Local man discusses learning to coexist with reptiles

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Snakes and other reptiles often get a bad reputation, but local reptile keeper Jeffry Evans says much of that fear comes from misunderstanding.

Evans, who rescues, rehabilitates and breeds reptiles, says his passion for animals started when he was a child growing up in central Florida.

“It’s been in my blood since I was a kid,” Evans said. “Since I could walk, I was chasing lizards.”

Now, he spends his time caring for a growing collection of reptiles while working to educate the public about animals many people fear.

Evans says misinformation plays a major role in how people view snakes and other reptiles. He believes many of the fears surrounding them come from things people hear growing up rather than facts.

“People grow up hearing that snakes are poisonous or that they’re going to kill you,” Evans said. “That’s not true at all.”

He explains that most snakes are not dangerous to humans and that many species, such as boa constrictors, are non-venomous and kill their prey by constricting it.

Evans says snakes also play an important role in the ecosystem by helping control populations of rodents and other animals.

“Snakes are actually very beneficial to the environment,” he said. “They help control things like rats and other pests.”

Beyond education, Evans also rescues reptiles that have been neglected or improperly cared for. Some of the animals in his collection came to him after suffering injuries or living in poor conditions.

One of his snakes, now more than 20 years old, was rescued after spending years in an enclosure that was too small and being injured by live prey.

Another snake Evans rehabilitated had been severely injured during a breeding attempt and required years of patient handling to rebuild trust.

“It’s a slow trust-building process,” Evans said. “Some animals can improve quickly, but others can take years.”

Evans says the key to keeping reptiles responsibly is education and preparation. He encourages anyone interested in owning reptiles to research the animals and properly set up their habitats before bringing them home.

“Don’t just go out and buy a snake because it looks cool,” he said. “You have to understand what you’re getting into.”

His long-term goal is to continue expanding his work with reptiles and eventually open a large reptile zoo where visitors can learn about the animals and interact with them in a safe environment.

Evans says he hopes the facility could open within the next three to four years and would include a wide variety of reptiles, including snakes, lizards and crocodilians.

The project would also support breeding programs and potentially provide antivenom resources for hospitals in the future.

For Evans, the mission remains simple: helping people understand animals that are often misunderstood.

“When people see a snake, a lot of times their first instinct is to kill it,” Evans said. “But we have to learn to coexist.”