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How does one go about opening a serpentarium?
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by SnakeEyes2006 on January 5, 2009
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Like what hurdles would one have to jump?
what kind of enclosures,how much land would be needed?
What kind of permits/licenses would be needed?
please someone respond, I always wanted to do this, I live in West Virginia, where there is not alot of Zoos or any type of animal or especially reptile sanctuaries around.
Shawn
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RE: How does one go about opening a serpentarium?
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by Cro on January 5, 2009
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Shawn,
A serpentarium can range from a small nature center to a large, and very expensive thing.
The more money you have available, the better place you can build.
As far as permits, that really depends on where you live. Some places probably would not let you build a serpentarium, and other towns, cities, counties, states would let you build something.
And each area will have different governing agencies, in some places it is fish and wildlife, and some it might be game and fish, or even the agriculture department.
Unless you can raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, trying to build something like an animal rescue center or small nature center might be the best way to go.
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: How does one go about opening a serpentarium?
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by pictigaster1 on January 5, 2009
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I built a rattle snake museum in 2000 it cost 20,000 dollars then to do it all.It was small and I did all the work. I rented a building and had to provide animal control with total access .I had to have 1,000,000.in liability insurance.The front was a petshop.I ended up looseing it not enough capitol for start up.Right now I am building a croc pond and another cage for a simular bio display.He houses many species of rattlers cobras bushmasters caimen lizards gils beaded lizards,monkeys tayras and others.I estimate over 100,000 in animals.A person may go simple but there are crowd pleasers ,animals that people like to see.Rob would know the most about this.Some zoos or private individuals may give or breeder loan you animals.Go with a well thought out plan.Do most of the work yourself.As a mason I have been lucky enough to build some displays for pet shops .The bottomline is the bottom line it takes money.......Archie
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RE: How does one go about opening a serpentarium?
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by Rob_Carmichael on January 6, 2009
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Yes, I could probably write a book on starting up a serpentarium....the good, the bad and the ugly. Bottom line is that you'll have to work harder than you ever have but all I can say is that I'm living the herpetological dream. A few thoughts off the top of my head in terms of how I made this work:
1) Being in Illinois, I knew that the only way I could continue working with venomous species was to either work at a zoo, or, start my own. A road side zoo doesn't count in the eyes of the DNR so I approached the City of Lake Forest to see if I could start a new area of nature programming for their Parks and Recreation Department. They gave me an old abandoned fitness room that measured 20 feet x 15 feet...that was my zoo for the first 5 years! I had exhibits in there and used it for classes, birthday parties, scout groups, etc. The idea quickly snow balled and we started adding new revenue generating programs like summer camps....summer camps accounts for about 80% of my revenue because I felt strongly that my place would be free of charge to visit - and still is today.
I always try to project myself in a professional and respectful manner. As much as I hate to say it, if I had long hair, tattoos and body piercings, I'd probably still be stocking shelves at night and I mean that. I had to make a few changes so that I could be seen in a manner where people would take me seriously. When I retire, I'll probably grow my pony tail back (just kidding in case my wife is reading this!!...maybe a his and her tattoo!).
2) Over time, as I gained exposure, added more programs and more exhibits I quickly outgrew my quarters. As word got out about our amazing facility that keeps both reptiles and raptors, networks continued to grow and provide new opportunities - boy have I had some wonderful opportunities between book writing, field research, speaking at big herp symposiums, partnering with some of the top people in the field in various conservation projects, and on occasion doing an Animal Planet or T.V. thing (but I really don't enjoy those as much as just being in the field...that's the ultimate). I stumbled into an incredible place called Elawa Farm that the City of LF had purchased and they asked if I would be interested in moving out there (a nice way to get rid of me from the Rec CEnter!). My jaws dropped when I saw the place and I quickly got a lot of key players on board. Within a year we raised nearly $1.5 million to restore these buildings...you'd be amazed by how quickly money evaporates in historical renovations. This private-public partnership allowed us to bring several organizations under one roof including my wildlife center - we have a group who is restoring the gardens and the local school district has a lease for one of the classrooms to offer environmental education programs. In the end, with our first phase completed, we had two wonderful exhibit areas. That same year, we got a nice corporate sponsor and a couple of very generous donations that allowed us to redo our venomous hall. We now have an amazing facility but it didn't come easy. There were many hoops, hurdles, politics, you name it that I had to work through. The key is to be diplomatic in all of your dealings no matter how idiotic some people may be. I knew that I couldn't burn a single bridge in this community. There are some entities/agencies who would like to see me go away who see me as a direct threat to their operations (like other nature centers, etc.) but I'm not going anywhere. I'm always looking to partner with as many organizations as possible. We have over 25 school districts plugged into our place which provides steady revenue. Do we struggle? You betcha! I'm still not happy with our exhibits but most people who come are blown away - I always keep that bar raised high so that we don't suffer from apathy. We are experiencing a financial crisis but I've been through them before and it just makes you work that much harder to find new revenues, cut expenses and sharpen the pencil a bit. If you are passionate about what you do, like I am, you can weather any storm. You just gotta believe.
This is just a snapshot...if you have specific questions fire away.
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RE: How does one go about opening a serpentarium?
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by SnakeEyes2006 on January 6, 2009
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Wow, thanks all for your input.. I have no idea how my town and county will accept me, but I am gonna try.
My wife and I are in the process of trying to move to a bigger house (we have 5 kids) that has 5 bedrooms,2 bathrooms, and a large garage that I will keep my collection. The county I live in knows I keep reptiles, and even the Police and local DNR know what I have or have had. I have been pulled over once after coming from a reptile show (bought some things for a local pet store) I had a head light out sinnce I hit a deer the night before. I had probally 20 different snakes,lizards and turtles in my Rodeo, and the Police wanted to see everything, so there I was with my cousin opening every box,bag getting everything out from Coastal Carpets to Tiger Retics, to Iguanas and some water turtles. The Police acted like little school girls while looking at the snakes, but at least they know I have them and take care of them, and since then I have gotten calls to come remove, and take off peoples hands unwanted reptiles, so like I said the town,county knows, and I'm always having people asking if I have gotten anything new? So I was thinking why can't I make a few dollars by saying yes why don't you stop by and see for yourself? thanks all for responding, and if you have any more ideas what I would need to do just let me know.
Shawn
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RE: How does one go about opening a serpentarium?
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by atwageman on January 6, 2009
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I wish you all the best in starting a serpentarium. I've thought about it myself. But like others have said, if you work hard at and know your local and state laws then go for it.
As far as long hair and 500 body peircings go. My response to that is don't do it. First impressions are everything. To give a simple example. Last year I went on a call to remove a copperhead from somebodys front door. The first thing out of Mr. and Mrs. homeowners mouth was---we were expecting somebody different. They were expecting a goth type, because in their stereo typical mindset, they assumed the only kind of person that would deal with snakes would have to look like a freak. By the way it was my local animal control agency that referred me to them. Like most govco agencies they don't respond to snake issues.
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RE: How does one go about opening a serpentarium?
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by SnakeEyes2006 on January 6, 2009
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Yes I know first impressions are relevant, I do have some tattoos though, I have a Rattler on my forarm and my right leg from the knee down is getting tattooed with green and yellow snake scales, I have some Cherokee desent and have grown a ponytail, but the people in my local town and county know me by that and still associate me with my snakes, but you are right going public and with a bussiness I will have to change some of my looks...
Shawn
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RE: How does one go about opening a serpentarium?
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by Rob_Carmichael on January 6, 2009
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As long as you keep your pony tale neat and tight you'll be fine....looks like you have a good vision of where you want to go so don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it - I had plenty of folks tell me the same thing and if I listened to them I'd probably be in an office ready to jump off the 100th floor!
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RE: How does one go about opening a serpentarium?
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by SnakeEyes2006 on January 6, 2009
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Thanks you all, and Rob, I'm glad you are not on the 100th floor, and please don't find one and jump!!!
I do have a vision and will get it happening!!
I hope to one day meet you and many other keepers face to face,until them I'll just write you all here..
Shawn
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