Dublin library shows the benefits of snakes

Jason Clark has heard it for years: “The only good snake is a dead snake.” 

Clark, the head of Southeastern Reptile Rescue, informed the children and adults packed into the Laurens County Library that even the snakes with venom have provided scientists with many cures for human diseases.

“Their venom has been good for medicine,” Clark said. “Something in their venom has helped with cancer. Just because you don’t understand or like them doesn’t mean you have to destroy them.” 

Clark was the entertainment for Wednesday’s Summer Reading Program. This is the one time during the year when it is OK for children – and even adults – to scream in the library.

“They are allowed to do that,” said Laurens County Library Director Beverly Brown. “Adults, too. He has fun with it, and we have a good time.” 

Approximately 45 minutes before the 2 p.m. start of the show, parking at the library was beginning to run out. By the time Clark was introduced, people had parked on the sides of multiple roads as parents and guardians walked their children into the library for one of the most anticipated summer reading program shows each year. 

“This is the big show,” said Shelby Lyn Mathis, head of children and youth service at the library. “I think he is something different. He normally brings snakes and amphibians. He gets them out and teaches the kids about them, and he’s funny in the way that he is doing it so that they don’t realize that they are learning. There is a shock value to the way he does it. You never know which animal he’s going to pull out, and he makes a big production out of it.”

Brown said the program is more than just a show. It provides education for both parents and children.

“It is best to learn this as a child so that you are not afraid of the snakes when you grow up,” Brown said. “As Jason has taught us, you are not supposed to kill all snakes. We’re supposed to learn to identify them. I am just amazed that in all of the years that Jason has been coming here, this program has continued to bring the largest crowds each year.” 

In all, Clark showed and talked about rat snakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes, ball pythons and a bearded dragon in front of approximately 200 children. 

During Clark’s introduction, he asked children if they liked to play outside. If they do, then they are more than likely around different kinds of snakes.

“It is important to be able to see these snakes,” Clark said. “When people grab for a water hose, there could be a snake near it. You should watch where you put your hands.”

In all, there are 50 different kinds of snake who live in Georgia. When it comes to identifying a venomous snake, some people believe they need to look the shape of its head or pupils. The problem with this logic is people have to get closer to the snake to be able to tell this, Clark said. 

“Two to three minutes after seeing a snake, they are bitten,” he said. “If you never try to kill or capture a snake, you will not get bit.”

When discussing the cottonmouth snake, Clark has heard stories about them chasing people. He put one on the floor of the library, and it did not move toward anyone.

“If you encounter a snake, you will be safe if you walk back the way you came before you found it,” Clark said. “We take what we know with dogs and put that on snakes. Dogs will chase, snakes will not. These snakes are not aggressive. They want to be left alone. You won’t be bit if you use common sense. When you see a snake, don’t try to kill it or catch it. Leave it alone and it’ll leave you alone. They are not the monsters people make them out to be.” 

Mathis learned a lot from the show.

“I found out that a lot of the myths that I thought was true about snakes that were not true,” she said. “You can still be scared but now it is more like a mutual respect of snakes. They are just as scared of us as we are of them.” 

At the end of the show, Clark allowed children to touch one of two ball pythons while adults took photos. Mathis was able to hold not one but two snakes Wednesday. For more videos or information about the Southeastern Reptile Rescue, go to snakesareus.com

Mathis start receiving calls in December with people asking when Clark was going to be at the library. As far as the summer reading program goes this year, Mathis said they have had more teenagers sign up to participate. 

“Everyone is super excited about it,” she said. “I think there is a lot of momentum going. Some are ready to turn in their summer reading log.”

Brown added that the number of books being check out have increased.

“That is good because we want to keep kids reading this summer,” she said. “It’s exciting to see that they are coming in to not only enjoy the program but that they are excited about reading too.” 

Mathis hopes many of the children will want to read more about snakes after the show.

“Our reptile section in the children’s department is stocked up,” she said. “We are prepared for this.”

The summer reading program entertainment will continue next week with La Candela Flamenco at 2 p.m. June 24 before taking a break leading up to the Fourth of July.