On the 14th of June 2001 Petsnakes took another step forward by appearing on live TV to positively promote reptiles.

Lanarkshire Television asked if I was interested in appearing on ‘The 2Nite Show’ and taking a couple of snakes with me.

I thought it would be an ideal chance to give the hobby some positive publicity, so I accepted.

I took an Amelanistic Motley Corn Snake and Sinaloan Milksnake with me.

Neither of the presenters had ever handled a snake before but took it in their stride (just as well, the show goes out live!)

I thought they would give me a list of the questions they were going to ask beforehand so I would be prepared but they weren’t going to make things that easy.  ;o)

They started with the usual stuff ‘And what kind of snakes are these?’ but quickly moved onto the more advanced stuff ‘How does a snake do the toilet?’

Luckily, I’ve been asked that question dozens of times so I didn’t falter. Live TV isn’t so bad when you know the answer!

I’m just glad that Pauline didn’t ask the question that she had asked just before we went on air ‘What is the proper name for the fear of snakes?’

Eek! (total blank!)

Everything went very well. Nobody was bitten or pooped on and none of the camera crew made a mad dash for freedom, being chained to their cameras may have helped.

I’d like to thank Lanarkshire Television for giving me the chance to show that snakes aren’t the evil, slimey creatures that some people think they are, that’s just the producer! (Pauline told me to say that!) ;o)

I’ve done my homework and now know the proper name for the fear of snakes!

It’s ophidiophobia.

Now I just have to learn how to pronounce it!

Jim Lind