in the mornings. First day back in after a weekend off and I arrive at 7.45am to meet the team and discuss the events of the previous day and plan for the day ahead.
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