snakesalive
About Us
At snakesalive, we put our love for reptiles into all that we do.
At Snakes Alive, we are passionate about sharing the fascinating world of reptiles with our community. With a history dating back to 1996, we have been dedicated to providing unique and engaging reptile experiences across various settings.
Originally based in Essex, we are now excited to relaunch our business near Ipswich in Suffolk, UK. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality services that educate and entertain. Whether it's a birthday party, a school visit, or an event for media and corporate clients, we strive to create memorable experiences for all ages.
Our mission is to inspire curiosity and appreciation for reptiles through interactive and educational encounters. We believe in fostering a deeper understanding and respect for these amazing creatures, while ensuring their welfare and safety at all times.
Due to our recent relocation we are currently on pause until we obtain our new Animal Activities Licence. Please watch this space for updates or reach out to us directly for more information.
Our Team
At the heart of Snakes Alive is a passionate and dedicated team who share a love for reptiles and a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. Our culture is built on a foundation of respect, care, and enthusiasm for the animals we work with, and we strive to create a welcoming environment for everyone we meet. Take a moment to meet the faces behind Snakes Alive and discover what drives us to bring reptiles and people together in a fun and educational way.
Our Animals
Get up close and personal with our fascinating reptile friends! Our gallery showcases the diverse range of animals you can meet at Snakes Alive. From slithery snakes to scaly lizards, and from tiny spiders to gentle tortoises, each creature has its own unique story. Browse through our photos to discover the amazing world of reptiles and mini-beasts. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just curious, our animals are sure to captivate and inspire. Take a look and start your reptile adventure today!
Why choose us?
We come to your venue across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridge.
Interactive hands-on encounters engage a variety of senses.
Staff are experienced, knowledgable and are DBS checked.
Animal welfare is a priority and we have an AAL
We have £10 million Public Liability Insurance for peace of mind
FAQs
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Do you have a licence to use animals?Snakes Alive held the Performing Animals Licence prior to the legislation laws that came into place in October 2018 that requires companies using animals to hold an Animal Activities Licence (AAL). They held an AAL licence formerly with Southend-on-Sea City Council. They hope to complete this process with the new Local Authority prior to Summer 2025. All companies that provide animals at external venues must hold an Animal Activities Licence awarded by the Local Authority. This ensures that all animals are treated well, housed in appropriately sized enclosures and are transported and exhibited with the animals well-being in mind. Even if you decide to use another company please ask for this documentation alongside Public Liability Insurance and Risk Assessments to help reduce companies that have a negative impact on animal welfare.
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Do you offer animal boarding?Yes! we offer a boarding facility for Lizards, Snakes, Tortoises, Spiders and all other mini-beasts. We do not board Cats, Dogs, Rodents or Birds
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What area of the UK do you cover?We are now based in Ipswich so will service Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridge.
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How are travelling costs calculated?Travel costs are calculated depending on mileage, travel time and tolls.
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Do you cater for children with additional needs?Yes, we are happy to cater for children or adults with additional needs. Please inform us of any requirements prior to booking so that we can discuss arrangements.
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Where can I find terms and conditions?Terms and conditions can be found on the About Us page.
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What happens if someone has a phobia of snakes or spiders?We can provide preliminary information on the animals prior to the encounters and will provide nervous guests with the opportunity to approach the animals in their own time or distance themselves during presentations.
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I'm studying Animal Management at college, do you take work experience?"Not at present.
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I haven't received your email OR I haven't received a responsePlease remember to check your junk mail inbox but if you still haven't heard from us please feel free to contact us again, we aim to respond within 72 hours.
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Do you have Gift Vouchers?No. Unfortunately we are not offering new Gift Vouchers at this time. Please contact us if you have a voucher you would like to redeem.
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Can I hold a party at my house?Yes, we will provide parties at home locations or in hired venues such as halls.
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Does a large snake always attend a party?No, our large snake only come with us to Gold parties.
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Do we need to provide anything?All we ask is for a table to put the animals on and a power socket in case we need to heat the animals if necessary. We will supply covers for the flooring but we recommend that if you are concerned about any furnishings or flooring getting soiled then you take appropriate measures before our arrival.
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I'm not a child, can I still have snakes alive attend my party?"Absolutely! We do not mind what age the birthday girl or boy is from 2 to 99 (or more!) and will always try to adapt the party to suit your needs.
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The party I am hosting is not for a birthday, is that OK?"In the past we have attended Weddings, Hen and Stag Parties, Chinese New Year Celebrations, Religious Festivals and Bar Mitzvahs to name but a few. We are an inclusive company and aim to provide a great service based on your needs.
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Why does my party cost more than advertised?Prices displayed are the base price and do not include our travel costs. We recommend you fill in our Enquiry Form to obtain an accurate quote and to check our availability.
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Where do you run Reptile Experiences?Unfortunately we are unable to provide Reptile Experiences at our venue at present.
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Can you move to different classrooms?No! Our Animals will require heating while on site and are not easy to move about so we will require a location to setup and stay for the duration of our visit (including over lunch).
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Do you take cheques?We will accept cheques from schools and local authorities.
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What animals can we encounter?At parties and events you can typically encounter range of snakes, lizards, tortoises, spiders, amphibians and interesting insects. If you have expressed an interest for a particular animal to attend we do try to accommodate this but we may need to remove animals from show if they have recently eaten, are sloughing or are unwell.
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Do you have Meerkats of other mammals?No. We specialise in reptiles and invertebrates.
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Are the animals safe, are any of them harmful?"We do not use any venomous reptiles however, our arachnids are venomous but are safe to handle when done correctly. The animals are never left unattended. Any animal can be unpredictable in their behaviour so we always ask that children are kept calm and supervised throughout our presentations and any pets to be kept in another room. Hygiene is also of the upmost importance to both our audience and animals so we strongly encourage all participants to wash their hands before and after encounters and no food is to be consumed near or during the presentation. We provide alcohol based hand sanitizer at all of our displays and latex gloves if certain insects are being displayed. A copy of our general Risk Assessment is available upon on the About Us page.
Important Information
Policies and Procedures
In addition to the Terms and Conditions below we also have the following that are available upon request. These will automatically be emailed out to all confirmed school bookings.
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Risk Assessment
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Safeguarding Policy
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Staff DBS Certificates
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Proof of Public Liability Insurance
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Animal Activities Licence
Disclaimer
The welfare of all our animals is highly important to us, and their well-being comes before any part of the business. We will remove any animal from display at the first signs of stress and thus the animals we choose to bring may vary at short notice.
We never consider our animals as naturally tame or house trained, however, each animal has established handling as a regular occurrence to assist us in their care.
Careful consideration and research should be taken when purchasing any animal as a pet. Most of our animals have been rescued or re-homed due to the owners no longer wanting them, we have taken them in and cared for them. If you would like to keep a reptile as a pet we are happy to answer questions and can put you in touch with local rehoming facilities.
Terms and Conditions
Data Protection and
Usage Policy
Event Terms and Conditions
Boarding Terms and Conditions
Find out how we collect, store, process, and protect personal data. It outlines the types of data we collect, the purposes for which it is used, how long it is retained, and whether it is shared with third parties. The policy also explains the rights of data subjects, such as access, rectification, erasure, and objection to processing. Additionally, it details measures taken to ensure data security, compliance with relevant laws like GDPR, and procedures for handling data breaches.
Event Terms and Conditions outline the rules, obligations, and expectations for both organisers and participants of an event. These terms provide legal protection by clarifying the rights and obligations of both parties, preventing disputes. Please read carefully before booking any party, animal hire, event or school visit with us.
Our reptile boarding terms and conditions outline essential guidelines for ensuring a safe and healthy environment for your pets. They cover requirements such as advance booking, payment terms, and animal health checks. We accept reptiles with certain conditions if informed in advance. The terms also address liability, stating that we take reasonable care but are not responsible for illness or injury during boarding. Owners must sign a liability waiver before boarding. These conditions ensure clarity and protection for both parties, ensuring a worry-free experience for pet owners. Please read them carefully before booking.