ABOUT US
Venom Central's Serpent Center exhibit room. Willy Beard and 8ft Black-headed Bushmaster, Lachesis melanocephala
Fierce, fascinating, education.
We offer a unique, unforgettable experience – both educational and exciting.
Our indoor exhibit hall displays dozens of the world’s most exotic snakes,
viewed in state-of-the-art exhibits that are designed to mimic natural habitats.
We are open 7 days a week by scheduled appointment only for private tours, educational classes, private training – please email to request available dates.
General public admission will be the first weekend of the month, starting May 4th and 5th – Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon – 5 pm with last admission at 430pm.
(Please allow at least a 10 day prior-notice for the requested date of your choice for reservation for private tours, class, or training and email with all the details).
Private Tours are 90+ minutes for up to 5 people and include a venomous education and demonstration with William Beard, $100.
Scroll down for pricing, deposit details and more info – or email.
Exhibit sponsorships currently available – sponsorship includes unlimited admission access and an annual private tour for the whole family
(family membership cards provided) email or call to ask for more details.
Merchandise available ONLINE ONLY through Spring order t-shirts and merch:
Click here to see Venom Central’s Serpent Center MERCH store front for Mugs, T-shirts, Hoodies.
Scroll to see available MERCH… (we have no control of size availability.)
Admission
Due to overwhelming requests for private tours and classes- our public, general admission is the first weekend of each month starting –
May 4th & 5th SATURDAY and SUNDAY 12 – 5p (last admission is at 4:30p)
$6 per person – includes tax
We are OPEN YEAR-ROUND, 7 days a week by scheduled Appt. only, for private tours, professional training and educational classes
Exhibit sponsorship currently available –includes a private tour annually, plus a family membership allowing unlimited admission access to the exhibit room, including all public special events. Please feel free to ask questions for more details…
What we offer at The Serpent Center
Professional Training Courses
Educational Classes
Private Tours
Horry County Law Enforcement Officers finish the intensive, hands-on training class taught by William Beard (pictured) at The Serpent Center. (Course details listed below.) Intensive Venomous Safety Training Course for Professionals.
I have 40+ years experience in the field of herpetology working with many species with a skill and expertise in venomous reptiles, and specializing in exotic and native venomous snakes.
My protocols emphasize safety and safe handling, and I maintain a record second to none. In the 40+ years of working with venomous reptiles, I have never had a bite, envenomation or an escape. As professional members of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) we want to represent the best. Our safety record is one of the best of any within the herpetology professions, herpetoculture hobbies and zoological associations.
NO ENVENOMATIONS. NO BITES. EVER.
We want to provide the best educational experience, and share our extensive knowledge of snakes – both native and exotics from around the world – proving our theory that snakes thrive from the highest quality habitats and enrichment in reptile husbandry.
Our focus begins with superior reptile husbandry... COME CHECK IT OUT!
Fierce, fascinating, education. We offer an unforgettable experience, both exciting and educational. A unique, one-of-a-kind serpentarium.
We are skilled, experienced experts offering herpetology-related consultation, educational classes, professional training and private tours; sharing our knowledge of venomous snakes and reptiles, with a love and passion for educating people about the importance of snakes.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSES
NOT ALL TRAINING CLASSES LISTED – We have customized INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED TRAINING CLASSES available based on experience. Each class or training is customized for the students attending and pre-class conversation with Willy.
Venomous Safety Training Course Part 1 (prerequisite to Advanced Venomous Training for Professionals)
6 hrs $200 per person | up to 5 in a class
Professional, INTENSIVE, practical hands-on training course.
A comprehensive class using live reptiles with a small number of course participants, in a setting under safe controlled conditions.
Active participation is encouraged for competence and confidence upon completing this course.
We provide the opportunity to get the most out of a professional training course, so that you leave with a sense of confidence, having the necessary knowledge, safety, and skills to feel competent and confident. We also provide paperwork and course notes, information on some common exotic venomous snakes based on the most recent toxinology research.
The importance of our intensive professional training course is to ensure each participant receives the maximum benefits and feels confident; that each participant receives quality, specialized training, and knowledge, but most of all – sufficient time and hands-on practice and training, professional involvement, and expert feedback.
NO class will ever contain more than 5 participants. It’s very important to have applied experience. No waiting around. Everyone will get detailed and personalized comments, feedback, and instructions.
We are regarded and respected in the industry as having safe handling training well above safety standards. The first question anyone asks before taking a venomous safety training course is – If you’re training me, how many times have you been bitten? Great question. If someone is teaching me, I’d want to know. The answer is: ZERO. I have 40+ years of handling and working with venomous – NO BITES. NO ENVENOMATIONS. NO ESCAPES.
We know the importance of going above and beyond safety standards and attention to detail.
ALL participants:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must always wear long pants and work boots
- Will receive a Certificate of Completion upon completing this course.
- Will be given intensive, comprehensive professional training and participation is encouraged.
TOPICS (will include, but not be limited to, the below bulleted info and not necessarily in this order)
- Safe and proper handling, containment, labeling and relocation of venomous snakes.
- Multiple techniques and safety methods – every situation is completely different, and each scenario will always be different.
- Tools – types and quality of tools necessary (try to use quality, “tried and tested” tools)
- PPE – protective: equipment, snake gaiters, gloves, long sleeves / long pants, work boots
- Hooks, Tongs – Types, Lengths, Baggers
- Buckets, bags – pillowcase-style -double stitching
- Containment – proper container, cans, lids and labeling for safe relocation.
- Safe Handling Methods and Useful Techniques:
(Used with Tools)
Hooks,
Hook and tongs,
Transport,
Containment - Identification of Venomous – Native Venomous snakes
- Identification of Venomous EXOTIC SNAKES – most common in the pet trade of exotic venomous (see attached: most recent research documents regarding toxinology information of venom components, and necessary anti-venom with codes, country of origin)
- Venomous Characteristics:
• Elapids
• Vipers
• Pit vipers
- Ethics – what happens to the snakes confiscated? Are they placed back in the trade and possibly another set of irresponsible hands?
- Safety – Importance of Public safety: know your surroundings, where are your tools? the snake? what/who is around you?
- Emergency Bite Protocols – First Aid Scenarios to ensure the snakebite and emergency protocol is conducted in a calm and controlled manner.
Call now to schedule you TRAINING CLASS
(scroll down for phone and email info – CONTACT INFO section)
SAFE HANDLING CLASS
NOT ALL TRAINING CLASSES LISTED – We have customized INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED TRAINING CLASSES available based on experience. Each class or training is customized for the students attending and pre-class conversation with Willy.
Introduction to Venomous Snakes Native Venomous Snakes in Captivity
6+ hours $200 per person (Up to 5 people)
- Native Venomous Snakes: NC SC GA
a) Identification
i) Mimicry
ii)Emergency Bite Protocol
(1) First aid
(2) Antivenom - Proper Captive Husbandry
a) Caging Requirements
b) Labeling
c) Safety and Bite Protocols
d) Containment and Transport - Proper Tools and Equipment
a) Hooks, tongs, tubes
i) Instruction for proper use for safe handling
ii) Practical, hands-on use of tools - Responsible and Safe Handling
a) Ethics
b) Public Safety
c) Personal Safety
d) Safety of the animal
- Native Venomous Snakes: NC SC GA
- Safety protocols, safe handling
- Disaster emergency protocols, emergency bite protocols
- Capture and relocation procedures and protocols
- Techniques and tips for proper use of tools
- Housing protocols for environmental enrichment
- Caging requirements, set-up and proper labeling procedures
Call now to schedule you TRAINING CLASS
(scroll down for phone and email info – CONTACT INFO section)
FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING
Offering those interested, with training classes that are tailored to their needs.
CALL for details on all group training requests and pricing.
- For adults who may encounter native reptiles in their professional industry.
- First responders
- EMS
- animal control
- law enforcement
- zoological professionals
- military
- other similar professionals individuals or groups
Call now to schedule you TRAINING CLASS
(scroll down for phone and email info – CONTACT INFO section)
PRIVATE TOURS
We bring you the best educational experience, sharing our extensive knowledge of snakes, native and exotic, from around the world.
90 minutes | $100 (Up to 5 people)
Call now and schedule your private tour…(scroll down for phone and email info – CONTACT INFO section)
How to Schedule Your Private Tour, Educational Class or Professional Training
Go to our contact info page for details. PLEASE call and/or email with detailed INFORMATION: Your NAME, PHONE NUMBER, the preferred DATE you are requesting and what SERVICE (tour, class, training) !
CONTACT INFO
The Serpent Center
An Educational Serpentarium open to the public for general admission, private tours and classes.
