I am not quite sure if I have ever described exactly what I do at Gatorland. It is really a number of things but the real kicker of the job is getting to work with the animals. If one gets to be out front, they are in charge of offering tourists the opportunity to sit and hold an American Alligator and have a ball python draped about their neck.

It is fantastic.

While also up front, one has to politely persuade wide eyed children and their parents to partake of this event of a lifetime because one only know when the next opportunity will come for one to actually cradle another 'vicious reptile' such as this (the mouth is taped ). But also, if said persons are not interested in a bucket list cross off, they may touch the alligator and the snake if they please.

And the plot thickens.

When I am up front, my typical procedure is to pick up Basket, Diamond or Mickey or whichever snake happens to slither about the tank and loop him or her around my neck/arm/ wherever they perfer to slink about on my body and casually watch the guests go by. Every now and again I get that double take, paralyzed heart gripped expression of fear from some, while others light up at just the idea of getting a chance to touch these remarkable creatures.

There is a distinct difference in gender though at whom does what expression.

I have called this amusing observation the Adam and Eve Complex. Now, while I am one to be rather far from religion and anything having to touch with spirituality these days, this sudden omniprescent distraction is well welcomed. My brain has needed a teaser for so long.

TAaEC occurs when a male and female pair (for the sake of the subject matter) saunter by the booth and upon quickly glancing at the animals displayed, give off  rather surprising responses. It is traditionally recognized that boys prefer the more slimey, smelly and dirty preposition of life whereas girls favor slightly more respectable conditions. Therfore, snakes, snails, puppy dog tails (you know the bit) are supposidly beloved by those of the male gender.

Not so at Gatorland.

I have never obsevered more men cowering, coiling or out and out bolting from something as harmless as a ball python in all my days (which, I will admit have not been many but enough to greatly by humored by this). Certain men will hover back about ten feet, some will come up about a foot from the tank to merely curiously observe but not to touch, and others will quickly point out the macaws to make a hastey retreat.

Their wives, friends, girlfriends and daughters however, are completely opposite.

More often then not, women are rushing upon myself and  the snake eager to get their less roughened palms along the smooth cold scales. They ask me far more than the opposite sex if they can hold or drape the snake about them and recall stories of their first or currently owned pythons or their desire to own one. Women will remark at the gorgeous texture and pattern and sheer power of the snake far more than men as well.

It has its exceptions of course where the slots of tradition in the roles of men and women are filled- but for the most part, The Adam and Eve complex remains.

Why is it? It is something that I have rolled about my mind numerous times while driving home or eating lunch. One could say women in a historical aspect have never been really shy of the snake reguardless of the stained reputable story behind the two (Of course, the one and only instance brought to mind is the Christian idea of the fall from God's grace. We all know that story).  It is almost like a backwards love story.
The sense of danger, the rush and the temptation of taking the bite and risk for it all because stranger's mere persuasion.
A snake, no less! One of nature's deadliest. Regardless of the python's inability to produce venom, it can still deliver a rather questionable grip around it's victim and even those holding it for  the sake of a photo.  It is  not said what kind of snake was in the garden that fateful day, but it is a rather odd thing to contemplate why Eve decided to trust it.  I suppose one could say that even if confronted with an extremely dangerous person or animal, if it talks sweetly enough it becomes sweet itself.

That and,  apples are just so darn enticing.

Men on the other hand, just choose to go along with what the woman has to say. I have witnessed the entire story at times within the course of a day. Woman stumbles upon the smooth flashing offer, take it, then persuade the man to come over and touch as well. A great percent of the time the man will grudgingly go along with his mate. But of course, the outcome is not as severe as depicted in the Bible.

Another interesting observation I have made is the age of those whom example my observation. Most older couples shift over dramatically to the others side. The older men come right up and pat the snake without another though,  but the older women cringe in fear almost like it is a lesson learned.

All in all, without the deep plunging, it is a really good laugh on a boring day.

(I got tired so the ending isn't quite the kicker I wanted :P) 

Anyone got thoughts? Share!


Thanks y'all, see you at Gatorland

~WS




 

Message Intercepted.

Message Reads:

Dwight Schrute is my favorite character of all time.


End of New Message.



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