Reptile Park Ranger Course

One of the extra excursions that we offer at African Dream Horse Safari is the Ranger Course at the Reptile Park.
It is one of the most important courses that we encourage our student to go on because of the constant threat of venomous snakes and scorpions that wonder around the low veld. We think it is very important for everybody who comes to visit us, goes on the course so that they have a better understanding and allot more knowledge about the venomous snakes and scorpions in the area. 

Our brave and wonderful students went on this course and had a lot of fun learning and experiencing the wonders of the Reptile Park. They had a guided tour by the professional rangers who work with some of the deadliest snakes in the world on a day to day basis.

There is one snake that I am going to mention, the Black Mamba. The Black Mamba is one of the most venomous snakes in the southern hemisphere. The venom is neurotoxin, and is fatal to humans. Its bite is extremely serious, and requires large volumes of antivenin to counteract the venom. The victim may be fully conscious, but all the muscles are paralyzed. Death will occur from respiratory and heart failure.

Snake venom can be classified in three major groups:

Haemotoxic - The venom causes continued bleeding due to a defect in the ability of blood to coagulate. These snakes have grooved back fangs. Your Vine Snake and Boom Slang

Cytotoxic - This type of venom leads to tissue destruction around the site of the bite with localised bleeding. These snakes have hollow hinged back fangs. Your adders.

Neurotoxic - This venom affects the nervous system and causes paralysis of the muscles, difficulty in breathing, nausea and vomiting. These snakes have hollow, fixed front fangs. Your Cobras and Mambas.

The students also got to handle a Puff Adder and they learnt how to handle them and remove them is necessary.
But we do not encourage anyone to handle the venomous snakes, or any snakes for that matter. 

Everyone learnt allot that day and enjoyed themselves.