Out & About September 2017

OA feature

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 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. one I’ve been asked to take care of.” PRAS is called upon by animal rescue

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

“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.

Pictures clockwise: Dave Hayden is holding an albino python, African bull frog, fruit beetles, ta- rantula, African land snail, tailless whip scorpion

magnificent creatures. www.pras-uk.co.uk 

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