The Chennai Snake Park Trust is a not-for-profit organization and home to numerous varieties of Indian snakes as well as many species of lizards, turtles and crocodiles. The park is a favorite destination of visitors looking to spend some time understanding the lives of snakes and reptiles.

Location

The Chennai Snake Park Trust is popular among locals and tourists and is easily one of the major attractions in Chennai. It is 11 km from the main Chennai city and covers an area of approximately one acre in the Guindy National Park Campus.

History

The biological park was constructed in 1972 by the Madras Snake Park Trust, under the leadership of Romolus Whitaker, a wildlife conservationist, herpetologist and the founder of various trusts associated with conservation of ecology and wildlife. The objective is to preserve and protect the reptile species, especially the endangered ones.

What to Look For

The Chennai Snake Park boasts of several species of reptiles and snakes of common and rare varieties. These include the deadly king cobras, pythons, vipers, kraits, adders, monitor lizards, giant turtles and many more. The park also has a museum which displays various amphibian specimens. A children’s park in the vicinity has an amazing collection of birds and animals.

Awareness Programs about Snakes

The founders of the park aim to provide the common people, the right kind of information about reptiles and amphibians so that the myths about snakes in are busted and the real facts provided. They also conduct awareness programs that primarily involve school children. They also bring out affordable publications with easy-to-understand contents on reptiles and amphibians.

Information Resources

Visitors can benefit from the digital infotainment system, the first-ever in the country which was inaugurated in January 2010. It offers electronically-aided displays with movements that offer valuable information on snakes in English and the local, Tamil language. The park also has a mini-auditorium. A ceiling-mounted projector and wall-mounted screen along with a touch-screen kiosk are used to impart information to students and visitors.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the park is from November through February when the weather is cool and it is easy to explore the various species of snakes without sapping your energy.

Visitors Information

Chennai Snake Park is open to visitors from 0830 Hrs to 1730 Hrs on all days except Tuesdays. There is an entry fee of INR 15 for adults and INR 5 for children. You will have to pay INR 20 and INR 100 respectively to take a camera and video camera inside.

How to Reach

By Road

The Chennai Snake Park is 11 km from Chennai city and can be reached using state transport buses or rickshaws.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Chennai Railway Station at 12 km.

By Air

The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport at 8 km.