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Dave Hayden
I
have to admit I am not a great fan of
reptiles, so when I went to visit Dave Hayden
from the Portsmouth Reptile & Amphibian
Society (PRAS), I was a little wary about the
animals on display – and it showed.
“A lot of people are nervous so start with,”
laughs Dave. “But, you’d be suprised how
quickly they relax once they become used to
the snakes.”
As I walked into the room at the display in
Winchester – Dave is based in Portsmouth, but
travels to shows in the south – the first thing I
saw was a five-stone Burmese python wrapped
around a visiting WPC.
“That’s No.3 – called that because it’s the third
one I’ve been asked to take care of.”
PRAS is called upon by animal rescue
organisations when a reptile is in need of a
temporary home before being rehoused.
“I can’t keep all the animals I am asked to look
after. I have two Burmese pythons among the
17 snakes, 10 lizards, 60 spiders and various
other insects living in my house.”
Hang on – back up – insects? Dave takes me
over to another part of the display where he
shows me the boxes of cockroaches, beetles,
arachnids and other creepy crawlies that really
leave me out of my comfort zone.
He holds out a spider, “This is Houston – it’s
a Whiteknee tarantula.” Dave likes naming his
animals appropriately – he has two Milk snakes –
one is called Skimmed and the other Strawberry.
“I give a lot of talks about reptiles and insects.
The kids love them and the names give them
a personality.”
He’s saying all this while holding another
member’s Bearded dragon lizard, Fluffy.
There are a lot of children milling around the
display and some of them have snakes draped
around their necks. It seems it is a family
hobby.
“We have about 90 memberships, so 200 plus
members in total and yes, the children are just
as involved as the adults.
“It’s important that people are educated about
reptiles and their needs and how to look after
them responsibly.”
Dave’s interest in snakes and insects is a
lifelong passion.
“I used to love worms and earwigs as a boy.
I was fascinated by all animals, so I guess it
was an obvious progression to reptiles and
larger insects.”
As he says this he picks up an African bull frog
named
Wee Jock
– a great greeny-grey mass,
which looks almost like a large piece of clay,
but for the huge eyes staring at me benignly.
Next to him are a group of giant African
land snails, the likes of which I have never
seen before and which could cause havoc in
many a garden. Each snail measures at least
six inches and I found myself taking a step
backwards as Dave picked one up to show me.
There is no question that these animals are
indeed a source of fascination and Dave will
once again be bringing his display to the
county show – he’s been coming to Newbury
for 18 years now.
“Families really enjoy our display and we want
to dispel the fear that many have of reptiles.”
And then it’s my turn – No.3, remember him?
– the five-stone Burmese python is draped
around my neck and lifts his head to have
a look at me. I keep smiling and ask what I
should do. “Just put your hand under his neck”
I am told.
I oblige and am surprised at how warm this
cold-blooded creature feels.
“They take on the temperature of their
environment – his enclosure at home is heated
to 30 degrees. Most people expect them to
be cold and slimy, but they couldn’t be more
different.”
I felt a sense of achievement after my bonding
session with No.3 and a little ashamed of
my initial fear. Dave and some of his animals
will be on display at the show and I would
encourage you to pay them a visit.
Dave is a mine of information on all his
creatures and a willing teacher and you
just might get a selfie, holding one of these
magnificent creatures.
www.pras-uk.co.uk
Pictures clockwise: Dave
Hayden is holding an
albino python, African
bull frog, fruit beetles, ta-
rantula, African land snail,
tailless whip scorpion