Abu Dhabi zoo reptile keeper on why he loves the snakes most people fear: ‘They’re not mindless killing machines’
Say the word 'snake' and most of us already imagine the hiss. Show us a picture and we might recoil. What we know comes from what we’ve read and watched (cough, cough Anaconda franchise), so we picture venom-filled reptiles ready to strike at the slightest provocation. Even the language is against them: Call someone a snake and you’re calling them a traitor. A snake is associated with sliminess,…
Mohammed Bashar Hittini, a reptile keeper at Emirates Park Zoo and Resort, shares his passion for snakes despite the fears they evoke. He explains that most people associate snakes with venom, slithering, and treachery - negative connotations stemming from language and popular culture. Hittini, however, sees snakes in a different light after working with them at the zoo.
His love for reptiles began in childhood with a fascination for dinosaurs, which he credits to Disney's Dinosaur movie and its horned Carnotaurus antagonist with its "useless arms." Despite distractions like a brief stint in finance and sports management, Hittini's true calling emerged when a SeaWorld internship introduced him to snake behavior, teaching him about animal life, behavior, and conservation.
After graduating, he returned to the zoo as an educator, but upon its closure due to regional tensions, he transitioned to being a full-time reptile keeper, where he continues to share his love for snakes with the public.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
