Kentucky Zoo Owner Survives 16th Venomous Snake Bite, This One From a Mamba, and Returns to Work

In the summer of 2024, we vacationed in eastern Kentucky. Exotic? Well, no. But I'm a native Kentuckian, and there are parts of the Commonwealth I've never explored. It was time. One of the highlights from that trip has recently been in the news.

Snakes

I was aware of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo knew I'd get a visit in if I were ever in the neighborhood. It's in Slade KY, a town not much bigger than a neighborhood, and it is a fascinating stop if you have time.

I am not a fan of snakes, a point I've made clear in this space in the past. But, as long as there are enclosures, I'm fine. To paraphrase an old saying, "Good glass barriers make good neighbors if those good neighbors are highly venomous serpents."

Kentucky Reptile Zoo Owner Bitten By Mamba

From left to right, those are an African green mamba and a black mamba, two of the deadliest species on Earth. And this is a Jameson's mamba, the same species as the one that bit Kentucky Reptile Zoo owner Jim Harrison when he was, ironically, working on an antivenom for the Jameson's mamba.

During the process, Harrison was trying to breed two snakes but admittedly dropped his guard and took one from the female. No stranger to such a predicament (he's been bitten 16 times), Harrison got an assistant to rush him to nearby Stanton KY where the antiserum was ready to roll.

Despite my fear of snakes, it's not a phobia. You might say I am highly respectful. I follow a Facebook page dedicated to snake species recognition because, nine times out of ten, any snake I encounter around my home, say, will likely not be venomous. I encountered a great big garter snake last year, and it startled me, but I knew what it was.

I wouldn't recognize some of the deadly snakes in those Kentucky Reptile Zoo enclosures if I were to encounter them outside of a zoo or preserve. And that would be bad for me.

The Kentucky Reptile Zoo

The Kentucky Reptile Zoo is known for its collection of highly venomous serpents, but you can also see alligators and tortoises among the other reptiles. In fact, let's take a tour right now.

While entertaining, it's also very educational. School was back in session when we were there, and there was a class visiting on a field trip. I appreciate their teacher.

And I appreciate and thank folks like Jim Harrison and his team for educating us about snakes. They're super beneficial and there are more species that are non-venomous than are.

If you've never visited the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, do it. It's inexpensive, you will have fun, and you will learn more than you ever thought you could on a topic you may have been avoiding your whole life.