KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — After animal control crews captured a venomous zebra cobra in a Raleigh neighborhood, one reptile expert wants people to know there’s no such thing as a bad snake.
What You Need to Know
Chad Griffin is a herpetologist, and he owns Kernersville Reptile Zoo and Medical Center
Griffin runs the only reptile safety training course in North Carolina
Snakes only attempt to bite things as big as humans if they feel threatened
If you see a snake in the wild, it’s best to leave it alone
Herpetologist Chad Griffin is the owner of Kernersville Reptile Zoo and Medical Center. He has a wide variety of exotic and domestic snakes on display, as well as turtles, frogs, a caiman and other creatures.
As a reptile expert, he educates others on snakes. Griffin runs the only reptile training course in the state, focusing on safety for first responders, veterinarians, reptile owners and fanatics.
He and his family post more information on their YouTube channel "Reptile Rangers" as well.
“Snakes are not bad, they’re not out to get people,” Griffin said.
Griffin compares owning a venomous snake to owning cars, guns or playing sports. The people who take part often know the risk behind them, and some people are more responsible than others. Biologically, a snake’s venom is used to subdue its food. It might use some defense tactics if it’s feeling scared or threatened.
“Really, what good is it going to do this snake to come and try and tackle something my size? Their venom is not a bullet, it’s not meant to drop something instantly,” Griffin said.
When it comes to snakes, education is most important according to Griffin. Snakes play an important part in nature as they eat many animals that could possibly carry diseases, yet snakes cannot transmit those diseases to humans. More exotic snakes give people the chance to admire nature from other parts of the world.
“If we don’t educate the next generation, then how’s the next generation after that going to learn?” Griffin said.
If you see a snake in the wild, it’s best to leave it alone. According to Griffin, when a snake sees a human, it gets scared, and we eventually go away.
For more information on snake safety, click here.