Guindy Snake Park in Chennai

The park obtained its statutory status in the year 1995. This park has different species of snakes such as pythons, vipers and cobras. This is a famous tourist attraction in Chennai and tourists do not leave the city, without paying a visit to the Snake Park.

History of Guindy Snake Park:

The park was established by an American-Indian Herpetologist - Romulus Whitaker. The park underwent a transformation in the year 1994 and water bodies were constructed to add sea snakes and turtles. The snake park is currently managed under a board of trustees in Chennai.

The snake park was set up with the purpose of creating public awareness about snakes and other reptiles.  A number of species were kept on display so that people would know about different kinds of snakes and their existence. 

Inhabitants of the Guindy Snake Park:

A total of 39 animals and 4 species reside inside the Guindy Snake Park, majorly snakes and their species. Here are the statistics of the same:

Features of the Guindy Snake Park in Chennai:

• AREA:
  The park spans across an area of 1 acre, the park is visited by over 700,000 visitors annually. It has 39 species on display which includes snakes like: Indian rock python, Russell’s Viper, Dog-Faced Water Snakes and Cat-Snake.
  
  
• SPECIES:
  It also houses different types of crocodiles such as: African Dwarf Crocodile, Nile Crocodile and Marsh Crocodile. 
  
  
• AUDITORIUM:
  The snake park has an auditorium, where it has facility to conduct tutorials for students. There are artifacts of preserved species and it is ideal for kids to widen their horizon about reptiles. 
•  The authorities of the park show how the venom is extracted from snakes and this venom acts as medicine to heal snake bites.
  
  
• RESEARCH PROJECTS:
  The park involves a number of medical research projects. The laboratory facility of the snake park had developed a repellent to protect army men from snake bites.
  
  
• BREEDING:
  It has amenities for captive reproduction of rare species of snakes such as Python. The Park also has facilities, in breeding mugger crocodiles.
  
  
• TRAINING FACILITY:
  Training facilities and workshops are conducted in schools for children to identify the common species of snakes. 
• The park also provides training for forest personnel’s, so that they can recognize the different types of snakes and can also protect the endangered species.
  

Guindy Snake Park is a perfect place to visit with children during holidays. Different species of snakes and the process of extracting venom is an opportunity for children to know about reptiles, which otherwise most of us are scared of. 

Many schools arrange study tours to the Guindy National Park and Guindy Snake Park which is the best way to learn about reptiles.