Reptile World Serpentarium In Saint Cloud, Florida is Off the Beaten Track

If you're looking for a place that's on the cheap around Disney in Orlando the Reptile World Serpentarium is your place. The attraction is a side business. The main one being the sale of anti-venom.

For under $6 for adults the price can't be beat, plus you learn about snakes. The kids will love it, just don't let them know it's educational! There are over 50 species of snakes on exhibit from the common to the exotic. The world's deadliest Australian taipan is housed beside rattlesnakes. Some of the rare snakes to the States you can see are pea green East African green mamba and an 18 foot King Cobra, who by the way almost killed the owner years ago in view of 30 schoolchildren. Viewers get to see only 50 of the hundreds of snakes inside the snake house. Behind the scenes is a working venom milking program. The venom is shipped worldwide for medical and herpetological research. Visitors can watch the milking during scheduled shows. The shows are at noon and 3p.m. daily. Owner George Van Horn entertains from behind a glass wall while milking some of the world's most deadly snakes. There are other reptiles on display but of course the main stars are the snakes. And just in case you ever get the venom of a spitting cobra in your eyes, the recommended treatment is to wash the eyes with urine. Have fun and enjoy a few hours of learning.