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Listen To The First-Ever Radio Broadcast LIVE From A Snake Pit

Dec 17, 2018 | 6:15 AM

Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!

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Never satisfied with the ordinary, Robert Ripley had to make his radio broadcasts unique. He spoke from all over the globe, with transmission towers carrying his stories from the hearts of Chinese cities and remote islands back to America. Soon, however, just being far away wasn’t enough for Ripley.

Back in the United States, he decided to show people the kinds of odd things lurking right next door. He broadcasted from underground at Carlsbad Caverns, from underwater among a school of sharks, and from a pit filled with hundreds of venomous snakes!

ripley marineland

Rattlesnake Roundup

Venturing into the sweltering swamps of Florida, Ripley discovered the perfect place to host this latest radio show: Ross Allen’s Reptile Institute in Silver Springs. Though few people may have heard of Silver Springs, most people in the country had seen them on TV and in movies. Renowned for its crystal clear waters, Ripley remarked that it looked as if fish were swimming through the air.

Ross Allen, the proprietor of the Reptile Institute, handled reptiles for movies and milked snakes of their venom for scientific study and medical use. Allen invited Ripley into the pit of 500 slithering, venomous snakes.

While Ripley wore protective boots and pants, Allen entered the pit barefoot and shirtless. Among the serpents were rattlesnakes, water moccasins, and coral snakes. A bite from any of them would be dangerous. Allen lifted up a diamond-back rattler after giving it a few playful pets, then proceeded to harvest the venom. In a bit of showboating, he even took a couple swigs of the venom, telling Ripley he could do so safely without the toxin entering his bloodstream.

Listen For Yourself:


ripley reptile institute

You can have your own snake encounter like Robert Ripley by entering the Ripley’s 12 Weirds of Christmas contest. Enter every day for a chance to win more prizes. If you win one day, you also win all of the prizes from previous days.

Enter Day 3 to win “Rattlesnake Eggs” and “Snake In A Can” Potato Crisps (just crisps…nothing suspicious here!). Better yet, you’re always entered for the grand prize, a trip for two to the VIP New Year’s Party at Times Square in New York City!

Good luck, and may your holidays be EERIE and bright!12 weirds callout day 3

Source: Listen To The First-Ever Radio Broadcast LIVE From A Snake Pit