Photographers assuming the posture to get the eye of the snake.
On the afternoon of Saturday, October 17th, 2020 the BPS’s Field Trip #7 took place at Marizayra Exotic Animal Sanctuary, Harrismith Road, St. Philip. Our Guide, Raymond, commenced the tour with a question and answer session. He assured us that we would learn something new about some animal, reptile or bird by the time the tour was over. We were asked the names of juvenile and adult male and female animals, before and after they were mated. Most of us knew the majority of them but we were surprised to discover the correct names of a few we did not know.
Colourful Koi fish
There was a fishpond at the front of the Sanctuary with a fountain, in which a number of large koi were calmly swimming back and forth. Also coexisting with the colourful Koi were two juvenile sharks which emerged to share in the fish food that was tossed on the water.
Guinea Bird
Upon entering the Sanctuary, I was amazed at the large number of birds, rodents, reptiles, snakes, lizards and spiders housed in the area. There were interesting animals and reptiles, to name a few, many species of Doves, Cockatoos, Parakeets and Parrots from different parts of the world. A colourful Macaw, Love Birds, Tortoises, numerous Terrapins, Ducks, Mongooses, lab rats, Tarantulas, Monitor and Iguana lizards and many more exotics vied for the attention of the cameras.
Raymond, our guide, tested our nerve as he tried to get us to interact with some of the animals. Alison, the brave one, stood very calmly as he placed a Monitor lizard on her head for everyone to take pictures. Not satisfied just to wear it on her head, she cradled it in her palm and Raymond was pleased that one of his animals had finally bonded with one of our tour group.
Monitor lizard bonding with a brave heart and a warm head
When the tour was over, we returned to the front of the Sanctuary where many species of snakes, some fully grown and some small, young ones, were shown to us.
At this stage those of us who were now feeling braver and wished to do so held the small ones on the palm of our hand. The larger snakes also found temporary resting places around the necks of a few bold men while the shutters captured the moment.
Andre the snake charmer.
It was a very interesting afternoon and I think everyone enjoyed it. Thanks to Bradley Benskin and Victor Gittens for sharing their photos along with mine for this article.
I'll pass on the snake 😱🤭