Getting to know Ontario Snakes (PHOTOS)

A group of youngsters get to touch and hold these corn snakes during the Sciensational Snakess presentation Monday at the North Bay Public Library.  PHOTO BY CHRIS DAWSON.

David Smyley was pretty comfortable when Sciensational Sssnakes handler Sean Espinola gently allowed his 6-foot red tail boa constrictor climb onto the shoulders of the 6-year-old. 

“I really like holding snakes, they are soft and some are easy to catch,” said this young snake enthusiast who says he has a garter snake as a pet.  

While giant snakes like the boa constrictor were part of the show at the North Bay Public Library, the key point of presentations like this is to create awareness about snakes and other reptiles here in Ontario. 

“An important part is teaching them about the native species in Ontario because reptiles are the most at risk group of vertebrates in the province and they really need our help,” said Espinola. 

“They are already battling a lot of stigma around snakes, a lot of people don’t feel comfortable with them, people don’t know much about them and are afraid, so we hope to help people get over that, teach them about these animals so that they will want to conserve them for the future.”

Sciensational Snakess, which is authorized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, maintains the largest collection of Ontario based reptiles. 

Aside from the boa constrictor, Espinola and his partner told and showed the audience Ontario reptiles like the Hognose Snake, the Garter Snake, the Black Rat Snake (largest snake in Canada), and even a large but friendly Snapping Turtle named Gonzo.  

Espinola adds that adults appear to be more fearful of snakes than kids, adding that he believes the fear of snakes is a learned fear.

He says one of the biggest surprises is when the particpants get to touch the snakes and realize they are not slimy like many expect.