site.btaTerrarium with Most Dangerous, Poisonous Snakes Attracts Tourists in Mineralni Bani

Along with its healing hot springs, Mineralni Bani Municipality in Haskovo Region also attracts tourists with a terrarium of exotic reptile species, herpetologist Georgi Rusev, who takes care of the inhabitants of the terrarium, told BTA on Thursday.

He pointed out that the terrarium building is only one of two in the country that were designed specifically to house an independent permanent exhibition, along with the one in the Sofia Zoo. Built with funding under a project won by the Municipality, the terrarium was opened in 2016. Today, the exhibition is maintained by the Thracian Herpetological Society.

In addition to representatives of the Bulgarian herpetofauna, the collection also includes exotic species of monitor lizards, but also some of the most dangerous and venomous snakes in the world, including black and green mambas, king cobras and two types of taipan. "The most venomous snake is not the most dangerous," Rusev emphasized, adding that the most venomous snake is the continental taipan. The toxicity of the venom of the Australian taipan is 50 times stronger than that of the king cobra, he said, noting that one of the reasons for the fewer deaths from bites from this species is the taipan's habitat, living in the uninhabited desert regions of Central Australia.

"Therefore, the most dangerous snake in the world is actually the ribbon-shaped krait. It reaches 2 to 2.50 metres in length and has caused the most deaths in India, which is why it tops the ranking for the most dangerous species," Rusev stressed. Regarding the king cobra, which is rarely found in collections, but is present in the terrarium of Mineralni Bani, he noted that it is first in the ranking for the largest of all venomous snakes in the world, as it can reach a length of five metres.

Against the background of these truly dangerous species, he commented that some types of pythons pose a more serious threat to humans. "The most common attacks on people by snakes are mostly from reticulated pythons, which reach impressive sizes. An adult individual can reach 6.5 - 7 metres. Such a large python can attack, kill a person and even swallow him," Rusev emphasized.

The expert is adamant that snakes do not chase people in order to attack and bite them. "The reptile reacts mainly when it feels threatened, in self-defence. In principle, the snake always tries to escape," he noted, adding that all snakes avoid humans, but when pressed, they defend themselves. The herpetologist is adamant that humans are the most dangerous species for snakes with their destructive activities, which they often carry out in snakes' habitats.

More and more enthusiasts in Bulgaria are raising snakes as pets, Rusev said, with beginners often seeking advice from experts from the Thracian Herpetological Society on the conditions they should provide for the reptiles and how to care for them. The most suitable species, of course, are non-venomous ones such as pythons, he noted. He added that snake owners should be aware that they cannot expect reciprocal affection from them like from other pets. "Snakes can get used to being held, but that's it,"Rusev said.