.jpg){kind=logo}
Yesterday James and I headed up to the Santa Monica Mountains to assist our friend and business associate Jules Sylvester with the shipment of some of his snakes to Florida. When it comes to snakes, Jules is at the top of the list. He has been working as an animal trainer, consultant, and actor in Hollywood since the early 80's (Snakes on a Plane, CSI, Indiana Jones, Casino Royal etc....). If you watch Jay Leno, you have probably seen this crazy Brit handling the worlds most venomous snakes.
Jules had offered to assist us with a special project we are working on, and in return, we would assist him with a shipment. We meet Jules at the Carl's JR. parking lot in West Lake Village and jump in his van. After a short ride up a windy pot hole infested, part dirt, part asphalt single lane road, we arrive at Reptile Rentals which is located on a beautiful 10 acre plot deep in the Santa Monica mountains.
We strolled into the "snake pit" that is kept at about 80-85 degrees and has a sweet smelling aroma consisting of maggots, ammonia & reptile feces. When you walk into the warehouse the orchestra of rattles begin. Peering at you from behind the glass are some very intimidating rattle snakes. Jules introduces us to all his friends and shows us the two 7-8 foot snakes that we will be shipping for him. Jules has no problem wrangling and bagging the snakes on his own, but being the gentleman he is, he insists James and I participate (see above pic). After bagging and boxing the snakes, we headed back down the canyon to drop the snakes off at LAX for their journey.
It was a great afternoon and a chance to get out of the South Bay. The highlight of the trip was watching the cobra try and take us out from behind the glass, and the fresh free range eggs he pulled out of the hen house for us to take home. I have a new found respect for snake charmers and handlers. Jules has been handling snakes since he was a wee lad and has never been bitten! "If you get bit, it's because you did something wrong. You know that 100% of the time that snake is going to try and bite you if it gets the chance."
