Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Wilson.
Hi Nicole, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Brothers, Teddy and Heyward Clamp had a dream to share their love of reptiles with the world and educate on their importance of being present. They designed and built the park here and opened in 1999. Since then we have been open to the public offering educational programs in the park as well as attending many events to educate on reptiles. We offer snakes, crocodiles, alligators, turtles, tortoises and lizards. There are so many beneficial reasons for reptiles to remain in society and we want the world to know that. We teach information on how to respond in the case you run across one in the wild. Teddy and his daughter Jessica still run the park today. We are small and family owned and are funded solely off of visitors and donations made to the park. While we specialize in our native reptiles we offer a wide variety of reptiles from around that world where visitors can see them set up in as close to a natural hibatit as possible. We also have taken in reptiles that are donated here to the park from those that have kept them as pets and need to rehome them as well as reptiles that are found in areas where they would not normally reside. It takes alot to run a park with reptiles as far as staffing and supplies needed. Vets for medical care is not as common as fur animals so we do a lot of medical care in house. We are in hopes that we can set up a non profit soon to help with the cost of animals that are donated and need care beyond our knowledge until they are well enough to be released back into the wild or ar able to join our reptiles here in the park. We offer safety programs to our first responders to teach them how to spot, identify, handle and travel with reptiles that they may encounter in their line of work. One of the most important things here is that we participate in extracting venom from snakes to send off to help with medical research and to supply venom that is used to create the anti venom shot that a human would need in the case they are bitten by the snake. We run with a small limited staff that has the same love and respect for reptiles that Teddy and his brother has for them. Our biggest problem here at the park is getting the word out that we are here and getting visitors as we are located in a small rural seasonal town off the beaten path on Edisto Island. We love our little park and make improvements as needed while trying to keep it as small and educational as possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our bggest struggle soley come from funds needed for the park and animals. There is always something that needs to be repaired, replaced or removed and animals always need care and food. The owner and the staff do as much of the repairs here in house to keep the price down. But all these items cost money and labor. Being located in a small rural seasonal town comes with its disadvantages as we have really great spring and summer months with our visitors. While the fall and winter fall short. With that being said we are currently only open seasonal as the funds arent coming in during our closed months to fund the park being open and the staff to be here. The owner, Teddy Clamp and his wife come in to tend to a lot of things needed during the winter months when the staff isn’t here. It takes a lot of funds to take care of reptiles such as food, heating, lighting, habitat needs, and medical care. Reptiles always need to be warm which means keeping the power on and those that do not go into brumation still want to eat. And tortoises and lizards put down their share of greens and bugs. The cost exceeds normal day to day cost just to have the park doors open. We are not funded by governments or other parks so we solely rely on funds by visitors during season, donations, and any sponsorships made by businesses or families.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an employee here at the park and have worked here for 5 years seasonally. I grew up kowning the Clamp family and reached out to them for a part time job. After about a year I was brought on seasonal full time. This has been one of the best jobs that I have worked at. Coming in I didn’t have much knowledge of reptiles and they have taught me so much information and facts on them. I have learned to love and appreciate reptiles. While I mostly work up front do many of the office items and social media I do get chances to go back there and help with the animal care. I have been here to watch many reptiles come in and a few that have been born here in the park. Its a pretty exciting job and the family is amazing to work for as well.
How do you think about luck?
Learn to care for the animals is probably one of the most exciting parts of the job and I would say is the lucky part of the job. While many do not know that reptiles are smart and have personalities they very so much do. Reptiles aren’t like cats and dogs where within a few weeks they warm up to you. Sometimes it takes weeks, months or even longer to earn their trust. While reptiles aren’t cuddly like fur animals they do love attention and some love scratches or pets. So working with the reptile over time lets the reptile earn your trust and respect. That has honestly been the best part of the job.
Pricing:
- Adults 21.95
- Seniors 17.95
- Children 16.95
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.edistoserpentarium.com
- Instagram: edistoserpentariumofficial
- Facebook: Edisto Island Serpentarium
