Florida dad keeps 200 exotic snakes in converted garage — and some of them even sleep with his kids

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-16 20:42:29 | Updated at 2024-11-22 10:42:16 5 days ago
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This family is snake-charmed.

A Florida man has transformed his garage into a haven for hundreds of exotic reptiles — and even lets his young kids cuddle with the slithery serpents in bed.

“It’s normal for our family,” Socratis Christoforu, of Fort Lauderdale, told SWNS.

Socratis Christoforu and his family have about 200 exotic snakes living in their home. Socratis Christoforu / SWNS

“The children don’t fear them at all, they’re just curious about them and we’re lucky as a family to share this love for reptiles.”

The love for snakes is a family affair for the Christoforus, who own 200 of the serpents — such as rare green tree pythons, Amazon basin boas, Boeleni pythons and two venomous species, including a rear-fanged Bioga.

Most are kept in the family’s garage-turned-serpentarium, which is a carefully regulated environment with special heat zones and cool zones in each enclosure for day and night variations, SWNS reported.

That means the home is kept at a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the night.

Christoforu, 45, said his fascination for snakes sprouted at age 6, when he spent his free time catching venomous copperheads in his New Jersey backyard.

His parents were concerned at the time, but his love only continued to grow — he even started his own snake collection in 2001, but was forced to stop due to the 2008 financial crisis.

Most of the snakes are kept in the family’s garage. Socratis Christoforu / SWNS

Christoforu credits his 9-year-old daughter, Ariana, with rekindling his fascination in 2016 when he bought her a corn snake — her first pet — named Snowflake.

“The moment Ariana held Snowflake, I saw that same spark in her eyes,” Christoforu told the outlet.

“From there, our collection just grew. Now we have one of the most unique snake rooms in the world.”

Ariana has 30 of her own snakes that she keeps in her room. Socratis Christoforu / SWNS
Both Ariana and Maximus sleep with the snakes in their beds. Socratis Christoforu / SWNS

Maintaining the massive collection is a labor of love.

The Christoforus spend about $1,300 every few months on food for the serpents, and are required to adhere to strict guidelines.

The family has to be specially attentive to its two venomous species.

“I hold a venomous license and every cage with venomous snakes is locked and labeled,” Christoforu said.

“We’ve never had an escape. It’s a lot of work but it’s rewarding especially when you see your children grow up with such respect for nature.”

“We’re lucky as a family to share this love for reptiles,” Christoforu said. Socratis Christoforu / SWNS

The proud father described his daughter and son Maximus, 5, as seasoned snake handlers — Ariana even keeps 30 of her own scaley pets in her bedroom.

The children’s favorite are two Boeleni pythons named Fancy and Megatron, who they frequently cuddle and play with.

“It’s about breaking the stigma we want to show people that snakes are beautiful, not something to fear,” said Christoforu.

“Snakes aren’t evil — they’re misunderstood.”

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