Orlando Sentinel
By Merle Harton Jr.
Editor's Note: Merle Harton Jr., 831 Eighth St., Holly Hill, is editor of "The Bagpiper," student publication at Daytona Beach Junior College.
Capturing and raising ratlle snakes is Mack Gilliam's idea of fun.
Snakes frighten, intrigue or interest many people.
Why would a man like Mack Gilliam risk his life to handle, raise and milk varieties of poisonous snakes?
Because that has been his hobby for the past 17 years. As a result of his interest in snakes he perhaps is one of the foremost authorities on snakes in Florida, which category includes his friends Bill Haast, director or the Miami Serpentarium, and Ross Allen, noted snake expert at Silver Springs.
Gilliam lives behind Gill's Bar-B-Q, his restaurant in Ormond Beach - which is as he puts it - his "bread and butter." Across the four-laned U.S 1, with tin sidings and huge painted signs, is his real fondness: Mack Gilliam's Rattlesnake Harena.
A strong, large man with slightly greying brown hair and somber eyes, he appears to be a composed, peaceful man. But he is also a lively, talkative and very intelligent man able to talk for hours on exciting facts about poisonous and non-poisonous snakes and his expereinces with his favorite hobby.
"To milk or rattlesnake" he instructed "you must first grasp the snake swiftly with thumb and middle finger behind the head with the fore finger on the top of the snakes head and maintain a firm grip to keep the snake from turning its head to the side."
Gilliam milks not only rattlesnakes, but also cottonmouth moccasins, coral, snakes, and other poisonous snakes for their venom. The venom question, although not enough is extracted to pay for the snake itself, is bought and used extensively by medical and chemical research laboratories to make anti-venom for snake by victims
There are two basic types of poison HAEMO toxic, venom, which is found in most varieties of American snakes, attacks the red blood cells in the living system. Neuro, toxic venom found in the coral snake European and Asian varieties, attack the nervous system
"it takes about 2 to 3 drops of venom to kill a man" Gilliam said, "but it varies on the size and type of individual bitten"
Several things are needed in order to capture a snake exclaimed Mack, "knowledge of snakes, knowledge of first aid, a box with a lid or a sack and a snake stick a 4 foot stick with a hook on the end"
The object of the snake stick lift the snake swiftly into the sack or box.
Another method is to prop the sack or box open and back the snake into it. "I hate to admit it "said Gilliam "but snakes are everywhere".
The best places to find steaks are high Sandy ridges, creeks, stump holes, and rotted roots. But they may also be found by the side of the road.
Mack, many times, just puts his truck into drive and inches along the road looking for snakes. And "eye for snakes" also is helpful in locating the scaly reptiles.
Many times snakes are hard to locate he said
Using their bodies to pick up sound vibrations and their forked tongues to bring odors into the mouth where they are received by smell-sensitive organs, snakes can detect a human from far away.
"Steaks will try their best to get out of your way" said Gilliam. "Snakes won't come to bite you"
They usually bite only one bothered or molested. Throwing sticks and rocks only angers them and multiplies chances of getting bitten, he said.
The rate of death from snakebites has steadily decreased through the years, mostly because of "increased transportation and communication", Mack explained "allowing for quick medical attention for the snakebitten victim".
Best of us for avoiding snake bites, "watch where you're going and where you're putting your feet" he said.
Gilliam attempts to keep snakes and captivity as long as possible. In order to do this force feeding many times becomes mandatory.
The special recipe Mac developed for his rattlesnakes that also has brought excellent results among his other varieties of snakes is a mixture of ground chuck, chicken, liver, gizzards, eggs, bone and dried blood. This is forced down the snakes throat by a 6 ounce syringe and a 12 inch rubber hose.
He captures reptiles not he gives snakes at the harena, but also for selling. King snakes, indigo and boa constrictors make excellent pets he said
Also helps Boy Scouts get their merit badges
"Boy Scout in order to get his reptile, merit badge, must keep a reptile and captivity 30 days" said Mack.
The scout must care for the reptile and report on the reptiles activities. Gilliam, the only person in the Daytona Beach area qualified to help with the scouts, supplies, a scout with a snake for 30 days. The scout gives his report to Mack for approval and grading.